Professional Development Opportunity Sparks Innovation and Vision for Holton-Arms's Future

Head of Middle School Lea Hunerkoch catching up with her Graduate Program Director, Steve Piltch, Ed.D., University of Pennsylvania's Director of School Leadership Program at Thrive 2025.

Each year, the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) brings together thousands of educators and school leaders at its annual conference, Thrive. This year, Holton-Arms's Head of Middle School and Middle School History Teacher, Lea Hunerkoch, was among the attendees, bringing back insights that are already inspiring conversations and actions within the Holton community.

"For me, the conference was an opportunity to explore innovative approaches to both the challenges and opportunities schools are navigating today," she shared. "As a first-time attendee, I was eager to connect with fellow administrators and bring fresh perspectives back to Holton."

Over the course of the three-day conference, Lea attended sessions on a diverse range of topics, including diversity and belonging, teacher wellness, crisis communication, and strategic planning. One particularly resonant session focused on community and belonging, featuring new data from a well-being survey administered to middle and high school students at independent schools across the U.S. and Canada. The findings underscored the importance of ensuring every student feels seen, heard, and included—a message that inspired Lea to initiate new conversations at Holton with administrators and facilitators to expand existing efforts and implement actionable strategies. 

Another powerful session on crisis communications was led by school leaders from Los Angeles, who shared their experience managing messaging during the L.A. wildfires. Their firsthand accounts provided practical takeaways that sparked thoughtful discussions about enhancing Holton's own communications planning and readiness.

Teacher wellness and recruitment—especially in the context of attracting and sustaining the next generation of educators—is an area Lea is particularly passionate about. "Teachers are the heart of any school," she noted. "Giving them agency, support, and a sense of belonging is essential to both their success and that of our students." Following the conference, she began collaborative discussions with Holton's leadership team around reducing faculty burnout and exploring more creative approaches to teacher recruitment and retention.

Reflecting on the experience, Lea remarked, "We are all working to support and empower our teachers so they can inspire students to be the best versions of themselves. The ever-evolving work of schools must be grounded in this purpose to stay sustainable and inclusive. Opportunities like Thrive are vital to the continued growth of our faculty and the strength of the Holton community."