In our 47th year of gathering teachers and other educators together we look forward to continuing the work of creating better relationships with students. In our week together over the summer (at our Institutes held in Massachusetts in June and in Colorado in August) we focus on how to listen deeply to students, to understand what they are thinking and feeling and to provide support as they navigate an increasingly complex world during their adolescence. Whether we are their advisers, their classroom teachers or we connect with them through deaning, sports, arts, learning support, technology or health, as well as the library or dormitories; we find students have a thirst for real relationships with adults who care about them.

At a number of teacher in-service workshops we have held at your schools throughout this year I have received consistent feedback from teachers and administrators that taking the time to listen has become increasingly important. The pressure that students feel that is trickling down from the world news and the economy have them more aware of the choices and trade-offs their parents are making for them to attend school. This also leads to schools feeling the need to make whole their commitment to providing close relationships and providing on-going student support. The digital world has increased student breadth of contact with friends and others but diminished depth of contact. Some students feel more awkward in one-on-one relationships both with their peers and with adults. Only experience and opportunity can change this dynamic. We hope in our work with you, your confidence and competence are enhanced in providing these experiences for your students.

I wanted to mention that I will be co-presenting at NAIS in San Francisco this year on Friday, February 26th, at 11:30-12:30. Our talk is entitled, “The Power of Empathic Advising: Unleashing Teacher Student Connection” and Jack Creeden, the Head of Providence Country Day in Charlotte (NC), along with Paula Chu, a Counseling Institute faculty member and former director of Counseling at the Ethel Walker School, will provide their rich and personal perspectives. I will attempt, with their expert help, to teach the power of connection in 50 minutes. We hope to see some of you there and love having Institute alumni stop by to share what is happening in your respective lives.

In keeping with the need to stay frugal we are not raising our fees this year. And we are keeping the discount for early registrants who sign up before April 1st. We have been so gratified that in these trying economic times you have continued to believe in what we teach and you are sending us your teachers and sharing with us your precious professional development dollars. We feel what we offer is a wonderful and productive experience; however we never take for granted your trust. On behalf of the entire faculty I can safely say we will be sure to provide the very best experience possible for those of you choosing to attend. We truly believe your school will reap great benefit from your time with us. We look forward to working together this summer.

All my best,

Ellen Porter Honnet

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