"This is entirely unexpected and humbling," said Mike Richards. "I certainly wouldn’t have thought of myself as deserving such an award. I see it as a recognition of the school as a whole and of all the effort, thought, and love, on the part of so many people, that have gone into creating a new school."

The school is San Miguel High School in Tucson, Arizona, of which Mike is a founding staff member. And the award is "Distinguished Lasallian Educator" for the District of San Francisco. The honor was announced by the District’s Office of Education in October, and Mike will receive his award at the Huether Lasallian Conference to be held November 20-22 in St. Louis.

Mike has served for six years in the District of San Francisco, with one year at Justin-Siena High School in Napa and the past five years at San Miguel High School in Tucson. Since the opening of San Miguel High School in 2004, Mike has contributed to the school’s phenomenal success in many ways, as teacher of English and religious studies, Student Life coordinator, school improvement coordinator, and curriculum coordinator. Currently Mike serves as co-director of the Corporate Internship Program and Director of Workplace Learning.

Elizabeth Goettl, president of San Miguel High, says, “Mike serves San Miguel's students in the tradition of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Focusing his efforts on a population of poor and working class students, Mike directs San Miguel's Corporate Internship Program. This program, in the Lasallian tradition, supports a practical education for our students, an opportunity for young people to prepare themselves for the 21st century world of the work and the global economy.”

Mike Richards was nominated for this award because he is a master teacher who models lifelong learning for his students and his colleagues and who maintains a strong knowledge base in current educational research and practice, constantly seeking refined strategies to improve student learning. He has prepared students for critical thinking in a global society, cultural competency in diverse settings, global awareness through the practice and understanding of interrelationships among public and private economic entities, socio-cultural groups, and individuals.

Mike has also led multiple efforts to teach students service to others. He has guided the VENAVER immersion trip for San Miguel students, and he has led students’ participation in the No More Deaths project, assisting border crossers with food, water, and clothing. Further, Mike’s everyday efforts are to educate a population of students from families of limited financial resources. He has committed himself to serve students at this Cristo Rey school, students who would not otherwise be able to access a Catholic, Lasallian education.

San Miguel High School graduated its first class in 2008, with all graduates accepted into colleges and more than $3.6 million in financial aid awarded. See the story here.

Mike Richards says, “It really seems to me that this award honors what we have all accomplished together at San Miguel. Personally, however, it is significant to me that the timing of this honor coincides with my completion of my three years of formation in the Buttimer Institute, because taking part in the Buttimer Institute has really been a transformative experience for me, not only increasing my knowledge of our Lasallian heritage and mission but also deepening my commitment to it. I know that this educational mission is where I belong.”

Mike Richards and the other Distinguished Lasallian Educators from across the United States and Toronto Region will be acknowledged at the Huether Lasallian Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, November 20-22, 2008.

For information on the Huether Lasallian Conference, the Buttimer Institute, and other activities of the U.S.-Toronto Region, visit the Christian Brothers Conference at www.lasallian.info.

For complete information on San Miguel High School in Tucson, Arizona, visit www.sanmiguelhigh.org.