![Student Thriving panelists Director of Counseling Noelle Poette, Dr. Julia Routbort Baskin, Dean of Students Shelley Maher, and Dr. Szu-Hui Lee.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760984106/emmawillardorg/m74ejvxbm1klklsf9z29/EWS_4966_fnl.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760984106/emmawillardorg/m74ejvxbm1klklsf9z29/EWS_4966_fnl.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760984106/emmawillardorg/m74ejvxbm1klklsf9z29/EWS_4966_fnl.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1760984106/emmawillardorg/m74ejvxbm1klklsf9z29/EWS_4966_fnl.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1760984106/emmawillardorg/m74ejvxbm1klklsf9z29/EWS_4966_fnl.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760984106/emmawillardorg/m74ejvxbm1klklsf9z29/EWS_4966_fnl.jpg","width":1620}])
In celebrating Dr. Lassey’s headship, the Emma Willard community was invited to learn from the wisdom of experts in the first of two panel discussions, focused on the theme “Thriving Students: Integrating Academic Excellence and Wellbeing.”
A common theme in schools with a rigorous academic program, creating a balance of personal wellbeing and excellence can be challenging; building resilience is a constant conversation.
Moderated by Dean of Students Shelley Maher, the expert panelists for this discussion were Dr. Szu-Hui Lee, who serves as the director of counseling and psychological services at Dr. Lassey’s former school, Phillips Exeter Academy; Dr. Julia Routbort Baskin, who is the associate dean of student affairs for health and wellness at Skidmore College; and Emma’s own Noelle Poette, LMHC-D, who is the director of counseling services at Emma Willard School. We invite you to enjoy some tidbits of wisdom from their remarks.
“Our students have an unerring radar for hypocrisy. If you’re not living your talk, they will know that. I’m a salesperson for balance on my campus, so then I have to interrogate my own balance, my own practices. Am I getting enough sleep? Am I really valuing the things that I tell my students I believe are valuable?” —Dr. Routbort Baskin
“When I’m working with students, I invite them to pause and do a little perspective taking. I ask them to think about the fact that, in this present moment, whatever they are doing was probably just a dream a couple of years ago. I remind them that, in this constant desire to achieve and strive, which is a great characteristic, you also have to pause and be willing to celebrate the present moment.” —Dr. Lee
“We hear: ‘When I was at my old school, I didn't have to put a whole lot of work in. When I came here, I struggled with the fact that I am working really, really hard, but I'm not getting straight As. I’m not seeing the same results that I was in the past.’ So I like to explain that, before, you were a big fish in a little pond, and here you’re a big fish in a big pond. The size of the pond changed, but you did not. You’re still a big fish—you are still capable, you’re still worthy, you’re still willing to do the work. It’s just that the work got a little different and a little bit bigger. So the way we approach it needs to be a little bit different.” —Noelle Poette, LMHC-D
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