About the Fellowship
Teach for Nature (TFN) Fellowship
We believe that
- Every child has the right to connect with Nature.
- When children develop a deep love for nature, they are inspired to take care of Nature in various ways, including practices for sustainable living.
- Schools and teachers can play a crucial role in fostering this connection between children and the natural world.
But usually, schools find it difficult to play this valuable role. They face challenges such as limited resources, pressure to complete the curriculum etc., lack of infrastructure and trained teachers for Nature based learning. Hence Bhoomi has launched the TFN Fellowship to train individuals as Nature educators, empowering them to work with children in schools and nurture this vital connection.
Who Can Be a TFN Fellow?
- Someone passionate about environmental education and excited to work with children.
- An adventurer at heart, adaptable in disposition, driven by a desire to create meaningful impact.
- A keen learner who values self-initiated work and peer learning.
- A graduate with strong communication skills in English, and preferably Kannada and/or Hindi.
- Someone interested in collaborating with schools and networking with resources for support.
What Does the TFN fellowship involve?
- 3.5-month Residential Orientation Program: Begins on 2nd March, 2026 and ends mid-June, 2026. It is an intensive and immersive learning experience with experienced practitioners.
- 8-month Work Placement: Upon successful completion of orientation program, selected candidates will be placed in schools to work as Nature Educators from 1st July, 2026 to 28th February, 2027. Fellows stationed in Bengaluru will receive a stipend of INR 30,000/- month, Outstation Fellows, will have part time engagement only, and are expected to find schools in their regions. They will receive a stipend of INR 15,000/- month.
- Weekly Mentoring: Supporting personal growth and enriching learning journey beyond skills.
- Continued Impact: After completing the fellowship, you can continue working as a Nature educator in the following years on fulfilling certain criteria. .
Orientation Programme
What does the Orientation Programme look like?
The objective of the orientation programme is to train fellows and equip them to create impactful, memorable educational experiences that inspire young minds. The 3.5-month orientation programme will cover the following:
- Developing effective teaching, learning, and facilitation methods.
- Exploring one’s personal growth and transformation required to become a Nature educator.
- Understanding the significance of learning partnerships and community engagement.
The orientation program will cover:
- Exploring Nature in our surroundings
- Sustainable food and health practices
- Water conservation and management
- Waste management in an urban setup
- Energy resources and sustainability
- Understanding climate change
- Engaging in craft activities
- Developing critical thinking skills
Understanding what to teach is essential, but equally important is knowing how to teach effectively. TFN fellows will be trained in a range of critical skills that foster deeper learning experiences. This includes experiential learning, holistic thinking, identifying interconnections in subjects, and maintaining continuity in lessons to help fellows grasp the 'big picture.' Fellows will also learn to create engaging lesson plans, think on their feet, and use storytelling and theatre to spark curiosity in children. Classroom management techniques will be emphasized to ensure a supportive and dynamic learning environment.
Teaching Methodology and Processes
Our teaching methodology is holistic and involves the following:
Experiential Learning
Our approach prioritizes learning through direct experiences, making the process hands-on and interactive. Fellows engage in real-life scenarios, experiments, allowing them to connect theoretical knowledge with practical applications. This experiential process makes learning memorable and encourages critical thinking.
Self-Initiated Learning
While we introduce core topics, fellows take responsibility for their learning journey and it is essential that they read up more to become Nature educators. Self-initiated learning encourages fellows to ask questions, seek answers, and build resilience as they navigate the learning process.
Teaching-Learning as a Shared Journey
The teaching-learning dynamic here is collaborative. Educators act as facilitators and guides, not just instructors. This shared journey builds a supportive learning community where fellows feel encouraged to contribute, discuss, and critically evaluate ideas.
Systems Thinking and Perspective Building
We emphasize understanding the interconnectedness of concepts. Systems thinking is woven into our methodology to help fellows see beyond isolated facts, recognizing patterns and relationships within a larger framework. This approach develops holistic thinking and equips fellows to look at real-world issues with an informed, big-picture view.
Our aim is not merely to provide information but to shape fellows into lifelong learners.
What does a typical day look like during the training programme?
A typical day for a TFN fellow begins bright and early at 6:30 a.m. with a Nature-connect session facilitated by our in-house Naturalist. The aim is to deepen their connection with nature and expand their understanding through observation of the natural world.
From 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., fellows engage in classroom sessions covering various aspects of the curriculum, focusing on a broad range of topics essential for their training.
Later in the day, fellows dedicate 45 minutes to hands-on gardening work in their assigned garden patches, putting theoretical learning into practice.
The day concludes with a facilitator-free session from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. where fellows review and reflect on the day's learnings, discuss topics covered in class, receive peer feedback, participate in book readings, group discussions, quizzes, watch documentaries, and more. This session also enables to foster collaboration, self-reflection, and skill development, supporting their growth both as learners and educators.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Teach for Nature (TFN) Fellowship?
TFN fellowship is the latest initiative of Bhoomi College where individuals will be trained to work as Nature educators in schools.
- 2024 (Pilot Year): 20 fellows worked in 26 schools, reaching over 3,000 children.
- 2025 (Year 2): 17 fellows joined the second batch. 9 fellows from the last cohort continue to engage with children in schools. Currently, 26 fellows are working in 45 schools, engaging 6,000 children.
2. Who can apply for the TFN Fellowship?
- A graduate in any stream. Candidates with a background in science / teaching / experience in nature education or sustainability practices will be given preference.
- Age range: 25-35 years (preferred but not mandatory).
- Persons who enjoy working with children and are passionate about engaging with children to help them reconnect with nature.
- Committed to empowering children to be part of the solution and inspiring them to take meaningful climate action.
3. What are the dates for the TFN Fellowship?
- Application process: Application process: Will start on 24th November, 2025
- Selection process: Online & In-person interviews from December ‘25 to February ‘26
- Orientation programme: 3.5-month residential programme from 2nd March ‘26 to 15th June’26 at Bhoomi campus.
- Engagement: On successful completion of the orientation programme, TFN fellows will be work in TFN-partner schools as Nature educators from 1st July ’26 to 28th February ’27.
4. What is the period of engagement for the TFN Fellowship?
The TFN Fellowship is a one-year commitment, beginning with a 3.5-month residential program. After completing the program, fellows will engage in teaching nature education and climate action to children in TFN-partner schools across India.
5. Will the TFN Fellow be paid a stipend?
On successful completion of the 3-month orientation programme at Bhoomi, each TFN Fellow will be assigned to TFN-Partner schools. Fellows working in Bangalore will be paid a monthly stipend of INR 27,000/- (after deductions) and those in other locations with a part-time commitment will be paid a monthly stipend Rs.13,500- (after deductions) to support them in their journey.
6. Will the TFN Fellow be paid travel expenses?
No, travel expenses will have to be borne by the TFN Fellow. (We recommend that TFN fellows stay in accommodation close to the schools they work in.)
7. What contact programmes will be held during the Fellowship?
Bhoomi is committed to providing ongoing support for each TFN Fellow throughout the duration of the fellowship. This support will be facilitated through regular activities, including::
- Mentor Meetings: Weekly mentor meetings, online/ in-person to guide and support fellows.
- Work Reviews: Regular assessments of the work completed to ensure progress and improvement.
- Workshops: Tailored workshops designed to address the specific needs of the TFN Fellows.
