As a future educator, you’ll need more than just coursework — you’ll need real-world experiences that spark curiosity, build professional skills, and connect you with communities. This menu gives you the chance to choose from a variety of immersive opportunities based on your interests, career goals, and availability.
Think of this menu as your passport to professional growth. Pick the experiences that excite you most, track your progress, and use them to tell your story as an educator. The more you explore, the more prepared you’ll be — not just for student teaching, but for a meaningful career that impacts students and communities.
Think of this menu as more than field trips—it’s a chance to explore new paths in education. You’re not limited to your program area.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Follow your curiosity: Choose experiences that sound fun or unexpected, even outside your major. Try different age groups to see what excites you most.
Explore leadership: Join roundtables or summits that connect education with policy and community. Consider how these experiences link to global opportunities.
Network with intention: Connect with mentors, peers, and professionals. Reflect on what energized or challenged you—and where you want to go next.
Explore the Menu – Browse the questions and topics to pick experiences that match your interests (early childhood, special ed, leadership, service, etc.).
Choose Your Event(s) – Look at the dates and details in the calendar to see what fits your schedule.
Register Online – Click the “sign up” link under each event to sign up (quick form, 1–2 minutes).
Prepare & Show Up – Double-check the information on the calendar for expectations and items for preparation.
Engage & Reflect – Enjoy the experience, connect with educators, and think about how it shapes your future as a teacher.
Description: If you’re passionate about learning, mentorship, or community engagement, join us for the Education & Training Career Fair! This event brings together organizations hiring for roles connected to education and training, such as instructional support, curriculum or program coordination, youth development, nonprofit education programs, learning and development, and educational policy.
Skills gained: You’ll meet employers from K–12, higher education, nonprofits, and training-focused industries who value students studying education, social sciences, communication, humanities, organizational leadership, HR, and more. Explore internships and job opportunities that let you shape learning experiences and support the growth of others.
Dates: April 15th, 2026, 11:00 AM - 2:00 P.M
Next Steps: See calendar below to sign up!
Wellness Room Study Space at Joseph Zito Elementary
Description: Joseph Zito Elementary is opening its doors to ASU students by offering access to their Wellness Room as a dedicated workspace. This provides a unique opportunity to work on course assignments while being immersed in the daily atmosphere of a school.
While studying on campus, you’ll also have the chance to engage with staff, observe the school environment, and build connections within the community. Spending time in the school may also inspire you to explore additional volunteer or field trip opportunities available at Joseph Zito.
When to Visit:
Students may visit at a time that works best for their schedule.
To Coordinate Your Visit:
Please email Principal Couret de Gentile to let her know when you plan to stop by:
lcouretgentile@isaacschools.org
Description: HYSA has recently partnered with us by hosting immersive field trip experiences for our freshmen and sophomores, offering them exposure to various instructional settings and innovative school models. This is truly a one-of-a-kind school, and we are incredibly fortunate to have it right on our ASU West Valley campus.
Join us for an immersive field trip to the Gary K. Herberger Young Scholars Academy, a unique learning environment designed specifically for highly gifted middle and high school students (grades 7–12). Located on ASU’s West Valley campus, this small, innovative school offers students the opportunity to engage in hands-on, challenging academic work far beyond the traditional classroom experience.
During the visit, you’ll see how these young scholars thrive in flexible, interactive workspaces that encourage creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. You’ll witness a dynamic educational setting where students pursue their passions and push their limits in an inspiring college campus environment.
Dates: February 4th 8:30 a.m to 3 p.m; March 18 8:30 a.m to 3 p.m; April 8 8:30 a.m to 3 p.m; April 15 8:30 a.m to 3 p.m
*See calendar below for sign up and more details!
Description: We love having community members host sessions! Typical enrichment sessions run about an hour to an hour and a half, and they’ve historically covered a range of topics, mostly driven by instructor expertise and interest. We’ve had people teach our students how to play cricket, hosted a watercolor afternoon, and host Dungeons and Dragons one-off campaigns.
