Student Teaching

Student Teaching 

Clover Park School District is dedicated to contributing to excellence to future educators by offering quality teaching experiences to more than 60 student teachers annually. Student teaching is considered to be the single most important experience in a teacher preparation program. By working together, we hope to nurture the professional growth of teacher candidates, support the continued professional development of cooperating teachers, and provide for quality learning experiences for the children in our school.

Student Teacher Placement Application Process

Student Teacher Agreement/Contract

If a college/university wishes to place a student in their education program in Clover Park Park School District for observation, practicum, and/or student teaching, the following must be on file in Human Resources:

  • Current Contract

  • Proof of Liability Insurance

Requesting a Placement

Practica and Observation Request - After a contract has been established and an insurance policy is on file, placement officers may work directly with the school principal to request practica and observation. A complete Student Teacher Request Packet must be on file with Human Resources. Arrangements should not be initiated by the student. All long-term and student teacher placement requests must be arranged through Human Resources.

Student Teacher Request - All arrangements for placement of student teachers are made through Human Resources in conjunction with the college/university placement offices and should not be initiated by the student. A complete student teacher request packet must be submitted to Human Resources.

Student Teacher Request Packet: for practica, observation, and student teacher placement:

A complete student teacher application packet includes:

  • Student teacher application from college/university

  • Student's resume

  • Proof of Fingerprinting*

  • Proof of Professional Liability

  • Washington State Pre-Residency Certificate of Clearance**

*The state of Washington requires that everyone who has contact with students in the school setting be fingerprinted prior to starting their assignments. Request for placement will not be processed and student teachers will not be allowed into the classroom without proof of current fingerprints.

**OUT-OF-STATE UNIVERSITIES ONLY: Placement requests will need to obtain a pre-residency clearance prior to placement. For details on the documents needed and application process to obtain this pre-certificate clearance, please click on the OSPI link below:

https://www.k12.wa.us/certification/teacher-certificate/state-program-completer-applicants/pre-residency-clearance-state-applicant

Once Human Resources has received all completed documents, by the date as indicated below, the information will be forwarded to the building administrator for review for placement. When placement has been confirmed, Human Resources will notify the University Coordinator with the student teacher placement information.

In order to meet the needs of the many universities/colleges, a student teacher placement request must be sent to the Human Resources Department by the following dates:

  • By November 30th for Winter quarter/semester

  • By January 31st for Spring quarter/semester

  • By May 4th for Fall quarter/semester

Contact: Lori Liedes - 253-583-5095 or [email protected]
*Approximately 25 percent of new hires are CPSD student teachers.



Clover Park School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Address correspondence to one of the following individuals who have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination at Clover Park School District, 10903 Gravelly Lake Dr., SW, Lakewood, WA 98499-1341:

Title IX Coordinator,
Section 504/ADA Coordinator,
Civil Right Compliance Coordinator
Greg Davis, Executive Director of Compliance and Student Services 
Contact the Executive Director of Compliance and Student Services
(253) 583-5154