What is New Horizons?
New Horizons is an amazing opportunity to spread your wings during your student teaching by giving you the opportunity to travel, live, and teach somewhere new.
There are exciting opportunities, in both private and public education, in the greater Midwest, nationwide, and internationally, for candidates who desire a new setting, a new culture, and/or a new educational perspective. Trinity candidates can greatly benefit from this opportunity to expand their horizons through a structured student-teaching internship. This allows candidates to follow the path they feel God may be calling them.
Guidelines
- Application for the fall semester is due March 1
- Application for the spring semester is due October 1
- You will need a recommendation from:
- One Trinity Christian College Education Department Faculty member
- One Trinity Christian College Faculty member from a department other than Education
- One personal character recommendation from someone not directly affiliated with Trinity Christian College or a family member – coach, youth group leader, family you babysat for, etc.
- One current or recent professional recommendation from someone not affiliated with Trinity Christian College – current employer, recent cooperating teacher, etc.
- Once your application is reviewed, the next step in the process will be an interview with the Coordinator of Clinical Placements and Dean of Education and/or Director of Education Operations
- You will be evaluated by your EDUC 380 professor based on your performance while pre-student teaching and completing classwork
- Applications will be reviewed and acceptance to the New Horizons program will be made on a rolling basis. Final decisions will be made by March 31st or October 31st
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 and a completion of all coursework prior to New Horizon’s placement is required
Mission
“Those who teach and learn are called to be coworkers with Christ in subjecting all cultural activities to the reign of God…” The New Horizons Internship program seeks to provide exciting opportunities for student teacher candidates to broaden their view and scope of teaching by immersing them in new settings and cultural exchanges where they will gain valuable insight and perspectives for lifelong kingdom work and ministry.
Schools
Schools were chosen for their strong connection to Trinity or from Interaction International.
If you have connections with a school not listed, please explore that possibility! As a learning community it is important for us to work together to form connections. Please contact Paige Rogers, Coordinator of Clinical Placements and Partnerships to discuss further.
Is this for you?
Ask yourself these questions…
- Do you enjoy and thrive being away from home?
- Can you live on your own in a new environment where you might not know anyone?
- Do you enjoy traveling?
- Can you imagine yourself in a new culture?
- Are you willing to try new food?
- Do you have any dietary or other medical needs that might be challenging in another country or environment?
- How will you handle the possibility of days without running water or electricity (depending on where you are)?
- Can you leave your presuppositions about cultures behind?
- Would you be willing to try learning a new language?
- Are comfortable being in the minority?
- Can you adjust easily to new situations and think on your feet?
- Are you flexible or do you need a rigid daily schedule?
- Will you be able to student teach without the same support you might receive at home?
- Are you confident in your teaching skills?
New Horizons Handbook
Looking for a little more information about everything that is involved with New Horizons that you might not have even considered? Take a look at the New Horizons Handbook. While the world has changed in the past few years that may have made of aspects of this handbook out of date, it is still helpful in thinking about the full picture of the experience.
Testimonials
Student Teaching in Darwin, Australia
Christa (Veenstra) Andringa and Amber (Ballast) Bachman (Class of 2019) share about Bakewell Primary School.
Student Teaching in Indonesia
Hear and see the first hand experience of Hannah Lins (Class of 2019)
Teach and Then Hit the Slopes
Moira Garvey (Class of 2021) shares about student teaching in Pueblo, CO
To anyone considering making a change for a portion of their student teaching…DO IT! I wanted to explore beyond my comfort zone and the Illinois schools to see what else is offered in the world (or for me the country) for education. I was lucky enough to have some help finding a school in Pueblo, Colorado where my sister, Maeve, teaches. How many people can say they taught at the same school as their sister? We really went from siblings to co-workers!
