Fellowship FAQs
1. How will NGOs and schools benefit through participation in the program?
Our remote teachers are carefully vetted by our executive staff. We endeavor to recruit volunteers who are not only brilliant and accomplished but empathetic and reliable. We hope our teachers will be a source of inspiration for the children and vulnerable communities we serve.
2. How will our volunteers benefit through participation in the program?
Remote teaching would provide our volunteers a valuable opportunity to have a tangible impact on the lives of disadvantaged youth. Certificates will also be provided to verify volunteer service hours and internship credit. Our most dedicated, exceptional volunteers further have the opportunity to be awarded our prestigious CARE (Countering Adversity via Remote Education) Teaching Fellowship.
3. How will we work out timing differences?
Our volunteers hail from across the globe from Dar es Salaam to Dhaka to Sydney to Los Angeles to New York. In consulting with a respective volunteer and NGO partners, we can work out a schedule that best works for both parties.
4. What online platforms will be used for remote sessions?
Remote sessions would be facilitated through video conference platform Zoom. For underprivileged students (who do not have laptop and WiFi access), the program will take place on the premises of the organization. Our volunteering cohort and NGO partners will also have the opportunity to network on Fera Foundation's digital chat room through Slack.
5. What is the application process?
The application process begins with prospective applicants filling out our application form. We will then proceed with an interview and a 5-10 minute model class. Applicants must also attend a sequence of remote training sessions led by our volunteer trainer, a school teacher licensed with the NYC Department of Education. Teaching positions with our NGO partners are filled on a need basis. Decisions can be provided anywhere between a few days to a month based on available remote teaching slots at the orphanages and schools.
5. What is the time commitment for the CARE (Countering Adversity via Remote Education) Teaching Fellowship?
We require all remote volunteers to teach for at minimum of 50 hours before being inducted into the CARE Teaching Fellowship.
6. What if I have to miss a class?
We require volunteers to let us know 48 hours beforehand if they must cancel a class. In order to be eligible for the CARE Teaching Fellowship, you cannot cancel more than 3 classes. This is a safeguarding measure to foster a reputation of trust and reliability with our NGO partners.
7. What if I have an emergency and have to cancel a class within 48 hours?
We have a zero-tolerance policy against no showing classes. We are working with a marginalized and in many cases traumatized population of children, and no showing can deepen their sense of abandonment and neglect. However, if you have an emergency, please provide us with documentation, and we will be consider such situations on a case-by-case basis.
8. Is there a language requirement?
You must be able to read, write and speak fluently in the native language of the children you will remotely teach if you hope to teach math or science classes both of which are taught using national curricula. You do not need any fluency in a foreign language if you would like to teach English, art, dance, and music classes. English literature and English grammar textbooks are entirely in English. We in fact have numerous teachers of international backgrounds teaching English classes with our program.
9. Will textbooks be provided to remote teachers?
Yes, textbooks will be provided to remote teachers. We also encourage our teachers to synthesize teaching resources to implement an interdisciplinary, engaging lens for instruction.
10. Are the students receiving any form of instruction outside of Fera Foundation's remote classes?
Amid the pandemic, most of the children we serve had not received any form of class instruction since the onset of pandemic-induced school shutdowns. The children have since returned to school. Our goal is to sustain their academic motivation and get them up to pace on their studies.
11. Are we preparing the students for board exams?
Many of our students will be sitting for their board exams this year. Your performance as a remote teacher will not be scrutinized based on the performance of the students. You are expected to try your best to provide a quality education to the underprivileged children we serve.
12. How many days am I required to teach per week?
You would be required to teach from 2-3 days per week. We will provide you a teaching slot based on your timing preferences. Keep in mind those who are most flexible in timing are likely to be placed sooner, but you must also ensure you will be able to follow through with your timing commitment to be eligible for the CARE Teaching Fellowship.
13. How will my teaching performance be measured?
We will intermittently distribute surveys to students to gauge remote teaching quality. You will be expected to incorporate their feedback throughout the duration of your service.