HEART

HELPING EASE ACCESS FOR RETURNING TEACHERS

Method of delivery:
In-person
Applications open:
November 1, 2023
Applications close:
January 31, 2024
Next start date:
September 2024

Get all the information you need to apply for the Helping Ease Access for Returning Teachers (HEART) program.

For advising purposes, a letter of evaluation from the Teacher Regulation Branch (TRB) must be submitted to pps_admissions@sfu.ca prior to completing the application.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Program Requirements

Applicants to HEART must be either:

  • Teachers who have their B.C. certification and who are seeking a current practicum report; or
  • Teachers with lapsed B.C. certification or certification outside of B.C. and are seeking new B.C. certification. A letter of evaluation for the Teacher Regulation Branch (TRB) is required for this applicant group.

For advising purposes, a letter of evaluation from the Teacher Regulation Branch (TRB) must be submitted to pps_admissions@sfu.ca prior to completing the application.

Applicants who are required to complete coursework by the TRB, as per their evaluation letters, must complete their coursework prior to starting the HEART program, if accepted.

Preparatory Activities

You may wish to engage in preparatory activities prior to completing your application and/or starting the program. These activities include, but are not limited to:

  • Increasing your familiarity with, and understanding of, the B.C. curriculum (strongly recommended)
  • Observing and volunteering in B.C. K-12 public school classrooms or other educational settings with the possibility of obtaining a current reference from the teacher with whom you volunteer, focusing on current and best practices around student-centered learning, curriculum integration, formative assessment, and classroom management (strongly recommended)
  • Attending related workshops and/or courses to support ongoing professional development
  • Exploring anti-oppression, anti-racist and decolonizing practices, and social justice education in B.C. schools
  • Increasing familiarity with Indigenous Education initiatives and the integration of Indigenous perspectives and knowledge into the curriculum
  • Keeping a journal to reflect on your teaching and learning experiences

TUITION & COSTS

Tuition 2022/23

  • Approx. $2,500 for 12 units ($203.80 per unit)

Note: All fees are subject to change, subject to provincial legislation and the Board of Governors' approval.

SFU Supplementary Fees

Simon Fraser University assesses the Student Services/Recreation-Athletics fee, the student activity fee and the U-Pass BC fee to all eligible students in each term of enrollment.

More information

Financial Resources

Note: The HEART program is not eligible for student loan funding.

HOW TO APPLY

Simon Fraser University has a Code of Academic Integrity and Good Conduct (S10.01 Policy o), which applies to this application. Applications with falsified, misleading, plagiarized, or ghost-written materials will be removed from the competition.

Application Deadlines

  • Spring semester: Apply between June 1st - September 15th at 4:00pm (PT).
  • Fall semester: Apply between November 1st - February 15th at 4:00pm (PT).

An interview is required as part of the application process. Students intending to complete SFU courses in preparation for application to EDUC 406 should email: pps_admissions@sfu.ca.

STEP 1: Prepare your application

Before starting your online application, prepare the following documents:

Introduction Letter

Your introduction letter should describe your teaching experience, including where and when you taught and for how long, and what those teaching experiences were like for you. It should also articulate your understanding of the BC curriculum, including the Special Education and Indigenous Education mandates.

Also include:

  • What motivated you to return to teaching
  • Any recent professional development, including readings, workshops, courses, etc.
  • Additional relevant information relating to professional work

Create Your Resume

Your resume should include your contact information, education, work and volunteer experiences, and any honours, awards, special talents, skills, or training. It should:

  • Be no longer than two single-sided pages
  • Be detailed, but in an outline rather than a narrative form
  • List the length of time you were in each position, the number of hours you worked or volunteered in the position, and your duties

We encourage you to spend time observing/volunteering in K–12 classroom(s) in British Columbia before applying. If you have been away for more than 2 years, it is strongly recommended to spend time in the K-12 BC public school system.

Prepare Your Unit and Lesson Plans

Submit one unit plan and three fully developed lesson plans from the unit using the templates below:

The unit and lesson plans should be related directly to the age level and/or subject(s) you are applying to teach. You will upload your unit and lesson plans as PDFs in the online application system.

