Image courtesy of California Teaching Fellows Foundation (CTFF)

The California Teaching Fellows Foundation (CTFF), a Fresno-based nonprofit, has partnered with Fresno State for its fourth-annual Teaching Fellows Summit University, a series of immersive residential programs designed to promote academic growth for students and families across California. 

This summer, CTFF is hosting five residential programs — two for high school students, two for middle school students and one for parents. The participants will be coming from all over California, representing school districts in Santa Clara, San Francisco, Butte, Hayward, Gilroy, Parlier and more.

“Our summer residential programs are designed to give students an authentic college experience that goes far beyond academics,” Pedro Lopez, the program director, said in a news release.

During this summit, students stay in the dorms at Fresno State, attend hands-on summits and participate in enrichment activities led by current Teaching Fellows — college students who work in expanded learning programs during the school year. The Fellows also serve as residential advisors and receive training in supervision, leadership and emergency procedures.

Teaching Fellows Summit University includes multiple academic and enrichment tracks such as STEM, health and fitness, English language arts, higher education and cultural awareness. The activities include graphic design, dance, soccer, yoga and college exploration.

Students also participate in university life experiences like movie nights, team-building activities and a field trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain. After the summer ends and the school year starts, the participants are invited on two follow-up college visits.

“Teaching Fellows Summer University is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Lexi Streets, a residential advisor. “It cultivates a genuine sense of belonging and excitement that stays with everyone involved.”

The first session of Teaching Fellows Summer University (TFSU-1) began June 15 and runs through June 28, with 107 high school students participating. That group includes 50 students from the Santa Clara County Office of Education (Region 1), five from Gilroy Unified, 26 from Hayward Unified, 16 from Morgan Hill Unified and 10 from San Francisco Unified.

Teaching Fellows Summer Bridge (TFSB), held June 23 through June 28, will serve 90 middle school students — 30 each from Santa Clara County (Region 1) and Butte County (Region 2), 15 from Hayward Unified, five from Morgan Hill Unified and 10 from San Francisco Unified.

Concurrent with the end of the bridge program is Teaching Fellows Parents University (TFPU), which will take place June 27–28. It will welcome 40 parents, all from the Santa Clara County Office of Education, Region 1.

In July, CTFF will host the Kerman Summer Bridge (KSB), from July 13 through July 18, welcoming 100 middle school students from Kerman Unified School District.

The second session of Teaching Fellows Summer University (TFSU-2) will take place July 20 through August 2. That group will include 98 high school students — 80 from Butte County Office of Education (Region 2), five from Gilroy Unified and 13 from Parlier Unified.

Altogether, more than 430 students and parents will participate in CTFF’s summer residential programs this year.