Student Teaching

Sequim School District – Student Teacher Placement Process

Thank you for your interest in completing your student teaching experience with Sequim School District!

To ensure compliance with District Board Policy 5641 and Procedure 5641P, colleges/universities and student teacher candidates must follow the steps outlined below.

1. Requirements for Placement Requests (Institutions)

Per Procedure 5641P, all placement requests must be initiated by the sending institution—not the student teacher.

Institutions must:

  1. Submit a formal Student Teacher Agreement to the Superintendent’s Office for review and approval.

  2. Provide a minimum of 45 days’ notice prior to the requested placement start date. (Required by 5641P, section B.)

  3. Complete the Student Teacher Placement Request form. 

  4. Refrain from contacting schools or staff directly (5641P, section C).

  5. Allow the District to coordinate with principals to determine available placements.

2. Placement Determination (District)

Following District review:

  • The superintendent/designee will consult with building principals.

  • The cooperating teacher must have at least 5 years of successful teaching experience (5641P, section G).

  • The cooperating teacher and principal must approve the placement before it is confirmed (section F).

  • The college supervisor will be notified once a placement is accepted (section E).

The District may not assign:

  • More than one student teacher per cooperating teacher per year (section H).

  • More than one student teacher and two interns per school per semester, unless enrollment exceeds 800 FTE (section M).

3. Requirements for Student Teachers

Before beginning their placement, student teachers must:

Complete all pre-employment requirements, including:

  • Washington State Patrol background check (as required for volunteers per 5641P, section L)

  • Fingerprinting (if applicable to certification program requirements; see section K)

  • District disclosure forms

  • District orientation procedures

  • Proof of enrollment in an approved certification program

Student teachers must follow all District policies and must meet the same workday, supervision, and meeting expectations as certificated staff (section J).

4. Placement Approval & Start

Once all requirements are met:

  • The District will issue a formal placement confirmation to the University representative.

  • The cooperating teacher and principal will receive placement information.

  • The student teacher may not begin until all background checks and documents are complete.

5. Ongoing Expectations

  • Student teachers must follow all District policies, school procedures, confidentiality requirements, and professional norms.

  • Student teachers may not be assigned full class responsibility until the cooperating teacher has determined readiness.

  • The cooperating teacher remains responsible for the class at all times (section I).


Link to Student Teacher Placement Request Form