Yale Student–Teacher Frequently Asked Questions
How much are U.S. Grant teachers and co-directors compensated?
U.S. Grant teachers are compensated with a stipend of approx. $4,100 for approximately 32 hours a week of work. Housing and meals are provided. Teachers work full-time for six weeks; the 20234 program dates are June 24-August 2. U.S. Grant co-directors are paid at a similar rate. During the summer program, the Co-Directors work approximately 40 hours a week for 7 weeks, and during the year (January 2023 – December 2024) work 10 hours a week.
What distinguishes U.S. Grant from other summer teaching programs?
Teachers design their own classes from scratch! Rather than having a set curriculum about math or reading, they are given creative license to teach any subject so long as it is middle school-appropriate, interesting, and supports activity-based learning.
What kinds of classes do U.S. Grant teachers teach?
Typically, all teachers teach one “Core” class, classified as either “Investigations” or “Humanities.” Investigations courses are based in problem-solving and/or STEM, and have ranged in subject from climate change and social movements to abnormal psychology to modern architecture. Humanities courses are based in subjects such as art, ethnic studies, and literature. On alternating days, teachers teach solo and partner-taught elective courses on subjects from Improv, to Zine making, to sports, to board game strategy!
What does activity-based education look like?
Activity-based education means getting students involved in their education, beyond just sitting while listening to teachers talk. This could include anything from having classroom discussions, staging debates, writing in journals, acting out plays, playing music, participating in activism, and using cool digital platforms to learn and grow. The list goes on and on.
Do U.S. Grant teachers give students grades or administer tests?
No, U.S. Grant teachers do not grade student work over the summer. However, classes are designed to showcase student learning at the end of the summer through a final project, which could be a play, a journal, or a work of art. Along the way, teachers can administer formative assessments (that is, tests and quizzes without grades) to check for student understanding of concepts.
How do teachers develop their own courses?
Teachers receive professional development during the spring, a week before the summer program, and during the summer program. Two co-directors of the program, as well as members of the U.S. Grant board, who are New Haven educators, non-profit directors, and policymakers, guide this process.
Who are U.S. Grant students?
There is no stereotypical U.S. Grant student, because U.S. Grant students come from all different walks of life! That being said, because all students are required to be enrolled in New Haven Public Schools, our student are largely representative of New Haven demographically. For admission into the program, students are also required to demonstrate academic excellence and a curiosity for learning.
What are the dates of the 2024 program?
The 2024 program for students runs from June 24th–Aug. 2nd. Teachers are expected to attend virtual professional development June 17th–June 21st.
My question isn’t listed here!
That is not a question, but if you do have one (or if you’d just like to hear more about the program), please email us at usgrantdirectors@gmail.com!