Teach For India

This Teachers' Day, let’s celebrate teaching and the power of love in education. Because we believe “When You Teach With Love, You Will Teach For Life.” In the coming month, we will celebrate teachers who taught with love and continue doing so. Teachers who teach with love make a significant impact, not only in the classroom but also in the lives of Students. Have a story to tell about a teacher who taught you with love? Share it using #TaughtWithLove . #teachersday #Teachers #Teaching #TeachForIndia #Love

Well here's a close to one of our high impact camp "UDAAN 3.0". The summer camp 2024 was a part of the Good Deeds Day. And being a part of Bhumi & Bhumi Club we scored the highest number of volunteers in the country with a whopping 7200+ Volunteers. This wouldn't have been possible without our entire Dil Se Khelo team. Campaign Lead: Apoorva Mishra & Varchashi Saklani Trainer Management: Shivani Rastogi Team: Preeti Mishra, Puneeta Goswami, Aryan, Sivani, Raj, Aman, Harsh, Rajesh, Manshi, Yamani, Ullas, Akash, Aisha & Harsh Mishra Thanks to all the volunteers, school staff, trainers & children for supporting us in this immense success. Shaheen Mistri Vibha Dubey Keerthana Madhu InnovatED Teach For India UNICEF India YuWaah India at UNICEF Prashant Mishra Sayak Sarkar #award #awards #awardwinning #winner #kind #khel #sporysevent #photography #design #art #sports #recognition #awardshow #bhumi #nonprofit #shortfilm #festival #india #volunteer #cinema #volunteering #congratulations #trophy #movies #event #dilsekhelo #tfi #football

A year ago, I made one of the most significant decisions of my career: joining the Teach For India fellowship. It wasn't an easy choice. While I always knew I wanted to enter the development sector, this transition came at a price. I had to settle for lesser pay and more work, and the path ahead remains challenging and uncertain. Despite the uncertainties and doubts, as I complete one year into this fellowship, and as I reflect on my journey, I realised I made the best decision. I still don't know what lies ahead, but I do know that I'm learning and unlearning a lot of things as I'm going through this journey.  The fellowship has helped me understand myself better, offered numerous opportunities to grow, and encouraged me to push beyond my comfort zone. It has also taught me the importance of self-care while caring for others and, most importantly, provided the opportunity to shape the future citizens of our society. I've tried consolidating my reflections and learnings broadly under these 3 pointers- 1) Role of teachers: I feel the contribution of teachers in nation-building is still often underappreciated. Teaching in a government school in Bangalore has given me insights into the nature and structure of the public education system. There's a serious dearth of primary school teachers, who are often burdened with non-academic work like data entry, fetching textbooks and materials from centers, and even serving food to students. 2) Addressing the Education crisis: The education crisis is a wicked and a complex issue that needs to be addressed at multiple levels, from the classroom to the school, community, and policy levels. It will take an army of committed individuals at every level to bring about meaningful change. Even then, witnessing significant progress will take decades. However, the focus right now should be on smaller incremental changes, which will eventually compound to create a larger impact. 3) Putting empathy at the centre of education: Our children come from challenging environments and lack many basic privileges. However, they have taught me the joy of finding happiness in little things, being curious, and always being ready to help those in need. Children are very sensitive and observant, they often emulate their teacher's behaviour and actions. It is crucial for us to set a good example, be empathetic, and be there as a friend and as a mentor. Students learn best from people they love and who show active care. What teachers truly teach is themselves — their passion for their subjects and students. The journey has been demanding but incredibly rewarding. I look forward to the remaining months of my fellowship and beyond, as I continue to learn, grow, and contribute to the overall wellbeing of my students.

