Volunteer with Our Programs
Become a Volunteer Teaching Fellow
Practice Your Learning
Breakthrough’s School Year Program Teachers are responsible and dynamic college and graduate school students with diverse backgrounds, skills, and academic interests. They instill a love of learning in our students, and teach them the skills necessary to thrive in their schools and get on the path to college.
School Year Program teachers work on an internship basis instructing one academic subject, assisting students with school assignments and projects, and supporting the overall program during special trips and workshops. The School Year Program is held 10 am – 2 pm, two Saturdays per month, October through May.
Since 2013, we have partnered with Arcadia University as a fieldwork placement option at our Germantown Friends School location. Since 2016, we have partnered with the DragonsTeach program of Drexel University as an internship opportunity for our Drexel Middle School location. Secondary education students participate in at least 8 hours of Breakthrough training focused on specialized instructional and management strategies, followed by 10 to 12 weeks of teaching social studies or STEM in Breakthrough’s school year program. School Year Interns/Field Work Teachers work under supervision of our Instructional Coach, and ongoing training includes regular workshops designed to further develop students’ teaching practices. Interns are expected to be present for all Saturdays of their instructional term.
For 2020 – 2021, Curricula Include:
- 7th Grade: Writing and Public Speaking through American Civics (Traditional Classroom Model)
- 8th Grade: EverFI FutureSmart and Entrepreneurship (eContent Facilitator Model)
Breakthrough is open to developing partnerships with area colleges and universities for pre-service teachers. If you are interested in considering Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia for a pre-service instructional experience for your school, please contact our offices.
Before this fieldwork, I had almost no experience in the classroom . . . I now have a much better understanding of what it is like to teach in a classroom. I don’t believe that any other fieldwork could have immersed me in the classroom so effectively.
Pre-Service Teacher Arcadia University
Complete Our Volunteer Application
Become a Guest Speaker
Share Your Experiences
Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia has a commitment to provide our students with enriching experiences and interactions that open them to a world of possibilities. In order to provide exposure, we hold panels and speed networking events throughout the year, providing opportunities for people to share their professions, studies, and interests with our students.
Become an Application Advocate
Impact College Trajectories
Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia students will produce a great deal of written work over the course of their first two years, but among the most important work in impacting their college pathway are their applications to high schools, and scholarships. Our students benefit from strong writers and editors to help them secure funding and develop a critical eye to their personal stories.
Volunteer Requirements
Federal and State Compliance
In order to comply with state requirements for working with minors and ensure the safety of our students and our community, Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia requires all volunteers to obtain clearances. There is a cost associated with the FBI Criminal History Check, which is typically $18.
FBI Criminal History Check
Volunteer will need to register with the link above, pay the $24.50 registration fee, and go to a fingerprinting site at their convenience. Approximately two weeks later, the FBI clearance will come back to you in USPS mail, at which time you will submit a copy to the Breakthrough office.
Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
You can complete this application online for free by selecting “volunteer”. You must create an individual account login with the Child Welfare portal and then apply for a volunteer clearance for free. Typically within a week, the Child Abuse Clearance will come back to you through the online portal, at which time you will submit a copy to the Breakthrough office.
Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check
You will submit this clearance entirely online. There is a free “volunteer option”. When you complete the registration and submission information, a screen will come up with a PDF to save and print. You should save the PDF to your computer and print a copy for the Breakthrough staff.
