Hudson Scholars IMPACT Brochure (NEW) 2022-2023

HUDSON SCHOLARS IMPACT MENTORS & TEACHERS

OUR MENTORS

The Hackley mentors are a pivotal piece of the Hudson Scholars program. The energy, dedication, and care that they bring to the Hilltop each day serves as inspiration for our middle school Scholars. Over the past few summers, there has been an average of over 50 Hackley Upper School students

volunteering. As mentors, they spend the full day on the Hilltop assisting teachers, connecting with the Scholars, and helping out in a variety of ways. The mentors, summer after summer, continue to have a profound impact on the program.

92%

92% of mentors believe the Scholars had a positive impact on them

100% of mentors enjoyed going to Hudson Scholars each day

“There is immense value for every single person involved in Hudson Scholars if they allow themselves to be immersed in the community and family. The program is full of love, support and kindness. I never would have imagined walking in that I’d actually feel like part of this family in the way that I do…The mentors, at least for me and my experience, grow so much from the relationships and bonds with the scholars as well as the leadership used in the classroom. Everyone benefits from the relationships and bonds formed, and I hope the bonds I’ve made with the scholars last me beyond my time at Hackley.”

“I’ve found myself often being inspired by Scholars and their determination, curiosity, and eagerness to approach obstacles.”

Sami R. Hudson Scholars Mentor, Hackley ‘23

Kylie O. Hudson Scholars Mentor, Hackley ‘24

93%

One particular memory I have was when Jayden gave me a thank you note. It said, “Thank you for being there for me when I needed somebody and for making my first year as a Scholar at Hudson Scholars so successful.” Reading that made me teary eyed. The fact that I could have that much of an impact on one kid really made me feel like I was doing something right and that I could walk away from this experience saying that I changed one kid’s experience for the better. When Jayden handed me the note, he said, there is still so much more I could say about how you impacted me this summer. This reminded me of the love that I had for my mentors when I was a Hudson Scholar – the fact that I could do what they once did for me was a full circle moment – kinda cool.

I think Hudson Scholars allows the Scholars to explore a deeper understanding of what it means to be a student. You see that being a student is more than just completing homework and showing up at class. You learn what it means to be a leader and an entrepreneur and you develop a mindset that involves taking initiative. For the mentors, I think it opens up a lot of people’s eyes to different kids that go to school not even 10 minutes away. It opens their minds to the different levels of education that they might not see on a regular basis. And as for Hackley, I think the Hudson Scholars program means the school is committed to supporting these students not just in the summer but year-round and most likely until they go off to college and beyond. This program is one of the best things that has happened to me and for the TUFSD district.

IN HER WORDS: FEATURED MENTOR

Emily O.

Hudson Scholars Class of 2020, Sleepy Hollow High School ‘24

98% of mentors believe that participating in Hudson Scholars gave them a new sense of satisfaction and joy from working for the greater good

93% of mentors believe that Hudson Scholars has provided them with an opportunity to see beyond Hackley’s Hilltop

97%

97%

IN THE CLASSROOM

In the classroom, mentors collaborate with lead teachers to help with lessons, work with the Scholars in small groups, and provide individual support when needed. The mentors consistently stress the importance of trying your hardest,

striving for excellence, academic curiosity, teamwork, and more. When the Scholars see the mentors modeling these traits and getting excited about school, the Scholars are inspired to do the same.

“Hudson Scholars is a program of transformation. Both the Scholars and the Mentors enter as themselves, but leave as an even better version of who they were – with new thoughts, ideas, relationships, and character. Everyone learns to be a leader and impacts the everyday lives of the people surrounding them.”

“To see a Scholar get excited about learning or to watch them find a new passion in the classroom is truly priceless. And to see how it unfolded – by the connection created, the care shown, and the role modeling done by our mentors – is really powerful.”

David Sykes Director,

of mentors believe Hudson Scholars lives out its mission to “learn from the varying perspectives and backgrounds in our community and the world.”

