SFU's New Centre: Advancing Research and Practice in Teacher Education

The Faculty of Education is proud to announce the launch of the Centre for Research and Practice in Teacher Education—a dynamic research space advancing scholarship and strengthening professional practice in K-12 teacher education.

About the Centre

The Centre bridges research and practice in teacher education, exploring how pre-service, in-service, and community-based educators are prepared and supported. It will engage educators, school districts, policymakers, and community stakeholders across B.C. to address key issues and opportunities within K-12 teacher education settings. 

“We want to position teacher education as both a rigorous academic field and a deeply engaged professional practice,” says Dr. Pooja Dharamshi, Director. 

Launching the Centre was made possible through the dedication and collaboration of faculty, staff, and leadership. “This centre would not have been possible without the support of people who believed in the vision from the beginning,” adds Dr. Dharamshi. 

The Centre's Mission and Research Focus

The Centre’s mission is founded on three key pillars:

• Interdisciplinary Inquiry: Bringing together faculty, graduate students, K-12 educators, community educators, and policy leaders to engage in research that addresses pressing challenges in teacher education.
• Equity in education: Supporting equity in teacher education by supporting research that explores systemic barriers, promotes inclusive pedagogies, and informs policies that support all learners and educators.
• Bridging Theory and Practice: Translating research into actionable practices and pedagogies for teacher preparation and professional growth.

Current research areas include:

• Experiences of internationally educated teachers navigating diverse classrooms. 
• Indigenous pedagogies and land-based learning in pre-service teacher education.
• Racial literacies in teacher education for more inclusive classrooms.
• Alternative assessment practices in k-12 teacher education, beyond traditional grading models.  
  

The centre will also serve as a collaborative space for educators and researchers, fostering dialogue and community through events, workshops, and networking opportunities. 

“One of our biggest strengths is that we will operate across all three SFU campuses—Burnaby, Surrey, and Vancouver—ensuring accessibility and engagement,” says Dr. Dharamshi.

Who Can Get Involved?

Membership is open to SFU faculty, graduate students, K-12 educators, educational leaders, and community partners. The Centre also aims to build connections beyond SFU, collaborating with school districts and teacher education programs across B.C. 

Members have access to:

• Research collaboration opportunities
• Professional development events and workshops
• Discussions on pressing issues in teacher education
• A wide range of educators, researchers, community stakeholders committed to the field of teacher education

“Teacher education shapes the next generation of educators,” says Dr. Dharamshi. “We invite you to become a member and help us build a vibrant, collaborative space for advancing research and practice.”  

Official Launch at WestCAST 2025

The Centre will share more about its vision and initiatives at WestCAST 2025 on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at SFU Burnaby, with a reception from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

“WestCAST brings together the communities we aim to serve—student teachers, educators, and scholars,” shares Dr. Dharamshi. “It is the perfect place to highlight our work, foster collaboration, and invite new members.”

At the reception, conference attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the artistic inquiries and multimodal representations of learning created by Professional Development Program (PDP) student teachers.

We invite educators, researchers, and community members passionate about teacher education to join us and be part of a collaborative effort to shape the future of teacher education!