After teaching the Peer Group Connection program for six years, Monique Paes is stepping down from teaching PGC to help teach literacy to students. Next school year, Jennifer Lippold will be replacing Ms. Paes’ spot as one of the PGC advisors.

Starting during Covid, Ms. Paes and her co-advisor faced many challenges accommodating students and helping them socialize again. She saw that PGC was just what kids needed to go from virtual life to in-person life.

The program has helped many students and built a strong community within the school. “Working alongside Ms. Brown has been amazing,’’ she said. “We have instilled a greater sense of accountability, leadership and “Wolfpack” mindset into the Bronx River community. This year’s PGC leaders have been so hardworking and have shown me that PGC will continue to thrive as I move forward in taking on responsibilities in literacy classes.’’

Giving up PGC will give Ms. Paes more time to teach literacy.“We are seeing a great need for literacy help in students and that’s a task I’m looking forward to doing,’’ she said.

Ms. Lippold has mixed feelings about being the new advisor for PGC.

“I am excited because I love the program, but I’m also sad not working with Ms. Paes,” Ms. Lippold said. “She is amazing. I am eager to be working with Ms. Brown. She is an awesome teacher.’’

Ms. Lippold, who attended the leadership retreat last fall, is impressed with how much the experience transforms the leaders. “I am looking forward to seeing the growth of the new leaders next year,” she said.

Ms. Lippold believes that PGC provides students with an opportunity to connect with other students, using their prior knowledge of themselves being freshmen to guide new students, teaching them patience, positivity and heart.