Navaneeth Subhash's journey with Teach For India began unexpectedly in his 12th-grade classroom in Kerala. A lesson called "Didi" introduced him to Shaheen Mistri, planting a seed of inspiration to shape his future. After completing his Masters in Social Work, Navaneeth found himself at a crossroads. Remembering that pivotal lesson, he chose to apply for the Teach For India Fellowship, driven by a desire to work closely with children and make a direct impact. His experience as a Fellow in a Chennai primary school proved to be a rollercoaster ride. Navaneeth entered with an idealistic vision of education but quickly realised that true learning is a diverse, multidimensional process that transforms both teacher and Student. As the only Fellow in his school, Navaneeth faced numerous challenges, including a harsh environment where corporal punishment was the norm. He stood firm in his commitment to non-violence, resisting pressure to use physical punishment. Instead, he fostered an environment of trust and open communication through one-on-one conversations with his Students. Navaneeth found unexpected inspiration in his Students' resilience. Their ability to arrive at school with beaming smiles despite difficult circumstances became his driving force. "If they can do it," he'd ask himself, "why can't I?" This experience unveiled leadership qualities Navaneeth didn't know he possessed. He learned to make decisions single-handedly and even began delegating problem-solving duties to his Students, empowering them in the process. Navaneeth's understanding of education evolved dramatically. He believed the most valuable learning comes from experience - allowing children to learn, unlearn, and voice their opinions. This philosophy guided his teaching approach, encouraging critical thinking and self-expression. The Fellowship ignited Navaneeth's passion for education policy and governance. He now aims to leverage his experience to drive meaningful change in India's education system, believing that well-crafted policies can impact millions of students. Ultimately, Navaneeth envisions a future in India free from poverty and marked by economic prosperity, social justice, and environmental sustainability. Navaneeth exemplifies how one person's commitment can ripple out and affect countless lives. You, too, can embark on an inspiring journey. Apply to the Fellowship at apply.teachforindia.org Navaneeth Subhash

How Teach For India Is Making a Difference in Education 📚 How good does it feel when your skills and expertise are utilized for real change? Amazing, right? 🌟 Ever since some friends from Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani did a year-long teaching internship with Teach For India (TFI), I've been captivated by their work. 🏫 I believe that for today’s grads and young professionals, Teach For India offers a unique opportunity to create meaningful change and embark on an extraordinary journey. 🌍 What exactly does TFI do? 🤔 TFI is a vibrant youth movement that places passionate young professionals as teachers in under-resourced schools. Since its founding in 2007 by Shaheen Mistri, TFI has evolved into a powerful force with over 6,000 fellows transforming the lives of nearly 40,000 children across India. 👩🏫 What makes TFI stand out? Their innovative two-pronged approach: 1. Fellowship Program: Recent graduates spend 2 years as full-time teachers, making a tangible difference in communities while gaining invaluable experience in the education system. ✏️📝 2. Alumni Network: Over 70% of alumni continue to impact education, taking on roles as teachers, leaders, and advocates for systemic change. 🎓🏆 Organizations like TFI, such as Pratham Education Foundation, Smile Foundation, The Akanksha Foundation, Ra Foundation, Muktangan, Make A Difference, Educate Girls, Room to Read, NanhiKali are tackling challenges at the grassroots level, and their stories are truly inspiring. 🌱💪 How can we support? 🤝 I believe colleges must encourage their students to explore and engage with impactful organizations like TFI. 🎓 There are countless ways to make a difference, gain invaluable life lessons, and grow both personally and professionally. 🌿 Have you ever worked with Teach For India? Share your experience in the comment section below. 💬 - Charu Jain #TeachForIndia #SocialImpact #EducationForAll 🎓✨

Have you ever wondered what happens to the lives of the children from low-income communities who enter our classroom? Monika Antil, 2023 Fellow to 7th and 8th graders, opened the world of possibilities for her Students. Vicky is one of them. His life turned from being a misguided child into a success story. Caught in a whirlwind of mischief, Vicky often found himself at the centre of chaos. Everyone used to complain about him. To better understand why Vicky struggled in the classroom, my co-Fellow and I visited his community and home.” This led to an unexpected journey, revealing a reality far different from her own. In a house no larger than a kitchen, she discovered a boy filled with trauma and fear instilled by his father’s harsh hand. Witnessing the hard truth and Vicky’s fearful and difficult environment, Fellows left his place with a resolve to understand more than just the surface of a child’s actions. Monika’s world turned upside down after just one community visit. “Regular conversations with him after class made me understand the real reason behind his non-serious attitude. Vicky was inspired by his uncle, who was a thug.” Not worried about the consequences, Vicky focused on getting easy money. “Gradually, I made him understand the importance of the lifelong value of education. Vicky developed trust in me. We celebrated his small successes, and his English language levels improved.” The once-troublesome Student is now an empathetic, respectful and loving individual. “It was like a ‘Domino Effect’; when Vicky felt valued and listened to, it sparked a series of improvements in his interactions with everyone.” When someone dissed a female classmate, Vicky stepped up to clean up the mess and took sides with his own class. Within three months, a new chapter began in Vicky’s journey, marked by a newfound understanding of life. Transforming a child’s journey from neglect to one filled with love, where every child finds a sense of belonging and the warmth of protection, is the Teach For India classroom. Apply for the Fellowship at apply.teachforindia.org