*Please be aware that you will need to have a fingerprint card or check and that you will need to complete the ASU Minors on Campus online training in order to host.
Dates:
September 24
October 29
November 19
December 10
January 28
February 25
March 25
April 22
Time: Sessions run 12:10-1:35 and 1:50-3:15 but single sessions are possible too.
*See calendar below for more details and sign up!
Description: This early childhood field experience offers students an inside look at a district-run preschool program through classroom observation and guided discussion. Participants will visit three preschool classrooms to observe developmentally appropriate practices in action, tour the Family Resource Center and Preschool Office to learn how wraparound supports serve young learners and their families, and engage in a brief presentation with the Director and a Pre-K mentor. This experience is designed to help students better understand early learning environments, instructional approaches, and the collaborative systems that support children and families in early childhood education.
Date: 10/16/2026 from 8:30 a.m to 10:30 a.m
*See calendar below for details and sign up. Spots are limited!
Description: Experience the energy of a highly diverse learning environment at Joseph Zito Elementary School, where more than 20 languages are spoken by students and families. During this field trip, you’ll tour classrooms and see firsthand how educators create inclusive, engaging learning environments that support multilingual learners.
Students can choose to observe in Early Years (K–2) or Upper Elementary (Grades 3–5) classrooms and may also have the opportunity to visit specials such as Art, Music, and Physical Education to see how learning extends beyond the core classroom.
This is a great opportunity to experience how teachers support diverse learners while building strong classroom communities.
Date: TBD
Description: Learn more of an overview of Special Education and what the different employment options are within school systems.
Date: April 6th from 8:30 am-11:30 a.m
*See calendar below for more details and sign up
Description: Gain firsthand insight into special education teaching by visiting self-contained and autism support classrooms. During this experience, you’ll observe how teachers create structured, supportive learning environments and have the opportunity to interact with both students and educators.
This visit offers a valuable look at the strategies, supports, and classroom practices used to help students with diverse learning needs succeed.
Date: TBD
Are there other ways to help children and the community?
School Connect "Love Our Schools Daily"
Description: One-day, hands-on volunteer event to improve school environments through tangible projects like painting playgrounds, revitalizing gardens, organizing classrooms, and supporting teacher needs.
Skills Gained: Leadership, teamwork, community engagement, school partnerships.
Dates: Saturdays in October (specific date varies by district).
Description: Step Up Tutoring is a nonprofit organization that provides free, virtual, one-on-one tutoring and mentorship to elementary students in under-resourced communities. Our mission is to close the opportunity gap by delivering high-impact tutoring that builds fundamental skills, boosts student confidence, and supports family engagement.
ASU students will have an opportunity to serve as virtual tutors and mentors to 2nd–8th grade students, meeting one-on-one with each student twice per week. Tutors will follow evidence-based lesson guides and use adaptive learning tools to support both academic growth, while also advancing social-emotional development by building relationships and creating a consistent learning experience. No prior tutoring experience required—training and curriculum provided–and all tutoring is conducted virtually using Step Up’s easy-to-use online platform.
Date: Spring Semester between 1/12/ 2026- 5/12/2026.
*Training required upon sign up. See calendar below for details and sign up!
*Information session offered Monday 1/5 from 10:00 a.m- 11:00 a.m. Link to virtual session will be provided closer to the date.
Description: Support the Joseph Zito Elementary refugee community by volunteering at special Saturday events such as vaccine clinics, clothing drives, or campus tours for new and returning families. These events are held in collaboration with the International Rescue Committee and serve families from many cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
This is a meaningful opportunity to engage with the school community, support local families, and see how schools partner with community organizations to meet the needs of diverse populations.
Date: Fall 2026
Description: See how a school collaborates with nearly 20 community partners to provide children with hours of engaging, hands-on learning and enrichment opportunities at Dia Del Nino Celebration.
Date: April 24th, 7:30 a.m - 12:00 p.m
*See calendar below for more details and sign up
Description: Facilitated roundtable events connecting principals with local leaders to co-create solutions for school challenges (e.g., attendance, parent involvement, teacher retention, career pathways).
