Breakthrough Collaborative

In Summer 2024, I was selected for a competitive teaching fellowship with Breakthrough Santa Fe, where I spent eight weeks teaching 7th grade English and leading an elective poetry course. I planned and taught daily lessons, built unit arcs, and supported students with a wide range of learning styles and strengths. My English class centered on close reading, narrative writing, and helping students grow more confident in their voices, while the poetry elective became a creative space where students experimented with expression, imagery, and rhythm.

This fellowship challenged me to think like a teacher every single day — managing a classroom, adjusting lessons on the spot, and creating a community where students felt safe to take risks. I learned how to design meaningful learning experiences, build trust, and bring patience and energy into every class. Teaching in Santa Fe strengthened my sense of purpose and solidified my commitment to becoming an educator.