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?
- An adventurer at heart, driven by a desire to create meaningful impact.
- A graduate with excellent communication skills in English, and preferably proficiency in Kannada and/or Hindi.
- Some one passionate about environmental education and excited to work with children.
- Also, Interested in collaborating with schools and networking with resources for support.
- A keen learner who values self-initiated work.
What Does the TFN fellowship involve?
TFN Batch of 2025: While we primarily seek applicants interested in working with schools in Bengaluru, we are open to those who wish to work in/through other locations/ organisations. However, please note that the monthly stipend and mentoring support will not be available in such cases.
- Application Process: The applications for the 2025 TFN Fellowship will open on 15th December, 2024.
- Orientation Program: A transformative 3-month residential training at the Bhoomi Campus from 21st April to 21st July, 2025. This intensive program is designed to equip fellows with the skills and mindset required to be effective Nature educators. A small, refundable fee will be charged to ensure commitment.
- Engagement with Schools: On successful completion of the orientation programme, TFN fellows will work as Nature educators from August 1st, 2025, to February 2026.
- Support: Fellows working in TFN-Partner Schools in Bengaluru will receive a stipend of Rs.30,000 per month (before deductions) along with ongoing mentoring throughout the fellowship period.
- 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-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. In 2024 (the pilot year), 20 fellows completed their orientation programme in Bhoomi and are now working as Nature educators in Bengaluru and in several cities across India.
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 practicies 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: Will start on 15th December
- Selection process: Online & In-person interviews from January ‘25 to March ‘25
- Orientation programme: 3-month residential programme from 21st April ‘25 to 20th July ’25 at Bhoomi campus.
- Engagement: On successful completion of the orientation programme, TFN fellows will be placed in TFN-partner schools across Bengaluru where they will work as Nature Educators.
4. What is the period of engagement for the TFN Fellowship?
The TFN Fellowship is a 10-month commitment, beginning with a 3-month residential program. After completing the program, fellows will engage in teaching nature education and climate action to children in TFN-partner schools in Bengaluru.
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 in Bengaluru where they will be conducting TFN Nature-connect classes. They will be paid a monthly stipend of INR 27,000/- (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.
8. Can I be part of the fellowship even if I don’t want to work in schools in Bengaluru.
While we primarily seek TFN fellows interested in working with schools in Bengaluru, we are open to applicants who wish to return to their own locations to work. However, please note that in such cases, the monthly stipend and mentoring support will not be provided. Moreover, they may be required to pay the required fees for undergoing such training for the fellowship.
To qualify for the free 3-month orientation program, applicants must meet our selection criteria, which include relevant work experience in the sustainability or education sectors.
