THE YEARLONG INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Dept. of Educational Foundations and Curriculum
Office of Field Experiences
Kittitas Valley Schools
The Yearlong Program is a field-based internship as part of the Teacher Certification Program for
candidates at Central Washington University majoring in education. The program allows candidates to
be in the classroom working with experienced teachers and their students for a full academic year.
Candidates entering their senior/final year will complete courses related to their education major, the
Professional Education Program sequence, two Practica involving active participation in classroom
experiences, and the culminating Student Teaching experience their last quarter.
During the prior Spring quarter, candidates will apply for The Yearlong Program and interview with the
Director of Field Experiences and the University Field Supervisor to be accepted. Applications will be
forwarded to the principals of participating schools. An interview will be arranged with the principal
and/or the cooperating teacher(s) of the schools interested in placing them for the internship. The school
principal makes the final decision about placing a candidate.
Candidates will begin the school year with EDCS 492 Practicum beginning when teachers return to
school. They are required to participate in the classroom a minimum of ten to twelve hours per week
and complete Practicum requirements for Fall and Winter quarters. Classroom participation is
determined according to the candidate’s course schedule. Elementary education candidates will
typically be in two classrooms during the fall quarter and rotated into another classroom winter quarter,
depending on schedules and school discretion, having the opportunity to work with three teachers in
three different grade levels. Other levels and classrooms are available depending on major and schools.
Candidates are supervised weekly and seminars are scheduled monthly. Candidates will complete the
school year with Student Teaching (EFC 480) in Spring quarter with one of the cooperating teachers.
Yearlong Internship Overview
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The Yearlong Program Review
 Prerequisites
 Completed all Major/Minor/PEP courses based on program advising
 Completed PEP sequence courses: EFC 210, 310, 315, 320, 330, and 340
 Admission to Teacher Certification Program and have valid fingerprints
 Student Teaching Application and requirements submitted by Dec. 1st
 Practicum

Begin with cooperating teachers (first week of September)

District/school in-service days

Work under teacher’s direction
 Observe
 Work with students (1-on-1, small groups)
 Take attendance
 Prepare mini-lessons
 Teach mini-presentations
 Team teach with cooperating teacher
 Do research to strengthen focus of classroom
 Grade assignments or assessments
 First (Fall) Quarter

Five weeks in one classroom and rotate into second classroom (optional/depending on
school)

Minimum of 10 – 12 hours per week (2 hours/day)

Classroom participation scheduled depends on candidate’s course schedule (Ideal: 2 hour
block in the morning per day)

Attend and complete CWU classes
 Take between 12-16 credits or 4-5 classes including:
 Remaining courses in Major, Minor, or PEP sequence based on program advising
 Practicum: EDCS 492 – Four (4) credits per quarter
 Seminars/Meetings: One per month
Yearlong Internship Overview
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 Second (Winter) Quarter

Rotate into third classroom (optional/depending on school)

Minimum of 10 – 12 hours per week (2 hours/day)

Classroom participation scheduled depends on candidate’s course schedule (Ideal: 2 hour
block in the morning per day).

Attend and complete CWU classes
 Take between 12-16 credits or 4-5 classes
 Remaining courses in Major, Minor, or PEP sequence based on program advising
 Practicum: EDCS 492 – Four (4) credits per quarter

Can substitute EDEC 492/493 if only one other class needs to be taken
 Seminars/Meetings: One per month
 Third (Spring) Quarter

Candidates teach in one of the three classrooms of their Practicum.
 The Benefits

Full year in the same school

Interaction with candidates and work with teachers

Participate in the total school program

Connection with teachers in the school with possible county/state network

More marketable in job search

Assured placement for candidate teaching

Intern substitute certificate
Yearlong Internship Overview
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The Yearlong Program
Learner Goals and Outcomes
Goals

Provide candidates hands-on learning experience involving the functions of the school in preparation for
entering the field of education.

Provide candidates with opportunities to observe various methods of classroom management and
discipline and reflect on their observations in an analysis of behavior management of each cooperating
teacher.

Give candidates the opportunity to put theory into practice by learning and using established teaching
methods.

Provide a year-long (school-mentor-candidate) association in an educational environment.

Continue the development and growth between the university and schools of the Kittitas Valley utilizing
the yearlong program.
Outcomes

Observe school climate and culture.

Participate in daily functions of school.

Observe and learn school functions and procedures.

Work with candidates 1-1 or in small groups.

Prepare mini-lessons and make presentations using lessons.

Do research to strengthen the focus of the school/classroom.

Observe cooperating teacher’s planning process.

Assist cooperating teacher with class activities and lessons.

Observe and participate in candidate grading and assessment.

Observe and assess various classroom management plans.

Observe and assess various classroom procedures.

Develop a classroom management plan.

Observe and participate in parent teacher interactions and conferences.

Attend staff meetings and professional development opportunities.

Attend school and district meetings.

Develop skills for professional interactions with staff, parents, and community.

Participate in an extracurricular activity, e.g. after school tutoring, sports, clubs.
Yearlong Internship Overview
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The Yearlong Program
Expectations for Participants
Candidate

Be fully admitted to Teacher Certification Program.

Have current fingerprints valid through the entire yearlong experience.

Submit application and have completed required prerequisites.

Commit to a full year internship in the school.

Interview with supervisor, principal and teachers.

Prepare and submit a professional portfolio with the following components:
o Cover letter
o Résumé
o Philosophy
o Classroom management plan
o Lesson plans and/or presentations
o Professional organizations
o Volunteer/Extra-curricular
o Pictures with students

Keep a daily/weekly reflective journal.

Attend university meetings and seminars.

Notify the cooperating teacher and their supervisor of any absences.

Apply and submit all requirements for Student Teaching by Dec. 1st.
Cooperating Teacher

Mentor candidates during their Practicum and Student Teaching experience.

Be cognizant of Practicum requirements and read Cooperating Teacher Handbook for Student
Teaching.

Allow Practicum candidates to help develop materials and activities to facilitate teaching in your
classroom.

Allow Practicum candidates to work with students and prepare/teach mini-lessons.

Provide verbal coaching and feedback to Practicum and Student Teaching candidates.
Yearlong Internship Overview
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
Provide verbal assessment of Practicum and Student Teaching candidate to supervisor.

Provide written evaluations of Practicum candidates and/or Student Teaching candidates on
forms provided.
o Student Teacher Attributes
o Scheduled and Drop-In Observation forms
o Final Summary Assessment (Practicum only)
o Mid-term and Final Evaluation (Student Teaching only)
Supervisor

Screen Practicum candidate applications.

Interview Practicum candidates.

Arrange with principals for Practicum and Student Teaching placements.

Collaborate with cooperating teachers on expectations and candidate progress.

Observe and evaluate candidate.

Grade candidate S/U at end of each quarter for Practicum and Student Teaching.
Contact
Jan Case, Program Support Supervisor
Office of Field Experiences
Email: casej@cwu.edu
Office: (509) 963-1460
www.cwu.edu/~edfoundations/students/yearlong.html
Yearlong Internship Overview
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