Field Experience/Observation (50 hours or less)

Arlington Public Schools (APS) requires all university students requesting field experience (fieldwork) placement to complete the APS application process. All requests for field experience placements/observations are coordinated through the Professional Learning Office. A current Memorandum of Understanding is required for each college, program, or university requesting field experience placements with APS.

You must be currently enrolled in a teacher preparation program in order to apply for field experience. Teachers, principals, or assistant principals are not to be contacted directly by the university or students until placement is finalized. No placements will be made at a school where the student has family members (attending or working), or where the student is currently employed unless approved by the site administrator. APS employees may not complete field experience hours during contract time.

Application Windows

We cannot process any field experience requests received outside of these windows and must receive complete applications within the application window. Incomplete applications will not be processed after the application windows close. Background clearance appointments must also be made no later than the final date of the application window.

for Fall placement – September 15 – October 15 by 4 p.m.
for Spring placement – January 15 – February 15 by 4 p.m.
ALL APS BACKGROUND CLEARANCE APPOINTMENTS MUST BE MADE NO LATER THAN THE LAST DATE OF THE APPLICATION WINDOW. For the fall, this is October 15. For the spring, February 15. APS background clearance must be within one calendar year of the application date

Please note: Requests for Fall placements will not be sent to the schools until after the third week of school so teachers and students can settle into their routines. We cannot guarantee specific requests/requirements. Students are responsible for securing transportation for field experience placements. In addition, should you be granted a field experience placement and later determine that a placement is no longer needed, you should immediately contact APS, your cooperating teacher, and your university field placement supervisor to inform them of your decision.

Placement Procedures for Observation/Field Experience Requests

Request for Field Experience

Fill Out the Application

Fill out the application for a request for Field Experience. Complete applications include:
1. Required information in application
2. Course Syllabus
3. TB Test (completed within the past year)
Students will receive an email confirmation that the first step of the application is complete, or the request for more information is needed within 7-10 business days of submitting an application.
Upon receipt of a completed application, a Talent and Acquisition Management staff member will reach out to schedule a required Child Protective Service background check and fingerprinting. Please bring the confirmation email with your visit to the Human Resources Office located at 2110 Washington Boulevard, 4th Floor, Arlington VA 22204. (If currently employed with Arlington Public Schools, a TB test, fingerprints, and Child Protective Services background check are already on file in Human Resources and not needed for the Field Experience application process.)
- Park in B-1 or B-2 and take the elevator to the lobby. Enter the building and check in at the lobby desk (not inside the Welcome Center).
- Let the staff member at the lobby desk know that you need your fingerprints and CPS background check for Field Experience. Then take the elevator to the 4th floor.
Once your fingerprints and background check have been cleared, please wait up to 2 weeks to receive an email with your placement information.

Contact

Dr. Andi Webb
[email protected]

Mitch Pascal
[email protected]

Tyler Dufrene
[email protected]

Stephanie Rivero
[email protected]