Path nder A Chat with
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Executive Director Errol Saunders
rrol Saunders said he is not “busy,” but rather, he is “scheduled.” “I would never describe myself as busy. Because by doing that, I think you’re actually obscuring your commitments.” Semantics aside, let’s just say that the supremely organized new Executive Director of Pathfinder Hopkins School, an enrichment program for New Haven–area public and parochial school children, doesn’t let the grass grow under his feet. A doctoral student at Columbia University Teachers College, a 15-year member of the Hopkins history faculty teaching two sections this year, and a Hopkins Junior School adviser, Errol is a passionate educator whose long history with Pathfinder has gained him deep experience with every aspect of the program. He has served as a Pathfinder teacher, as Dean of Students, Assistant Director, Instructional Coach, Co-Director of the Summer Program and now, Executive Director. Originally called Summerbridge New Haven, Pathfinder was founded in 1992 as a six-week, tuition-free summer enrichment program on the Hopkins campus for highly-motivated 7th and 8th grade public and parochial school students from New Haven, taught by talented high school and college students. It was later rebranded
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Spring 2021 | VIEWS FROM THE HILL