Frequently Asked
Questions
Who may apply to teach?
- You may apply for a teaching position if you are a:
1. High school student
currently completing your senior year.
2. Undergraduate or graduate
college student currently enrolled in a degree program.
* We operate in accordance with
all US laws, therefore, all applicants we hire must be authorized to
work in the U.S.
** All employees of Lehigh
Valley Summerbridge must possess current PA Child Abuse and Criminal
Record clearance forms.
What is Lehigh Valley Summerbridge?
- A tuition free two year academic program for motivated middle school
students with limited educational resources held on the Middle School
Campus of Moravian Academy in downtown Bethlehem.
Who are Lehigh Valley Summerbridge
teachers?
- Summerbridge teachers are
talented high school and college students from around the country. They
are bright, passionate, creative and intrigued by learning and
teaching. The majority of Lehigh Valley Summerbridge's teachers
will pursue a career in education.
- Summerbridge teachers are
students. All applicants are students from high school seniors
to graduate students in college -- who are high academic achievers, passionate about
learning and teaching.
- Summerbridge teachers are
active learners. Our teachers are dedicated to creating an active
learning environment for each other and their students.
- Most Summerbridge teachers attend local colleges and
universities.
Teacher Commitment and
Responsibilities
You’ll teach the classes and so much more! At Lehigh Valley
Summerbridge, you’re not an assistant or aide in a classroom
—you’re the teacher. It will be your responsibility to:
- Teach 2 academic classes, team teach 1 elective, and monitor 1
club.
- Participate in ongoing reflection about your lessons, the students, the
program, and your personal involvement.
- Be an active, positive role model for the students in the program.
- Work with students’ families to best serve the needs of their
children.
- Serve on one or more committees to plan student events.
- Submit weekly unit plans
and daily lesson plans for
review.
- Help to facilitate one
community service project.
Academic Classes
Literature, Writing, Math, and Science.
Our academic classes are
current, meeting Pennsylvania state guidelines.
Faculty members are responsible for planning, teaching, and evaluating
their own morning academic classes. Classes are 45 minutes long
and have an average of 6-8 students. For a copy of our curriculum
guides or our recommended literature list please inquire
here.
Academic Electives
Academic electives are designed around the interest and experience of
our current faculty. Many will focus on history or the social
sciences, but all vary from year to year. Academic electives are
team taught with 2 or more faculty members. Academic electives
have included:
Art & Photography, Creative Writing, Current
Events, Fitness Publications, Forensic Science, Government, Health and Nutrition, Internet
Research, Psychology, Public Speaking, Short Story Reading and Writing, Spanish
History and Culture, World Cultures, World History, Geography, and many
more.
Homework Hut
Homework Hut is a supervised
study period for students. Teachers work independently with
students or monitor student progress in groups. Homework time is
designed to allow teachers to work one on one with students who need
extra support.
Clubs
Two to three teachers work
together to serve as club leaders for a group of approximately 10
students. Clubs are a recreational period for teachers and students and
require little pre-planning. Clubs vary from summer to
summer. Clubs have included:
Art, Computers, Dance, Drama,
Outdoor Sports, Step, and Forensics.
Committee Work
Committees are chaired by and made up of teachers. They provide
opportunities to learn about the responsibilities of administration and
leadership. Together, under the guidance of the program's Director and
Assistant Director, each
committee will plan one of several student events. These events
include:
Parents' Open House, Olympics
Game Day, and Celebration (our culminating event).
To view our daily schedule
click
here.
Support for Young
People Teaching
Summerbridge teachers will arrive with a variety of educational
experience. Because we recognize the challenges of teaching at
Lehigh Valley Summerbridge, we work to provide you with support
throughout the summer.
Faculty Orientation
You will spend 5 days preparing for summer teaching. Teachers will
attend workshops on lesson planning, practice teaching styles, and
integrating technology in the classroom. These intense training sessions are led by
professional teachers and the program's administrative staff.
Master Teachers
During Orientation Week and throughout the summer, our professional
Master Teachers will be available to help
you plan for your classes and also provide feedback and recommendations
on your lessons.
Dean of Faculty
The Dean of Faculty (DOF) is a full-time administrator who will provide
you with support and resources throughout the summer. The DOF will
review your lessons and unit plan on a weekly basis and offer
recommendations and suggestions. The DOF will also observe your
classes twice throughout the summer.
Dean of Students
The Dean of Faculty (DOS) is a full-time administrator who can assist
you in classroom management and student issues. The DOS is also
responsible for student attendance and discipline.
Teacher Compensation
You'll gain a world of valuable experience, including:
- Hands-on teaching experience
in an innovative education program
- Leadership experience
- Training and mentoring from professional teachers
- The opportunity to make a positive difference in children’s lives
- The opportunity to work with a diverse group of talented colleagues
- More responsibility than you’ll get in almost any other summer job
