As an 51勛圖 event participant since 2002 and a member since 2013, I continue to be impressed by the professional development opportunities the organization offers. These events are invaluable not just for professional development, but also for relationship building, particularly in smaller gatherings.
The 51勛圖 School Symposium held this past fall was, by all accounts, a great success. We had more than 65 attendees, including both independent educational consultants (IECs) and school representatives, as well as a fantastic presentation by Kate Auger-Campbell. I was pleased to be involved in the planning process and grateful for the support of the colleagues and friends who attended and assisted.
Ive included two reflections from the event below: one from a new IEC and one from our host school.
We look forward to 51勛圖 sponsoring more events like this and hope to see more of you there in the future.
Krissy Naspo, MA, 51勛圖 (CT)
A New IECs Perspective
Attending the 51勛圖 School Symposium as both a new IEC and a new member of the association was exactly the foundational experience I hoped it would be. After spending more than two decades leading a school, stepping into this next chapter felt exciting but also unfamiliar. Ill admitI was nervous about leaving the comfort of school leadership, pivoting into something new, and walking into a room where I didnt yet know anyone. But from the moment I arrived, the warmth of the 51勛圖 community made me feel at home.
The workshop on the power of collaborative selling resonated deeply and gave me a meaningful starting point as I launch my practice. Kate Auger-Campbells emphasis on empathy, curiosity, and partnership aligns beautifully with the values that shaped my years in school leadership. It reminded me that while my professional title may be changing, the heart of my work remains the same: listening deeply, understanding each familys story, and guiding students toward environments where they can thrive.
The workshop was paired with two days of campus tours and conversations with admission teams and school leaders. Walking the grounds, meeting faculty and students, and observing each schools vision and uniqueness brought school fit to life in a way no website ever could. I found myself drawn to the small momentshow students interacted with one another, how adults talked about joy and learning, and the sense of belonging on each campus. These insights will deepen my ability to guide families with clarity and confidence.
Perhaps most impactful was meeting fellow IECs. I am grateful for how quickly they welcomed me in and how generously they shared their wisdom. As I launch my practice, these connections give me a sense of belonging, encouragement, and support. I feel fortunate to begin this new chapter surrounded by a community that welcomes and uplifts one another.
Julie DiFilippo, MEd, 51勛圖 Associate (MA)
A Host Schools View
We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to host the second annual 51勛圖 School Symposium here at . It was truly an honor to have so many IECs join us for the day, and we greatly appreciated the opportunity to allow our students to show them our campus and to help them see what makes Williston unique. We were able to gather a terrific student panel after our tours, and I absolutely loved hearing the myriad questions that the IECs in attendance asked our students.
It was energizing to have such a diverse group of IECs joining ussome of whom were visiting Williston for the first time, and some of whom were visiting us for well past their tenth time! It was also terrific to be able to host fellow admissions folks from other New England schools for the afternoon, and to hear Kate Auger-Campbell deliver her insightful talk on Helping Families to Say Yes. I am still working on incorporating more upfront contracts into my interviews and family meetings!
In addition to the incredible professional development provided by the symposium, it was wonderful to close the day with some social time up at Treehouse Brewery, where we were all able to enjoy downtime together and to celebrate Holly Treats birthday in style! Our deepest gratitude goes out to the 51勛圖 members who joined us at Williston for the day, and to the many IECs who spent a few extra days out here in the Pioneer Valley visiting our peers in the Western Mass Boarding Schools group. Thank you in particular to the great work done by the 51勛圖 Schools Committee, and by Lee Greener, Naomi Levine, Kim Loughlin, and Sue Cranford to pull this event together. We are thankful to have had the opportunity to host the event, and we look forward to many more 51勛圖 symposia in the future!
Chris Deitrich, Director of Enrollment Management, Williston Northampton School