This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to work as a Teaching Fellow at Breakthrough Cincinnati, a nonprofit organization that offers a summer program for under resourced and underrepresented students grades 6-9 that operates in this very school. I began the summer feeling excited yet incredibly nervous. I left the building on August 1st having found an amazing community of eager educators passionate about making a difference in the world. Furthermore, Breakthrough helped me in identifying my mission and my “why,” something that I think every high-school student should uncover.
Over the summer, family members and friends, knowing my age and grade, would all ask me the same question: “are you working this summer?” Here, I gave my textbook response: “Yes! I’m working at Breakthrough Cincinnati, a…” and here is exactly where I would be at a loss for words. It is hard for me to classify Breakthrough as a summer camp; we don’t exactly participate in the cheesy aspects of a summer camp or gather around a campfire for arts and crafts. It’s not a daycare either; the students are aged 11-14 years old and are doing work in preparation for the upcoming school year. Personally, I would describe Breakthrough as a mix of summer school and camp; students have structured academic schedules but have fun while learning. Formally, Breakthrough is a nonprofit organization aimed at providing opportunities for success and learning for underrepresented and/or under resourced students and setting them up for a path to college.
Each student, grades 6-9, has social studies, math, English and language arts, science, and a few fun electives all integrated into their day. This year, I had the opportunity to teach 8th grade US History and Government, a subject that has always interested me. A flexible curriculum is provided for each teaching fellow, which can be easily adapted so Teaching Fellows can familiarize themselves with developing lesson plans. While the idea of developing and delivering my own lesson plans was intimidating at first, the Breakthrough Staff and Instructional Coaches do a great job of preparing each TF during the first weeks of Teaching Fellow Training. As such, Breakthrough was a great learning experience for me as well; it was a great opportunity for me to develop my leadership, collaboration, and adaptability skills.
In my classroom, we covered topics such as the US Constitution, the branches of government, and even the polarization of politics in modern society. Watching the students grow from being indifferent and uninvolved in the classroom to being inquisitive and sparking deeper discussions was something that I treasured from my experience. However, this job came with its challenges as well. Classroom management was one of the many challenges I faced this summer, as well as adapting to different learning styles within the classroom. However, the Breakthrough administrative team, along with the Instructional Coaches, are always there to help TFs on their path to success in their classrooms. While this summer posed many challenges, you truly do form a bond with your students at Breakthrough, something that I didn’t fully realize until the last day.
Students-TF bonds are part of one of Breakthrough’s values—student-centeredness. At Breakthrough, everything truly is about the kids, and I think that makes a world of difference. It’s really what sets this program apart from many of the other summer programs in Cincinnati. TFs are encouraged to interact with students whenever possible, creating a sense of tight-knit community. The energy is always positive and fun; from going canoeing to learning about career paths after college, the program is built around students rather than a curriculum.
Breakthrough also looks for volunteers that can help in classrooms and projects throughout the summer. While a Teaching Fellow is a paid position, I highly recommend volunteering for Breakthrough first to get an idea for the program—and it’s a great way to finish your service hours! I first volunteered with Breakthrough the summer of my sophomore year and ended up returning as a Teaching Fellow as I wanted to participate in making an impact in my community. As I mentioned before, Breakthrough taught me many things, but, most importantly, it changed my perspective on education and the education system in America. The program demonstrates that education is empowerment, and that hard work, determination, and discipline are key to the achievement of personal goals. Overall, if I could describe Breakthrough Cincinnati in three words, it would be this: inspiring, supportive, and community-driven.
There are many, many more things that I could write about my experience. If you would like to learn more about the program or how to get involved, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or to Mr. Scott, Breakthrough’s Dean of Faculty this summer.
