OUR STUDENTS

Our students reflect the richness and diversity for which San Francisco is proudly known.

Over 50% From Multilingual Families

“The best part of Breakthrough this summer was the community. Everyone knew each other, and there was a sense of belonging, a sense of being in the right place... I’m happy to be part of the Breakthrough Summerbridge community.”

—Sebastian, 2022 Student Participant

OUR PROGRAM’S LASTING AND EXPONENTIAL IMPACT

Following her experience as a Summerbridge student, Natalie Garcia Lara dedicated herself almost immediately to educating and empowering the next generation of students. Serving as a Summerbridge Teaching Fellow in 2003, Natalie then earned her undergraduate degree in English from the University of San Diego, interned with Teach for America, then achieved a Masters in English from California State University, East Bay.

As a teacher, principal, and now, in her role as Director of Academics for a K-8 school in Northern California, Natalie credits her early experience with Summerbridge as a strong influence on her pedagogical philosophy. As a self-described “shy kid”, she remembers fondly being “pushed to participate and excel, but also having a safe space to be silly and have fun.”

Natalie identifies a Summerbridge course in Chicana Literature as the experience that gave her “the bug to become an English teacher”. “Being taught Latina literature by a Latina teacher—and Teaching Fellows who looked like me—opened up a world for me,” says Garcia Lara.

Today, Natalie is passionate about creating educational experiences that are culturally relevant, safe, challenging, participatory, and FUN—particularly for students that “might need an extra push, and advocacy.” She amplifies this philosophy through active participation in the arena of professional development. Currently she is part of a cohort of educators in Loyola University’s Diversity in Leadership program for principals of color.

“I owe so much to Summerbridge,” says Garcia Lara. As a Latina, and the first in her family to graduate from college, “the program gave me a foundation culturally and academically. I could say to myself ‘I belong here. School is for you and people that look like you excel in school’.”

Natalie Garcia Lara is making a difference every day for students, fellow educators, and for equity and inclusion throughout her community. Breakthrough Summerbridge is proud to share her story.

77% Plan to continue work on behalf of youth

“As a Teaching Fellow I have seen this eagerness to learn, to connect, to empathize with others flourish among everyone here at Breakthrough Summerbridge, and I am extremely blessed to not only have taught, but to have learned from my colleagues and students. I would not have wanted to spend the last two months of my life doing anything else.”

– Caterina, Teaching Fellow

Our Teaching Fellows

This past summer, our Fellows came to us from regions throughout the country--from as near as the Bay Area to as far as the East Coast.

61% Report a likelihood of pursuing a career in education

20% Are former Summerbridge or Breakthrough Collaborative students*

81% of our 2022 summer program student participants surveyed reported “forming strong relationships with their Teaching Fellows”.

*Historical data

Total Expenses: $569,538