Pitt Greensburg: Student Teaching in New Zealand

 

This is an overseas student teaching program for Education Majors at the Greensburg campus. This is an excellent opportunity for students to apply methods learned at Pitt Greensburg to a real world teaching experience!  Students will spend half of the semester in Greensburg and the other half in New Zealand to both complete their academics and to student teach.  This is a great opportunity to combine study abroad and student teaching abroad.

Interested students should contact Dr. Melissa Marks, Director of Education, at mjm37@pitt.edu and/or Pitt Greensburg Global Experiences Coordinator, Julie Shannon, at jas1140@pitt.edu. *You will need permisson from Dr. Marks to participate in this program. 

 

What You'll Accomplish: 

As an engaged and active participant in this program, you will have the opportunity to develop:

  • writing and implementing daily lesson plans that match standards and school curriculum
  • communicating clearly and professionally with students, teachers, and parents
  • instruction that uses "best practices"/effective teaching pedagogy based on student level and subject matter
  • helping to create an environment that supports diverse learners academically, socially, and emotionally 

Auckland is the largest and most populous urban area in New Zealand. Schools in New Zealand are known internationally for their innovative, inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning. New Zealand is consistently ranked in the top five countries for education and student achievement.

Student teaching in New Zealand provides you unique opportunities to experience the exemplary practices highlighted in your Pitt Greensburg methods courses. In Auckland, diversity is the norm rather than the exception. You will have opportunities to practice differentiated instruction with English language learners in all classroom levels. Also, you will be able to learn about another education system and compare it to your US experience.

Where You'll Live: 

Living arrangements for Pitt Greensburg students consist of a homestay arranged by JCL Education, Ltd. For this homestay, students will be matched with a family from the school community and a teacher at their assigned school. All meals are provided by the host family. Homestays are usually located within walking distance of neighborhood schools, as well as local shopping and areas of interest. Public transportation is easily accessible in the greater Auckland area.

You can expect your housing to have the following:

  • homestay with a local family
  • shared bathroom
  • linens and towels
  • all meals provided by your homestay family
  • walking distance to school or transportation

We do our best to provide the most accurate information about housing and amenities but due to the nature of the locations in which we offer programs and limited availability, these items are subject to change. Contact your program manager with any questions. 

What You'll Study: 

The Student Teaching in New Zealand program is suitable for Early Childhood Education or Secondary Education majors. Students will earn a total of 7.0 credits while in New Zealand: Student Teaching Abroad (6.0 credits) and Student Teaching Seminar Abroad (1.0 credit). All students must also enroll in the 6.0 credit Student Teaching-U.S. course at the Greensburg campus prior to departure to New Zealand. 

 

Early Childhood Student Teaching Abroad (IL1882)

6.0 credits. Pitt Greensburg course.  

Description coming soon!

Early Childhood Teaching Seminar Abroad (IL1884)

1.0 credit. Pitt Greensburg course.

Description coming soon!

Secondary Student Teaching Abroad (IL1892)

6.0 credits. Pitt Greensburg course.

Description coming soon!

Secondary Education Teaching Seminar Abroad (IL1894)

1.0 credit. Pitt Greensburg course. 

Description coming soon!

JCL Education (New Zealand), Ltd. is Pitt's partner for this program. JCL will provide support for this program including: arranging student teaching placements and homestays, student support, optional program-related excursion. Students will work closely with the JCL directors.

Your Pitt Study Abroad Contacts: 

Lauren Perri

Hi! I'm Lauren, Program Manager for Arts & Sciences students. As an undergraduate student, I studied abroad in Marburg, Germany. Since then, my career in international education has taken me to many locations around the world. Particularly, I have an affinity for Florence, Italy. There is nothing quite like the challenge of navigating a new city, country, and culture! Let's chat about global experiences.

Schedule an appointment

Schedule an appointment with me using Pathways

Don't see a time that works for you? Just send me an email at lap140@pitt.edu

Your In-Country Contacts: 

Dr. Melissa Marks

Melissa J. Marks, EdD, the Director of the Education Program, developed the Plus3 syllabus for Nursing and Education in Birmingham with the recognition that issues of diversity impact both professions (e.g., economic disparities within society), that education, health, and societal impacts are interrelated, and that specific “soft skills” are needed by both groups.  At the university, she teaches a wide variety of courses, including strategies, diversity, social studies methods, and general teacher education courses. She was awarded the PGAA Outstanding Faculty Award (2009), The Pitt-Greensburg Distinguished Teaching Award (2016), and the University of Pittsburgh’s Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Teaching (2017).  

Schedule an appointment

Schedule an appointment with me using Pathways!

  • Log in to Pathways or use the Navigate app.
  • Select Appointments > Schedule an Appointment
  • Select Pitt Global as the Care Unit.
  • Select Study Abroad Virtual Advising as the Location
  • Select Study Abroad Program Specific Questions as the service
  • Select my name and find a time that works for you!

Having trouble or don't see a time that works for you? Just email me!

 

Items Billed by Pitt

  In-State Out-of-State
Tuition Fee $ $
Program Fee $ $
Pitt GEO Admin Fee $400.00 $400.00
Est. Additional Expenses Billed by Pitt tuition/fees & room/board (if applicable) for half term at Pitt Greensburg tuition/fees & room/board (if applicable) for half term at Pitt Greensburg
Total Billed by Pitt $TBD + tuition/fees & room/board (if applicable) for half term at Pitt Greensburg $TBD + tuition/fees & room/board (if applicable) for half term at Pitt Greensburg

Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs

Airfare ~$2,500
Meals and Personal Expenses ~$1,000
 
NZ travel/tourist fee ~$50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remember, your budget will be impacted largely by your lifestyle. The above estimates are estimates. 

 

What's Included: 

As a part of your Student Teaching in New Zealand fee, the following are included:

  • 7.0 credits for the program and student teaching experience in New Zealand (6.0 credits of Student Teaching, 1.0 credit of Seminar)
  • Housing with host family in New Zealand
  • Meals with the host family in New Zealand
  • Student teaching experience in a diverse environment abroad

While your program fee will cover most of your expenses, keep in mind that you are also responsible for the following:

  • Tuition for 6.0 credits and fees for half of the term at Pitt Greensburg
  • Rountrip Airfare
  • Pitt GEO Admin Fee
  • Personal Expenses 
  • Passport Fees
  • New Zealand travel & tourist charges 
  • Room and board for half of the term in Greensburg (if living on-campus)
When You'll Go: 

Depending on your anticipated graduation date, there are 3 NZ term options available. Your 7 weeks can be flexible within these timeframes:

Term 1: early February to early April (your U.S. student teaching would then take place after your experience abroad)

Term 2: late April to late June (your U.S. student teaching would take place before your experience abroad)

Term 3: mid July to end of September (your U.S. student teaching would then take place after your experience abroad)

What Else You Need to Know: 

Students will need to submit their completed JCL application to either Dr. Melissa Marks or the Program Manager when applying. Inquire with the Program Manager for due date of the JCL application. 

Similar to student teaching in Pennsylvania, it is important to show a clean record when student teaching abroad. For that reason, students must upload their FBI Clearances, Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance, and Pennsylvania Criminal Clearance to your Pitt GEO Portal once accepted to the program. 

Dates may be flexible to meet the needs of students. If you would like to inquire about dates, please contact Dr. Melissa Marks.