JCL (Junior Class Learning) Education is an educational consultancy that offers a program for student teachers to complete their final student teaching in a New Zealand elementary, junior high, or high school classroom. This is an exciting opportunity for students to experience first-hand the New Zealand school system, which is widely recognized throughout the word for its innovative approaches in the critical mathematics and literacy areas.

The program takes place in Auckland, New Zealand which is the country’s most populous city, located in the north part of the country. Auckland is a vibrant and diverse urban center that is home to 48 volcanic cones, more than 50 islands and more than 18,000 miles of coastline and beaches.

JCL Education Website 

Program Details 

Students will teach under close supervision with a highly skilled and carefully selected co-operating teacher. Students can experience teaching at elementary, junior high, and high school levels. Placement will occur depending on the level of education as well as the capacity available in each partnering school. Student can expect to receive: 

  • A practical teaching experience to observe and practice skills and techniques of teaching in New Zealand.
  • An opportunity to develop a personal philosophy of teaching.
  • Meet with JCL for at least one dinner meeting to evaluate their progress/experience. JCL visits all students in their schools and contacts them weekly.
  • Opportunity to explore New Zealand in their free time

Placement Optionsstudent teacher teaching elementary students with white board

Elementary

  • Mellons Bay Primary
  • Pigeon Mountain Primary
  • Cockle Bay Primary
  • Elm Park Primary

Junior High 

  • Bucklands Beach Intermediate School

High School

  • Pakuranga College
  • Edgewater College

Academic Year

New Zealand schools have a continuous year-round academic program of forty weeks that is divided into four ten-week blocks, beginning in February. At the conclusion of each teaching term is a two-week vacation. December is the end point of the New Zealand teaching year and schools close for their summer vacation for approximately five-six weeks. There are four other days of national significance on which schools are closed.
 
Timeframe for this program will depend on the needs of the student as well as on MSUB requirements for student teaching. To qualify for student teaching requirements, students will have to participate for one semester or summer.
 

Student Teaching Requirements

Prospective participants in this program need to work closely with the College of Education and their academic advisor to ensure that they are receiving the appropriate amount of teaching hours. Students who want to participate but do not want the experience to qualify as their student teaching requirements may participate for a shorter duration in the program, if desired. The program can be as short as two weeks or up to sixteen weeks.
 

Students wishing to student teach abroad need to meet the following requirements:

  • GPA:   Cumulative, Professional Core, Teaching Major: 3.0 or higher
  • Course Completion:    All coursework completed except for EDU 406/EDF 515 or EDCI 698
  • Dispositions:   Achieve the “Developing” level or higher on the COE Professional Dispositions Evaluation
  • Junior Field Evaluations:    Achieve “Sufficient” or higher on all evaluations.
  • Advisor Recommendation
Please reference the contact information below for student teaching coordination and information about the program.
 

Traci Sgrignoli

Director of Field Experiences and Assessments

   College of Education 274
   (406) 657-1670
   traci.sgrignoli@msubillings.edu

Dr. Melanie Reaves

Assistant Professor, Literacy Education

   College of Education 221
   (406) 657-2355
   melanie.reaves@msubillings.edu
 

Costs

Cost differs depending on duration of program chosen by student. Costs range from about $2,200 for a two-week program to about $10,500 for a full semester program. All MSUB tuition and fees will be waived for students in this program, and the credits will transfer back seamlessly, so your student teaching requirements will be met while working abroad. The program costs also include full room and board and work-related transportation. A 20% deposit is required two months prior to arrival in New Zealand. The balance is due on arrival.

Above costs include:students at hobbits set in new zealand

  • Home stay fee (all meals, transport to and from school where applicable)
  • Co-operating teacher payment
  • Visiting lecturer fee
  • School fee (includes photocopying, refreshments, etc.)
  • Tax
  • JCL organizational fee

Above costs do not include:

  • Round trip airfares
  • Spending money
  • Touring New Zealand
  • Medical Insurance
  • Travel Insurance

student teacher with elementary students in glittery frog masksAccommodation

Every effort will be made to place students in the most suitable homes. If the teaching experience is more than ten weeks, students will be placed in two home stays. If a student's stay is less than ten weeks, only one homestay is necessary. Becoming a part of the family and following house rules are crucial to the home stay experience. If there are any problems, concerns and/or queries, students will contact JCL for assistance. 

Home stay hosts are required to transport students to and from school. Any other transport is at the student's own expense. i.e. buses, taxis etc to and from the city. Students should not expect hosts to transport them to any activities outside of school. 

If you plan on staying extra nights with your hosts either prior to or at the end of your placement, you are obliged to pay for the accommodation.

If your parents or members of your family intend joining you in New Zealand, this should be planned outside of a student's teaching experience. Home stay hosts are not obligated to provide them accommodation. Therefore, accommodation and travel arrangements should be made before they leave the United States.

Visas

All students who wish to participate in the New Zealand program for longer than 90 days must have a student visa. A visa application to the New Zealand Visa Application Centre in Washington DC. The visa process can be done online through New Zealand Immigration or in-person.

Additionally, there is an entry tax of $23 in New Zealand. 

Health Insurance

To ensure comprehensive and quality coverage, all study abroad students are required to enroll in insurance that is provided through the designated Montana University System insurance provider. Please consult with the Study Abroad Coordinator for further information. This insurance is affordable with a typical semester averaging about $250.