Overview
About Breakthrough Silicon Valley
Breakthrough Silicon Valley launches talented students who have been historically excluded from higher education on the path to college, and inspires high school and college students to become the next generation of leaders, advocates, and educators. BTSV’s seven-year college access and success program, which supports students from 7th grade to first year of college, has proven to be effective in preparing these students for college: a stunning 99% of BTSV graduates attend college immediately after high school.
BTSV’s tuition-free program provides year-round out-of-school time academic support, advising, and advocacy for a diverse group of talented students, most of whom come from under-resourced communities and will be the first generation in their family to go to college.
Through our students-teaching-students model, BTSV also provides a consummate professional development experience providing talented high school and college students the opportunity to understand the K-12 system and the drivers of educational inequities, and to design and teach classes under the direction of seasoned educators.
Located in San Jose, California, Breakthrough Silicon Valley is an affiliate of The Breakthrough Collaborative, a leading national service organization that acts as the national voice for over 25 Breakthrough sites across the country.
About the Summer Teaching Fellowship
Your Impact: Our summer program could not be what it is every year without the hard work and dedication of our Teaching Fellows. You won’t just be a teacher. You’ll be a mentor and a role model to your students. You will witness how your leadership helps your students grow personally and progress academically in just a few weeks.
What does a typical summer look like?
Your summer starts with an orientation week where you will meet other Teaching Fellows, get trained on classroom and student management techniques and learn about current issues in the educational equity field. This leads into the heart of the internship: weeks of classroom instruction where you will lead your very own classroom of approximately 8-12 students. Each Teaching Fellow will teach at least two classes per day. Each Teaching Fellow will teach ONE core class PLUS an elective.
Throughout the summer, you will teach up to three classes per day, serve as a crew leader, plan and lead extra-curricular activities, attend coaching and staff meetings, and participate in weekly professional development sessions.
As a Teaching Fellow, you play a critical role both inside and outside of the classroom. You will teach, mentor, serve as a role model and crew leader, and help to cultivate and sustain a positive, welcoming community amongst your peers and the students.
You will serve under the guidance of an Instructional Coach, who is an educational professional with years of classroom experience. The Instructional Coach reviews your lesson plans, provides daily feedback, and trains you in teaching techniques, classroom management, and student assessment.
This is the best summer opportunity for you if:
- You’re passionate about working with students.
- You’re willing to tackle a steep learning curve with enthusiasm and an open mind.
- You pride yourself in your great organizational skills and attention to detail.
- You’re looking to start your career in education, social justice, or public service.
- You LOVE to laugh and have fun!
- You can commit to 300+ hrs of service from June 16th – August 8th, 2025 (full-time hours for the duration of the program.)
Training and Professional Development
BTSV wants you to learn and grow as much as your students will. At the start of your service, you will receive a comprehensive orientation to your new team, to BTSV, our work, and your role. Throughout the summer program you will serve with your colleagues, BTSV Staff, and with the expert guidance of an Instructional Coach, an experienced educator who will provide training, coaching, observation, feedback, encouragement, and support. Members will receive formal and structured feedback via performance reviews. Note, training hours will not exceed 20% of total service hours.
Requirements
- “Breakthrough Spirit”: You’re a collaborative team player who is committed to excellence and is open-minded. You demonstrate a growth mindset, think creatively to solve problems, and serve with a sense of humor and humility.
- Commitment to Breakthrough Silicon Valley’s mission and goals as well as a passion for educational equity.
- Have a commitment to community service and the ability to serve the full service term. (300+ hrs of service, full-time between June 16th through August 8th, 2025.)
- Recent college graduate, or currently enrolled in college or high school.
- At least 17 years old at the start of the service period, June 16th, 2025.
- Candidates 18 years of age or older must pass a National Service Criminal History Check.
- US citizen, US national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
- Access to reliable transportation to our summer program sites via personal vehicle, public transit, or other means.
- Spanish or Vietnamese language skills are a plus, but not required.
Compensation & Benefits
AmeriCorps positions are volunteer roles which carry a living allowance. BTSV’s AmeriCorps Members will receive:
- $5,294 living allowance (pre-tax) paid semi-monthly over the service period.
- Summer Teaching Fellows who complete their AmeriCorps service are eligible for a $1,565.68 education award via the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. This can be used for continuing education or to repay certain student loans.
- Student loan forbearance, if eligible.
Location
BTSV maintains two offices in San Jose and our Summer Program sites will be co-located or nearby to these offices:
- Bridges Academy: 1702 McLaughlin Ave, San Jose, CA 95122
- Herbert Hoover Middle School: 1635 Park Ave, San Jose, CA 95126
Teaching Fellows are required to serve full-time in person. This is not a remote position.
Application Process
Apply online at http://breakthroughsv.org/becomeateachingfellow. We will review applications on a rolling basis.