Fellowship

TOUCHING LIVES FELLOWSHIP

A journey of self-work*, seva and sadhna

Being a ‘Teaching Fellow,’ is being a coach, guide, teacher, mentor, parent, leader and a therapist to a child. While a Fellow focuses on the overall development and the growth of the children, he/she is also on the path of ‘Self-Work.’ Touching Lives emphasizes majorly on the transformational journey both of a mentor and the children. A Fellow undergoes an intensive training program which focuses on personal inner healing and transformation, learning new modalities of healing, educational and learning pedagogies, human development, psychology, interventions and organizational work execution. A Fellow begins to understand the value of Seva (service) and develops their own practice (sadhana) over the course of two years. We intend every human to lead a holistic, quality and meaningful life.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO AS A FELLOW?

We focus on LEARNING, HEALING, ART, TECHNOLOGY AND LIFE-SKILLS. A Fellow works towards bringing the opportunities and building platforms in the classroom for these focus areas and meets the vision of making every child an ‘Independent Learner.’ A Fellow strives to bring the best form of teaching in the classroom. He/she develops a resilient and growth-mindset oriented classroom creating a safe space for the children to learn and grow together. Being a mentor to the children, the fellow must be ready to take up responsibility for the learning and healing journey of each child, patiently work with them to identify their strengths, meet parents regularly and be committed to the vision and goals for the children.

A Fellow –

• Develops class curriculum
• Executes creative activities
• Builds loving & healthy relationship with children
• Makes innovative resources
• Monitors and Assesses the development of the children
• Makes Healing for self and for children possible
• Maintains students’ progress
• Maintains activity and other relevant Reports
• Regular home visits
• Develops interventions for the children
• Develops strategies for class management
• continuously upgrades and educates himself/herself in the field

WHAT DOES TEACHING CURRICULUM INCLUDE?

Our children live in slum communities and most of them attend Municipal or Government aided schools with different mediums of instruction in school like Marathi, Hindi, English, Tamil.

Children come from vulnerable socio-economic background where drop-out ratio from schools is high and there is a need to provide psychological/emotional development support. There is also a need to assist the children to attend regular school. Thus, we need to take an approach of using therapeutic learning methods for overall development of children. This involves integrating mental health, education and developing conscious parent-child relationship.

The Curriculum Design:

1. Learning & Education: English, Academics (Math, Science, etc.), Technology, Humanities
2. Wellness:

• •         Mental Health: Therapies (Reiki, Emotional freedom technique, etc.), Activities (Art based therapy, Expressive therapy, etc.)
  •         Spiritual Health: Healing, Meditation, Connection with Earth
  •         Physical Health: Yoga, Sports, Movements

3. Conscious Relationships: Work with children/parents/community, Counseling

WHERE IS THE LEARNING CENTER?

Touching Lives Learning Center is in Dahisar, Mumbai.

WHAT WILL BE THE DURATION OF THE FELLOWSHIP?

2 years.

TRANSIT FELLOWSHIP: Transit class focuses on English language and School studies. You would have children from different standards and mediums in the same class- mainly in the age group of 12 to 16. English is taught creatively, through stories, poems, enactments and lots of reading. Once in a week, volunteers come to help children with school studies. Along with English, we focus on developing interest in Math and other school subjects in a child-friendly way.

FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP: Foundation class focuses on building strong base in English, Math  and Knowledge Concepts. It’s an activity-based, experiential learning program and it also focuses on developing values and mindfulness for the age group 9 years to 11 years. The focus is also to build stronger relationship with children and their parents to educate them about the importance of education, their children’s skills and inculcate curiosity and interest to take the learning path forward. To look into the developmental stages of the children and support their cognitive, psycho-social, psycho-motor, emotional aspects and to create a safe space for the child to build trust with oneself and others.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Passionate about working with children and teaching, good in multi-tasking, participate in the learning and healing journey of self and team-mates, wise to make children independent thinkers, willing to creatively resolve difficulties and be completely Non-judgemental.

Bachelors in Education, Early Childhood Education, Masters in Psychology, Human Development, Alternative Healing, Graduates (with strong academic background), Effective Communication Skills, Excellent command over English, Teaching Experience.

HOW TO APPLY?

Write to us at aditi@touchonelife.org with subject line: Fellowship

COMMITMENT :

Time – Minimum 2 years.

Note – Touching Lives provides sponsorship for courses related to Education and Alternative Healing for the mentors and fellows who are committed to the work of Touching Lives for a long term.

As a fellow, you choose the opportunity to contribute in the lives of children by becoming a part of their world in the deepest, warmest and closest and most direct ways – The impact that you can make in child’s life is – You can help them develop growth mind-set which is essential for a learner. Help them believe in their skills and qualities or even establish new ones. You can create a spark of interest in Education so that they do not give up studying. Teach them humanity so that they learn to live in harmony and peace, outside and within. Feel so inspired to learn that they never think of giving up!

If you are passionate about the development of the world and want to actively participate in this journey of knowing oneself and contributing to humanity, then this could be your place to begin with.