​

1. How can I prepare lessons without knowing the system or the standards?
   
   You and others on the CTL Teaching Team will have time during the first 10 days to familiarize yourself with the classroom settings and specific teaching plans for your stay. Curriculum materials, which include an outline of the content you will be teaching, are typically shared with the Teaching Team weeks prior to leaving for India. We use several Zoom calls with the Teaching Team to discuss the curriculum and our general teaching plans. You may participate in these planning calls to ask questions and to help you decide whether joining the team is right for you.
   
   While you teach in India, the regular classroom teacher will be present at all times. Often, teachers there want to observe your teaching methods and may have questions to ask when you are finished. They will also handle student discipline if needed.
    

2. Where will I be staying? Is there a comfortable bed and a shower available? What about food?
   
   During the first 10 days the team stays at an apartment complex in a suite with security, kitchens, living rooms, refrigerators, internet, private bath with shower, microwave ovens and air conditioning. It is deluxe accomodation for the town of Machilipatnam. When your teaching assignment begins you will move into a staff room on the girls campus with the other teachers. Less luxury but it will still have the same amenities except for the microwave. Food will be supplied by the children’s home kitchen staff. There is security and all the staff rooms are in a row on the first floor. Adult staff at the girls’ home will help you with any of your needs, including packing you a lunch for school, where you can eat with the teachers and develop professional relationships. We suggest you bring your own bed sheet and towel. There will be laundry service available.
    

3. Who do I answer to or speak to about any classroom or personal issues?
   
   For the first ten days you will have a CTL team leader present. When the teaching assignment begins, one of the teachers with past experience in India will be the “head” visiting teacher. They will help you evaluate what is happening in the classroom. The team leader will also stay in contact with you through email.
    

4. How much does this trip cost?
   
   It will depend on the length of time you decide to teach in India (a 4-week assignment is recommended, but the length of the stay is flexible), and the departure city from the US. The costs will be broken down per day to help you make a decision, and we will assist you in fundraising efforts with flyers describing your mission and how people can support you. We will discuss this during our Zoom calls as well. Contact us at the email below for more details. Cost estimates for a 4 week stay are around $2800 plus airfare.
   
   CTL prices the trip to include everything: travel, health and emergency evacuation insurance, food, lodging, ground transportation and all activities.
    

5. What are the qualifications to participate?
   
   You should be proficient in English and either have teaching or related job experience or experience in a teaching college if you are pre-career.  Exceptions may be made for specialty areas like music or computer science. There will be an application to fill out where you can state your experience. You will be matched in a grade level and subject area you are most comfortable teaching.
    

6. What subject areas are available to teach?

 

English, Math and Science are the main subjects for all grade levels, K - 7. 
It is also possible to teach music and art, and additional subjects will be added
as grade levels are added. 

 

1. How do I ask more questions now?
   
   Please contact the Teaching Program facilitator,
   Kelly Bergen, at kelly@childrentolove.org