Huntley High School Medical Academy teacher Renae St. Clair had an idea four years ago. St. Clair founded the HHS Medical Academy Huntley High School. Then, she was named Educator of the Year by the McHenry County Regional Office of Education in 2023.
Her initiative was to connect her students with pen pals. She looked to Sun City residents to help with this project.
St Clair said, “Sun City residents have vast experiences to share with our students.”
Renae St. Clair, HHS Medical Academy teacher, continues to connect her students with Sun City residents to share experiences of all kinds. (Photo by Christine Such/My Sun Day News)
The project started in 2020, a challenging time for everyone, especially for students who had to adapt to learning outside the classroom. The pandemic put internships, job shadowing, and other volunteer opportunities on hold.
“We couldn’t allow our students to get into the hospitals. They couldn’t connect with people or talk to them. We needed something to take its place,” she said.
Joanie and Carter Berg got involved in the pen pal program from the start.
Joanie said, “When we heard that Huntley High School wanted to start a pen pal club, my husband and I said, “Sure, let’s do it. “We then were assigned a student. We have been doing this for about four years. Every fall, we start with a new student. Things haven’t changed since we were seniors in high school. They have the same worries about passing big tests, applying to colleges, and having part-time jobs. We can’t wait to hear from our students. We sure are glad we joined the pen pal club. It’s fun and rewarding.”
St. Clair is grateful that Sun City residents have been enthusiastic.
“I’m thankful for the support we have received from Sun City residents. This initiative would not have been as successful without their support,” she said.
The pen pal pairs have lots to express in their letters.
St. Clair said, “The correspondence between the pen pals is on any topics. Some are about classes and activities. I know that Joanie and Carter have shared their high school experiences. Focusing on the differences is easy, but finding similarities is reassuring for the students. It doesn’t matter what age you are or what your background is; there are similarities that both can connect with.”
St. Clair hopes that the connection will help the students who choose the healthcare field and give them the experience of connecting with people. “The hope is that they learn a little empathy. Empathy is not just a skill; it’s a crucial aspect of the Health Care field that can’t be taught but can certainly be nurtured through programs like this,” she said.
If you’re considering becoming a pen pal, remember that participating can significantly impact a student’s life. By sharing your experiences and wisdom, you can help shape the future of a young mind. Plus, it’s a rewarding and fun experience. To get started, please email Renae St. Clair at rstclair@district158.org.
