Diversity Shala

Why Diversity Training?

In an increasingly globalised world and a country as diverse as India, our workforce is becoming multicultural and diverse.  Diversity training capacitates employees to engage with multiple perspectives, work better with colleagues as diverse teams and develop creative and authentic solutions for engagement with a wider audience and hence enhancing organisational growth. ​​​

Diversity Training for Community Organization and the Workplace

Diversity Shala is a professional development programme for educators, counsellors, teachers, principals and other stakeholders engaged in children’s wellbeing and education.

The programme helps build the participants’ capacity for diversity and inclusion within educational spaces. Based on the philosophy and framework provided by National SEED Project situated at Wellesley College, Wellesley, USA, Diversity Shala facilitates training for participants to create multiculturally equitable, socio-economically aware, and globally informed workspace. 

How it Works
​(applications currently closed)

Who CAN participate and how?​
Typically, Diversity Shala involves participants in a series of monthly two and a half hour seminars during the year. Participants explore their own understanding of their multiple identities and socio-cultural aspects of themselves and others.

​They also explore together on how these factors currently impact their organisation and their work. They consider how they can use their learning to create an inclusive workplace for all. 
Participants are requested to volunteer themselves for this work. A cross-divisional and cross-functional team works best for engagement with diverse views. 

The programme is a good fit for Mumbai-based teachers, educators, counsellors, social workers, principals, education officers, etc who are committed to create inclusive spaces for young people with diverse identities.
The workshops are facilitated through a variety of experiences and modalities. Some of these are: theatre, art, expressive writing, small and large group discussions, pair-share protocols, poetry and audio-visual resources.

Language of Facilitation: English and Hindi
SCHedule
Typically, Diversity Shala runs on the first Saturday of the Month, unless there’s any change in a month. Following are the dates:
Term 1
3rd Aug, 7th Sept, 5th Oct, 9th Nov

Term 2
Dates for Term 2 will be shared in Sept

Timing: 03:00pm to 05:30pm
Location: Apni Shala Foundation, 61/C, first floor, D.N. Road, Near Saraswati Mahavidyalay, Kamgar Nagar, Kurla (E), Mumbai - 400 024
No. of open seats: 10
PROGRAMME EXPECTATIONS
From the Diversity Shala participants
  • Attend all the workshops as planned with the organisation
  • Play an active role in the workshops and further in action-reflection practice in their workspaces which would involve continuous critical evaluation and revision of work practices and organizational practices
  • Complete assigned home-tasks/assignments

From their respective Organisation, if nominated via them
  • Support members in their diversity work
  • Provide opportunities for application of learning
  • Access to internet and tech support for home-tasks
  • Travel support to Apni Shala office
participation fee
Total cost per participant is INR 10,000. This includes participation in monthly workshops, training materials, resources on diversity and inclusion and active coaching for participants to take action in their respective context.
​
For participants who are deeply passionate but may not be able to afford the full fees, a limited scholarship is provided based on their candidature. The decision for the same rests with Apni Shala.

​
Application process
Application open: 1st July, 2019
Application close: 16th July, 2019

SEL Shala

Overview

 SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Shala is an all-
encompassing programme for an educator's  professional development. The intention is to create an   immersive experience and a space for deeper self-reflection for educators and educational institutions.   
​
Apni Shala follows the CASEL model -  Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional  Learning.

Do you know an interested group of teachers?

 For queries about SEL Shala regarding programme content, outcomes or fees,   contact us.

Who can participate?

Teachers, educators, social workers, mental health professionals, and any education institutions can enroll in this programme.

How does it work?

  •  Apni Shala partners with    schools and communities across India.​
  •  Workshop content is customized to the needs of the  organization.
  • Based on the SEL themes chosen by the organization, engaging SEL Shala workshop/s are planned for the participants.
  • Educators  learn new skills  through    experiential activities like art, theatre, storytelling, drama, music, group discussions, and games

4 Focus Areas / Theme to choose from

SEL for Self
Each educator needs to have learning and growth opportunities.   They look within oneself and discovering areas of  psycho-social competencies in one self.
​
SEL in Classrooms
Educators will learn to integrate simple games and circle time activities into their classrooms.   Age-appropriateness and time availability will be taken into consideration.

Educator as a Facilitator
This programme creates a shift of mindset from educator to facilitator,  ​arising from an active reflection into one’s own practices as teachers.

SEL integration
Provide holistic SEL opportunities to all  children in the school based on  the CASEL  framework.