Barbara Kraus-Blackney Visionary Service Award 2016-17 RECIPIENT
Patrick F. Bassett
The Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools celebrates the fact that our individual schools, and independent schools in general, are stronger and more viable for the gifts of talent, time, energy and resources of those who recognize the lasting positive effects our schools have on society. In this spirit, in 2001, ADVIS initiated its annual Award for Visionary Service, which recognizes an individual or organization for their commitment to independent education.
The 2016 Visionary Service Award recipient is Patrick F. Bassett, President & Senior Consultant, Heads Up Educational Consulting; Former teacher, school head, and President of National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
Prior to co-founding Heads Up Educational Consulting in 2013, a consulting firm that provides strategic, operational, governance, and programmatic guidance and consultation to educational enterprises, Pat Bassett spent his entire career in education. He began in 1970 as a teacher in an independent school, and eventually served as head of school of two independent schools. This was followed by the role of president of ISACS, a regional association of independent schools, prior to Pat's appointment as president of the National Association of Independent Schools in 2001, from which he "rewired" in 2013. As senior consultant of Heads Up Educational Consulting, Pat continues to lead workshops, give keynote addresses, and train boards, school leaders, and faculty on what constitute great schools, great teachers, and great leaders.
Pat has served on the board as a trustee of NAIS (1985-1989), The Multicultural Alliance (1994-2000), The Council for Spiritual and Ethical Education (CSEE 1996-2013), and The Council for American Private Education (CAPE 2001-2013). He currently serves on the board of trustees of his alma mater, Williams College (MA), the National Network of Schools in Partnership (a public/private school consortium), United Educators (a school and university risk management insurance company), Finalsite (a website & mobile technologies company), Woodberry Forest School (VA), the Benedict Foundation (whose mission is to support successful but smaller or challenged independent schools), and Noodle (a high-tech, web-based online service to help families match a student’s need with the right school or college). Pat continues to serve on educational and philanthropic boards and boards of schools, colleges, universities, and businesses that serve them.
Professional recognition has included being named a Kellogg National Leadership Fellow in 1986; a recipient of the Educational Leadership Award in 2000 by The Klingenstein Center of Teachers College (Columbia University) and global leadership awards from The European Council for International Schools (ECIS), from the Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools (NESA), and from NAIS.
A Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude graduate of Williams College (’70) where he was captain of the lacrosse team, Pat also holds a master's degree in film studies from Northwestern University (’73). He and his wife, Barbara, have two grown daughters and two grandchildren living in Boulder, CO.