The Field Programs area of the Faculty of Education works with partner organizations to design innovative inservice programs which engage educators in focused, sustained reflective inquiry into classroom practice. Its Graduate Diploma program, incorporating this philosophy and consisting of at least 30 credits of coursework in a specific theme, are designed in collaboration with school districts and are offered at off-campus sites on a cohort basis.
During fall and spring, classes are offered during the evenings or at weekends. In July and August they are offered in the format of a two-week intensive (all day) summer institute.
Applications are usually invited for educators to join the instructional teams of new GDEs at the beginning of each two-year program, as follows:
| Semester | Classes | Recruitment* | Hiring Period * |
| Fall | September to December | May | July |
| Spring | January to April | October | November |
| Summer | May to August |
February | April |
* Approximate only; mentors are not hired until after the application process for each diploma has been completed and an assessment made on whether there are enough students to run the program at that time.
The mentor’s primary responsibilities are to help participants create realistic learning and fieldwork plans, to develop and complete their projects, and to demonstrate and reflect on what they learn from these activities. Mentors facilitate participants’ reflections on learning as an ongoing process, and help them solve problems or adjust their project activities as necessary. At different times during the program, mentors may be asked to facilitate seminar discussions, to provide specific workshops, to work with small groups and to conference with individuals. Mentors also review and respond to participants’ individual learning portfolios.
Regardless of the specific situation, the primary role of mentors in Field Programs is:
Mentors should be prepared for a two-year commitment. This includes in a variety of formats for involvement, including mentor orientation, after school sessions during the school year and up to two 10-day summer institutes. In addition, to ensure program continuity and consistency, mentors are expected to participate in regular meetings throughout the program.
Mentors are compensated on a per-student basis for their involvement in the program and on a per meeting basis for their facilitation of a predetermined number of group meetings with students. Specific terms of agreement depend on the role and responsibility assumed by the individual. Please note that mentor payments are processed through the SFU payroll system, and that mentors receive a T2200 for tax purposes. The university does not reimburse any expenses, including, but not limited to travel costs and Internet access fees.
The following qualities are considered desirable in a mentor:
Both the School District and Field Programs will review applications. If you are interested, please send:
to the attention of:
Gina Romeo, Program Assistant,
Field Programs, Faculty of Education,
Simon Fraser University,
8888 University Drive,
Burnaby BC V5A 1S6