About

Amy Sichel '75

Superintendent of Abington School District in Montgomery County, Pa., Amy Silverstein Sichel ’75 is president-elect of American Association of School Administrators, the professional organization of more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and internationally.

She will become president in 2013 and will be the first Pennsylvania school chief to lead the national association in its nearly 150-year history.

A psychology graduate, Sichel says, “I had my initial experience in the field of education and psychology at Lafayette. This foundation was extremely instrumental as I forged ahead in my career in education. I remember with great fondness my adviser Dr. Burt Cohen, who encouraged me to pursue a Ph.D. in school psychology. His mentorship and guidance was a key ingredient for me and exemplifies what Lafayette offers its students. “

After earning a Ph.D. from University of Pennsylvania, Sichel began working in the Abington district, where she has served in various capacities for 36 years, including the past 12 as superintendent. She was named Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year in 2010 and served as president of Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators in 2010-11.

Throughout her career, Sichel has been an advocate for a strong public education system, serving on a number of education panels and forums, including the Suburban Superintendents Study Council, of which she was president from 2004 to 2009. She also has been an adjunct associate professor at University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education since 1981 and is currently an adjunct instructor at Delaware Valley College.

As president-elect, Sichel will speak with state and federal officials to help them understand how funding is crucial to providing a quality education. Indeed, she already has experience testifying before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education, where she urged Congress to use research and standards-based models for student achievement and assessment in reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (now called No Child Left Behind Act).

A member of AASA since 2001, Sichel joined the governing board in 2006.