As we begin a new year, I am grateful for the many ways in which our teachers, families, partners, and supporters help change the life trajectories of our students. There is so much to celebrate, look forward to, and be grateful for!

Last month, five of our high school seniors were awarded with Posse Foundation Scholarships. Only 30 students in the Bay Area received this award, which includes full tuition for four years at one of Posse's partner institutions of higher education. These students, many of whom may have been overlooked by the traditional college selection process, could not have done it without the incredible support of the Gateway community. It truly does take a village.

Gateway is a place of excellence and growth - in both teaching and learning - and 2017 was no different. We've strengthened relationships with our community partners enabling us to bring more enrichment programs to Gateway, sent 97% of Gateway's Class of 2017 to college, and most importantly, continued to find new ways to keep Gateway a welcoming and safe place for our diverse student body.

As I look forward to starting the new year, I am excited to collaborate with other educational organizations and share best practices, leverage our amazing community partnerships, strengthen our Science, Technology, Engineer, Art, and Math (STEAM) program in our newly renovated Gateway Impact Lab, and continue to ensure that each and every one of our students finds academic and personal success.

On that note, I am also excited to welcome Chanda Guerin, Gateway's new Director of Development and Outreach, to the leadership team. Chanda comes to us from Seven Tepees, where she was the Director of Development and Interim Executive Director. You can learn more about Chanda here .

A heartfelt thank you to every educator, caring adult, parent or guardian, staff member, volunteer, and the many donors who believe in Gateway, our mission, and our deserving students. We're looking forward to what 2018 has in store, and we can only do it with your support.