The University College of the Fraser Valley will be taking the first steps towards offering a one-year teacher education program in the new year by sponsoring the Simon Fraser University program in the Abbotsford and Chilliwack school districts.

Starting next September, SFU will offer its PDP teacher education program to 32 UCFV graduates on UCFV campuses. Over the course of 12 months, students will complete education courses and will work as student teachers in classrooms in the Abbotsford and Chilliwack school districts. This program qualifies graduates to be certified to teach in B.C. by the B.C. College of Teachers.

In the following years, UCFV will take increasing responsibility for the program, culminating in an independently certified teacher education program.

Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in a teachable subject or subjects may apply to the SFU program directly through SFU or may contact UCFV’s acting teacher education coordinator Allan McNeill for more information (mcneill@ucfv.ca or 604-854-4555). They may also contact the UCFV advising department at 604-854-4528 or 604-795-2808.

The deadline for September applications is January 15. Students may indicate a preference for the UCFV module during the application process.

The program offers training for elementary, intermediate, and secondary grade levels.

Once UCFV takes full responsibility for the teacher education program, preference will be given to students with background and interest in the areas of greatest current need in B.C., which include business education, chemistry, computing science, French language and literature, mathematics, physics, and technology education, all at the intermediate and secondary levels. Retirement projections indicate openings in most areas within a few years.

The student classroom work and the practicum experience in the program will be led by master teachers seconded from the two districts. These faculty associates are hired by SFU for the year. The other education courses will be taught by SFU or UCFV faculty. 

“This new teacher education program at UCFV is a major initiative, one that will serve the needs of both UCFV graduates and the local school districts. We are excited by the prospect of working with SFU’s program and the Abbotsford and Chilliwack school districts as we develop our program. The ultimate success of our initiative, given the importance of collaboration and practica in teacher education, will result from our on-going partnership with the Fraser Valley’s school districts, a partnership we will actively foster,” said Allan McNeill, acting coordinator of UCFV’s teacher education program.

“The professional development program we are offering with the UCFV is a continuation of our long-standing interest in community-based programming. We look forward to working with UCFV and the school districts in shaping a program that addresses local teaching needs and curriculum interests,” said Dr. Stephen Smith, director of professional programs at Simon Fraser University.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for SFU and UCFV to work with the school districts in this region and with the teaching profession to address the need for more teachers in the Fraser Valley,” said Dr. Ian Andrews, Dean of Education at SFU.