Field Experiences

Field Experience Expectations

As an emerging education professional, your field placements allow you to practice your classroom learning under the guidance of an experienced mentor teacher. The following tips for success can help you prepare to be at your best from the moment you step foot into the classroom.  

Washington Educator Code of Conduct

All Washington educators must follow the code of conduct for educational practitioners. You can also learn more about this code by reviewing the presentation provided by the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB).

General Tips for Success

  • Consider your placement to be an extended job interview.
  • Speak respectfully about your mentor teacher to others.
  • Do not use your phone in meetings or class.  Mentors sometimes complain about candidates who are on their phones during meetings or even in between class transitions.  Those are good times to connect with students and staff. 
  • Ask your mentor what they would like you to do when they are busy. Help the children?  Work on the bulletin board?  Your mentor may not always be available to help you figure out what to do next, so take the initiative to generate a list of needed tasks.
  • Attend school and district events when possible.

Email Etiquette

  • Check your CWU email daily and respond promptly
  • Email is considered a public form of communication and can be reviewed by organizations.  It is not private.
  • Your emails can be subpoenaed in a court of law
  • Emails can be required for submission in a Freedom of Information Act request. 
  • Do not complete personal emails or personal business on school time.

Dress for the Teaching Profession

  • Dress for field experience placements is generally "business casual." 
  • P.E. teachers need to dress for demonstration of and participation in athletic activities: nice sweats and athletic tops, not business casual 
  • Schools have specifically asked us to ensure that students wear clothes that keep their midriff (stomach) covered as that is typically against their school's dress code.

Some pointers can be found in the following articles:

Teacher Candidate Attributes

CWU expects our teacher candidates to demonstrate the following attributes while in their Field Experiences

Timeliness

  • Be consistently present, prepared, and punctual.
  • Arrive on time every day.
  • Submit draft lesson plans for review in a timely manner.

Teacher Presence

  • Maintain a poised, professional demeanor with students, staff, and families.
  • Practice delivering lessons in front of a mirror or with friends or family to build confidence and ensure an engaging presentation.

Initiative

  • Proactively seek opportunities to assist and contribute.
  • Be willing to try new approaches and take appropriate instructional risks.
  • Collaboratively plan with your mentor teacher; ask about opportunities to lead parts of lessons.

Flexibility

  • Adapt quickly and effectively to changes in plans or circumstances.

Sensitivity

  • Demonstrate openness, respect, and appreciation for differences among students, staff, and families.

Learning from Others

  • Actively observe, listen, and learn from your mentor and others.
  • Accept constructive criticism graciously and apply it to your practice.

Implementation of Feedback

  • Incorporate suggestions quickly and appropriately.
Oral and Written Communication
  • Communicate clearly and professionally in both speech and writing.
  • Respond to promptly to emails and professional requests.

Content Application

  • Apply discipline-specific knowledge accurately and meaningfully in instruction.
  • Connect coursework learning to your classroom practice; review as needed to reinforce your understanding.

Interactions with students and others

  • Exhibit genuine interest, warmth, and positivity toward students, staff, and families.
  • Demonstrate eagerness and enthusiasm for your role during your field experience.

Inhabiting the Role of a Teacher 

  • Focus your efforts on improving student learning and ensuring student safety.

Interest in the Learning Community

  • Show interest in the broader school community.
  • Participate in events such as Open House, conferences, and other activities, as you are able. 

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