As Spark SF Public Schools celebrates its 10th anniversary, we invite San Franciscans from all walks of life to share their reflections on the profound impact of public schools and the personal experiences that have shaped their journeys.

Our March newsletter features SFUSD Alum and San Francisco Chamber of Commerce Chief of Staff Anita Huang.

Spark: Who was a teacher/educator at SFUSD who made a lasting impact on your life, and why?

Anita Huang: Elementary school at Gordon J. Lau was the most impactful for me. Every single elementary teacher made an individual lasting impact on me. I’m an immigrant child so I didn’t speak English as a first language and Ms. Choy in 1st grade helped me open up and use this new language in the classroom. She even brought in culinary activities for us and that started a life-long interest in cooking. In 2nd grade, Ms. Lee taught me how to use the computer. In 3rd grade, Ms. Dea gave me all the books in the world that I wanted to read. In 4th grade, Ms. Toy was like a second mother to me and everyone else the class. In 5th grade, Ms. Stricklin, true to her name, taught us how to be studious.

Spark: What is the most important impact that attending SFUSD has had on you?

AH: Being an SFUSD student taught me how to interact with peers from diverse backgrounds. Everyone came from different socio-economic situations, and being in that environment helped me understand that people may think, act, and react in unique ways. This experience fostered open-mindedness and gave me the ability to collaborate effectively with different communities and groups.

Spark: As a SFUSD alumni, what's one thing you want today's public school students to know?

AH: I would encourage students to explore the city beyond their own neighborhoods. While the places where they grow up and go to school hold special meaning, San Francisco—despite its small size—has so much to offer. Real experiences happen when you step outside your comfort zone. For me, that meant taking the bus to different neighborhoods and immersing myself in new surroundings—that’s how I truly came to love the city.

I also believe extracurricular activities are incredibly important. They open up your world to new experiences, perspectives, and opportunities that you might not encounter otherwise.

Spark: What were some extracurricular activities that you did as a student?

AH: I was very involved in the Beacon Center at George Washington High School. I volunteered for this environmental development program, a conservation program which gave me a love for the outdoors. Growing up as an urban kid, I wasn’t used to going out on a hike. You hike up Bush street and that’s it! Doing extra curricular activities gave me such a love for nature that I ended up majoring in Community Environmental Development in college. That helped shape my career as well.

Spark: Where did you go to college?

AH: I wanted to experience something different than the Bay Area so I went to school in Pennsylvania. 

Spark: What is it about San Francisco that made you want to come back and live here?

AH: While being a big city, San Francisco operates as a small town, so there is a big community piece to it. Going away to the East coast, and being immersed in different cultures, made me love the city even more - from the food, to the people to the weather!

Spark: What role do you think public schools play in shaping San Francisco?

AH: Public schools are the foundation of a strong community. They provide students with stability and play a crucial role in shaping how they perceive and engage with the world beyond the classroom. In many ways, they help define the future of San Francisco. If we want a thriving, vibrant city, we must invest in and support strong, healthy public schools for all.

Spark: What role does a thriving public school system play in contributing to a strong city economy?

AH: I believe a thriving public school system and a strong city economy go hand in hand. When we think about the economy, we often focus on business and commerce—but these industries rely on people, the very individuals who live, work, and grow up in our city. Public school students become the residents who shape our policies, vote on important issues, and ultimately form the future workforce. That’s why it’s essential to invest in and nurture the younger generation, ensuring they have the opportunity to live and thrive here.

Spark: What role can the San Francisco business community play in supporting our public schools?

AH: Businesses can support schools in many ways—offering internships and job opportunities is just one piece of the puzzle. More importantly, they can help broaden students' perspectives. Many public school students come from families with limited resources, where a parent's occupation might shape their understanding of what’s possible for their own future. By engaging with schools—whether through in-class visits, mentorship, or off-site experiences—businesses can have a lasting impact. These opportunities help students see new career paths, redefine their aspirations, and break free from societal expectations, empowering them to pursue futures they may not have imagined otherwise.

Spark: From what you've shared, it sounds like learning about environmental policies in school played a significant role in shaping your career?

AH: Yes, having done extracurricular activities while being in public school and pursuing these studies afterwards in college shaped the foundation for my career. 

Spark: What are some recent examples of local businesses successfully supporting SF public schools that could serve as models for others looking to get involved?

AH: There are a lot of great non-profit organizations that are supporting our public schools but a lot of times, they rely on business’ support. The one business that comes to mind is AT&T. They currently have this initiative to narrow the digital divide gap in the city, across the state and in the country, which I think is extremely valuable for public school students, especially for those who don’t have access to technology at home. AT&T helps provide the technology to students but also partners with nonprofits to provide digital financial literacy tools for example as a way to help students navigate this new world that their parents may not be used to. 

A native of San Francisco, Anita Huang is the Chief of Staff at the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. She is an SFUSD alumn.