CAIS

On February 27th of this year, Andrew Corcoran, Head of School of the Chinese American International School (CAIS) and Executive Director of the CAIS Institute, was awarded the 2008 Global Citizen Award from the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). The award was presented at the Global Education Summit Session at the annual NAIS conference held this year in New York City.

The NAIS Global Citizen Award is made annually to an individual who has promoted global education in NAIS member schools. Since it is a “citizen” award, it is made to an individual and not a school, although that individual will have led a team in accomplishing what is being recognized.

Under Andy’s leadership, CAIS has solidified its position as a model in the immersion teaching of Mandarin and in the promotion of Chinese language and culture in the United States. In 2004, CAIS was awarded the Goldman Sachs Award for Excellence in International Education.

The CAIS Institute is a Mandarin resource center for educators, students, and community organizations. A leader in the field of Chinese education, Corcoran realized his vision when the CAIS Institute hosted the nation’s first annual Chinese Language Conference in 2007.

NAIS wanted to acknowledge not just the model CAIS provides of how to do immersion programs right, but also the example he (and others at the school and the Institute) has set by creating the Institute and all it does. NAIS also recognized Andy’s leadership in creating an acculturation program that has been a great help to the teachers and the schools they went to; it appears that in all cases the teachers will be returning for a second year.

Corcoran brings more than 30 years of extensive experience in education. Prior to joining CAIS, he was principal of Maryknoll High School in Hawaii. Corcoran continues to work with Teachers without Borders in China and previously worked with Global Children’s Organization in Bosnia, Croatia, and Ireland to aid children affected by the violence in those countries.