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 above 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
*See calendar above 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:
April 22
Time: Sessions run 12:10-1:35 and 1:50-3:15 but single sessions are possible too.
*See calendar above for more details and sign up!
Description: Join us for a morning of observation while preschool and kindergarten classes are in session to observe our approach to early childhood education, inspired by the educators of Reggio Emilia, Italy. You with observe the flow of our day with small and large group work in classroom environments, the outdoor classroom, and the Atelier.
Our classrooms are places of learning and exploration rooted in Christian values, where every child is seen as a gift. These aesthetically beautiful, home-like environments are filled with organic materials that spark curiosity, invite creativity, and encourage meaningful engagement with the natural world. Through intentional celebrations, daily experiences, and community connections, children are guided to develop respect for others, a sense of belonging, and an understanding of their faith.
Date: TBD from 10:00 a.m to Noon
*See calendar above for details and sign up. Spots are limited!
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 above 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: 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?
Description: On April 28, Future for KIDS is partnering with DPR Construction to host a School of Construction Day at CASA Academy in Phoenix. This event will provide approximately 100 middle school students (6th–8th grade) from underserved communities the opportunity to participate in hands-on construction activities led by industry professionals. Students will rotate through interactive stations where they will learn about different careers in construction while building teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
Volunteers will help guide small groups of students between stations, support activities, and help create a positive, engaging experience for youth as they explore career pathways in the construction field.
Date: Spring 4/28/2026
*See calendar for sign up and point of contact.
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 above 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: We’re excited to invite students to the Spring Civics Matters experience at State Farm Stadium in partnership with the Arizona Cardinals. This immersive, stadium-based event introduces grade school through college students to the fundamentals of civics, what it means to be an engaged community member and how they can make an impact. Building on the success of our previous winter session, which brought together students from across the region for hands-on learning and real-world connections, this experience will feature interactive activities, guided discussions, and opportunities to explore how civic engagement shows up in everyday life. Students will leave with a stronger understanding of their role in their communities and tangible ways to get involved.
Date: TBD tentatively January, 2027
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: 8:00 a.m - 10:00 a.m
*See calendar above 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 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: 4/27/26 8:30 a.m to 12:00 p.m. 10/19/2027 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.