One of the crucial issues for quality education has been Teacher Development. Most of the Public Schools have untrained and unqualified (more than 60%) teachers; mostly in the primary level of formal education which is commonly regarded as the foundation of quality education. VIN therefore aims to promote quality education through the development of teachers. For the purpose, the organization has been conducting various activities, e.g. workshops, trainings, interactions, seminars, exchange visits, individual supports. Many of the teachers have been benefiting from such programs - VIN has observed a significant change in their classroom behaviors and found positive impact upon students' learning. The organization conducts trainings and other activities under its cluster (in one cluster there are 14 schools) approach.
Volunteers have also been supporting teachers by providing teaching materials and sharing their own experiences achieved from their home countries. If you are interested in teacher development, you may be interested in conducting activities that support teacher development. Your small support can bring about a significant difference in these children's education! We also aim to launch teacher exchange programs across the countries so that teachers from both nations can widen their horizon of knowledge in the field. VIN hopes to find the right partners to initiate such School Linking programs from any part of the world. A part from this, you can also volunteer from your own country by identifying the interested schools in this respect. VIN therefore aims to:
* Equip and develop teachers personally and professionally to deliver participatory and child friendly classroom teaching learning practices effectively.
* Conduct English clinics for communicative English competency.
* Promote teamwork to foster congenial learning environment in school.
* Develop an in-built mechanism of support system through class observation, feed back, etc.
* Establish links between teachers within and outside the country.
VIN equips its stakeholders through workshops, trainings, meetings, seminars, interaction etc.
VIN: Teacher Development
Diann Grimm and Jessica Levknecht
Diann and Jessica initially traveled to Nepal with the idea that they would be teaching English to Buddhist monks. However, Bhupi persuaded them to use their experience in education to develop teacher trainings to benefit the community of Jitpur. Diann has worked in education for 31 years and is currently a teacher trainer in California, USA. Jessica currently teaches at the secondary level in Washington, DC, USA and recently finished her masters in International Education. During the first week of the project, Diann and Jessica observed teachers in the community schools to evaluate their needs and to assist in the development of trainings to improve their teaching. Many teachers tend to use the “Chalk and Talk” method, relying on repetition and rote memorization to facilitate student learning. In addition, it was observed that teachers struggled to utilize resources such as the Room to Read books or other materials from their own community.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Diann and Jessica presented two trainings; a two-day training for Early Childhood Development teachers, and, a one-day training for Primary Teachers. The goal for each training was to give teachers ideas on how they can integrate creativity and excitement in their teaching. Trainings emphasized the need for higher order questioning and differentiated teaching based on research. Diann and Jessica presented many examples of how teachers can engage students in active learning through the implementation of meaningful and enjoyable activities. Teachers practiced strategies such as singing fun children’s songs, playing simple musical instruments, reading books aloud, making flashcards, brainstorming and others. In addition, Diann and Jessica demonstrated how to use the Room to Read books in the classroom.
The following week, Diann and Jessica followed up their trainings by visiting each of the schools. They observed the teachers implementing the techniques that they had learned in the training. Diann and Jessica demonstrated teaching methods with the children and gave feedback to the teachers. The teachers were excited about their new strategies and were very receptive to the suggestions offered. Overall, the teacher development was a great success for all involved!
Watch Our Videos
Introduction:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb-eBrGBU3k
Womens Empowerment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cJmt5KzuCU
Children Development:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfJqYFPvVKI
Youth Development:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohv2YHj_5RU
Teachers Development:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-gZSpuV4Yw
Health & Sanitation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0ST61JpgBc
Monasteries & Nunneries:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pHaqXlmc6IApplication Procedure
• Complete on-line application form (
http://www.volunteeringnepal.org/registrationform.php ),
• send with CV and 2 contact details for 2 referees;
• Await confirmation from VIN for acceptance on to volunteer / Internship program;
• Pay $100 program booking fee (non-refundable);
• VIN will confirm payment and send pre-departure pack;
• Full payment for the volunteer placement will be paid during your induction.
