Dwight Hall Public School Interns

Kaylen Yun – PSI Co-Coordinator

Claudia Merson – Director of Public School Partnerships, Dwight Hall Education Advisor

Mark Fopeano – Director of Programming and Evaluation, Dwight Hall

K-8

Bernadette Nwokeji – East Rock Community Magnet School

Bernadette Nwokeji is a junior majoring in Biomedical Engineering while also pursuing an Education Studies, Intensive certificate. A member of the Yale cheerleading team, Bernadette enjoys cheering on the Bulldogs, from the Yale Bowl all the way to March Madness. Bernadette also likes to explore new places in Connecticut whenever she can.

Kaylen Yun – Elm City Montessori School

Gus Renzin – Troupe School

Gus Renzin is a sophomore in Trumbull College majoring in Global Affairs with certificates in Energy Studies and Education Studies. He is passionate about both the policy and practice of education and is deeply interested in organizational design. During the 2023-2024 school year, Gus was welcomed into the Troup community as a volunteer supporting literacy development and science enrichment, and he cannot wait to spend the next two years continuing to work alongside the school’s incredible students, educators, and families as its inaugural PSI!

Honor Callanan – Worthington Hooker School

Honor Callanan (she/her) is a senior studying History and Education from Milwaukee, WI. After she graduates, she hopes to work as a special education or social studies teacher. When she is not at school or work, she enjoys walking around New Haven or hanging at home and playing guitar or knitting!

High Schools

Royce Haynes – Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School

Royce Haynes is a sophomore at Yale University where he studies Political Science and Economics. He grew up on a farm in Dittmer, Missouri, a small town south of St. Louis. Wherever he goes, he enjoys connecting with friends and discovering new foods. He can’t wait to connect more with the New Haven community through this opportunity.

KaLa Keaton – High School in the Community

KaLa Keaton (she/her) is a senior African American Studies Major in the Education Studies Scholar Program. Her passion for education stems from her love of history and belief that every child should feel loved, seen, supported, and represented in the classroom. She is beyond excited to continue working at High School in the Community and serving their wonderful teachers, staff, and students as best as she can this year! 

Adell Ateshim – New Haven Academy

Adell Ateshim (she/her) is a junior in Silliman majoring in American Studies. As a Public School Intern, Adell serves New Haven Academy. Adell is passionate about education and social justice. She volunteered as a peer tutor all through middle and high school, and during her time at Yale, she has worked as an instructional assistant for a coding camp and volunteered as a mentor for participants in National History Day. Outside of school, Adell enjoys writing poetry, singing, and dancing ballet.

Ellen Windels – Common Ground High School

Ellen Windels is a sophomore studying Anthropology. She grew up among the trees and lakes of rural Northern Minnesota, and deeply appreciates the mutual relationship between the environment and people. She believes that public education is always in need of more support and attention, and seeks to understand how best to support our educational communities!

Open Position — Wilbur Cross High School

Open Position — Hill Regional Career High School

Open Position — Metropolitan Business Academy

In contrast to much volunteering that often begins with the volunteers deciding what to provide, PSIs ask what schools need and think creatively about how the Yale community can support them.

What We Do

In the past, PSIs have worked in a variety of areas:

• Classroom assisting
• Tutoring
• Libraries
• English language learners
• Special education
• Administrative offices
• Afterschool programs
• Coordinating Yale groups and resources
• Event planning