Kennewick School District And WSU Tri-Cities Partner To Bring Unique Learning Experiences To Teacher Candidates (Photo) - 03/12/26
KENNEWICK, WA - Aspiring teachers will have a more robust and meaningful practicum experience thanks to a new partnership between the Washington State University Tri-Cities College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences and Park Middle School. The middle school, located in the Kennewick School District, was designated as a “WSU Tri-Cities College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences Teaching Laboratory School” at a ceremony on Thursday, March 12.
Teaching Laboratory Schools provide early practicum experiences that go beyond traditional classroom placements. Instead of observing a single teacher, WSU Tri-Cities teacher candidates rotate through multiple classrooms focused on specific topics related to teaching and learning. After observing, candidates volunteer in selected classrooms to apply instructional techniques and support student learning.
Park Principal, Shaun Espe-Amaya is enthusiastic about being a Laboratory School. “We are excited to partner with Washington State University Tri-Cities to create new opportunities for future teachers and staff at Park. This collaboration not only showcases the exceptional work of our dedicated teachers but also promises to enhance our educational programs and enrich the learning experiences for all involved!”
Kennewick, Richland and Pasco School Districts have volunteered to initiate the Laboratory School partnership. In addition to Park Middle School in Kennewick, Tapteal Elementary in West Richland, Maya Angelou Elementary and Roselind Franklin STEM Elementary in Pasco are designated as “WSU Tri-Cities College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences Teaching Laboratory Schools”.
John Mancinelli, the academic director for the College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences at WSU Tri-Cities, stated that the Teaching Laboratory School partnership provides our teacher candidates with impactful, hands-on learning that benefits our community for decades. “Approximately eighty-five percent of WSU Tri-Cities teacher-candidates stay in our region after graduating and becoming certified,” he said. “Park Middle School’s partnership allows all our candidates to gain valuable insights into teaching and learning about middle school age-appropriate development, and a look into how professional learning communities operate. We are grateful for this partnership.”
WSU Tri-Cities Field Services places teacher candidates in regional schools for three types of practica: Early, Pre-Internship, and Student Teaching. All teacher candidates combined spend about 45,000 hours each academic year in 33 different school districts located in the Columbia Basin including Walla Walla, Goldendale, Yakima, Wenatchee, Moses Lake, and the Tri-Cities.
The WSU Tri-Cities College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences offers multiple routes for individuals interested in earning a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in education, as well as certification programs for principals, program administrators and superintendents. Visit https://tricities.wsu.edu/education/ for more details.
