Breakthrough New York Summer 2026 Teaching Fellowship
ABOUT BREAKTHROUGH NEW YORK
Breakthrough New York partners with ambitious, academically motivated, low-income students who aspire to be first generation college graduates. We make a long-term commitment to students on their journey to and through college, unlocking the power of education and a lifetime of opportunity. Our ten-year, tuition-free program arms students with the resources, relationships, and resolve necessary to succeed in high school, in college, and beyond.. Our tuition-free program supports over 500 students and their families from 7th grade through college. We accept middle school students who are furthest from high-quality educational opportunities yet show promise and potential: 99% of students identify as persons of color; 76% qualify for free or reduced lunch; and 66% will be the first in their families to graduate college.
As a ten-year program, Breakthrough New York supports students and their families through key transition points in their academic journeys. We provide academic enrichment through summer and after-school opportunities; coach students to gain admissions into selective high schools and colleges, and expose students to diverse interests and careers so they can shape their own trajectories.
In addition to nurturing individual talent, we cultivate a thriving community of like-minded peers and mentors who encourage each other’s ambitions and passions. Personalized mentorship and holistic support are signature elements of our model, with over 200 near-peer seasonal staff and volunteers who work with students at each stage of our continuum.
The Breakthrough model works: over 98% of Breakthrough students graduate from college preparatory high schools, and 100% are on track to graduate from college. Learn more at Breakthrough NY's website.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Teaching Fellow position is an eight-week summer residency that is part of AmeriCorps’ national service experience. Designed for aspiring educators and emerging leaders, this role offers the opportunity to build teaching, leadership, and professional skills while making a meaningful impact on students.
Teaching Fellows receive extensive summer training and hands-on classroom experience, including over 100 hours of teaching and leadership development and 75 hours of teaching experience. Fellows co-teach academic classes, design and lead an enrichment course, facilitate advisory, analyze student data, and help build a strong and joyful site culture through events and community-building.
Throughout the program, Fellows work closely with students, peers, instructional coaches, and BTNY staff in a collaborative, hard-working, and mission-driven environment. As part of an AmeriCorps service program, this role requires completing 300 hours of service. This role is ideal for individuals who want to serve, grow, and contribute to educational opportunities for young people.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE
Instruction, Planning, and Student Learning (45%)
- Lesson planning for two academic blocks a day with a co-teacher
- Teaching academic classes
- Creating and teaching an extracurricular/enrichment class
- Preparing materials, grading, and adjusting instruction
- Applying instructional feedback to planning, classroom management, and teaching
Student Support, Advisory, and Community Building (20%)
- Leading weekly advisory sessions
- Building relationships with students
- Supporting positive classroom and site culture
- Providing ongoing community support to students with peers, coaches, and staff
- Participating in cheers, chants, lunch culture, and all-school community experiences
Training, Coaching, and Professional Development (20%)
- Participating in teaching and leadership training
- Receiving regular instructional coaching
- Building skills in lesson planning, classroom culture, instructional strategies, leadership, collaboration, and public speaking
- Participating in the broader AmeriCorps/national service development experience
Data, Operations, and Coordination (10%)
- Daily grading
- Quantitative and qualitative student data management and analysis
- Using data systems
- Supporting event coordination and committee-based planning
Team Collaboration and Site Contributions (5%)
- Participating in grade-level team meetings
- Serving on an event planning committee
- Collaborating with peers and staff to support site-wide events and culture
Teaching Fellow Training
- Late May - June 21st: Remote teaching fellow pre-work (asynchronous): Engaging with BTNY-provided articles, and/or videos, and/or podcasts and posting to discussion boards
- June 22nd - July 2nd, 9 am - 6:00 pm: Orientation Week (in person)
- Wednesday, July 1st, 11 am-8 pm: Back to Breakthrough Night (in person)
- July 1st-3rd, July 5th: Hold for additional training
Summer Program
- Monday-Friday from July 6 - August 7th, 8 am-5:00 pm: BTNY Summer Program (in person)
- Friday, August 7th, 11 am-8 pm: End of Summer Celebration (in person)
- August 10th - 14th, 9-5 pm: Evaluation Week (in person)
QUALIFICATIONS
- Current college undergrad or recently graduated
- Strong interest in education, non-profit, social oriented work
- Strong leadership, communication and collaboration skills
- Demonstrates excellence in BTNY’s Core Values
Breakthrough New York is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage applicants who represent the communities we serve.
COMPENSATION
As a first-time Teaching Fellow at BTNY, you will receive a total stipend of $4,500, paid in multiple installments throughout your employment.
If you indicated on your preference survey that you need a MetroCard, you would receive them at Teaching Fellow Orientation to support your daily travel during the Fellowship.
After completing 300 service hours through the Fellowship, you will receive a Segal Education Award that can be applied to current educational opportunities. More details of this education award will be shared during training.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested applicants must submit full applications using this link. Once applications are complete, applicants must submit a 5 minute mock teaching video based on instructions emailed on them. NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE PROCESSED WITHOUT A MOCK TEACHING VIDEO.