Teaching Fellows to Teachers: How Out-of-School Programs can Recruit and Retain Educators

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 3:45 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Thriving Futures: Opening Career Pathways Through Out of School Time Experiences

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the role of an out-of-school program in supporting former program staff to become and stay teachers. Through semi-structured interviews with staff alumni of Breakthrough's Teaching Fellow program who went on to become public school teachers, we examined how participation influenced career decisions and teaching practices. Findings revealed that Breakthrough functioned as both a recruitment pathway and career support system by acting as an access point into the teaching profession, providing hands-on classroom experience, ongoing pedagogical resources, and professional community. These findings expand understanding of out-of-school programs' potential role in diversifying and strengthening the teacher pipeline.

Authors

• Chloe Fann, University of Memphis

• Jennifer R. Renick, Michigan State University

• Natalie Jacobs Hall, Breakthrough Collaborative

• Jeehye Deogracias, Breakthrough Collaborative