As part of the two-year Bachelor of Education program, Teacher Candidates are required to complete three-weeks or 75 hours in an Alternative Settings Placement (ASP). The ASP is entirely separate from the partner school practicum requirements as arranged by the Practicum Office. The ASP can be non-school placements that are typically completed between years one and two, however different opportunities may require Teacher Candidates to fulfill these commitments during their regular classes and practicum.
Strongly encouraged to find placements in settings that they may not traditionally find themselves in, our hope is that Teacher Candidates will adapt their experiences and learnings from the program, and apply them to situations and scenarios that may not be familiar. For some candidates, these settings may include opportunities such as being a counsellor at a summer camp, facilitation of athletic and sports based programs (i.e. skating lessons, swimming lessons, etc.), research assistant, outdoor learning support, and many more.
Trent Faculty Facilitated Placements
Navigating the menu on the right, you will find a number of long-standing, popular Alternative Settings Placement opportunities, facilitated by School of Education faculty. Read more on the desired opportunity, and connect with the contact listed for more information should you find it of interest.
Independent Research & Curriculum Development
This is your opportunity to design your own alternative field experience placement. Follow your particular area of interest in the area of curriculum within a broad context. The placement must be approved and supervised.
Research Support
Interested in education-based research? Reach out to our full-time faculty to find out about potential opportunities.
Looking to host Teacher Candidates?
If you are a member of our faculty and would like to host Teacher Candidates, please submit a form using the button below.
Non-Trent Faculty Facilitated Placements (PLEASE READ)
Below are 2023-2024 opportunities with outside organizations, offering placements to Trent Teacher Candidates. If the opportunity is of interest, we ask that you reach out to the contact listed below, to learn more about the placement, and its expectations. PLEASE NOTE: It is the teacher candidates responsibility to determine whether this placement aligns with what is expected for the Alternative Settings Placement, and is at your discretion. After you have reached out to the organization listed and would like additional support in making your decision, please reach out to your Faculty Advisor.
Looking to host Teacher Candidates?
If interested in hosting Teacher Candidates for placement, please complete the application from using the button below.
EXTERNAL HOST APPLICATION FORM
Applications received after January 1 will be reviewed for the following academic year.
*Applications are currently closed while we review opportunities (Posted October 6, 2025)
Community-based Opportunities
Below is a list of (currently) approved opportunities:
- Riverview Park & Zoo
- Township of Cavan Monaghan Public Library (Millbrook Branch)
- TRACKS Youth Program
- Drug Free Kids Canada
- SciXchange at Toronto Metropolitan University
- Trent ESL
- Kawartha Farm School
- St. Mary Secondary Choral Program
- Lakefield College School
***Note to Current Teacher Candidates: You will receive placement and contact information via your trentu.ca e-mail, prior to the ASP proposal deadline.
Location
The location of the Alternative Settings Placement is determined by the instructor or organization facilitating it. As most placements listed here are by School of Education instructors, and organizations based in Peterborough, placements are not limited to this region.
Deadline to Submit
The deadline to submit your application to your desired Alternative Settings Placement is January 17, 2025. These can be submitted to the main office via Sonia.