Breakthrough SF > Teaching at BT

The Teaching Experience

  

Intern teachers are recruited from Bay Area high schools and from colleges around the country, and are hand-picked through a rigorous, multi-step application process. They commit to eight weeks of work during the summer. Interns undergo intensive training prior to entering the classroom, attending workshops on curriculum development, classroom management, and other essential topics. Once classes start, they are closely watched by professional Instructional Coaches, who provide ongoing feedback on their lesson plans and implementation of instructional techniques. 

 

 

This internship takes over your life for eight weeks and will likely push you harder than you've ever worked before. At the same time, it is an incredibly rewarding experience that connects you with brilliant students and inspiring colleagues. It will shape you for years to come.

 

Learn how to apply>

Meet our teachers: Dashell> Michael> Nerissa> Val>
 

Courses Taught

Breakthrough offers academically rigorous courses in math, science, reading, writing, and social studies. Beginning in the spring, intern teachers work closely with their Instructional Coach to refine their curriculum and lesson plans. Interns are expected to focus on a set of skills particular to their subject area, but retain some autonomy with the course content. Interns lead two (in some cases three) sections of each class, plus an afternoon elective like sports, arts, or debate. Some other course attributes:
  • small class sizes of 6-9 students to maximize learning
  • six weeks long, culminating in a final project
  • reflective of interns' interests and expertise
  • engaging, student-centered instruction reflective of recent brain research
 

Our Students

Our students know how to dream. They want be surgeons, veterinarians, teachers, and lawyers. They can use support, however, in making those dreams a reality. While talented and motivated, they come from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in higher education. 95% are of color; roughly 90% are low-income; 60% speak a language other than English at home; and 75% will be the first in their families to attend a four-year college. All are recruited from public schools in San Francisco. They will be entering grades five, six, and seven in fall 2012.
 

Day in the Life of a Breakthrough Teacher

 7:30-7:40
 Staff Huddle: Meet with directors and fellow teachers to review important information for the day.
 7:45-8:00

Greet Students: Crank the energy way up! Dancing is encouraged.
 8:00-8:20 Breakfast: Enjoy a healthy meal with students and fellow teachers. Share announcements and cheers. Set a positive tone for the rest of the day.
 8:25-9:15 Teach Reading: Using Maniac McGee as your starting point, teach your students the skills they need to effectively summarize texts, have a literary discussion, and create a plot diagram. Ensure that students have mastered the objective by the time they leave class.
 9:20-10:10
Department Meeting: Meet with other reading teachers and the Reading Instructional Coach to practice lesson study, assess student understanding, and  practice the next day’s lesson with your co-teacher - the other intern teacher who teaches the same content to the same grade level.
 10:15-10:35 Advisory: Coach a small group of 4-5 students on essential co-curricular skills, from emailing a teacher to organizing their binders and filling out their planners. Discuss plans for Olympics on Friday
 10:40-11:30

Teach Reading.
11:35-12:25 Prep Period: Meet with your Instructional Coach to get a praise, a prompt, and an action plan from this morning’s classroom observation. Also use this time to get ahead on tomorrow’s lesson, track down supplies for next week's project, and review students' homework.
 12:30-1:15

Lunch and Recess: Enjoy some down time with students and fellow teachers. After a good meal, it's up to the rooftop playground for some four-square. Have fun!
1:20-1:55 Peer Observation: Observe a fellow teacher and jot down feedback. Reflect on your own teaching techniques.
 2:00-2:45 Teach Basketball Elective: Work on dribbling and passing. Set up scrimmage and let students play.
 2:50-3:10 All-School Meeting: Meet with the entire Breakthrough community. Watch student performances, do some Breakthrough cheers, and award today's Spirit Stick.
 3:15 Student Dismissal: Say good-bye. Make sure students have tonight's homework assignment!
3:30-4:15 Professional Development Workshop: Meet with the teaching staff to learn about the best way to give feedback in the classroom and through student comment forms.
 4:25-5:00 Staff Meeting: Recap the day and discuss any issues. Vote on tomorrow’s Spirit Stick winner.
 7:00-10:00
 Work Time: Finalize your lesson plan for tomorrow. Field some phone calls from advisees with homework questions. Develop your skit for All-School Meeting. Get excited for tomorrow!
 


Teaching is the first job I’ve had that makes me excited to wake up and go to work. It’s unpredictable. I never know exactly how the day will go. I enjoy lesson planning and coming up with ways to make learning exciting.

- Erika Williams, Stanford University 2010, former Breakthrough teacher

 

 

Breakthrough was an excellent opportunity for me to develop as a teacher. Surrounded by 20 like-minded and supportive coworkers and 80 energetic and enthusiastic students, I grew as a teacher, as a friend, and as a person. I can't imagine a more spirited, challenging, and fulfilling summer experience. 

- Kayla Urquidi, Brown University 2011, former Breakthrough teacher