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BY JENNA ACKERMAN
So we all know that Breakthrough provides middle school students immense opportunities to pursue higher education. However, the benefits for high school and college students who serve as teachers in the program are not always adequately emphasized. With this article, I’m taking a more selfish approach in explaining the pros of the program. Yeah, it is probably a great way to pad your college résumé, but there’s so much more to it than that.
I was involved in the Super Saturday program last school year, which then motivated me to apply to be a teacher in the summer program. I learned countless life lessons over the summer, growing more as a person than I thought I could. Before Breakthrough, I was often hesitant to voice my opinions, especially around older people. But working alongside college students, I learned to be more confident. Even more, I can now say that I am not afraid to embarrass myself. Not only did I display my insane stepping skills on stage for the entire program to see, I showcased the Soulja Boy dance in front of all of the teachers. (Although I do not plan on pursuing a future in step, I must say that my Soulja Boy is pretty good!)
Each summer teacher was given a leadership position along with teaching duties. As a leader, I learned to delegate tasks. This became important when I needed to
coordinate ArtSplosion, a field trip to foster an appreciation of art for all 7th graders.
I was both surprised and proud when the day ran smoothly. As a teacher, I now appreciate all of the effort my own teachers put into their work. At times I would question why I was putting so much time into my lesson plans. But those “Aha!” moments, when a student would finally understand a concept, made everything worthwhile.
Zoe Eiber, who also taught in the summer program, received a letter from a student who actually thanked her for all the homework he received. He said that by assigning him so much homework, she made him a better writer. Zoe recalls, “It made me feel as if the work I put in all summer was worth it.” I had a similar feeling when I received a letter from Brianna, a student who I did not even teach. She wrote, “You’re my best friend at Breakthrough.” Just by sitting with her a few days at lunch, I became a sort of mentor. She even came to me when she was having difficulty with her bus driver. I’m not going to lie; I became teary-eyed after reading her letter.
This program doesn’t just help the middle school students who participate. I believe I am a better person because of it. I encourage all of you to get involved in some way with Breakthrough Miami. Participate in Super Saturdays during the second semester; apply to volunteer or teach during the summer; help in the office; be an after-school tutor. You will make a difference in someone’s life. Trust me, that feeling is incredible. Breakthrough has helped me in so many ways. As the teachers sang onstage at the end of the summer, “Breakthrough is my umbrella-ella-ella-eh-eh.”
Jenna is a junior at Ransom Everglades School and a 2007 Breakthrough teacher. |
Breakthrough is My Umbrella-Ella-Ella, Eh Eh!
