Education Fellowship

For over 20 years, the Sikh Coalition, a national community-based civil rights organization, has defended Sikh civil liberties in the courtroom, classroom, community, and halls of Congress. Whether it’s working to secure safer schools, combat and prevent hate and discrimination, create equal employment opportunities and access, or empower local Sikh communities, the Sikh Coalition’s goal is working towards a world where Sikhs and other religious and racial minorities in America may freely practice their faith without bias and discrimination.

The Sikh Coalition is a nonpartisan, civil rights nonprofit with nearly 20 full-time staff and over one hundred volunteers, operating on a $2.4 million budget with complete financial transparency. Our funding comes from grants, private foundations, and individual donors. We receive no funding from any government agencies.

We strive to do this work with integrity (sach), selflessness (seva), and the lasting belief that our shared work holds a greater purpose (sangarsh). We relentlessly pursue our goals while putting the community and these values first.

Overview:

The Sikh Coalition’s Education Fellowship Program is a national initiative designed to support accurate, age-appropriate, and constitutionally sound representation of Sikhism in U.S. classrooms.

This fellowship engages college students and recent graduates in hands-on work across curriculum development, education policy, and community outreach. Fellows will contribute to ongoing efforts to strengthen how Sikh identity, history, and lived experiences are taught in schools, while supporting educators as well as sangat and students with practical, high-quality resources.

Over the course of the program, fellows will work closely with the Education Team to advance key priorities including state standards advocacy, educator tool development, and community-based engagement.

Duration: August - October 2026

Commitment: 15-20 hours a month

Format: Hybrid. Virtual with opportunities for attending any local events. 

Stipend: $1,000 for the full fellowship

Program Focus: 

State Standards & Policy Support: Support ongoing review and analysis of social studies standards (e.g., TEKS and other state frameworks, help advocate against christian nationalism, work with partner organizations on certain states like OK, TX, TN, etc), including tracking inclusion of Sikhism and identifying gaps such as the removal of cultural and religious observances.

Educator Engagement: Support ongoing educator engagement via existing and new initiatives such as the Virtual Educators Conference

Sikh Awareness Presentations (SAPs): Assist in preparing and delivering Sikh awareness presentations for schools, districts, and community institutions, with a focus on educator accessibility and age-appropriate instruction.

Community & Gurdwara Outreach: Strengthen relationships with local sangats by sharing Sikh Coalition resources, supporting outreach efforts, and building awareness around education advocacy opportunities.

Digital Engagement & Public Education: Support development of digital initiatives (e.g., webinars, short-form video, educator Q&As) to expand reach and accessibility of Sikh educational content.

Primary Goals: 

• Advance accurate and rigorous inclusion of Sikhism in state social studies standards
• Expand access to educator-ready resources that support teaching about Sikhi
• Strengthen local and national engagement around Sikh education advocacy
• Support ongoing initiatives such as the Sikh Coalition school climate work (e.g., WAYRF insights and follow-up resources)
• Build a pipeline of young leaders engaged in education equity and advocacy

Key Responsibilities: 

• Assist with reviewing and updating state standards tracking documents (2026–2027 cycle)
• Organize existing documents, and update previously researched materials
• Conduct targeted research to strengthen accuracy and representation in materials
• Participate in outreach efforts, including gurdwara engagement, local school districts, and local events as well as attend any virtual coalition events
• Contribute to digital content creation and dissemination
• Support data collection, feedback, and refinement of education initiatives

Fellow will gain: 

• Hands-on experience in curriculum development and education policy
• Learn more about Sikh Coalition advocacy work
• Exposure to state-level standards advocacy and coalition-based work
• Training in Sikh awareness education and community engagement
• Opportunities to collaborate with educators, advocates, and community leaders

What we expect from them: 

• Commitment to the full duration of the fellowship
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams
• Engagement in both virtual and in-person outreach (as applicable)
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Willingness to represent Sikh Coalition initiatives in community settings

Eligibility: 

• High School Seniors or College students 
• Interest in education, public policy, community engagement, or related fields
• Access to transportation for local outreach (preferred)
• Availability for occasional evening/weekend events