Field Experiences

Student Resources

You enter the office of field experience, aware that this place holds the keys to unlocking opportunities beyond the classroom. Here, a wealth of student resources awaits you, each one designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Whether you're seeking an internship, a volunteer position, or guidance on a specific project, the knowledgeable staff is there to assist you. They introduce you to databases filled with potential placements, workshops that hone essential skills, and mentors ready to share their industry insights. You feel a sense of empowerment, knowing that the tools and support available here are tailored to your needs and ambitions. The office of field experience is not merely a place; it's your partner in sculpting a future that aligns with your dreams and aspirations.

Placement Areas and Transportation

When you apply for placement, you will be asked to select three preference regions as well as your top choice district within each of those regions. Review our placement area map to see a full list of the districts where we place teacher candidates. It is crucial that you select the correct REGION based on how the map is organized. When you select a region, only the districts we place students in will appear.

Repeat this process three times to provide your top three preferences. You may select the same region more than once if your top three school districts are in the same region. The broader your preferences the more options we have to find a great fit for your experience. You will have the option to write in specific schools or teachers when you apply. We will take your preferences into account when seeking your placement, but we cannot guarantee placement with a specific area, district, school, or mentor teacher.

Requests for placements outside our designated areas will be considered only when capacity permits. Special requests must be submitted for review by our Placement Appeals Committee.

Please note that availability of placements can vary each quarter, and that we receive varying numbers of applications each quarter. Spring generally receives the most applications for Student Teaching placement, followed by fall, and with the fewest applications submitted for winter. Your chances of being placed in the most requested districts may be higher during winter quarter. Review our policy on placement restrictions

Example Request:

1.) Wenatchee Valley

  • Eastmont School Disctrict
  • Eastmont Junior High

2.) Wenatchee Valley

  • Cashmere School District
  • Cashmere high school

3.) Lower Grant County

  • Moses Lake School District
  • Frontier Middle School

Transportation

Please note that teacher candidates are responsible for arranging their own housing and transportation. List only areas that you can travel to in person as you complete your application. Housing and transportation factors will not be considered when the placement team submits your request.

Yakima-to-Ellensburg Commuter Bus Information

The Yakima-to-Ellensburg commuter bus service and the ELlensburg-to-Yakima Commuer bust service stops at:

  • Ellensburg - CWU SURC, Safeway and Super 1 Foods.
  • Yakima - Yakima Firing Center Park and Ride (near the Selah rest area), the downtown Yakima Transit Center, Yakima Valley Community College and the Yakima Airport.

Full schedules of the commuter route can be found at Yakima Transit, and tickets can be purchased at the CWU Wildcat Shop. For more information, call Yakima Transit at (509) 575-6175.

Mattawa Shuttle Van

Shuttle vans run between Ellensburg and Mattawa. Many teachers from the Wahluke School District commute Ellensburg to work and back each day. Student teachers placed in Mattawa may want to take advantage of this transportation. For information, contact Joanie Butterly.

Cle Elum-Roslyn Bus

A commuter bus is available daily between Ellensburg and Cle Elum. Please review the schedule and information page

CWU News

Latest edition of Voyage Magazine available online

April 24, 2024

by

CWU defensive standout presented with coveted national award

April 24, 2024

by

More News