Our Peer Learning Cohorts create a community of practice for educational professionals to deepen connections, share challenges, and support one another in achieving their vision for meaningful work in independent schools.

This isn't a training program with one-way information flow. It's a co-created space where we collectively wrestle with the questions, challenges, and opportunities that define our work, and learn alongside one another in the shared pursuit of becoming more effective educators and leaders.

Our goals:

• Build an enduring community of practice across participants

• Develop individual knowledge, competencies, and skills around collaboration and educational leadership

• Help participants accelerate their goals and navigate challenges within their institutions

Cohorts convene monthly from September through May (9 months total).

The program includes:

• Monthly 90-minute Zoom sessions with up to 12 participants

• 2 individual coaching sessions

• 1 full-day in-person retreat in spring

• Accountability partners between meetings to help build community and peer learning

• Access to guest experts and thought leaders

• Access to online resources

This cohort is designed for middle and high school faculty members and administrators currently working in independent or boarding schools.

Participants may be at any stage of their career, with a range of responsibilities—teaching, coaching, advising, department leadership, or administration. Ideally, participants should have familiarity with their school to effectively share experiences, successes, and challenges.

You might be a good fit if you:

• Are navigating leadership transitions or new responsibilities

• Want to build skills in collaboration and institutional change

• Seek a confidential space to discuss challenges with peers

• Are looking to bring insights back to your school, department, or team

A foundational principle of this program is co-creation. We work with you and your fellow cohort members to shape a program that's most relevant to your roles and challenges.

Each cohort is limited to 12 participants, ensuring intimate, meaningful conversation. Groups are formed based on shared interests, roles, or challenges. We'll identify a regular monthly call time that works for everyone, with the understanding that occasional scheduling conflicts may arise.

You can expect:

• Honest, confidential conversations with peers facing similar challenges

• Practical tools and frameworks for navigating leadership and collaboration

• A supportive community that extends beyond the 9-month program

• Flexibility to explore the topics most pressing to your work

We regularly seek feedback and welcome input. We offer structure, but embrace the opportunity to adapt as we collectively explore how to be effective practitioners in service to our schools and students.

Kristen Peterson

Kristen brings over 20 years of experience in independent and boarding schools, where she's held leadership roles across student life, advising, athletics, advancement, and admissions. She's served as Dean of Student Life Programs at Northfield Mount Hermon, Dean of Students at Stoneleigh-Burnham School, and in senior roles at Mercersburg Academy, Miss Porter's School, and Suffield Academy.

Throughout her career, Kristen has led schoolwide strategy for student wellbeing, designed and implemented advising programs, coached faculty through complex student support challenges, and built systems that balance care, accountability, and institutional consistency. She's taught leadership education, directed health and peer educator programs, managed crisis response, and worked closely with counseling, health services, DEI teams, and senior leadership.

In 2024, Kristen founded AWren Advisors, an educational consulting firm focused on academic, college, and wellbeing support for students and families. She also partners with schools on professional learning, faculty mentoring, and community-building initiatives. The shift to consulting allowed her to focus on what she loves most — helping students, families, and educators navigate transitions and tackle the real challenges that come with this work.

Kristen is passionate about creating spaces where educators can be honest, reflective, and connected. She's thrilled to be co-facilitating this cohort with Shawn and building a community of people centered on collaborative growth.

Shawn Durrett

Shawn has spent 25 years in independent schools as an English teacher, department chair, Dean of Faculty, and Assistant Head of School. She's deeply committed to anti-racist and culturally sustaining practices, and has extensive experience designing curriculum, coaching teachers, and facilitating professional development that's both intentional and effective.

Most recently, Shawn served as Assistant Head of School and Dean of Faculty at Stoneleigh-Burnham School, where she led faculty hiring, professional development, and school-wide initiatives. She's also worked as an instructional coach for Teaching Lab (grades K-12) and as a Master English Teacher with the New England New Teachers Seminar through CAIS CT. Currently, she's the Associate Director of Learning Outcomes Assessment at Greenfield Community College.

Shawn is known for her strong emotional intelligence, clear moral compass, and ability to create environments where people feel supported to grow. She's excited to co-facilitate this cohort and help educators build the skills, connections, and confidence they need to thrive in their work.

Early Bird Rate: $2,075 (apply by May 15)

Regular Rate: $2,375 (apply by September 1)

What's included:

• 9 monthly Zoom sessions (90 minutes each)

• 2 individual coaching sessions

• 1 full-day in-person retreat (meals and facility covered; travel/lodging covered by participant)

• Access to guest experts and resources

Professional Development Funding: Peer Learning Cohorts qualify as professional development and are typically covered by school PD budgets. We encourage participants to explore institutional funding options.

Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort are now open.

Early Bird Deadline: May 15, 2025

Final Deadline: September 1, 2025

Space is limited to 12 educators. Cohorts fill quickly.

Apply here

Questions?

• Contact us here‍ ‍

• email kristen.peterson@awrenadvisors.com

• join our mailing list for updates.