Steve Moran

Can you talk about Pingree’s approach to advising — what makes it unique, and how does it help a student figure out what they want to decide for themselves?

At Pingree, all of our teaching faculty and a significant number of our staff and administrative leadership serve as advisors. Advisors are the primary support for students and conduit of communication between students, families, and teachers. Advisory groups are capped at eight students to allow for meaningful small group interactions as well as opportunities for individual support.

Students are assigned an advisor at the start of the Pingree experience. A team of educators makes that initial determination based on student interests and group fit. Each spring, returning students do have the opportunity to change advisors if they built a strong relationship with another trusted adult or peer group.

From the start of their Pingree experience, advisors meet with students two to three times per week. During those meetings, they focus on building connections, social-emotional learning, and helping students understand the resources available to them. Advisors also check in individually with students to get to know them better as they provide guidance. This direct engagement and regular communication with families creates a supportive environment where students feel empowered to take risks and make decisions that shape their educational journey in high school and beyond.

How does being an advisor help you in your role of Dean of Students — especially when it comes to guiding a student’s choices?

Serving as an advisor is one of my favorite things about working at Pingree. The opportunity to connect with a small group of students, build community, and support them in their educational journey is a joy. Through that work, and when supporting other advisors, I learn a great deal about the everyday student life experience at Pingree. That helps me in my work building school culture and creating an environment where students can take the lead in shaping their time at Pingree.

In what ways does an advisor support a student’s success specifically — helping them decide what direction to take?

Throughout the year, advisors inform students about different leadership and cultural enrichment opportunities. They are an active listener for both positive experiences and any challenges a student may be facing. Advisors also meet with their students regularly to discuss academic progress and help them with course registration each spring. Because they get to know students so well, advisors can provide comprehensive guidance as students make their own decisions throughout their time at Pingree. The importance of students having someone whose primary focus is relationship building and support can’t be understated.

Beyond academics, how does the advisor role support a student’s whole self, as they figure out who they’re becoming?

Advisors facilitate group conversations throughout the year. These include educating students on school policies and general wellness. For our upper class students, advisors are also a support in the college decision process. Many students stay with the same advisor for multiple years. Advisors get to know the whole student and their individual aspirations. They do an amazing job allowing the student to take the lead in their own educational journey while still providing a caring safety net.