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.
- A keen learner who values self-initiated work and peer learning.
- An adventurer at heart, adaptable in disposition, driven by a desire to create meaningful impact.
- A graduate with strong communication skills in English
- Someone capable of collaborating with schools and networking with people for support.
What Does the TFN fellowship involve?
- 3.5-month Residential Training Program: Begins on 1st March, 2027 and ends mid-June, 2027. It is an intensive and immersive learning experience with experienced facilitators and practitioners.
- 8-month Work Engagement: Upon successful completion of training program, selected candidates will work in schools as Nature Educators from 1st July, 2027 to 29th February, 2028. 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 by mentors with more than decade of experience in the field of education.
- Continued Impact: After completing the first year of fellowship, TFN fellows can continue with the existing engagement on fulfilling certain criteria or take forward their own journey of being a Nature educator.
Training Program
What does the Training Program look like?
The objective of the training program is to train fellows and equip them to create impactful, memorable educational experiences that inspire young minds. The 3.5-month residential training program 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.
It will also cover:
- Exploring Nature in our surroundings
- Sustainable food and health practices
- Connections between Nature, Water and Waste
- Teaching Learning Methodologies
- Interconnectedness and Critical Thinking
- Understanding climate change
- Engaging in craft activities
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 TFN 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, broaden horizons and perspectives with discussions to become effective 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 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 – 60 minutes in hands-on gardening, cleaning or cooking.
The day concludes with a fellow-led session from 6:00 to 7:00 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.
The timings and sessions are subject to changes.
We would require you to attend all the sessions offered. Exceptions may be granted in cases of emergencies or medical reasons, subject to prior approval. Please note that a minimum of 90% attendance is required to qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Teach for Nature (TFN) Fellowship?
TFN fellowship is the flagship initiative of Bhoomi College where individuals who love nature and wish to work with children 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 first cohort continued their teaching journey. 26 fellows worked in 45 schools across India, engaging with 6,000 children.
- 2025 (Year 3) : 17 new fellows and 8 fellows from the previous two cohorts are working across schools in India.
So far, we have trained 54 nature educators who have worked in 26 locations across 15 states of India.
2. Who can apply for the TFN Fellowship?
- A graduate in any stream. Candidates with a background in teaching / experience in nature education or sustainability practices will be given preference.
- Age range: The age limit is flexible, but those between 20 and 35 years of age will be preferred.
- 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 1st November, 2026
- Selection process: Involves preliminary call, first round of online interview, second round of in-person interview at the Bhoomi campus from December ’26 to February ’27. Since we are a small team and there are many applicants, it would take us sometime to get back to you regarding your selection.
- Training program: 3.5-month intensive residential training program from 1st March ‘27 to mid-June ‘27 at Bhoomi campus.
- Engagement: On successful completion of the orientation program, TFN fellows will work in TFN-partner schools as Nature educators from 1st July ’27 to 29th February ’28.
- Final Presentation: The TFN fellows will present their teaching-learning journey in the first week of March completing their fellowship.
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. Is this a paid program? Will the fellow be paid a stipend?
There is no fee charged for the 3.5-month training program which covers food and stay.
Fellows will not be paid a stipend during the training period.
On successful completion of the training program, the TFN fellow will work as Nature educator in schools. During the work engagement, fellows in Bangalore will be paid a monthly stipend of INR 27,000/- (after TDS) and those in other locations with a part-time commitment will be paid a monthly stipend Rs.13,500- (after TDS) to support them in their journey.
Please note that fellows will be expected to pay a refundable caution deposit of Rs.20,000/- which will be refunded after the final presentations by March 2028.
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. What are the accommodation and food arrangements during the training programme?
The programme will provide shared accommodation and shared washrooms. Meals will consist of simple, vegetarian South Indian food. During holidays and non-working days, food arrangements need to be taken care of, by the fellows.
