Brian Garrett and Susan Schorr to Speak on Promoting Healthy Adult-Student Relationships

McLane Middleton attorneys Brian B. Garrett and Susan E. Schorr will be speaking at the Association of Independent Schools of New England’s upcoming “Town Academy Workshop Series” on February 2, 2022 at 3:30 p.m. ET.

As part of the series, Brian and Susan will be presenting, “Boundaries Training: Promoting Healthy Adult-Student Relationships,” where they will discuss the importance of maintaining healthy boundaries between students and adults in K-12 schools. Appropriately nurturing relationships between faculty, staff and students are key components to a successful educational experience; inappropriately close relationships have the opposite effect and can be devastating for the youth involved and the school community as a whole.

This workshop will help educators understand how to foster relationships at school that prioritize the needs of students, recognize the early signs of boundary crossings and violations, address situations when boundary violations occur, and review mandated reporting guidance and requirements when serious misconduct is a concern.  Brian and Susan will discuss various scenarios, pulled from the headlines and their own practice, to stimulate conversation about the behavioral standards schools should have in place to inspire faculty and staff to be positive and supportive role models for students.

Brian is a Vice Chair of McLane Middleton’s Education Law Group.  He has extensive experience in a broad range of education, employment, and complex commercial litigation matters throughout the country, including in state and federal courts, in alternative resolution processes, and before various administrative agencies.  Brian focuses his practice on understanding and serving the needs of independent day and boarding schools, colleges and universities, and early child care programs. Brian partners with many of the country’s leading independent schools to provide comprehensive advice on all aspects of school operations, including establishing new schools, student and parent issues, employment matters, school governance and leadership, and general risk management. He works closely with board chairs, heads of schools, financial officers, and other senior leadership members in tackling complex matters affecting school communities.  Brian can be reached in the firm’s Boston and Portsmouth offices at (603) 334-6934 or brian.garrett@mclane.com.

Susan is a Vice Chair of McLane Middleton’s Education Law Group.  In the independent school context, Susan works with clients across the United States and internationally, and is particularly experienced in counseling senior leaders on parent, child and institutional relationships and conflicts, managing and conducting investigations in response to reports of sexual and other serious misconduct, and updating the policies, enrollment and employment agreements, trip and medical waivers, and other forms required to manage the daily life at boarding and day schools. Susan is a regular on the webinar and training circuit, both for individual clients and at regional and national conferences.  Susan can be reached in the firm’s Boston office at (857) 305-1960 or susan.schorr@mclane.com.

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