*** Application Deadline October 30***

Elementary education and early childhood education students have the opportunity to complete a portion of their teaching internship in the Tauranga District of New Zealand Public Schools through a collaboration with the University of Waikato.

World famous for its education system, and particularly its literacy and mathematics education programs, New Zealand is a truly special place for interns to complete one of their required professional internship experiences. The SU Department of Teacher Education in the Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies have been sending student teachers to New Zealand public schools for nearly 20 years, making it one of SU's oldest international initiatives.

The New Zealand teaching internship program is competitive and enrollment is limited.

UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO

Times Higher Education ranks the University of Waikato 68th out of 100 "most international" universities in the world. With a student enrollment of just over 12,000 students, the university offers academic programs on its main campus in the city of Hamilton, as well as in the beautiful seaside community of Tauranga. The Faculty of Education is one of the best in New Zealand higher education with academic programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate levels. Led by its Dean, Professor Roger Moltzen, Waikato was the first teachers’ training college to merge with a university. The Waikato Faculty of Education was the first to offer early childhood qualifications and teacher education online programs. According to Professor Moltzen, “the Faculty of Education is determined to be part of these educational developments through the three interconnected disciplines of teaching, research and professional learning.”

INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT

Interns are placed in a school internship at the early childhood or elementary level. The internship meets all requirements of Maryland Certification and adheres to the specifications set forth by the Department of Teacher Education at Salisbury University. The Waikato Faculty of Education works in conjunction with SU’s Department of Teacher Education to insure that a placement is designed to fit the participant’s individual and home institutional goals, needs and requirements. Interns are placed at local partnership schools in the beautiful seaside community of Tauranga. With a focus on teaching and learning, interns are assessed on their ability to practice and perform their teaching capability progressively. Mentor (associate) teachers and supervisors contribute to the mission of developing quality educators by conducting evaluations, debriefing lesson observations and providing constructive feedback to candidates. In addition, mentors teachers and supervisors complete all required Salisbury University education assessments online and forward all paperwork to the Department of Teacher Education.

HOUSING

While in New Zealand, interns live with carefully selected host families in Tauranga and the surrounding areas. The University of Waikato works diligently to match interns’ living preferences with homestay hosts and their families who represent modern New Zealand society. The homestay experience is an integral part of the overall program and provides interns with the opportunity to take part in the daily life of a New Zealand family. Living with host families in New Zealand has been central to the continued success of the New Zealand program and has provided students with opportunities to build relationships that last long after the internship experience is long over.

COSTS

In all cases, students pay their regular SU tuition and fees (resident or non-resident tuition applies). This tuition includes the credits earned for the internship in New Zealand, the online seminar taken concurrently at SU and the remainder of the semester credits for the second internship and seminar completed in Maryland. Additional international internship fees cover University of Waikato administrative fees, mentor and supervisor fees, and homestay fees (including meals). Costs do not cover Maryland mentor fee, personal liability Insurance, airfare or daily incidental costs.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

(1) Contact the Program Director, Dr. Claudia Burgess, to ask any questions you may have about the requirements.

(2) Students need to complete the, "New Zealand International Internship Application" (see above link next to "Documents") which includes instructions for writing a 1-2 page essay. Submit this form/essay directly to Dr. Burgess in TETC 281F by the indicated deadline.

(3) Complete ALL online application forms.

(4) Attend an interview with Teacher Education Faculty