In addition to getting extra quality time with my sister I serviced a community that looks very different from what I have previously experienced in other placements in Illinois. The school I student taught at, Cesar Chavez Preparatory Academy, is a Title 1 charter school that primarily services students of the Latin X community. Getting this opportunity pushed me to cultivate meaningful classroom experiences in a way where I had never done before. I was able to learn more about my students’ culture and how their community plays a role in their learning.
While in Colorado I also took advantage of exploring and trying new things! To name a few, I snowboarded (for only the second time ever in my life!) at Monarch Mountain, visited many beautiful parks (like Garden of the Gods) and completed the 7th most difficult hike in America! It truly was an amazing experience. Whether you decide to venture out of Illinois or even the country, I would highly recommend taking advantage of seeing what else the world has to offer in the school setting.
So you want to spread your wings?
New Horizons is an amazing opportunity to spread your wings during your student teaching.
“Those who teach and learn are called to be coworkers with Christ in subjecting all cultural activities to the reign of God…” The New Horizons Internship program seeks to provide exciting opportunities for student teacher candidates to broaden their view and scope of teaching by immersing them in new settings and cultural exchanges where they will gain valuable insight and perspectives for lifelong kingdom work and ministry.
United States
Explore Trinity’s Contacts across the United States
Arizona
California
Calvin Christian School in Escondido
Central Valley Christian School in Visalia
Hanford Christian School in Hanford
Ontario Christian Schools in Ontario
Colorado
New Jersey
New Mexico
South Dakota
Hawaii
Wisconsin
Latin America & the Caribbean
Explore Trinity’s Contacts in Latin American and the Caribbean
Columbia
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Honduras
Nicaragua
Puerto Rico
Pacific
Explore Trinity’s Contacts in Asia and the Pacific
Australia
Indonesia
Malaysia
Philippines
Africa & the Middle East
Explore Trinity’s Contacts in Africa and the Middle East
Ethiopia
Nigeria
Zambia
FAQ’s
How do I start the New Horizons Process?
There is an online application for New Horizons that can be found under Student Teaching Information on the Education Unit Home Site Brightspace page. Fill out the application and you are on your way!
When do I need to start thinking about New Horizons?
The New Horizons application (found on the Education Unit Home Site Brightspace page under Student Teaching Information will open on April 1 each year. Fill out the application the year before you are scheduled to student teach.
Who should I talk to about exploring New Horizons?
There are a few people who would be great resources for you if you are looking for more information about the New Horizons program. Talk to your advisor about your thoughts. Reach out to Paige Rogers, Coordinator of Clinical Placements). One other group of people to reach out to would be past New Horizons participants, if you know any. Several testimonials from past participants can be found on this website.
Where can I go to student teach?
There are countless places you could go! See above for a list of schools we have worked with in the past. If you have connections to a school that is not on the list or you want to explore different options, feel free! (There just may be a little more work on your end).
Will Trinity help me find a school if I do New Horizons?
Yes! Trinity has partnerships with many different schools. If you choose a school that we do not currently partner with you will work with Paige Rogers, the Coordinator of Clinical Placements, to find a school that you may be interested in.
Will Trinity help me find housing if I do New Horizons?
Many schools that partner with Trinity have housing set up already. Although, you are responsible for finding housing if this is not the case. We will help as we are able. If you choose another school, you will need to do some research and work with the placements coordinator to find housing arrangements.
Do I need to cover all my own expenses when doing New Horizons?
Yes. Expenses such as travel, housing, and food are the obligation of the student teacher. However, if student teaching in a third world country, the housing and food expenses can be less than in the United States. (Some student teachers have done their own fundraising to help cover their costs!) Trinity housing will be pro-rated by the business office.
Do my Trinity scholarships still apply if I am doing New Horizons?
Yes. Since you are enrolled in Trinity courses (EDUC 450 and EDUC 454) while doing New Horizons, scholarships apply. It is important to note that even though New Horizons is done in another country, it is not considered an “off-campus” program. Off-campus programs are semester-long programs and student teaching through New Horizons is only for seven weeks.