尝搁颁颁鈥檚听Early College program听is听more than just a pathway to earning听college听credits听while still in high school听鈥斕齣t鈥檚听also听a听community听of learners and educators. Few stories capture that better than the connection between veteran teacher Jim Sitomer and his former听Early College听student,听now fellow teacher, Richard Burnham.听
Sitomer, a math teacher at Kingswood Regional High School,听has been teaching Early College courses for听nearly two听decades.听He enjoys giving听students the chance to graduate high school with college credits, saving them听money听and building confidence for the future. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great opportunity,鈥� he says. 鈥淏etween AP听classes听and Early College, students can leave high school with more than a semester鈥檚 worth of credits, and that can make a tremendous difference.鈥�听
Among the many students who听passed through his classroom, Burnham stood out听to Sitomer. 鈥淩ichard has always been exceptional, and his students are lucky to have him guiding them in their high-level classes.鈥澨�听
For Burnham, what began as a chance to听advance his education and听earn college credits has turned into a lifelong commitment to听teaching. Burnham, now a math teacher at Moultonborough Academy, credits听尝搁颁颁鈥檚听Early College program听with听setting him on the path to his career.听
As a student at Kingswood Regional High School, Burnham enrolled in accounting, personal finance, and statistics through听the听Early College听program. 鈥淭aking听statistics and other courses through 海角社区 in high school was the first time I experienced a true college-level math course,鈥� Burnham recalls. 鈥淭he pacing, expectations, and depth of thinking听required听pushed me to become more independent as a learner. It taught me how to manage college-style deadlines, communicate mathematical reasoning clearly, and advocate for myself when I needed help.鈥�听
That early exposure听left him well prepared to听pursue a degree in Math Education at the University of New Hampshire. 鈥淚 walked into my first math courses with confidence because I already knew what college-level rigor felt like.听Having earned actual college credit gave me a sense of accomplishment and made the transition feel less intimidating,鈥� he said.听
For the past seven years,听Burnham听has taught Early College听statistics at Moultonborough Academy, recently adding听precalculus to his offerings.听He now works听with听Sitomer,听the very instructor who first introduced him to college-level math. 鈥淲orking听alongside听the same听statistics instructor I had in high school has been surreal but incredibly meaningful,鈥� Burnham said. 鈥淛im听was the one who听introduced me to听college-level math听and showed me听how powerful data could be. Now to be teaching the same course and collaborating with him as a colleague feels like everything has come full circle.听It continually reminds me of how powerful good teaching can be and how the right mentor can change the direction of a student鈥檚 life.鈥澨齌he two still connect regularly, not only through teaching but also as coaches of their school鈥檚 math teams.听
Burnham believes the Early College program offers high school students听the chance to experience college-level expectations while still having the support of their school environment. 鈥淚t helps them build confidence, develop stronger academic and time-management skills, and earn credits that can ease their transition into college,鈥� he explains.听
For Sitomer, seeing Burnham鈥檚 journey is deeply rewarding.听It鈥檚听a clear听example of听how the program helps听students gain academic advantages听and听the听determination听to pursue ambitious paths. Burnham鈥檚 success story is echoed by many others who reach out to Sitomer, sharing updates about new jobs, career milestones, and gratitude for the opportunities Early College provided.听
Both educators agree that the program is transformative.听Burnham says, 鈥淭he听Early College program is more than just a way to earn college credit.听It鈥檚听an opportunity for students to discover their potential, build independence, and gain confidence in their abilities. It sets them up for success in college and beyond while giving them experiences that can shape their future in meaningful ways.鈥澨�听
Sitomer encourages students to听prepare in advance so they can听take advantage of the program.听鈥淢ake sure you听meet the听prerequisites听to take听the Early College classes. And challenge yourselves!鈥澨鼴urnham, once the student who did just that, now embodies the program鈥檚 promise.听His journey shows how听Early College听helps听shape futures in ways that听impact听the听community听for years to come.听