Alumni Newsletter Archive ⬇

November 2024 Issue
Sadie, Teaching Fellow Alum, Summer 2024

Sadie is a rising junior at Middlebury College in Vermont, majoring in history with a Chinese and education studies double minor. She has plans to become a teacher, making Breakthrough the perfect opportunity for her. She spent the Summer of 2024 as a social studies Teaching Fellow at Washington Technology and Magnet School.

“The biggest thing I learned about myself through working at Breakthrough is that being a teacher is the career I want to pursue,” she said. “This was the first time I experienced teaching in a formal classroom setting, and I absolutely loved it. I loved teaching social studies, I loved building close relationships with my students and colleagues, and I loved being a mentor.”

Although she faced the challenge of managing two classes with very different groups of students, Sadie learned the importance of adaptability and flexibility in teaching. Her advice to future Teaching Fellows is to remember to be kind to yourself. “You will probably struggle, run into unexpected challenges…but this is expected and does not mean you are not a good teacher,” Sadie said.

As a social studies teacher, one of her highlights of the summer was the annual field trip to the Capitol. Students got to hear from legislators and be a part of a mock bill debate in the House Chamber. “It was really rewarding to watch my students write bills on subjects they are passionate about and become more interested in civic engagement.” Overall, her favorite part of the Breakthrough summer was forming relationships with her students. She enjoyed learning about the students’ hobbies, celebrity crushes, favorite TikTok dances, and more. The classroom became a place where they could all have fun and be silly with one another.

September 2024 Issue
Tarrell, Teaching Fellow Alum, Summer 2024

Tarrell is a Business Administration and Sports Management student at Hartwick College. This Brooklyn native spent his summer as a Teaching Fellow at the Eastern Carver County (ECC) site. Although Tarrell doesn’t plan to become a teacher, he excelled in this role. He faced challenges, like submitting lesson plans on time, but overcame them with help from his Instructional Coach.

Tarrell especially enjoyed the community events. The “King of the Valley” competition showcased teamwork among colleges. The program’s last day was also memorable, featuring performances and social time.

At ECC, Tarrell discovered a sense of belonging and camaraderie. As he puts it, “One of my favorite things about ECC is that we were all able to fit well since day one and as each day went by, the relationship with one another got stronger and it became a family.” This experience highlights the importance of building connections with students, fellow Teaching Fellows, and staff.

Tarrell learned that incorporating shared interests, like movies or sports, into teaching can enhance student engagement and learning. His advice for future Teaching Fellows: “Be yourself and connect with the students. You’ll soon feel at ease in your role. The same applies to your colleagues – strong connections lead to a family-like atmosphere.”

Reflecting on his summer at ECC, Tarrell sees it as a journey of personal growth, community building, and educational insights. His experience demonstrates the benefits of embracing new opportunities outside one’s comfort zone.