AT THE HEART OF PEGASUS

At the of PegasusHeart

Carin Meister

Finding Our Motherboard

At the pandemic’s onset, eighthgrade English teacher Nancy Wilder asked students to draft a “Lost and Found” list to mourn the moments lost to quarantine, but also to acknowledge the potential gains of found time and strengthened familial relationships. If The Pegasus School collectively made such a list, Technology Coach CORINNE YEAGER would be at the top of our “Found” column. Her fortuitous arrival at Pegasus in a time of a massive shift in educational technology is something her colleagues continue to exclaim gratitude for well into this school year. BJ Crabtree shares this sentiment: “I have never seen faculty members embrace a colleague so

The Brilliant Butterfly Effect

To hear SARAH HURWITZ speak about her pre-Kindergarten “Butterfly” class would bring a smile to anyone’s face. She wholeheartedly adores them—how funny, imaginative, genuine, and kind they are. She speaks about them in the same way you might talk about your most beloved, cherished family members. And although it took her some time to get used to the unique psychology and pacing of pre-Kindergarten after teaching Kindergarten at Pegasus for over a decade, she has found true joy in teaching our youngest students.

Even in this historic year of teaching during a pandemic, Hurwitz has found ways to focus on the positive and deliver content that matters. Worrying over how she might help our four- and five-year-olds express love in a year without hugs, Hurwitz has reenvisioned her program where she helps students focus on the verbal expression of their emotions, something Hurwitz says the Butterflies are mastering. The ability to turn a negative into a positive, to shift a mindset, is something she quickly. I think most of us are asking ourselves, how did we get by without her? In her short time, Corinne has changed the technology culture and landscape for many years to come.”

While the pandemic highlighted Yeager’s gifts of collaboration and teamwork, she has positively impacted students and teachers for years. Raised in Newport Beach, she worked with children in Harbor View’s summer camps in high school and while attending University of the Pacific. As a Bay Area classroom teacher, she discovered the power technology has to transform teaching and learning. The influence of her science and technology-minded parents coupled with success integrating technology in her fifth-grade classroom prompted her to pursue a master’s degree in Educational Technology and to accept a coaching position in Emery Unified, where she designed and implemented a 1:1 program. This role afforded her the opportunity to become a touchpoint for all community members: students, teachers, and parents, an aspect of her job that she relished. Knowing that she wanted to be closer to family, Yeager moved back to Southern California in 2019 and accepted a job at Pegasus, where she continues to be a touchpoint for our community. We are so grateful she has found her way home.

does for her colleagues as well. Michael Pourciau considers Hurwitz a “bright light on a dark day” while Shelly Ward shares, “Sarah is resilient, always making me laugh when I am having one of those days.”

Now in her twentyfourth year of teaching, Hurwitz is doing what she has wanted to do since dressing up in her mom’s clothing for Kindergarten career day. Her chosen profession? Teacher.

Sys the Day

Long before Kennedi was born, her mom—Technology Director NYLY SY—forged her way into the EdTech field through an openness to opportunity and willingness to tackle challenges that might intimidate others. Prior to her arrival at Pegasus, Sy helped build two separate school technology programs from the ground up—one was a brand new school, the other had only six computers. But these types of challenges don’t intimidate Sy, known for her humor, vision, and head-on approach to problem solving. Sy’s response to the changing technology landscape brought on by the pandemic is emblematic of who she is. Technology Coach Corinne Yeager shares, “During this COVID-19 time, Nyly has a fire to put out every 30 seconds and navigates through with grace, intelligence, and humor. The way she’s invested in technology for the pandemic is incredibly smart and measured. She has a vision and is intentional.”

It’s plain to see how Sy has influenced her daughter Kennedi, a Pegasus seventh grader who inherited her mom’s strength and willingness to seize an opportunity. Although Kennedi was reluctant to leave her local public school, her exposure to Pegasus’s summer camp classes helped her feel comfortable enough to assume the challenge of starting in our middle school as a new student. Multi-talented in her own right, Kennedi has participated in many Pegasus programs. From debate and theater to the Shakespeare monologue competition and soccer team, Kennedi embraces opportunities. And like her mom, she is also known for her incredible sense of humor and intelligence. Classmate Teresa Z. remarks, “Kennedi is hilarious, an excellent student, and an incredible friend.” Like her mother, Kennedi is thriving in her new environment.

“Yuniquely Talented”

In some respects BRODY YUN’s life mirrors that of a typical fifth grader. He enjoys biking, fishing, video games, and basketball, while also valuing time spent with family, including his older brother Everett (’22) and younger brother Bennett (’28). The manner in which he speaks about his family, however, harkens to a much older and wiser person: “We are really supportive of each other. My brothers are always by my side. I am so grateful to be both a younger and older brother.”

A piano player, multi-year talent show performer, and huge fan of Hamilton, Yun has accomplished much in the areas of music and the performing arts though you might not realize it given his humble nature. He is currently in rehearsals for the leading role of Maui in the Musical Theater Academy of Orange County’s spring production of Moana. At the same time, he does voiceover work and sings for the popular YouTube show “Cocomelon,” a channel which has nearly 100 million subscribers.

The accomplished fifth grader’s talents aren’t solely limited to artistic performance, however. His steadfast character and goodwill toward others make him a star friend as well. Classmate Keith Yeh describes Yun as a caring, reliable friend who always stands up for others while fifth grader Felix Boundy reflects, “He is always helping others and is a truly amazing friend.” While his talents on the stage are undeniable, his starring role as a true friend have clearly given Yun some of his best reviews.

Carin Meister is The Pegasus School’s librarian and proud mother of Cate (’18), Reese (’20), Sloane (’26), and two hound dogs. She is always in search of the next great read and homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Contact: cmeister@thepegasusschool.org