Apply to Teach
If you are interested in teaching during the School Year Program, click here to download an application. If you are interested in tutoring during the School Year Program, click here to download an application.
If you are interested in teaching during the Summer Program, click here. Summer 2010 dates for teachers will be June 23 – August 20.
Summer Program admission is facilitated through our affiliate national organization, the Breakthrough Collaborative. Breakthrough Cambridge hires high school and college students who thrive on challenges, work hard, and are passionate about educational equity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Breakthrough Cambridge teachers?
Breakthrough Cambridge teachers are a talented, energetic group of high school and college students. They come from diverse academic and personal backgrounds, but share a strong commitment to their students, to each other, and to the Breakthrough Cambridge mission.
The following is demographic information for the 2008 teaching staff:
| Male | 26% |
| Female | 74% |
| White | 45% |
| Of Color | 55% |
| High School | 19% |
| College | 81% |
| Breakthrough Veterans | 55% |
What is a typical day like for a Breakthrough Cambridge Teacher?
During the summer, a typical day begins, in true Breakthrough Cambridge fashion, with cheers and words of inspiration. After reviewing important information for the day, you will greet the students, spend time with them during breakfast, and then teach one – two academic classes. During your free periods, you might attend a department meeting, prepare for your next class, debrief with your Mentor Teacher, or just relax in the staff room.
After academic classes come lunch and recess. The afternoon includes Community Meeting, Electives, and Homework Hut. Once the students receive a proper send-off, you will attend a Staff Meeting and, depending on the day, a professional development session, Project Team meeting, or staff bonding event. In the early evening, you return home to grade papers, lesson plan, recharge, and dream about Breakthrough Cambridge!
A day at the after-school program is much shorter, but contains many of the same elements, compressed into three or four hours.
How does Breakthrough Cambridge support its teachers?
Breakthrough Cambridge hires professional educators to act as “mentor teachers” and to share curriculum ideas, observe classes and provide feedback. Mentor teachers offer supportive eyes and ears to our teachers as they experience the roller coaster of first-time teaching.
Breakthrough Cambridge asks teachers challenging questions and gives them a context to reflect. Teachers discuss educational issues in depth during training and professional development sessions. At the end of each summer, teachers share Presentations of Learning with the community.
Our teachers become each other’s advocates and support systems. The program cultivates collegiality through meetings and discussions, but also through staff dinners, positive recognition, program rituals, and celebration!
Who can I contact if I have more questions?
Please contact Sarah Joslyn at sjoslyn@breakthroughcambridge.org if you are interested in teaching in the Summer Program or Jennie Brown at jbrown@breakthroughcambridge.org if you are interested in teaching or tutoring in the School Year Program. Both can be reached at 617-349-6647.