I loved working with the kids, getting to know them, and the fact that the job was challenging and out of my comfort zone.
What I wish was different
I wish the teaching time was longer — it's very difficult to impart all of one's sage knowledge on alegbra in six weeks.
Advice
Work-life balance and self-care are absolutely essential to your success as a teacher, as well as to the experience of students in your class.
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Teaching Fellow
June - July 2022 • Somerville, MA
What I liked
I really enjoyed the mentorship that was provided. Coaches and supervisors were very friendly and provided emotional support while improving our teaching skills.
What I wish was different
I wish the initial training was a bit more thorough, as a lot of theoretical topics was touched on but not enough hands-on practice on classroom management.
Advice
When you worked somewhere that is very fast-paced and intense, but still encourages collaboration,, you end up forming very valuable bonds and learn a lot from other people's life experiences.
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Teaching Fellow
June - August 2019 • Somerville, MA
What I liked
The overall atmosphere of my work place! Staff is super invested in making sure you have any and everything you need and the students are extremely open and willing to learn.
What I wish was different
Nothing! I enjoyed every aspect of my summer.
Advice
Come with an open mind and ready to work hard!
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Teaching fellowship
June - August 2019 • Boston, MA
What I liked
The overall community was great from the staff, other teaching fellows and the kids. It was a great experience that I would love to do again.
What I wish was different
More communication between everyone working.
Advice
Teaching at the greater Boston site is it’s own experience in itself. If get accepted go in with a open mind and ready to learn.
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Teaching Fellow
June - August 2018 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
Breakthrough gives you real hands on experience for teaching in the classroom. You teach classes as well as spend recesses with the kids, run a club, and act as an advisor to several students. You get to make super close bonds with not only the students but the other teaching fellows. Breakthrough offers a tremendous amount of support through pro-staff as well as instructional coaches who are real life teachers who help you lesson plan and with classroom management.
What I wish was different
A little bit more time to prepare the classes would have been nice, but this is only applicable to the Social Studies team, all other departments are given a curriculum that they can then alter.
Advice
This is the most work I have ever done in my life, however, it was also the most rewarding experience. This program is only for people who are serious about working with children, however you do not NEED to be going into any sort of education field to be a part of this program.
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Teaching Fellow
June - August 2018 • Boston, MA
What I liked
I learned so much about the teaching profession, even though it was not the profession that I am looking toward post graduation.
What I wish was different
I wish that I knew more about the field before entering it for the summer. My expectations were definitely different from what I actually experienced during my summer.
Advice
I would keep an open mind and enjoy the experience, along with everything that you will learn during the time period you are teaching.
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Teaching Fellow
June - August 2018 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
I loved the independence of being a teacher. I loved building relationships with all of my students and learning from my colleagues.
What I wish was different
Advice
This experience was filled with very high highs and extremely low lows, however, in the end it is so worth it and you get to truly see your impact.
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Teaching Fellow
June - August 2018 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
I was able to get in a classroom and teach rather than observe. Breakthrough offered me hands on experience in teaching, planning, counseling in a school setting and event planning. It was the hardest I’ve ever worked, and so, so rewarding.
What I wish was different
My commute was tough and the nature of the program made life outside of breakthrough (friends, seeing boston) not quite feasible.
Advice
It’s worth the sweat and tears. Join breakthrough and jump in headfirst, it will be incredibly rewarding, funny, and give you perspective outside of yourself.
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Teaching Fellow
June - August 2018 • Cambridge, MA
What I liked
I am an education major, and this experience gave me the opportunity to practice lesson planning, collaborate with colleagues, and work with an instructional coach on my own teaching style and skills. I also had my own classroom for 6 weeks, so I was able to get first hand experience practicing what I will do as a career.
What I wish was different
Hours and pay. I would often work 13 hour days and did not get paid that much.
Advice
It is tough work. You need to know how to manage your time and be flexible to change plans at any given moment. The students we work with are all amazing kids and they make your summer worthwhile.