Hudson Scholars

E.J. R. Hudson Scholars Mentor, Hackley ‘24

98%

OUTSIDE THE CLASS

Outside of the classroom the mentors are constantly working and connecting with the Scholars. Whether teaching a PE class, running special activities, leading a mentor led club, or bonding in the cafeteria during lunch, the relationships that are fostered throughout the day are critical to the success of the program. During these times, Scholars and mentors are able to connect with one another,

laugh together, and learn about each other. These bonds are invaluable as the Scholars grow to truly look up to our mentors and to see them as role models. Our mentors do an incredible job of leading by example and always practicing kindness, inclusion, integrity, etc., and inspiring the Scholars to do the same.

95% of mentors reported that Hudson Scholars taught them about leadership 95%

98% of mentors believe Hudson Scholars taught them about responsibility towards others

IN HIS WORDS: FEATURED MENTOR

MENTOR-LED CLUBS

Mentor Led Clubs are just one of the many ways in which our mentors are put in leadership positions with the opportunity to share their interests with the middle school Scholars. Mentors are asked to plan and run daily classes on a topic about which they are passionate. Mentors must craft age appropriate activities, manage the classroom dynamic, and keep the Scholars engaged and learning throughout. There is no doubt that the mentor’s energy is contagious and their impact on the Scholars is palpable. Equally clear is the learning and growing that the mentors undergo by running the Mentor Led Clubs.

Peter R. Hudson Scholars Mentor, Hackley ‘25

“Hudson Scholars is undoubtedly the single most impactful experience from my time at Hackley. In four weeks each summer, and through numerous reunions and tutoring sessions, I built connections that I could not have imagined when I was in 9th grade. Furthermore, in emphasizing leadership skills, I myself feel that I have grown tremendously as a leader, and developed my work ethic significantly. This manifested itself this past summer when some ninthgrade Scholars who had taken the algebra regents exam already were not being pushed in their algebra class. I noticed this and offered to teach a separate geometry class to run simultaneously with algebra to ensure that all of the Scholars would be getting the most out of their experience. I cannot imagine that I would have taken the initiative to propose and run this class when I started with Hudson Scholars. However, thanks to Hudson Scholars and my desire to be the best version of myself, I have grown into someone who embraces leadership opportunities and seeks to make improvements whenever possible. Finally, this program has made it clear to me that I want to place serving my community at the forefront of my pursuits, on the Hilltop and beyond. To me, Hudson Scholars represents all of the best things Hackley has to offer, and I know it has changed my life.

WHICH CLUBS ARE FOR YOU?

Aidan A. Hudson Scholars Mentor, Hackley ‘23

“There is a culture and attitude of hard work, compassion,and friendship from all teachers, mentors, and scholars, that leaves its mark on you. I am a better person because of Hudson Scholars and because of the impact the Scholars and program has had on me.”

“Each summer I am blown away by the transformation of, not only our Scholars, but also the mentors. The symbiotic relationship where you see Scholars and mentors learning from one another and growing together is one of the unique and truly special aspects of Hudson Scholars.”

92% of mentors believe that Hudson Scholars helps Hackley uphold its core values:

Enter here to be and find a friend

United, we help one another Character is higher than intellect

“For the mentors, it gives us the opportunity to see different perspectives of the world, as well as to learn valuable skills such as leadership”

Andre R. Hudson Scholars Mentor, Hackley ‘25

David

Sykes Director, Hudson Scholars

86% of our mentors believe that Hudson Scholars has helped to instill a sense of empathy

86%

OUR TEACHERS

The Hudson Scholars faculty is an incredible group that devotes their summer to creating enriching and challenging classes for the Scholars. Each summer, Hudson Scholars welcomes between 15 and 20 teachers to the Hilltop to bring their expertise and passion to the program. Spanning all three divisions (upper, middle, and lower school), and including the Hackley Fellows, the Hudson Scholars teachers work tirelessly, collaborate with one another, and incorporate our upper School mentors in their lessons in an effort to provide thought provoking, engaging, and fun activities to the Scholars. Our teachers are encouraged to try new things and to use the summer as a “lab” to experiment with new curricula ideas, partner with outside organizations, take some risks, and overall, to refine and improve their teaching practices. Working with the Scholars and having the help from the mentors provides a unique opportunity for our teachers to learn and grow during their four weeks with the program. We are incredibly proud of the great work that they do and the fantastic, memorable, and impactful experiences that they create for our Scholars and mentors.

