The Revolution
Begins With You!
Freedom Schools Literacy Academy is a 5-week summer program offered virtually and in Philadelphia to provide college-aged individuals and high school students opportunities to explore and deepen their interest in becoming not just teachers, but educator-activists. As apprentices, they provide rising 1st through 3rd grade scholars with literacy intervention and an affirming space that celebrates their culture and racial identity.
Our approach to instructor experiences is steeped in Black culture, history and pedagogy. Everything is designed to affirm our racial identity and the roles we each can take in rebuilding the national Black teacher pipeline. All to advance racial justice and educational equity.
All FSLA participants are eligible for the Center’s Future Teachers of Excellence Fellowship that provides academic support, professional development, scholarships to college-aged individuals and retention stipends once they’ve entered the education field.
Summer 2025 FSLA programming will take place from June 30th through August 1st.
We’re currently recruiting for all positions and enrolling scholars.
FSLA CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
As a Junior Servant Leader, you will provide small group instruction and engage in intellectually rigorous professional development, lesson planning, and experiences with scholars—all designed to help you explore your interest in teaching.
COLLEGE-AGED INDIVIDUALS
As a Servant Leader Apprentice, you’ll sharpen your teaching acumen by leading classroom instruction for rising 1st grade through 3rd grade scholars, through guidance from experienced Black teachers. You will develop an understanding not only for early literacy, but also Black pedagogy, education history, and racial-identity development.
EDUCATORS
You can serve a critical role in training and mentoring outstanding college and high school teacher-apprentices. Shape the next generation of culturally-responsive teachers and, in the process, energize your own commitment to teaching.
FAMILIES INTERESTED IN FSLA
Our rising 1st grade through 3rd grade scholars are provided small group literacy intervention by teacher apprentices who care for them like family, through the guidance of experienced teachers. We instill a sense of belongingness and racial pride through programming infused with rich Afrocentric traditions, leading our young scholars to show leaps in literacy and giving them a confidence boost to support their school success.
What interested me in taking this role was having the ability to motivate children to learn and also to get a better understanding of the history of education.
The teaching apprenticeship was liberating. I could be authentic all the time. I never needed to dim my personality or code switch. I was able to be who I am and to connect to my students in the way I felt was necessary.
![[CBED] Policy & Advocacy Quote Image (1) copy 7](https://thecenterblacked.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CBED-Policy-Advocacy-Quote-Image-1-copy-7.jpg)
Some of us didn’t fully understand the benefits of our children having Black teachers. That all changed after our children attended the Freedom Schools Literacy Academy.
![[CBED] Policy & Advocacy Quote Image (1)](https://thecenterblacked.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CBED-Policy-Advocacy-Quote-Image-1-2.jpg)
When kids have Black teachers, there aren’t as many barriers to break down before understanding them. This is why having a Black teacher is important.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Learn more about Freedom Schools Literacy Academy.
WHAT CURRICULA DO YOU USE?
To help high school students explore their interest in teaching careers, we use the Center’s own LeCount Catto Curriculum. College-aged individuals are guided by experts in anti-racist educational pedagogy and practices designed by our professional learning team.
Our young scholars benefit from an integration of best practices from the Children’s Defense Fund and Philadelphia Freedom Schools with a culturally-responsive, affirming and sustaining early-literacy curriculum.
WHEN AND IN WHICH CITIES DO YOU OPERATE?
Our Summer 2025 Freedom Schools Literacy Academy programming will take place from June 30 through August 1, 2025 virtually and in-person at the following campuses:
- Guion S. Bluford Elementary School
- Tanner G. Duckrey School
- William D. Kelley Elementary
- Kenderton Elementary
Any School District of Philadelphia student is welcome to participate in programming at Bluford, Duckrey, Kelley, and Kenderton.
Virtual programming is also open to students across the country regardless of home state!
WHAT IS THE PROGRAM’S IMPACT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING?
2022 REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:
High school students show a significant increase in interest in teaching Black children. College-aged individuals report an increased interest in teaching tied to the excellent mentoring they receive from their coaches.
Majority of young scholars (83%) improved one or more reading levels. All participants show increased positive racial identity.