Last year when I was working with Firki teacher training portal at Teach For India, I had the opportunity to design four courses around inclusion in classrooms in partnership with Femme First Foundation and Ummeed Child Development Center Those of you, know me personally, can tell how passionate I am about inclusive classrooms and celebrating diversities that exist within four walls and beyond schools. I was so grateful to have mentors like Elizabeth Samuel and Anu Chattwal who continuously pushed me to bring my passion into my role at Firki. I am very thankful to Michelle Markos Angellica Aribam sajida vadgama Priyamvada R. Das who supported and trusted me with the collective knowledge gained from direct work with children, teachers and stakeholders from the ground, and helped me share it with a lot of other educators. And last but not the least Navya Varshney for helping me steer the ship after the design was done, to get the courses finally out on the portal. The inclusive classroom module is live now. Please come along on a journey to make all your students feel, seen and heard. Please let me know your experience and takeaways soon ❤ You can check the module and get certified here - https://lnkd.in/gTtVmXiK Admin - Firki Teach For India #course #teachereducation #learning #teaching #professionaldevelopment #inclusion #classrooms #diversity

Have you watched the Education Initiatives interview with our Alum and member of the Punjab Planning Commission, Anurag Kundu? If not, here is the link.

A Teach For India Fellow's life is like that of a rainbow. The only difference is that the Fellows have to fill in each colour by mixing their and their Students' experiences together. Ayush started to paint his rainbow by asking his grade 1 Students what their classroom should look like. What do they want to feel when they enter the classroom? How do they want to learn new lessons? So what did they do next? The Students and Ayush bhaiya decorated the classroom and brought their vision to life. This is a classic example of being a good listener and helping children understand the power of collaboration. "It is my Student's big warm smiles that are the most rewarding bit for me," says Ayush Prabhat. He did not look at his Fellowship challenges as a roadblock; Ayush took them as experiences to grow and explore. He says his journey has been "a narrative of adaptation, resilience, and an unyielding commitment to the cause of educational equity." With limited reading capabilities, the Students in Aayush Bhaiya’s class progressed and developed 100% efficiency in reading. This is a true testament to Ayush's strong will and creative streak, which makes his students brim with happiness every day. As a child, Ayush was inquisitive but, most importantly, imaginative. He carried this mindset into his classroom to help his Students achieve their best. He offered them the best resources, which often are scarce. Ayush strongly believes in the power of collective force. He worked with every stakeholder—be it the teachers, the principal, or the parents—ensuring that all of them understood that at the centre of their work would always be STUDENTS. "I want to work towards transforming classrooms across the system, ONE CLASSROOM AT A TIME." Apply for the Fellowship at apply.teachforindia.org

Ever since my Teach For India Fellowship in 2015, I have wondered how I could foster inclusion for children with diverse needs in my classroom. I was supported and inspired by my then Program Manager, Dipti Balwani and co-Fellow, sajida vadgama who helped me see the possibilities of true inclusion.  Through my work at TFIx-Teach For India, I had the privilege to learn from the pioneering work of Sristi Foundation and Ummeed Child Development Center, and to connect with inspiring leaders like Chitra Shah and Abhijeet Barse. Their dedication and innovative approaches have answered many of my questions. As I came closer to this work, I learnt that we have a long way to go as a society to achieve true inclusion. Some critical questions we must address include: - How many of our elected representatives truly represent the needs of people with disabilities? - How many of our schools offer accessible and disabled-friendly environments? - Are we truly ready to mainstream our children with disabilities in schools and youth in our work environments? We face significant challenges: - Societal stigma leads to delayed or no intervention, further disabling support for people with disabilities. - Families often lack education on how to support children with disabilities (CWD). - Numerous blind faiths and misconceptions surround disability. - Ignorance on the part of the society to the needs of people with disability. - For the poor, there are additional challenges as medical and therapeutic support remains highly expensive and limited in accessibility. - A sense of hopelessness at all levels. This year, I am thrilled to collaborate with SANKALPA Organisation (R) to design a Fellowship Program aimed at reaching more children with disabilities in Davangere district and beyond in the State of Karnataka. We hope that through this Fellowship Program we can infuse more leaders into the disability sector who work on finding solutions to these challenges and also become champion inclusion teachers for our children with disabilities. Last month, I had the opportunity to visit SANKALPA Organisation (R) with Nikita Bansal and witness their remarkable work firsthand. Their vision is to prepare every child with disability to lead an independent and meaningful life through the skills they aim to teach them. Under Suresh's leadership, marked by his extensive experience, outcome-oriented thinking and drive for excellence, we are poised to make a significant program design to bring many more leaders into this work with the hope to create a truly inclusive society where every child, regardless of their abilities, can thrive and lead a meaningful life. #Inclusion #Empowerment #DisabilityRights #EducationForAll #CommunitySupport #InclusiveEducation #SankalpaFoundation