Friends of Simon
Who We Are
Universities in Canada are associated with teaching and research, but they also have a great capacity for service to their communities. Friends of Simon, an award-winning SFU Faculty of Education initiative, brings together an attitude of inquiry, our instructional knowledge, and our students, in order to provide afterschool programs for children and youth in the public education system.
Friends of Simon recruits, prepares, and assigns university students as literacy tutors in the Lower Mainland, particularly with newcomer K-12 students. With our cooperating sites, Friends of Simon works to increase school success through after-school programs in small group and individualized settings. Instruction is based on current trends in pedagogy and tutors receive their training and supervision from members of the Faculty of Education who themselves are involved in educational research. Friends of Simon is an SFU Faculty of Education outreach project supported by the United Way British Columbia (UWBC), David Mowafaghian Foundation, The Gadhia Family, Porte Industries, Vancouver Foundation, Vancity Credit Union, City of Vancouver, North Growth Foundation, Ted Rogers Scholarship Fund, William and Nona Heaslip Foundation, Employees of Rogers B.C., Dr. Steve Marshall, SFU Surrey-TD Community Engagement Centre (CEC), Heritage Education Funds, and Canadian Scholarship Trust Plan.
Next FOS Hiring Drive: TBA Fall 2024
Want to become a FOS tutor? The next FOS hiring drive will be announced in Fall 2024 and will be posted via MyInvolvement ! Successful applicants of the next hiring drive will be offered a position starting Spring 2024. Further information can be found on the "Prospective Tutors Tab" or our instagram account: @sfu_fos. Applicants must apply through MyInvolvement to be considered. We look forward to reading your application! Gain meaningful experience & leadership skills while having fun! Please email us at fosimon@sfu.ca if you have any questions and allow 3-5 business days for a response.
Friends Of Simon Field Trip 2019
FOS aims to enhance the educational expereinces of immigrant and refugee children and youth through after-school tutoring and mentoring sessions.
These interviews are from our annual Field Trip. Listen to some of the stories from our tutors, students, site coordinators, and program coordinators.
Special Thanks to, supporters, funders and partners of Friends of Simon, the social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House, frames Film Program, and Dr. Kris Magnusson.
Our Mission - Draw Forth All
We ourselves learn as we teach and we redesign Friends of Simon in light of our experience conducting instruction. Our mission is summarized by the phrase, Draw Forth All, which combines the Latin root of the word education ("to draw forth") with the moral commitment of Nobel Laureate and SFU honouree, Bishop Desmond Tutu, specifically his call to serve and honour all people.
Teaching is often seen as the transmission of knowledge, in the manner of filling up empty minds. Education, however, is a process that builds on the prior experience of the learner and evokes new learning through engagement, questioning, and acknowledgment of the individual.
— Paul Shaker, Professor emeritus and Friends of Simon Director.
Our Annual Friends of Simon Evaluation Report (2022/2023) has been released that outlines and highlights the impact FOS has on our community and students. See below for the downloadable PDF.
Pictured aboved are the Friends of Simon Coordinators, Angela Flumerfelt and Kanwal Neel reconnected with former Friends of Simon Tutors at the Outstanding Alumni Awards. @SFUAlumni
Pictured above are the Friends of Simon Coordinators, Angela Flumerfelt and Kanwal Neel. Alongside the Program Director, Kris Magnusson and the two Program Assistants of 2020-2022, Brianna Condilenios and Grace Han at the Christmas Education Staff Gala.
Porte Communities
Friends of Simon is so excited to partner with Porte Communities. Over the summer they granted us this gift to enable our program to continue to provide free after-school tutoring to at-risk, vulnerable and newcomer students in Port Moody and at our other sites. Thank you to David Porte and all @portecommunities for your generous support!
NEWS
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July 25, 2024
Rekindling Curiosity: Friends of Simon Field Trip Returns to SFU!
SFU Education features the 2024 Friends of Simon Field Trip which brought together over 200 FOS students from across the lower mainland to the SFU Burnaby campus for a day of fun, learning and possibility. -
January 24, 2024
Empowering Newcomer Students: Inside the Friends of Simon Program
In conversation with the SFU Faculty of Education, newly joined Friends of Simon program coordinator Amrit Cojocaru delves into the program's impactful initiatives. -
June 01, 2024
Burnaby Schools: Unique Experiences Support Students Who are New to Canada
Burnaby Schools Website featuring the 2024 FOS Fieldtrip which brought together nearly 200 students from across the Lower Mainland for a Field Trip to the SFU Burnaby Campus. -
October 10, 2023
FOS Evaluation Report 2022/23