Breakthrough Collaborative’s Teaching Fellowship offers more than just a summer internship—it’s a life-changing experience preparing young people to lead in education and beyond. Want to learn more? Here are five key reasons why our fellowship stands apart.
1. An Opportunity to Lead and Grow
Our Teaching Fellowship is a deep dive into leadership. Our Teaching Fellows develop critical skills including lesson preparation, classroom management, conflict management, and communication. For many, it’s their first opportunity to lead a classroom—and for most, that experience sparks a lifelong passion for education. Fellows return to their campuses more prepared, more confident, and ready to take the next step in their professional journeys. Many credit Breakthrough as a launching pad for their leadership trajectory.
2. A Focus on Representation
Classrooms are enriched when teachers reflect the backgrounds of their students. At Breakthrough, 44% of our 2024 Teaching Fellows were first-generation college students, with nearly 20% being former Breakthrough students themselves. What’s more, 33% of them were returning as Teaching Fellows. Our emphasis on representation ensures that our Teaching Fellows understand the communities they serve and inspire the next generation to aim high. Our Teaching Fellows show students what’s possible.
3. Building Pathways to Teaching
Becoming a Breakthrough Teaching Fellow isn’t just about today. We are also cultivating the next generation of education leaders. In fact, 52% of Teaching Fellow alumni enter the classroom as teachers. Each Teaching Fellow gains over 100 hours of in-classroom experience, learning from professional instructional coaches. And by partnering with top teacher training programs, including Teach For America, and the Relay Graduate School of Education, Breakthrough ensures that Fellows who want to continue teaching have the navigation support to take the next step towards the classroom.
4. A Lasting Impact on Communities
Breakthrough scholars are some of the hardest-working, most inspiring young people in the country. Our Teaching Fellows don’t just teach; they connect with students on a personal level, serving as mentors and role models. Our “students teaching students” model creates lasting bonds that go beyond the summer, transforming lives on both sides of the classroom. It is not uncommon for our former scholars to become Teaching Fellows themselves, paying it forward in ways that make a lasting impact.
5. A Network That Keeps Giving
Being a Breakthrough Teaching Fellow means becoming part of something bigger. Breakthrough alumni are making a difference across the education sector, with many leaders in classrooms, schools, districts, and beyond starting their journey with us. Did you know 74% of our Teaching Fellows go onto careers in education? Our Teaching Fellowship inspires and prepares educators and education advocates who contribute to shaping the future of education and expanding opportunities for all students.
The Breakthrough Teaching Fellowship provides young people the chance to grow, lead, and create opportunities for students to thrive. Together, we’re strengthening the teacher workforce—and creating a stronger future for all young people. Join us in this work.
As a reminder, the Regular Decision deadline to become a Summer 2025 Teaching Fellow is Thursday, February 27. Visit our website to learn more and apply here.
