My name is Melinda Caparco and I'm an urban social studies teacher in US History and Participation in Government classes at the Integrated Arts and Technology High School in the Rochester City School District. I have been teaching for 17 years and have experience teaching in rural, suburban and urban school districts. In the spring of 2015, I heard Dr. Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, speak to a group of yogis at Breathe Yoga Studio, in Rochester, NY, about how the Gandhi Institute here at the University of Rochester has transformed villages, schools, the work environment and lifestyles for people in India. It was through his talk that I also learned how he takes a group of interested participants on the Gandhi Legacy Tour in India every December-January. He explained how the money spent for the tour goes towards helping to get exploited children and workers out of poverty and to become self-sufficient. After hearing how his Institute has impacted a 3rd world country, I thought what a great model he has created to change lives of those living in poverty, and I was inspired to use a similar model for our students who live in the 11th poorest school district in our country. I approached Dr. Gandhi after his inspirational talk and asked if he would come out and speak to my seniors as a kick-off to their Expedition "Be the change you want to see in the world." He kindly and without hesitation agreed. After hearing him speak of the change the Gandhi Institute has been in India, I spent sixty-seven hours applying for a very competitive grant called Fund For Teachers. Fund for Teachers chooses a few hundred applicants every year, out of thousands who apply, from across the country to have their proposal funded. The proposal must include relevant knowledge and bring skills back to students. They have awarded nearly, "7,000 Pre K-12 educators who refused to settle for traditional professional development of the status quo in their classroom. After navigating the globe conducting field research, attending seminars, volunteering with community organizations or observing best practices, our Fellows inspire school communities with authentic learning." On April 5, 2016, I was so honored and grateful to receive a congratulations email in which I was recognized as a 2016 Fellow and was awarded a $5,000 grant to join a tour of India with Dr. Arun Grandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, to learn how individuals use non-violence to improve the lives of impoverished and distressed humanity and inform a senior capstone project. In addition, as part of my grant proposal, I was also able to invite a colleague to join me on the tour. LaToya Dunbar, science teacher at Integrated Arts and Technology in the Rochester School District, was also awarded $5,000 to join the Gandhi Legacy Tour thanks to the Fund for Teachers. During our tour, we will be able to also meet with Rajendra Singh, the Waterman of India, who has won a Nobel Peace Prize for bringing clean water to thousands of Indians.
