Breakthrough Birmingham

What We Do

Teaching Fellows

Every summer, we find the brightest college students from across the Southeast and beyond. We welcome them to Birmingham, where our team of veteran educators gives them the training they need to be teachers and mentors to our middle school Scholars.

A Breakthrough Birmingham Teaching Fellow working with scholars

Students Teaching Students

Teaching Fellows are at the heart of the Breakthrough experience, serving as our scholars’ primary leaders and mentors. We recruit the most talented and driven college students to lead our summer classrooms. To ensure they’re ready for the challenge, our Fellows undergo thorough training, including guidance from our team of veteran educators, culture-building workshops and instruction on effective teaching strategies. Our Fellows receive continuous support, reflection opportunities and ongoing feedback to help them become even stronger leaders, all while making a lasting impact with our scholars.

Apply To Be a Teaching Fellow

Breakthrough By the Numbers

Our Teaching Fellows’ impact on our communities is measured and proven. Just take a look at the results.

0+

scholars supported since 2013

0%

Teaching Fellows enter careers in education

0%

of scholars are college-going

Our Teaching Fellows Program is designed for passionate college students who bring creativity, resilience, and a belief that all students can achieve great things in our programs. We’re looking for students from any major who thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and are excited about making a real difference. If you’re interested in how education can change communities and love working with young people, we encourage you to strengthen our community by applying.

Are you looking for a meaningful summer experience that will impact scholars’ lives and develop your professional skills? Breakthrough Birmingham Teaching Fellows strive to reverse educational inequities by working directly with middle school students in our communities, promoting both academic and social growth.

  • Role: Breakthrough Summer Teaching Fellow
  • Training: 100+ hours of
    • student-centered teaching practice
    • professionalism & leadership building
    • opportunity to build relationships with likeminded peers
  • Stipend/Payment: $4,000 total paid in bi-weekly increments (with a bonus for returners!)
  • Serving: 200+ rising 7th – 9th graders across Birmingham & Talladega
  • Schedule: 9 weeks (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
    • Teach a core class (Math, Science or Humanities)
    • Co-teach an elective class
    • Mentor scholars
    • Ongoing skills-building
    • Off-site field trips on Fridays
  • Instruction: With the support of a veteran educator as your coach, you’ll create & teach lessons in small classes (avg. of 10–12 students)

Hear From Fellows

“Breakthrough has really shown me that it is possible to see growth in scholars in just a few weeks if the education system is intentional in its work. The amount of growth I witnessed from my scholars was refreshing, and it inspired me to think of more solution-based actions that we as a community, and we as a country, can incorporate into our education systems.”
Summer 2022 Teaching Fellow
“Breakthrough gives you a chance to develop yourself but, most importantly, develop tomorrow's leaders.”
Summer 2022 Teaching Fellow
“I've gained many skills this year. For example, being a consistent leader, advocating for myself and scholars and also setting boundaries. This summer has changed my outlook in a positive way.”
Summer 2024 Teaching Fellow
“I have grown in leadership, professionalism, empathy, compassion, and understanding.”
Summer 2024 Teaching Fellow
“As a psychology major who would love to be a school psychologist, Breakthrough has helped me understand and establish relationships with children. It has helped me grow patience, compassion, problem-solving, and analytical skills. But out of all, Breakthrough has been confirmation that working with children is truly my purpose.”
Summer 2024 Teaching Fellow
“Breakthrough has really shown me that it is possible to see growth in scholars in just a few weeks if the education system is intentional in its work. The amount of growth I witnessed from my scholars was refreshing, and it inspired me to think of more solution-based actions that we as a community, and we as a country, can incorporate into our education systems.”
Summer 2022 Teaching Fellow
“Breakthrough gives you a chance to develop yourself but, most importantly, develop tomorrow's leaders.”
Summer 2022 Teaching Fellow
“I've gained many skills this year. For example, being a consistent leader, advocating for myself and scholars and also setting boundaries. This summer has changed my outlook in a positive way.”
Summer 2024 Teaching Fellow
“I have grown in leadership, professionalism, empathy, compassion, and understanding.”
Summer 2024 Teaching Fellow
“As a psychology major who would love to be a school psychologist, Breakthrough has helped me understand and establish relationships with children. It has helped me grow patience, compassion, problem-solving, and analytical skills. But out of all, Breakthrough has been confirmation that working with children is truly my purpose.”
Summer 2024 Teaching Fellow
“Breakthrough has really shown me that it is possible to see growth in scholars in just a few weeks if the education system is intentional in its work. The amount of growth I witnessed from my scholars was refreshing, and it inspired me to think of more solution-based actions that we as a community, and we as a country, can incorporate into our education systems.”
Summer 2022 Teaching Fellow
“Breakthrough gives you a chance to develop yourself but, most importantly, develop tomorrow's leaders.”
Summer 2022 Teaching Fellow
“I've gained many skills this year. For example, being a consistent leader, advocating for myself and scholars and also setting boundaries. This summer has changed my outlook in a positive way.”
Summer 2024 Teaching Fellow
“I have grown in leadership, professionalism, empathy, compassion, and understanding.”
Summer 2024 Teaching Fellow
“As a psychology major who would love to be a school psychologist, Breakthrough has helped me understand and establish relationships with children. It has helped me grow patience, compassion, problem-solving, and analytical skills. But out of all, Breakthrough has been confirmation that working with children is truly my purpose.”
Summer 2024 Teaching Fellow

Become a Teaching Fellow

Teaching Fellows at Breakthrough Birmingham transform the lives of the scholars they teach by igniting a passion for learning in them. Our programs foster confidence and resilience in our students, benefiting them in the classroom and in the “real world.” By building trust with scholars and their families, Teaching Fellows create a supportive environment where students feel valued and encouraged to achieve their full potential.

Apply Now