Teaching Fellow Alumnus: Manav Singh

A Budding Economist on His Own Learning Curve

In his sophomore year at Yale University, Manav Singh was still unclear about a career path. He decided to explore teaching by joining Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia as a Teaching Fellow in the summer of 2023.

“I always liked school and had thought about being a teacher before,” he said. Teaching science to rising 9th graders in the six-week program turned out to be Manav’s most challenging, most stressful and most rewarding internship during his college years.

“The stress was because what we were doing really mattered, so I wanted to do it well,” he said. “It was also the most exciting summer I had, for the same reasons.”

The generous support of mentors and the camaraderie of other Teaching Fellows were crucial to Manav’s moving along his own learning curve. From suggestions to involve kids in science experiments to encouragement to bring his own interests into lessons, being surrounded by Breakthrough’s network ensured he could connect meaningfully with the students. “It was definitely all hands-on-deck,” said Manav. “There were a lot of people I could go to when things were difficult or when I didn’t know what to do.”

The experience was a series of “firsts” for Manav: first full-time job, first time commuting into work, first time working with colleagues and dealing with work-related stress. “As a college student, I hadn’t experienced that before…but I got better at dealing with lots of people at once and lots of stress.”

Despite the steep curve, Manav found himself coming out of his shell and “leaning into” his own interests to connect with the students. A long-time fan of the Rubik’s Cube, he taught some kids how to solve the 2x2 cube. “That was interesting…over the summer I got to know the students a little better and they got to know me better.”

A few months after the program, one of his students reached out for advice about taking Honors Science in high school and he passed on some of the words that had sustained him: “I know it’s scary, everyone is adapting to a new environment,” he responded. “Work on time management, ask a lot of questions, join school clubs and have fun.”

As a Teaching Fellow, his eyes were also open to the scope of a teacher’s role in a classroom. “I learned that being a teacher involves a lot more than getting information to kids,” he said. “[Teaching Fellows] had sessions in classroom management, in setting routines for students so they know what to expect every day…and occasionally we would discuss what was going on among students and if there were any issues,” he said. “I didn’t realize it would be such a big

part of the job.”

Manav eventually chose a major in Economics and is now an analyst in the antitrust and competition group at economic consultancy firm Charles River Associates, in Washington, D.C.

His time at Breakthrough helped him gain clarity about his professional journey, and he often recommends the program to college friends curious about a career in education.

“It was one of the most rewarding and challenging summers, when I got the most learning,” he said. “By the end I had a better idea of what teaching would be like, it helped me make the right decision [for myself].”

Contributed by Mara Lemos-Stein