TCB Evaluation Letter

When you submit your application, you will be required to upload a copy of your TCB evaluation letter to the online application system (if applicable).

Teaching Certificate

When you submit your application, you will be required to upload a copy of any teaching certificate(s) you hold (if applicable).

Find Two Reference Writers

When applying, you will need to enter the names and email addresses of two individuals willing to submit reference letters in support of your application. The system will then automatically send these individuals an email requesting they submit their reference letter online. Reference letters may only be submitted via the online system.

We recommend that one of your references comes from a teacher with whom you volunteer in a K-12 public school classroom or other educational setting.

Where applicable, the reference writers should include:

  • The length of time and capacity they have known you
  • Description of your strengths and interests
  • Description of your interactions with children and youth
  • Your perspectives about teaching and learning
  • Description of responsibilities and activities undertaken
  • How you handle problems or challenges
  • Your ability to communicate with other

When considering who to ask, keep in mind that:

  • We reserve the right to contact reference writers to verify the information they provide
  • References must be professional in nature
  • References from friends or relatives are not acceptable, even if those friends or relatives are educators
  • Inappropriate references will make the application ineligible for consideration

Examples of inappropriate references, include:

  • Family members, including in-law, step-family, etc.
  • Friends and co-workers

You will not be able to submit your application until your reference writers have submitted their reference letters. For this reason, it is important to give your referees a deadline (and as much notice as possible) to submit their reference letters.

Tip : Tell your reference writers what the due date is for submitting their reference in the online application system. Give your referees a copy of your resume as they may find it useful for writing the letter.

Official Transcripts

Submit an official transcript from every college and university that you've attended, including withdrawals, incomplete, failed, repeated studies, and attendance as an exchange student. We cannot review your application if any transcripts are missing.

  • SFU students do not need to order their SFU transcripts, as we have access to those records
  • The PPS Admissions office does not accept electronic (XML/EDI) transcripts as our computer system is not compatible with receiving electronic transcripts. SFU Undergraduate Admissions does accept electronic transcripts. Check the Student Services website for details.
  • We will accept emailed transcripts sent directly from the post-secondary institutions to our office. Have them sent directly to pps_transcripts@sfu.ca from the institution.
  • You must include original transcript(s) for College Board - Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or any transfer credits (i.e. exchange program and college transfer) where applicable

Order ALL transcript(s) to be sent directly from the issuing institution to both the PPS Admissions office and the SFU Undergraduate Admissions office

Transcripts delivered by mail must be sent to this address:

PPS Admissions, Faculty of Education
Education Building, Room EDB 8630
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6

Step 2: Submit your HEART application

If you have confirmed your eligibility to apply to the HEART program you may apply via the online application.

Apply to HEART Online Here

The same system is used for a number of teacher education programs at SFU. You will need to do the following to complete your online application:

  • Create an account
  • Confirm the account (you will receive a confirmation email)
  • Select 'HEART' as the program you are applying to
  • Complete the online application form
  • Upload your TCB evaluation letter (if applicable)
  • Upload copies of any teaching certificate(s) you hold (if applicable)
  • Upload your introductory letter, resume, and essay
  • Upload your unit plan and three lesson plans from the unit
  • Enter the names and email addresses of your two references (the system will contact these people)
  • Pay the application fee CAD$60 using PayPal. (PayPal will accept a credit card or an Interac/Visa card if you do not have a PayPal account). The application fee is non-refundable.
  • Submit your application (only possible after all three of your recommendations have been received)

Note: You may start your application early and work on it over time. You may review, edit or change your application at any time until you click the final submit button. After that time, you cannot change your application or any of your submitted materials. Your application form, resume, essay, and recommendation forms must all be complete before you can press the final "submit" button.
Applications and transcripts for Fall 2024 are due January 31, 2024.

Step 3: Admission to SFU

QUESTIONS?

If you have questions about HEART not covered on our website, contact our admissions team.

Email: pps_admissions@sfu.ca
Phone:
778-782-3559

To prevent missing emails from us, add pps_admissions@sfu.ca to your contact list if you are not using an SFU email account.