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We believe that all people are worthy of experiences and opportunities that honor the equal value of their lives and enable them to reach their full potential.
Student U’s Summer Academy is a core component of our college access and success programming for students. Summer Academy is a huge part of our organization, and it takes a lot of dedicated individuals to make it work daily. Our teachers are committed to helping our students feel success and growth by providing thoughtful, intentional academic experiences and sharing their own excitement around academic content. The impact Student U teachers have in the classroom is not only empowering students to discover their best selves but supporting them to become leaders that will transform our city.
Build your resume and workforce experience in our Student U’s Summer Academy
7-Week Summer Program (Full-Time)
Empower and equip first-generation college students in Durham Public Schools, their families, and educators to become the leaders that will transform our city.
We envision and work for a Durham where all students succeed.
Summer Academy is a 5-week, full-day program for our rising 6th-10th grade students that includes academic programming, enrichment opportunities, intentional community building, and exposure to college and career options.
Our Summer Academy takes place at Durham Academy Middle School, at 3116 Academy Road in Durham, NC. Students come from all over Durham to attend our programming!
You’ll be a teacher! As a summer teacher at Student U, you will be asked to complete the responsibilities professional teachers do every day, including lesson planning, managing a classroom, assessment, and parent communication. We will provide you training and support for all of these responsibilities!
No! While we love to work with experienced educators, you are not required to have previous experience in order to apply. We often hire summer teachers for whom this will be a first time working with middle schoolers or high schoolers, and will provide you with the training and support you need to teach students this summer.
No. We welcome all those who are committed to a Durham where all students succeed, whether you are a community member, college student, current teacher, aspiring teacher, as long as you are excited by working with our students!
Unfortunately not! We know that summer is a busy time, but we really work to prioritize the five weeks we have with students. We expect teachers to be present for our full summer with students.
We do not currently provide housing for our summer teachers. However, we have a warm and helpful community, and if you are in need of finding housing for the summer, we will work to connect you with someone who might have leads!
Yes! We can’t provide transportation for you, but will connect you with another employee where possible to help you get to Student U each day.
All un-licensed Middle School & High School teachers at Student U get paid at a rate of $18/hour. Licensed Middle School and High School teachers get paid at a rate of $22/hour. Mentor and Interventionist positions are paid at a different rate.
Summer Academy aims to combat summer learning loss by teaching key academic content and nurturing crucial executive function skills so students can walk into their next grade as confident, prepared learners.
Summer Academy aims to help students dream fearlessly about themselves and their world by explicitly integrating identity development, teaching social justice issues and movements, and creatively imagining change throughout lesson plans and curriculum.
Summer Academy aims to create a safe community where each person is valued, included, and invested in growing and learning together.
Making fearless dreams come true is tireless work. Our staff and board of directors are investing their time, talent, and treasure to ensure our vision for a Durham where all students succeed becomes a reality.
Student U students and families built Student U and continue to actively create our community. It is not defined by a certain program or activity, but rather by a culture and a way of operating within the world.
It is not enough to simply be a great student or teacher. We expect all members of our community to take what is learned at Student U and use that knowledge to make a difference in the larger community. This means both serving others and inspiring peers to do the same.
We have exceptionally high expectations for everyone at Student U. All members of the Student U community will strive to be excellent in all areas of life. Success can be defined differently for each individual. As long as progress is always being made towards clear, challenging goals, individuals are achieving greatness.
The Student U community is comprised of unique individuals who come together to achieve a common goal. We value the background, skill set, and characteristics of each person. We understand that no person has reached his or her full potential. In order to respect all individuals, we must first respect ourselves by treating ourselves with love and kindness.
We will constantly work to enhance our skills and discover our passions and strengths. We will take risks, challenge ourselves, and work to love ourselves for both who we are and for whom we can become.
As a member of the Student U community, we recognize the importance of having “I dreams” and “we dreams.” No societal boundaries will limit our personal goals and aspirations. No challenges will prevent us from envisioning a world more just than the present and from taking steps to make that world a reality.
All individuals have skills to share with the community. It is our responsibility to fully spread our talents and gifts to those around us. Only when all individuals do so, can we solve the world’s most difficult challenges.
The brilliance and successes of Student U’s community
