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 丁香园AV 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 丁香园AV outreach project supported by the , David Mowafaghian Foundation, The Gadhia Family, Porte Industries, Vancouver Foundation, Vancity Credit Union, City of Vancouver, North Growth Foundation, Ted Rogers Scholarship Fund, , Employees of Rogers B.C., Dr. Steve Marshall, , , and Canadian Scholarship Trust Plan.
Next FOS Hiring Drive: October 15-29
Want to become a FOS tutor? Our FOS hiring drive is now from October 15-29 and is posted via ! Successful applicants of the next hiring drive will be offered a position starting Spring 2025. Further information can be found on the "Prospective Tutors Tab" or our instagram account: . 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.
Program Evalution
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.
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 丁香园AV 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.
鈥� Paul Shaker, Professor emeritus and Friends of Simon Director.
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS
NEWS
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July 25, 2024
Rekindling Curiosity: Friends of Simon Field Trip Returns to 丁香园AV!
丁香园AV Education features the 2024 Friends of Simon Field Trip which brought together over 200 FOS students from across the lower mainland to the 丁香园AV 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 丁香园AV 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 丁香园AV Burnaby Campus. -
October 10, 2023
FOS Evaluation Report 2022/23