Learning Companions Handbook Chapter
Why This Framework Exists
At Learning Companions, we believe real change—whether in ourselves, in classrooms, or in communities—starts with three core human capacities:
- Courage – to see oneself clearly and take action
- Reflection – to build insight, learn, and solve problems meaningfully
- Relationship – to listen deeply, collaborate, and build trust
We call these the CRR capacities—and they are at the heart of how children grow, how fellows grow, and how we grow as a team.
For children, these capacities come alive through stories, play, expression, and projects.
For fellows, they take shape through a structured leadership journey called the Fellow Competency Scale (FCS).
What is FCS?
The Fellow Competency Scale (FCS) is a guide to help you track and understand your development over the course of the fellowship.
It supports you in:
- Reflecting deeply on your work and choices
- Identifying areas of strength and struggle
- Setting personal growth goals
- Having deeper, more focused conversations with mentors
FCS is not for judgment or evaluation. It’s a lens to see your own becoming more clearly.
FCS Domains and CRR Capacities
The FCS has three leadership domains, each rooted in one of the CRR capacities:
| FCS Domain | Mapped CRR Capacity | Sub-Domains |
|---|---|---|
| Leading Self | Courage | Self-Awareness, Self-Directed Growth |
| Leading Change | Reflection | Initiative & Decision-Making, Systems Thinking |
| Leading Others | Relationship | Interpersonal Understanding, Collaborative Leadership |
Each sub-domain describes how fellows grow across four levels—from early awareness to mature, system-aware leadership.
Connecting with Your Experiences
Growth is not about “reaching Level 4.” It’s about noticing what you’re learning in your actual life and work.
To help make that visible, you’ll often be invited to reflect using these three guiding questions—each one mapped to one of the FCS domains and CRR capacities:
Core Reflection Questions (Marathi + Mapping)
| FCS Domain | Mapped CRR Capacity | Reflection Prompt |
|---|---|---|
| Leading Self (Self-Awareness, Self-Directed Growth) | Courage | मागील १५ दिवसात मी पाहिलेल्या, केलेल्या किंवा अनुभवलेल्या कोणत्या एक किंवा दोन गोष्टी आहेत, ज्यांनी माझ्यामध्ये खूप उत्सुकता, विचार, आनंद किंवा इच्छा निर्माण केली? माझी सध्याची भूमिका/जबाबदाऱ्या आणि हे उत्सुकता, विचार, आनंद किंवा इच्छा यांचा संबंध शोधून मी त्यावर काय कृती किंवा विचार करू शकलो? |
| Leading Change (Initiative & Systems Thinking) | Reflection | हे करताना मी काय नवीन शिकलो? कोणत्या ज्ञान, कौशल्य, मानसिकता, साधने किंवा परिस्थितीच्या मर्यादा दिसत आहेत? |
| Leading Others (Understanding & Collaboration) | Relationship | याबद्दल मी माझ्या अवतीभोवतीच्या लोकांसोबत संवाद आणि समन्वय कसा केला? त्यातून मी काय शिकलो? |
These are not “assignments.” They are opportunities—to pause, notice, and make sense of what is already happening inside you and around you.
How You Will Use FCS
You’ll engage with the FCS in different ways across the fellowship:
- One-on-one mentoring conversations
- Quarterly reflections and storytelling
- Team-based reflection spaces
- Self-documentation and growth journals
The aim is not to be “high” on every domain, but to choose a few areas you want to explore or stretch, and grow with intention.
Key Beliefs
- Courage, Reflection, and Relationship connect us all
Whether we’re working with children, communities, or ourselves—these are the building blocks of change. - FCS is not a tool for performance
It helps you grow with support, not prove your worth. - Stories matter more than scores
What you learn from a failed community meeting, or a moment when a child opened up, is far more valuable than ticking a box. - This is your journey
You’ll use the FCS in the way that’s most meaningful for you—with your mentor, your peers, and your own rhythm of learning.
What You’ll Receive
- A clear FCS rubric, showing the 3 domains, 6 sub-domains, and levels of growth
- Templates for quarterly reflections and storytelling
- Conversation formats for mentoring check-ins
- Examples from other fellows’ journeys
In Closing
The FCS helps you bring language to your own growth. It shows you not just how you are doing, but who you are becoming. The capacities you are building here will stay with you—whether you become a teacher, a changemaker, an entrepreneur, or something else entirely.