Teacher Fellows: frequently asked questions

Teacher Fellows: frequently asked questions

What are the goals of this program?
At the end of this program, participants will:

  • Understand Habitat for Humanity’s mission and how Habitat works.
  • Have a better understanding of poverty housing and affordable housing issues.
  • Be familiar with the educational resources available through Habitat.
  • Be familiar with the volunteer opportunities available through Habitat.
  • Understand how to organize Habitat’s youth programs, including Collegiate Challenge, Global Village, Campus Chapter and Youth United, with students.
 

   


Where and when will we be building?
This trip will be taking place at the Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Arrival and departure dates will be from June 12-18.
Travel arrangements to Murfreesboro will be made for selected participants by HFHI staff. In addition, lodging, ground transportation and meals will also be arranged by HFHI staff.

How will this trip be different from a regular Collegiate Challenge or Global Village trip?
There is an educational component to the Teacher Fellows program that is not built into every Collegiate Challenge or Global Village trip.

Along with half-days of building, participants will learn about Habitat and the community through tours, visits to other nonprofits, and meetings with homeowners and affiliate staff. There will be daily reflection and educational activities, led by both staff and the trip participants.

Information about Habitat resources, volunteer opportunities and trip planning will be shared.

How many participants will be selected?
Up to 10 full-time K-12 teachers will be selected to participate in this program.

What will a typical day on the trip be like?
7:00-8:00 a.m.―Breakfast and travel to worksite
8:00-12:00 p.m.―Build
12:00-1:00 p.m.―Lunch
1:30-2:30 p.m.―Showers and rest
3:00-5:00 p.m.―Community activity
5:00-6:00 p.m.―Free time
6:00-7:00 p.m.―Dinner
7:00-8:00 p.m.―Reflection, training and discussion
8:00-11:00 p.m.―Free time

What expenses will be covered for this trip?
Expenses covered include:

  • Airfare (up to $600)
  • Affiliate donation
  • Program fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Lodging
  • Food
  • Educational materials

What kind of work will I have to do before the trip?
We want you to know about Habitat, poverty and the community you will be visiting, so some light research and reading is necessary beforehand. We will be emailing articles for participants to read. In addition to this, we will also ask that you participate in online message board discussions.

What are the objectives for participants during the trip?

  • That participants will engage in activities and discussions to raise their awareness of poverty, and arm themselves with the resources needed to continue learning.
  • Participants will foster strong relationships between themselves and fellow team members. They will work side by side with other trip participants and hopefully learn from someone they wouldn’t have otherwise.
  • Trip members will participate in community activities that will encourage further community involvement once they have returned to their own communities.
  • Participants will learn about Habitat’s programs and how they can be utilized to mobilize students and fellow faculty members in Habitat’s mission.
  • Participants will be encouraged to give feedback on their trip experience so that we may be able to grow a strong program for future participants.

What expectations are there for participants post trip?
As part of participation in the Habitat Teacher Fellows program, teachers will commit to leading a new Habitat project with students they work with. Examples of projects include: starting a Youth United group or a campus chapter, organizing a Collegiate Challenge or Global Village trip, or utilizing Habitat for Humanity’s classroom lessons with their students. Teachers will also be encouraged to share their knowledge and resources with colleagues.

How do I apply?
View our application information page or apply online.

I have more questions. Who should I contact?
Contact us at youthprograms@habitat.org or 1-800-HABITAT (422-4828), ext. 2412. Please refer to the Teacher Fellows main page, the application information page, or the Parent, Teacher, Leader main page.