Skills Gained: Facilitation, project planning, community outreach, nonprofit strategy.
Dates: Throughout the year (set by districts).
Description: Be a part of recognition event honoring educators, schools, and organizations making exceptional contributions to Arizona youth.
Skills gained: Event management, communications, storytelling, recognition planning.
Date: 4/30
Time: TBD
*See calendar below for more details and sign up!
Description: Gain insight into school leadership by shadowing the principal and learning about the day-to-day responsibilities of leading a school community. During this experience, you’ll explore how principals navigate family engagement, student discipline, and partnerships with community organizations such as Valle del Sol.
This opportunity provides a valuable look at the organizational leadership and decision-making that support a successful school environment.
Date: TBD - 3 hour opportunity
Description: This immersive field experience offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative, team-based teaching models while engaging with future educators as they observe diverse classroom settings and interact with school leaders.
Skills gained: This immersive field experience offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative, team-based teaching models while engaging with future educators as they observe diverse classroom settings and interact with school leaders.
Date: 2/27/2026 from 9:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m
Description: This immersive field experience offers a tour around the connected elementary and middle schools, an opportunity to connect with both Principals, see team-based teaching models in action while engaging with future educators. Then, break out in groups with student ambassadors and engage in a Q & A session.
Skills gained: This immersive field experience offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative, team-based teaching models while engaging with future educators as they observe diverse classroom settings and interact with school leaders.
Dates: 10/20- 8:30 a.m to 12:00 p.m, 1/30- 8:30 a.m to 12:00 p.m, and 2/23- 8:30 a.m to 12:00 p.m.
*See calendar to sign up!
Description: Kyrene School District: Kyrene had to cut librarian positions in most campuses due to declining enrollment. With that decision, they are really looking for volunteers to help supplement story time and book restocking/organization. The schools that need the most assistance at this time are, Kyrene del Cielo, Kyrene Monte Vista, and Kyrene Traditional Academy.
Next Steps: Reach out to the principal of the school of interest to plan!
Kyrene del Cielo- Principal Kristen Kingsland kkingsland@kyrene.org
Kyrene Monte Vista- Principal Teresa Strickling tstrickling@kyrene.org
Kyrene Traditional Academy- Principal Dr. Marianne Lescher mlesch@kyrene.org
Description: Madison Elementary School District: Multiple schools have expressed interest in having volunteers assist with classroom and admin support. The best contact is Liz Hernandez who serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for the District. Reach out to Liz at volunteers@madisoned.org for next steps and let them know that you're with ASU and that AEF referred you!
Mercury Mine Elementary School
Description: Currently looking for support for classrooms and lunch/recess.
Next Steps: Apply to be a District Approved Volunteer here!
Point of contact: Principal Stephanie Taueki staueki@pvschools.net
Biltmore Preparatory Academy
Description: Need for aids and assistance in classrooms.
Next Steps: Fill out this volunteer application! Volunteer Application
Deer Valley School District
Description: Diamond Canyon School: similar to above-need help in classrooms and would love to host students.
Next Steps: Deer Valley requires volunteers to attend a Training where they’ll complete their application and onboarding.
Description: Join Action Behavior Centers for a Virtual Takeover Day to explore careers in applied behavior analysis and related fields. This event will feature a brief information session, a panel of professionals sharing their career paths and experiences, and interactive breakout sessions where you can ask questions, learn about roles, and connect directly with the team.
Date and time: March 25th, 2026 from 11 a.m- 2:00 p.m
Skills gained: Interact with a talented and committed team strives to help your child reach their highest potential.
Next steps: See the calendar below for sign up!
Description: Are you thinking of teaching in the Dallas Texas area? Whether you're graduating soon, considering teaching for the first time, or simply curious about opportunities, this is your chance to get insider tips and set yourself up for success.
Dates: February 23, 2026
Next Steps: See calendar below for details and zoom link!