Learning Differences at ISAAGNY Schools
Finding the right school means understanding not only how a child learns best, but also how different schools can support them. In this free, virtual workshop, a panel of experienced ISAAGNY school leaders will help families navigate the admissions process for children with learning differences.
Panelists will discuss how approaches and available supports vary among schools, what families should consider when evaluating fit, and which questions to ask during the admissions process. They will also offer guidance on discussing a child’s learning profile, sharing evaluations and other relevant information, and working in partnership with schools. Families will leave better equipped to identify an environment in which their child can feel understood, supported, and successful.
Workshops are designed for families considering an independent school education for their children. Registration is required.
Sarah Szen is the Chief Enrollment & Strategy Officer at The Churchill School & Center in New York City, a K–12 school serving students with language-based learning differences. A former special educator and classroom teacher, Sarah has spent more than a decade working at the intersection of student learning, family partnership, and school leadership. In her current role, she oversees enrollment and retention strategy and works closely with families, educators, and evaluators to understand students’ learning profiles and the environments in which they thrive. Sarah holds an M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership from St. John’s University and a B.A. in Early Childhood & Special Education from New York University.
Tiffany Huggins is an independent school admissions leader and educator with more than 30 years of experience in college admissions, counseling, and student-centered education. She currently serves as Director of Admissions at Mary McDowell Friends School, a K-12 Quaker school in Brooklyn dedicated to educating students with learning disabilities. A Brooklyn native and first-generation college graduate, Tiffany earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Vanderbilt University, where she attended as a Posse Scholar. Her own educational journey continues to shape her belief in the transformative power of opportunity, community, and being seen for one’s potential. Throughout her career, Tiffany has worked across college admissions and counseling, including at Colgate University, where she developed partnerships focused on student success and equitable access to higher education. Across these roles, she has remained deeply committed to helping students and families look beyond credentials and ask a more meaningful question: What kind of educational environment will allow this student to thrive? At Mary McDowell Friends School, Tiffany brings that same student-centered approach to admissions, helping families navigate the often complex process of finding the right educational fit for students with learning disabilities. She believes admissions is not simply about determining whether a student fits a school, but about creating an honest and thoughtful conversation about what a student needs, what a school can offer, and whether the two can meaningfully support one another. Grounded in the Quaker values of community, equality, integrity, simplicity, peace, and stewardship, Tiffany approaches her work with warmth, transparency, and curiosity. She is particularly passionate about helping students and families recognize their strengths, understand their possibilities, and find educational communities where they can feel both challenged and known.