Auction Celebrates The Art of Teaching

The 2012 Parents ’ Association spring fundraiser Celebrate The Art of Teaching was a huge success, raising over $75,000 for financial aid and the professional development endowment. It was a spectacular night, with a clear tent on the patio of the MacDonald library and a beautiful silver moon rising on cue over the rolling hills of Groton. Over 200 parents, faculty and alumni attended the event.

A huge thank-you goes to our entire parent community for its outstanding support. We are very grateful to our co-chairs Carey Cort (Val ’12, Caroline ’14) and Stacy Osur (Becca Gilbert ’12) for their wonderful vision, organization and hard work. The evening began with a silent auction, and our own Dave Casanave, Director of Communications, emceed a super silent auction. Throughout the evening, beautiful hors d’ oeuvres were served, created by LA’ s Director of Dining Services Kurt Cassidy (Liam ’15) and his wonderful dining staff. Later in the evening, guests filled the back of the library, which had been transformed into a theatre, to watch a short five-minute video

Hellie Swartwood, director of parent programs and special events, and co-chairs Carey Cort (Vail ’12, Caroline ’14) and Stacy Osur (Becca Gilbert ’12) and Greg Foster, interim head of school

about The Art of Teaching. Some of the money raised from this event went to support LA’ s professional development program. This summer, LA faculty traveled all over the United States to take part in professional development programs, all of which further our mission as a learning institution and invigorate our faculty as they continue to pursue excellence both as professionals and for Lawrence Academy. See the sidebars for two firsthand stories from LA faculty members about professional development opportunities .

From the Admission Office to College Counseling

“I am so fortunate to have been able to attend the Taft Educational Center Summer Institute session titled ‘College Counseling: New to the Field’ . I follow in the footsteps of Sean Sheehan, Luigi Solla, and Courtney Skerritt, who also had the opportunity in past years to attend this weeklong intensive workshop. We covered a range of topics such as beginning the college process, working with students and parents, writing college recommendations, constructing college lists, developing relationships with college representatives and school officials, and helping students make good decisions. During our week, we visited Wesleyan University and participated in an admissions ‘ case study ’ as well as attended a ‘Dean ’ s Forum ’ with representatives from the University of Connecticut, Quinnipiac, Trinity, and Yale. I could not have asked for a more thorough introduction to the world of college counseling. ”

– Kim Bohlin

Meite Fay, Keith Gilbert (Becca ’12), and

Adrian Fay (Axel ’15) Trustee Debbie and Steve Barnes (Eric ’13) and

Rob Barsamian (Robbie ’13) Maddie McCormick (Daniella ’14) and Nicole

Kelly (Barrett ’12, Madeleine ’14, Margaret ’16) Jennifer Clark (Ben ’14)

President of the Board of Trustees Bruce MacNeil ’70 and Trustee Ann Conway Bo Murphy (Tanner ’14, David ’16) Kim Clymer (Eliza ’13, Jillian ’15) Jane Santinelli (Maggie ’14) Interim Head of School and Trustee Greg Foster, his wife Pati, and President of the Board of Trustees Bruce MacNeil ’70