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Add Reply It's pretty simple.
Those who get turned down from the PDP @SFU, go to UBC.
SFU teachers are the "cream of the crop" and who'll find that out when trying to get your 1st contract.
UBC teacher education vs. SFU PDP
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MultiQuote#3 Bobby
Posted 16 October 2007 - 12:50 PM
the pdp program at sfu is 2 years where it's 3 years at ubc
however i heard from quite a few ppl from sfu that the pdp program at sfu doesn't teach you anything and you are expected to do A LOT within so short a time where as UBC is much more thorough, if your super diligent and smart you can rush through at sfu
what are the requirements to get into the program anyways??
however i heard from quite a few ppl from sfu that the pdp program at sfu doesn't teach you anything and you are expected to do A LOT within so short a time where as UBC is much more thorough, if your super diligent and smart you can rush through at sfu
what are the requirements to get into the program anyways??
#4 teacher wannabe
Posted 16 October 2007 - 02:09 PM
both are 1 year in length. I checked their websites.
requirements? they depend on whether you want to go into secondary or elemantary.
requirements? they depend on whether you want to go into secondary or elemantary.
#5 Seth
Posted 16 October 2007 - 02:15 PM
The most useful part of either program will be the practicum, which will take place off campus in a real school. For the practicum it doesn't matter what school you are in. MY advice: Do your practicum in the district in which you want to teach. You'll find that it is easier to get hired in the district you did your practicum in.
As far as the on-campus work, I went through the UBC program and found it was a lot of work with very little value. In class for six hours a day all week with very little study time. From what I hear, the SFU program is less work, but the work you do is worth it.
Go to SFU if they let you in.
As far as the on-campus work, I went through the UBC program and found it was a lot of work with very little value. In class for six hours a day all week with very little study time. From what I hear, the SFU program is less work, but the work you do is worth it.
Go to SFU if they let you in.
#6 John Diefenbaker
Posted 16 October 2007 - 02:19 PM
I graduated from SFU in 89 and did my practicum at Fort St John. Great program, great reputation for teacher training and I received vary good support during the PDP. I highly remmend SFU.
#7 Bobby
Posted 16 October 2007 - 03:27 PM
hmmm ok my university gpa at the moment is very low like barely a B, what is the cutoff and capacity for this program?
how are my chances...
how are my chances...
#8 John Diefenbaker
Posted 16 October 2007 - 03:29 PM
Bobby you won't know until you try.
#9 jes
Posted 16 October 2007 - 05:01 PM
why would anyone willingly spend years in school to get paid nothing.. if you're willing to put in the time, nursing is the profession for you, you'll be able to "make a difference" in lots of lives if that's the calling, plus you can always teach too if you want. clinical instructors who teach at the hospital make 50/hr. how much to teachers make? lol not that
#10 bog
Posted 17 October 2007 - 12:12 AM
The minimum GPA for SFU is 2.5, however in reality you need about a 3.1 from what I hear. But isn't just based on GPA. They also look at life experience, including travel (and that doesn't mean two weeks in the Yucatan Penninsula), previous experience with kids, two references from people who have seen you teacher or interact with kids and a statemtn that you have to wrote about what you learnt about kids.
The GPA makes up only 20% of the assessment, so if you are strong in other areas you might be fine.
The GPA makes up only 20% of the assessment, so if you are strong in other areas you might be fine.
#11 bog
Posted 17 October 2007 - 12:20 AM
Jeez, perhaps I should work on my spelling before I apply!!
#12 bog
Posted 17 October 2007 - 03:01 AM
Also, I think this is one of the few cases where the SFU program garners more respect than the UBC one. I haven't done either yet, but will apply to both. If seems to me that the SFU program is more progressive and more practical. This is the impression I get. Most of my teachers (I am currently doing pre-reqs at Langara) talk about the SFU program all the time, but rarely mention UBC.
I just want to add that my conlcusion is not purely based on that last comment, it is just the impression I have gotten from many sources.
I just want to add that my conlcusion is not purely based on that last comment, it is just the impression I have gotten from many sources.
#13 John Diefenbaker
Posted 17 October 2007 - 03:34 AM
Teachers pay isnt that bad and the benefits are significant- paid summers, much PD. And teaching youngsters is a blast- keeps you young and fresh.
SFU has a decidedly strong teacher program and well known for its quality. :)
SFU has a decidedly strong teacher program and well known for its quality. :)
#14 chan konabe
Posted 17 October 2007 - 04:24 AM
Are you planning on going into the elementary PDP or a secondary school subject?
#16 bog
Posted 17 October 2007 - 11:48 AM
Not sure who you are refering to, but I want to do the elementary program. I'm going to apply to both and I'll take either, but if I had the choice I would choose SFU.
I am in the process of doing the pre-reqs so I can apply at the beginning of January (for September 2008). I was planning on doing a few of the additional courses they like you to have in January (fine arts, education, human kinetics), but I just found out that they won't accept course 'in progress'. 20% of your assessment is based on these courses, so I'm already at a 20% disadvantage. It seems a bit harsh, as I will have completed all the courses they asked for 4 months before the course starts.
It's a good job I score highly in the rest of the requirements, but with that 20% at zero it still makes it touch and go if I'll get in.
I haven't researched the cut off dates for UBC. But I will be doing that in the next couple of days.
