Our Mission:
to cultivate character, nurture well-being, and
foster intellectual engagement
The Work
Chestnut State provides a comprehensive and highly individualized approach to adolescent development.
Through dialogue, reflection, challenge, and guidance, David helps adolescents develop greater self-reflection, self-understanding, and vision
Developmental Coaching & Mentorship
David helps students understand how to make thoughtful academic decisions, plan for the short and long term, and take greater ownership of their education.
Academic Advising
Teaching begins with the student’s perspective, personality, interests, and ways of thinking. The aim is to develop knowledge alongside intellectual curiosity and independence.
Individualized Teaching
David helps students and families approach college exploration, preparation, and applications as part of the adolescent’s broader intellectual and personal development.
College Guidance
About David
David Joseph Issabey is the founder and director of Chestnut State Adolescent Development and the author of Developing the Adolescent.
He works with adolescents and families, bringing together developmental coaching, academic advising, individualized teaching, college guidance, and educational mentorship. His approach is grounded in the belief that mentorship empowers, that education should help young people discover themselves and the world around them, and that development doesn’t occur automatically.
“Half the work I do is about addressing the individual; the other half is about addressing the student. However, 90% of the success comes from the first part.”
Explore David’s Work
A handbook on the forces shaping young people: family dynamics, social noise, the power of mentorship, the psychological and developmental benefits of learning, commentary on education, and commentary on society’s responsibility of society to adolescents.
Developing the Adolescent
Essays on motivation, mentorship, learning, college planning, identity, family life, and the broader purpose of education.
Essays
Begin a Conversation
My work always begins by understanding the person in front of me.
Whether you know exactly what you hope to accomplish or simply want to better understand what a developmental approach might look like for your adolescent, I invite you to schedule a conversation with me.
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