ASP in the Pandemic: Interview with Natalie Huaman

For years, the After-School Program (ASP) at the School has served as childcare and provided opportunities for students through extracurricular activities. When the pandemic began, the completely-outdoor program pivoted online, which proved to be a challenge for Natalie Huaman, Director of ASP, and the staff. According to Huaman and former director Mikki Frazier, while ASP was somewhat of an afterthought, it was important to continue the program: “This is a place where we can add a resource for families,” says Frazier, “the counselors are such an integral part of the kids’ lives.” 

While the shift to distance learning took priority, Huaman remarks the team “did it all ourselves…and a lot of the time, [it felt like] we were alone in the work. And I think that’s how ASP feels in general.” While none of this was intentional, Huaman says, “ASP is never at the forefront of people’s minds. Normally, we have touchpoints with teachers and students because we share the space, [but] online, there was a disconnect. It felt lonely.”

As the School grappled with whether or not to keep the staff on since they weren’t working their contracted hours, Huaman and Frazier worked to protect them. They wondered, “How do we justify that our work is still meaningful online and we should still be getting paid what we’re paid when we’re doing different work?”

After first offering childcare for faculty and phasing in lower grades, ASP returned full-time to families with dire need for childcare. Huaman remarks, “[the School] wants ASP [and the staff] accessible to families in need…It was on me to figure out how to make it seem—I hate to say this––but make it seem worthy to rehire the same amount of staff [for fewer kids], and I had to fight for it. They’re our staff and I want to protect them…[but] it would’ve been nice for other people to be in my corner. The work feels lonely…and the pandemic has brought that out more because it feels like a constant fight: for the counselors, for [them] to get paid, for the program to run, for us to receive [equal priority]…At the end of the day, this is my job. I love [the counselors], and I will protect them at all costs, [but] I wish it wasn’t just me fighting for them.”

According to Huaman, other East Bay childcare providers have echoed similar sentiments. “We know our worth, but it would be nice for other people to acknowledge it. It’s tiring when it feels like you’re the only one fighting for the program.”

While ASP looks different, Huaman remarks that the resiliency of the counselors has sparked a return to normalcy: “I’ve learned to be more flexible and make the best out of tough situations. The new shape of [ASP] naturally helped with my transition into this role and though it hasn’t been easy, it’s given me the opportunity to make the program my own.”

Coming out of the pandemic, Huaman hopes there will be more regular, open support and appreciation of ASP. “Families have been expressing more appreciation for the staff and the program, [and] that feels so nice. I want it to feel like we’re not serving different children…it’s the same families, the same kids, and the same community. We’re not an afterthought, we’re part of the school, and it’s time that it gets recognition.”

“I look forward to rebuilding our program and re-establishing these relationships and connections as an ASP community.”