Apply to Student Teach - Early Childhood Education

Subbing During Internship

Early Childhood Education

(Bellingham & Bremerton)

Early Childhood Education Application

Your Internship Application process will be guided by ECE faculty.

We are excited that you are about to embark upon the final portion of your Teacher Preparation Program. You have worked long and hard and now you will have the opportunity to more fully put into practice all that you have learned. The student teaching internship is a required capstone project for the program and is a state requirement (Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 181-78A-264). The information below is intended to guide you through the internship application and the internship placement processes.

The Placement Process

  1. Apply to student teach by the due date above according to the application directions below.
  2. OFE personnel will coordinate a student teaching placement during the term prior to the internship start term. This is a complex process that may take the entire term to complete.
  3. Schedule an interview with school personnel after you are notified via WWU email that your tentative placement has been arranged.
  4. Inform OFE when the interview is scheduled.
  5. Once the interview is completed, inform OFE about the interview status.
  6. Once both parties agree on a placement, the OFE Director and school administrator must confirm and agree to the placement.
  7. Carefully read the confirmation email with next steps that you and your Cooperating Teacher (CT) will receive.

Application Details

Entry Criteria

  1. Successful completion of all pre-internship coursework and field experiences.
  2. Adherence to all professional expectations.
  3. Good standing status with the program and university.
  4. GPA requirement must be met.
  5. At least one attempt to pass endorsement content exam prior to the start of full-time student teaching.
  6. Department Chair and faculty approval to student teach (obtained by OFE).
  7. Current fingerprint and character clearance.
  8. Confirmation of placement made by OFE.

Exit Criteria

  1. Fulfillment of time requirements specified on internship calendar (start/end dates, work "teacher" hours).
  2. Logged all internship hours.
  3. Met all professional expectations.
  4. Current fingerprint and character clearance maintained at all times.
  5. Met all InTASC Standards and program requirements through a progression of increased responsibility including observation, planning, instruction, assessment, and reflection to be demonstrated through successful scores on the IDES (Intern Development and Evaluation System).
  6. Completed Final/Self-Assessment and Pre-Professional Growth Plan (PGP) submitted to Field Supervisor.

Who Makes the Placements?

Program personnel will make placements in collaboration with OFE.

Where Will I Be Placed?

Placements are chosen with the intention of:

  • maximizing diverse experiences
  • adhering to program and state requirements
  • expanding opportunities based on your goals and input

See your program information for details and any restrictions that apply to your specific program.

Will I Be On WWU's Schedule?

Please review your program information for details on your internship sequence. You can download an internship calendar when it becomes available for your term.

Who Will Supervise Me?

  • Your Cooperating Teacher (CT) will be well-versed in your endorsement area(s) and have 3+ years full-time teaching experience and experience mentoring adult learners.
  • Your Field Supervisor will collaborate with you and school personnel to aid in successful evaluation, support, and mentorship.

Can I Be Placed In A Familiar School?

Candidates may not be placed in schools they have attended, been employed, or have a personal connection. Per State WAC 181-78A-125(1(b) and our memorandums of understanding with school districts, these situations present a conflict of interest that could interfere with objective evaluation.

  • Candidates may not be placed in a school they attended as a P-12 student.
  • Candidates may not be placed where they have a personal connection (friend, relative, or other connection working at or attending the school).
    • If the connection is in one school within a district, other district schools may be considered.

Student teaching in a school where you have a personal connection could be viewed as favoritism or inequity. Placements that put any teacher or administrator in a sensitive position endanger future interns' placements and our partnerships.

May I Request a Specific School or Teacher?

If a classroom teacher and/or school administrator asks you about possibly student teaching, simply inform them that you will provide this information to WWU. This does not guarantee the placement.

How Do I Request an Accommodation?

Students with identified disabilities may request reasonable accommodations during student teaching. To request an accommodation:

Specific accommodations are determined on an individual basis and are modified to meet the unique needs of the student, the program, and state student teaching requirements.

Accommodation requests are treated as confidential information by OFE personnel.