TEACHING FELLOWS

Breakthrough teaching fellows are hard-working college/high school youth who are eager to help younger students succeed and who willingly invest themselves in leadership roles that will expand their skills, immerse them in a family of learners and build great memories.

Guided by instructional coaches (professional educators), plus Breakthrough’s summer and school-year curricula, teaching fellows integrate lesson plans, classroom management and their overall energy to provide our students with rigorous academic content. Teaching fellows receive two weeks of intensive training to prepare for their six weeks of leadership, plus ongoing guidance, feedback and evaluation from professional educators throughout the entire session. A pipeline partner to esteemed programs like AmeriCorps and Teach for America, Breakthrough’s pre-professional teaching residency is the only one of its kind and is highly selective.

The internship is open to all college majors and rising high school juniors and seniors (must turn 16 before August). Many of our teaching interns are college students who are considering careers as professional teachers and want the high quality, experiential training Breakthrough provides to help them advance their decision. The ideal candidate has a proven record of excellence inside and outside of school, is ready to work hard, and wants to grow as a person and professional.

Breakthrough Fort Worth Teaching Fellows are learners and critical thinkers.
They learn in schools across the region and throughout the nation. A number of them are undergraduates of all majors; some are/were Breakthrough students.
They show initiative - Already involved in organizations at their schools, many Breakthrough Teaching Fellows lead or have even founded groups on their campuses.
They are intentional - Teaching Fellows set goals and find ways to achieve them. They are purposeful in their actions and committed to being a great Breakthrough teaching fellow.
They work hard - Understanding that Breakthrough students are committed to their summer of learning, Teaching Fellows devote long hours to their own growth. They train, plan, lead and assess students’ progress and needs. Then, they give more time to making classes and team times engaging and spirited.
They invest themselves - Knowing Breakthrough is about the students, Breakthrough teaching fellows willingly “Keep Kids in Focus” and unite together every day to ensure that they are collectively working to advance Breakthrough students.
They persist - Breakthrough teaching fellows see challenges as opportunities to grow. They work through solutions and are deeply committed to shining that example for Breakthrough students.
They model Breakthrough - Teaching fellows help create and nurture Breakthrough’s community, culture, and fun! From lesson plans to team activities, teaching fellows set the bar for forming and nurturing the environment of hard work, learning, encouragement and supportive family that is uniquely Breakthrough.

Breakthrough days are full of growth - for your students and you! Here’s a look at a teaching fellow’s typical day the Breakthrough Summer Session:

Early Birds: Arrive at 7:15 a.m., ready your classroom and visit with other fellows as you head to the staff review.

Morning Huddle: Hear announcements from the staff and get ready to cheer-in the students!

Cheer-in: Welcome students Breakthrough style with tons of energy, call outs and applause.

Start Strong: Have fun with students over breakfast; get their energy charged.

Give Smarts: Present your morning classes, knowing you are helping students grow.

Brain Break: Build fun talking and snacking with your team students.

Lunch Fun: Break bread with your Breakthrough family – and all of the cheering and joy that comes with just being all together!

Raise Spirits: Amp your Breakthrough spirit in ALL-SCHOOL MEETING! – help lead the daily meeting of the entire Breakthrough family for announcements, cheers, talents and more.

Advisory: Help your students get a start on homework assignments and learn to come to you for advice.

Clubs Chill: Take time with students to unwind from academics and just do something artistic, athletic or fun.

Flex Time: This is your time to bond in your team groups and lead your team students in tackling fun, challenging team activities each week.

Cheer-out: Walk students to their bus and applaud them out for the day.

Staff Connection: It’s recharge time with your fellow leaders! Recap the day and energize your work for tomorrow in various professional developments, committee meetings, team meetings and full staff meetings.

Wrap-up: Make notes and head out around 5:45p.

Teaching Fellow Process

🅐 APPLICATION

Online process through the National Breakthrough Office - visit http://www.breakthroughcollaborative.org/teach/apply

Apply to as many as three affiliates. (There are 25 Breakthrough affiliates across the nation.)

Steps of application:

Online application
Video teaching submission
Submit transcript
Online teacher recommendation
If selected, one-on-one Zoom interview (A Breakthrough Fort Worth team member will contact you to schedule.)

CYCLE DATES

Application Opens October 12, 2023

Early Action Deadline January 18, 2024

Regular Decision Deadline February 29, 2024

🅑 YOUR COMMITMENT (for those selected)

If selected to participate, you agree to meet the following schedule and requirements:

Training: June 3-14, 2024
Summer Session: June 17 - July 26, 2024
Teaching Fellow Wrap-up: July 29-31, 2024
Consistent monitoring and guidance from your Instructional Coach (professional educator)
Model Breakthrough Fort Worth’s core values of courage, excellence, leadership, passion for learning, respect, responsibility, self-advocacy and teamwork
Be part of an inclusive, intentional community
Willingness to collaborate and work with peers, volunteers, staff and instructional coaches
Demonstrate generous community spirit, professional flexibility, a sense of humor, openness to fun atmospheres and a positive attitude

The Rewards

Teaching Fellows invest themselves to make an impact on younger students’ lives. In the process, they gain:

Their own learning experiences;
Professional guidance and training;
Hands-on development leading and managing; and
A contract stipend to help with expenses during their participation. Stipends are commensurate with school level and years of involvement. High School fellows begin at $1,800; college student fellows start at $2,100.

Housing

Through donor support and a strong partnership with Texas Christian University, Breakthrough Fort Worth is able to provide free housing in the TCU residence halls for a small pool of teaching fellows from outside the Fort Worth area. Priority consideration is given to teachers who live more than 50 miles from the site.

To find out more, contact:

Jessica Manzano-Valdez, Programming Director

jessica.manzano-valdez@fwcd.com

817-302-3280 office

Call hours: 9:30a - 4:30p, Monday-Friday

To get news and alerts: Follow Breakthrough Fort Worth on Instagram (@btftworth)

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