Faculty of Education

Since SFU opened its doors in 1965, the Faculty of Education has been pushing the boundaries of education within our non-traditional Professional Development Program (PDP). Today, we are a globally renowned leader in educational research and a pathfinder in Canada’s teacher education.

Graduating approximately 300-400 new teachers from SFU each year, we serve hundreds of K-12 students and are dedicated to making a positive and lasting difference throughout B.C.

We build bridges between theory and practice through our differentiated staffing, co-development of programs with community leaders and educators, and community-based and -informed scholarship. These connections allow us to be responsive to the field in myriad learning settings—from K-12, early childhood, to adult learning.

Faculty highlights

• 86 faculty members

• 43 faculty associates (seconded teachers)

• 4 Canada Research Chairs

• 1 endowed chair

• 10 research centres and institutes

• 2,359 students

• 1,563 undergraduate students

• 796 graduate students

Programs

• Undergraduate Studies

• Teacher Education

• Professional Diplomas

• Graduate Studies – MEd, MA, EdD, PhD

Highlights

Ranked #5 in Canada and #89 worldwide the 2023 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, SFU’s Faculty of Education was also the first place in Canada to establish master's programs in Contemplative Inquiry and in Arts for Social Change,

Among our many innovative initiatives and community connections are programs like the award-winning tutoring-mentorship program Friends of Simon, where we train and employ SFU students to provide free literacy and numeracy support to hundreds of K-12 school children, many of whom are refugee and newcomer students, each year throughout schools in Metro Vancouver.

Supported by our Office of Indigenous Education, the Faculty established the Indigenous Gathering Space to provide a welcoming space for Indigenous students, staff, faculty, and community with programming to support their emotional, physical, spiritual, and intellectual well-being. In addition, we are home to the Truth and Reconciliation Memorial Garden, which offers the SFU community a space for reflection and healing, as well as honouring residential school survivors.

The Faculty of Education offers a range of bilingual and French graduate programs adapted to the professional environment. Students also have access to a range of services offered by the Office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs (OFFA).

People of SFU Education:

• Dr. Amy Parent, a Canada Research Chair who has led the rematriation of the Ni'isjoohl memorial totem pole from Scotland.
• Dr. David Zandvliet, who holds the UNESCO Chair in Biocultural Diversity and Education.
• Dr. Poh Tan, an alumnus and recipient of an SFU Outstanding Alumni Award in 2024, recognizing her contributions to integrating diverse perspectives and culturally responsive practices into science education.
• Dr. Isabelle Cote, the recipient of the National Award for Excellence in French Immersion, recognized by the Canadian Association of Immersion Professionals.

Learn more

Rachel Lowry
Director of Advancement, Faculty of Education
rachel_lowry@sfu.ca
604.362.3930