New staff members provide support to students

For new teacher Megan Hunt, lead teacher of the ASSIST (Accommodating Saratoga Students with Intervention, Support and Therapy) program, and supervisor Jennifer Blomquist, the supervisor of The Learning Center (TLC), being a new staff member is a lot like being a new student.

“You’re trying to figure out how everything works, and where the nearest bathroom is,” Hunt said.

Both the ASSIST program and the TLC are now located in the H building, which used to house the preschool. The newly created ASSIST program is designed to provide academic support for students based on their individual needs, while The Learning Center gives students with special needs a quiet and comfortable environment to take tests.

Hunt started out as a substitute teacher and “unexpectedly really enjoyed it” before deciding to  pursue teaching. She had previously worked at  Gilroy High School and most recently Lynbrook High School for seven years.

In contrast, this year will be Blomquist’s first year on a high school campus. Before Saratoga High, Blomquist had volunteered at schools in Los Gatos, and this year, she looks forward to making a difference in students’ lives and participating in future school spirit events at Saratoga.

“I think it’s very exciting; I really love Saratoga High,” Blomquist said. “The teachers and the students have all been very welcoming, and I can see that the school is run really well.”

Hunt said she “hopes to create a safe accessible place on campus for students to go, whether it’s for health issues, academic support, or just needing a quiet space.”