Karyn Burgess’s Y Story
Karyn Burgess began her Y career much like many others — as a counselor at Camp Sargent. She had aspirations of becoming an educator since childhood, so joining the camp staff in 2011 felt like a natural step. “I loved working there; it was always interesting,” Karyn recalled.
She continued working summers at camp while earning her degree in Education from Fitchburg State College, graduating in December 2013. Soon after, she packed her bags for the Philippines, where she spent 18 months teaching 4th and 5th graders.
When she returned home, Karyn once again turned to the Y for employment— this time as Lead Teacher in the former Kindergarten Extension program, which existed before the town of Merrimack offered public kindergarten. She loved the role, noting that it allowed for more creativity than a traditional public school position.
Eventually, Karyn returned to public education, working in Special Education with 7th and 8th graders in Manchester until 2021. That summer, she joined the Y’s Power Scholars Academy as Lead Teacher in the middle school program. Power Scholars Academy — a Y signature program — addresses summer learning loss for students in the Nashua and, more recently, Milford school districts. The five-week program, held at local schools and free to participants, provides breakfast, literacy and math instruction, lunch, enrichment activities, transportation, and weekly field trips. Learning growth is measured each year through pre- and post-program assessments conducted in partnership with Bell, who also provides curriculum.
As an educator passionate about helping kids who often “fall under the radar,” Karyn quickly fell in love with the program. She has returned each summer, serving for the past three years as an Instructional Coach. “Academically, students naturally regress over the summer months. Power Scholars keeps kids practicing skills, so they continue learning and avoid a full regression,” she explained.
For the past two years, Karyn has worked at Amherst Street School in the Special Education program — which also happens to host her Power Scholars site. This allows her to greet many familiar faces and help students feel comfortable from day one. She speaks highly of the Power Scholars staff, noting their dedication to making every child feel they belong. “It’s great that the program provides opportunities to kids in the city,” she said. “It gives students experiences they might not otherwise have — from field trips to exposure to new environments.”
Karyn’s dedication is also personal. She shared that she faced reading challenges as a child until her third-grade teacher recognized the issue and connected her with the help she needed. Today, she’s proud to offer that same support to children in her own community.
Empower the Next Generation of Leaders
Every child deserves the chance to grow, explore, and reach their full potential. Programs like our summer camps and Power Scholars Academy provide hands-on learning, enrichment activities, and mentorship that help children build confidence, develop critical skills, and create lasting memories. Invest in youth development today and help shape brighter futures for the kids in our community.