IN HER WORDS: FEATURED TEACHER

Hudson Scholars has allowed me to grow as an educator in ways I could never have imagined. It is a space where teachers can cultivate a sense of profound empathy, creativity and community, not only for themselves but for the Scholars and Mentors as well; sharing this journey alongside the Scholars and Mentors is my favorite part of the program. The Leadership curricula connects academic goals and skills work to real-world issues and our community engagement projects allow the Scholars to see themselves as change-agents at a very young age… The rewards we reap as faculty are abundant, but none more noteworthy for me than seeing our Hudson Scholars program graduates continue to lead as they move into high school. Whether by continuing to serve local non-profits introduced to them during the program or by returning to serve as Mentors after participating in the program as Scholars, the students are forever transformed in the best way possible. I walk away from every summer more and more impressed by this younger generation of leaders and more and more inspired to stretch myself as an educator.

Emily Washington Hudson Scholars Coordinator for Leadership and Community Engagement. Hackley Middle and Upper School Spanish Teacher

Hudson Scholars exemplifies so much of what I love about teaching. The students are so passionate and eager to learn, and seeing how much they’ve grown as students and human beings during these four weeks reminds me of why I want to go into this profession in the first place. I also love how much of the curricula is tied to cultural awareness and social justice.

I am excited to work with Hackley’s students in the role of mentors. I have had the opportunity to have some of the mentors as my students last year; some will be my students in the upcoming years, while others are just part of Hackley’s student body. As future global citizens and leaders, I look forward to seeing how the experience of working with the Scholars can change their lives for them. I am always eager to see my students wearing different hats and playing different roles outside of the classroom, whether it be playing sports, performing in a play, or mentoring a group of younger middle schoolers.

100% of the teachers who responded believe that:

Hudson Scholars provides opportunities for growth and learning for the Scholars and Mentors

The work Hudson Scholars is doing connects to Hackley’s diversity, equity, and inclusion work.

They enjoyed coming to work at Hudson Scholars

Hudson Scholars helps Hackley live out its mission “to learn from the varying perspectives and backgrounds in our community and the world.”

Christina Wang Hackley Class of 2018 and Current Hackley Teaching Fellow

Avi Sosa

Hudson Scholars Teacher and Dean. Hackley Spanish Teacher and Department Head

85% of our Scholars reported that they now feel more confident as a student

“Hudson scholars is a family that helps everyone feel included and become better students/people while helping them to challenge themselves at a comfortable pace.”

91% of Scholars reported being engaged in 3 or more of their classes this past summer

‘23

91% of our Scholars reported that they improved at/feel more comfortable asking teachers and/or mentors for help

Hudson Scholars are engaged in their classes

Ashley Hudson Scholars ‘21

Juarlin Hudson Scholars

90%

90% of our Scholars reported that there was an adult (either a teacher or a mentor) to whom they looked up

19 out of 20

19 out of 20 of our Scholars reported that they felt comfortable talking with, and confiding in, the Mentors

93%

93% of Scholars reported being happy they attended Hudson Scholars

“The Hudson Scholars program is not just a program to me, it’s more like a supportive family that pushes you to your limits and guides you when you make mistakes.”

100% of Scholars reported that they felt they were part of the Hudson Scholars community

Jameson Hudson Scholars ‘25

Julissa Hudson Scholar, Summers ‘18 & ‘19

Peter R. Hudson Scholars Mentor, Hackley ‘25