IBSC Hawley-Jarvis Award

Join us at the IBSC Annual Conference in June as we present this distinguished award to Trish Cislak of Crescent School (Canada). Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination.

Trish CislakTrish Cislak

2025 IBSC Hawley-Jarvis Award Honoree

Trish Cislak concluded her full-time professional career in education in June 2024, marking the culmination of a distinguished 33-year tenure as an educator, including 24 years devoted specifically to boys’ education. Her formal engagement with educational research began in 2010 through the IBSC Action Research Program—an initiative she continues to regard as the most profoundly impactful professional development experience available to educators.

As an IBSC Action Research team advisor, Cislak has mentored and supported over 100 colleagues in the design and execution of practitioner research, significantly advancing the quality and scope of educator-led inquiry within boys’ schools. In addition to this role, she co-facilitated an IBSC Special Interest Group focused on cultivating robust reading cultures—a long-standing professional passion. Her advocacy for reading as both a critical academic competency and a vehicle for character development has been a defining feature of her educational philosophy. She remains deeply gratified by the ongoing relevance and influence of this special interest group.

Though formally retired from full-time service, Cislak has returned to Crescent School (Canada) as a research consultant. In this role she collaborates closely with student research teams from middle school through grade 12, fostering student voice and agency. Her work empowers young men to engage meaningfully with their school community and contribute constructively to its ongoing development. Cislak considers it a continued privilege to support the growth and learning of Crescent students in this capacity.

History

In 1989, Dr. Richard Hawley, headmaster of University School (United States) in Cleveland, and Reverend Tony Jarvis, headmaster of the Roxbury Latin School (United States), met to discuss their mutual concerns about the future direction of boys’ schools. As a result they formed a group of similarly concerned leaders of boys’ schools to broaden the conversation and share ideas. Under their leadership the group founded the International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC) in 1995, with the goal to celebrate the lives and education of boys. Both experienced school leaders and master teachers, Hawley and Jarvis embody the spirit of servant leadership that inspires IBSC's work. In 2015, the IBSC board of trustees created this award to honor those whose selfless service furthers best practice in boys’ education and the professional development of those who educate boys.

Selection Criteria

  • The award will be given to an employee of an IBSC member school who has faithfully offered transformational service to IBSC for a period of at least two years.
  • We seek to nominate and award those who serve in support roles rather than senior administrators.
  • Selection: IBSC trustees will review three finalists among the nominees submitted by the IBSC membership at large and select the awardee for recognition at the IBSC Annual Conference.

Questions?

Please contact Amy Ahart at ahart@theibsc.org with any questions.