Trinity University

Program Structure: What to Expect Each Semester

Summer semester
The summer focuses on building a strong foundation in curriculum development and teaching methods. You’ll explore how children learn and how to design lessons that meet their needs.

Fall semester
In the fall, you begin your clinical experience in local classrooms while continuing coursework at Trinity. These courses build on your summer and undergraduate learning, helping you connect theory to practice.

You’ll dive deeper into instructional strategies for your subject or grade level, learn to design meaningful, connected lessons across subjects, and develop skills to create and manage a positive classroom environment. You'll also explore both proactive and responsive behavior management strategies.

Spring semester
In the spring, you continue your mentored internship and take on more classroom responsibilities. Coursework supports your growth, including a leadership class that prepares you for future roles in education.

• Future elementary teachers: You’ll complete a 5-week lead teaching assignment in your year-long placement and carry out an action research project in your classroom. You’ll also do half-day observations in other school settings to broaden your experience.
• Future secondary teachers: You’ll complete two lead teaching assignments: a 6-week assignment in your main placement and a shorter 1-week assignment in a different classroom to give you a well-rounded teaching experience.

Mastery Portfolio
Throughout the year, all future teachers will create a Mastery Portfolio aligned with the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS) standards. This reflective portfolio demonstrates your learning and growth across the program.

In this program, faculty, mentors and peers act as coaches, helping you grow based on your own strengths and experiences.

• In the fall, you’ll spend four days a week in your school placement working with your cooperating teacher and attending professional meetings. The fifth day is for university classes where you reflect on your teaching and learn more.
• In the spring, you’ll be in your placement full-time for 12 weeks, taking on more teaching responsibilities with support until you assume the role of lead teacher. Classes meet after school and during breaks.
• In total, you’ll spend about 132 days and 925 hours gaining real classroom experience during your internship.

Trinity helps you learn how to support students with different needs from all kinds of cultural, linguistic and ethnic backgrounds.

• You’ll take and pass a course about learners with special needs.
• Classes like Curriculum Inquiry, Teaching Inquiry and Teaching Diverse Learners will teach you how to help all students succeed.

During the program, you will:

• Work with a Trinity clinical faculty member and a mentor teacher during your clinical teaching.
• Attend weekly seminars led by faculty.
• Have at least three formal observations each semester.
• Participate in debriefing meetings with your mentor and faculty after observations.
• Have at least three informal observations.
• Take part in a final formal assessment meeting with your mentor and faculty at the end of each semester.

Trinity is dedicated to improving teacher training through feedback, research and partnerships like Raising Texas Teachers.

• The University works with groups like the Carnegie Forum and WestEd to keep enhancing the program.
• The program focuses on your personal reflection and growth—not just structure.
• You’ll learn to challenge old habits and think deeply about teaching, especially around culture and equal access to education.
• You’ll practice careful observation, share teaching ideas and have honest conversations about important topics.