It has been said that the true measure of a man is defined by how he treats others and by what others who know him best say about his actions. Salem Superintendent, Dr. Alan Seibert, who is often described by his peers as being a visionary, passes those litmus tests with flying colors on a daily basis.
“Alan is an excellent superintendent with vision and passion not only for his profession, but for our school division, our employees and most importantly, our students,” said Salem School Board Chair, Sally Southard. “We are very fortunate to have him on our team.”
Last week, his fellow school superintendents in Region VI recognized that passion and Seibert’s tireless work on behalf of Salem’s schoolchildren by naming him the Region VI Superintendent of the Year.
“I am honored, humbled and a touch embarrassed,” says Seibert. “I don’t know of a single educator who answers the call to teach, lead, and serve in public education because he or she desires recognition. We do so first and foremost because we have a heart for children, but also because we care about our communities. For my peers, who share this same philosophy, to recognize me in this manner is especially meaningful.”
“There is no doubt Dr. Seibert is deserving of this recognition,” said Alleghany County Superintendent, Sarah Campbell. “He is an outstanding leader in education and his commitment to student achievement is representative of all superintendents in Region VI.”
Region VI encompasses 15 area school divisions in the Commonwealth that stretch from Alleghany to Danville and Botetourt to Floyd. Seibert will now represent our area as the region nominee for State Superintendent of the Year honors.
“Alan Seibert is one of the most competent and innovative superintendents I know,” said Roanoke County Superintendent, Dr. Lorraine Lange, the 2011 State Superintendent of the Year. “He consistently leads Salem City Schools to be one the finest divisions in Virginia. He is most deserving of the honor of being named Virginia Region VI Superintendent of the year.”
Seibert is a New Jersey native who earned his Bachelor’s and Doctorate degrees from Virginia Tech and his Master’s from Radford University. Along with his wife, Michele, and their three boys, the Seiberts have made their home in the community he has served for more than two decades.
He was appointed to serve as Salem’s Division Superintendent in 2006, and before that was principal at South Salem Elementary. His educational career began in Salem in 1991 as an earth science teacher at Salem High School and he also has served the division as an assistant principal at both Andrew Lewis Middle School and Salem High School.
“I am profoundly thankful to live and serve in a community where citizens and generations of elected and appointed leaders get it, and by that, I am referring to the well-researched and proven fact that communities with high quality schools have a higher quality of life for all residents,” he said
