UNIVERSE
Breakthrough Summerbridge Teaching Fellow Host Family Tells All By Claire Myers ’86
W
e invited a Breakthrough Summerbridge Fellow to stay with us for eight wonderful weeks this summer, and the experience far exceeded our expectations. Noelle Kee, rising junior at Barnard College, was, as one might imagine, intelligent, kind, and really good with kids! From day one we had interesting conversations around the dinner table and got to hear about her UHS job and all of her college activities (studies in neuroscience, campus job, sorority, etc.) as well as the fun things she would do in SF on weekends with her Summerbridge cohort (rock climbing, sailing, SF Half Marathon, etc.). We conducted our lives as usual, including her whenever possible, but otherwise she was very independent. Noelle was extremely courteous and respectful at all times and she formed genuine connections with each of our children. Her presence in our
home contributed to our family’s understanding of what an outstanding program Summerbridge is, and how lucky we are to be part of today’s UHS community. Our kids signed up to be NTIs (NonTeaching Interns) and got to see how the program works firsthand. Summerbridge is a stacked cascade of win-win-wins: professional teachers support college-aged Fellows; Fellows learn to create classrooms and curricula; SF middle school students attach to the UHS campus and learn a lot both academically and socially; NTIs assist and learn what Summerbridge is all about and understand its impact on the community. The Celebration event at the end of
the summer session was as moving as anything I have witnessed in education. As a parent I was thrilled to have our kids observe a young adult in situ: an astute young woman who landed an estimable summer job and who had created numerous other positive things for herself by taking her education seriously. She had a lot of fun doing it all, and that is the best of all. Thus, the Summerbridge “cascade of wins” flowed right into our home!
In my fifth decade of knowing UHS, I feel like I have finally found the heart of the community. We are honored to be a Summerbridge host family and encourage anyone who is able to take part in this experience; not only will you not regret it, you will receive much more than you give. Claire Myers ’86 Parent of John Michael Mulcahy ’25 & Jamie Mulcahy ’27
From starting my day walking through the Presidio to UHS with a smile at 7:30 A.M. to taco dinners at 7:30 P.M. with the Myers-Mulcahys, I couldn’t have asked for a community that felt more like family. Being a 7th Grade Life Science Teaching Fellow at Breakthrough Summerbridge solidified my desire to be part of an education system not only for the students, but also for the faculty and staff. I will never forget the caring and welcoming environment, the families involved, and the bonds, memories, and impact created. I’m honored and grateful to call the Myers-Mulcahy Family my extended family on the West coast, and Breakthrough Summerbridge my family around the world. – Noelle Kee, 2023 Breakthrough Summerbridge Teaching Fellow
4
U H S J o u r n a l | FALL 2023
