Community and Engagement
Dr. Selma Wassermann: Chapter 4 - Philosophy, Reflection, Legacy
CHAPTER 4
Philosophy – What We Believe
Selma’s educational philosophy is anchored in one simple truth: "Remember what's important. Keep true to what's important."
Throughout the interview, she consistently returned to what mattered the most to her: the well-being of children. "My mission as a teacher was to make a difference in the lives of children," she reflects. "Everything I wrote, taught, and researched was aimed at that."
As SFU celebrates 60 years, this message becomes both a reminder and a guiding light: a rooted memorandum.
Legacy & Reflection
Selma's time at SFU Education tells the story of the Faculty itself: daring, imaginative, and fiercely committed to humanizing education. Whether designing a program with no blueprint or redefining classroom tradition across BC, Selma mentored generations who became extraordinary teachers.
Her final advice to future students, staff, and Faculty is the same wisdom she once heard from a former student: “Remember what’s important. Keep true to what’s important.”
For Selma, that has always meant this:
"See children. Hear them. Honour them. And teach in ways that let them shine."
Have a Faculty of Education memory you'd like to share? Submit your favourite moments to our Legacy Chest!
This article was created in collaboration with SFU Archives. The images and factual details presented here are drawn from archival sources and were corroborated through generous support and verification by SFU Archives staff, including Richard Dancy and Matthew Lively.