I am in the process of doing the pre-reqs so I can apply at the beginning of January (for September 2008). I was planning on doing a few of the additional courses they like you to have in January (fine arts, education, human kinetics), but I just found out that they won't accept course 'in progress'. 20% of your assessment is based on these courses, so I'm already at a 20% disadvantage. It seems a bit harsh, as I will have completed all the courses they asked for 4 months before the course starts.
It's a good job I score highly in the rest of the requirements, but with that 20% at zero it still makes it touch and go if I'll get in.
I haven't researched the cut off dates for UBC. But I will be doing that in the next couple of days.
#17 bog
Posted 17 October 2007 - 11:48 AM
Not sure who you are refering to, but I want to do the elementary program. I'm going to apply to both and I'll take either, but if I had the choice I would choose SFU.
I am in the process of doing the pre-reqs so I can apply at the beginning of January (for September 2008). I was planning on doing a few of the additional courses they like you to have in January (fine arts, education, human kinetics), but I just found out that they won't accept course 'in progress'. 20% of your assessment is based on these courses, so I'm already at a 20% disadvantage. It seems a bit harsh, as I will have completed all the courses they asked for 4 months before the course starts.
It's a good job I score highly in the rest of the requirements, but with that 20% at zero it still makes it touch and go if I'll get in.
I haven't researched the cut off dates for UBC. But I will be doing that in the next couple of days.
I am in the process of doing the pre-reqs so I can apply at the beginning of January (for September 2008). I was planning on doing a few of the additional courses they like you to have in January (fine arts, education, human kinetics), but I just found out that they won't accept course 'in progress'. 20% of your assessment is based on these courses, so I'm already at a 20% disadvantage. It seems a bit harsh, as I will have completed all the courses they asked for 4 months before the course starts.
It's a good job I score highly in the rest of the requirements, but with that 20% at zero it still makes it touch and go if I'll get in.
I haven't researched the cut off dates for UBC. But I will be doing that in the next couple of days.
#18 RyecatcheR
Posted 17 October 2007 - 11:49 AM
"Teachers pay isnt that bad and the benefits are significant- paidsummers, much PD. And teaching youngsters is a blast- keeps you youngand fresh."
Again, for the love of god...teachers DO NOT get paid during the summer. We are paid for a ten month period that, if WE WANT, can be distributed over 12 months so that your monthly salary is lower. Where the hell did people ever get the idea that teachers are paid for the summer?! We aren't even paid during Christmas! If we want to make money during the summer, we have to get summer jobs.
I'm not complaining about the pay, just the misconception of WHEN teachers are paid.
Again, for the love of god...teachers DO NOT get paid during the summer. We are paid for a ten month period that, if WE WANT, can be distributed over 12 months so that your monthly salary is lower. Where the hell did people ever get the idea that teachers are paid for the summer?! We aren't even paid during Christmas! If we want to make money during the summer, we have to get summer jobs.
I'm not complaining about the pay, just the misconception of WHEN teachers are paid.
#19 Jim
Posted 17 October 2007 - 11:58 AM
Not sure which one is better, but as others have mentioned, GPA isn't the deciding factor in whether you get accepted or not. I know that for SFU you need quite a bit of work experience with the age group you want to teach. I've known people who had almost a year of work experience and still couldn't get in because they were told they didn't have enough. However, it doesn't really matter where you get your teaching degree from; you could look into the University College of the Fraser Valley as it has a teaching program for elementary school. If you're willing to go a bit futher out, you could look into the program at Malaspina, which has campuses on the mainland. SFU and UBC have a lot of competition so it may be worthwhile looking to other schools.
#20 bog
Posted 17 October 2007 - 12:03 PM
The mininum GPA requirement as University of the Fraser Valley is 2.8, higher that SFU and UBC. Also they require some different pre-reqs. I didn't know about Malaspina. I'll look into that.
#21 bog
Posted 17 October 2007 - 12:04 PM
The 'we don't get paid in the summer' argument is so lame. It's what you earn in the year that counts. If you're not happy with that then find another job.
#22 RyecatcheR
Posted 17 October 2007 - 01:13 PM
The 'we don't get paid in the summer' argument is so lame. It's whatyou earn in the year that counts. If you're not happy with that thenfind another job.
If you'd actually bothered to read my post, you'd see that I'm not complaining. In fact, I specifically mention it. All I did was point out a misconception among many people about the period in which teachers are paid. THEY ARE NOT PAID DURING THE SUMMER. Nothing is deposited in the ol' bank account. This is not complaining, it is a simple statement of fact, like THE SKY IS BLUE. I recommend you learn to tell the difference.
If you'd actually bothered to read my post, you'd see that I'm not complaining. In fact, I specifically mention it. All I did was point out a misconception among many people about the period in which teachers are paid. THEY ARE NOT PAID DURING THE SUMMER. Nothing is deposited in the ol' bank account. This is not complaining, it is a simple statement of fact, like THE SKY IS BLUE. I recommend you learn to tell the difference.
#23 bog
Posted 17 October 2007 - 03:15 PM
I still don't understand your point. If you are paid a fair wage for the year then what is the problem? You just get the extra bit each month to cover the summer. Ok, I understand you're not griping, but if you are not griping then I don't understand why you brought it up. That is all I meant.
#24 easy
Posted 17 October 2007 - 06:20 PM
hey ryecatcher take it easy. if you want to let people know that you don't receive any paycheques during the summer thats fine, but tone down your response. And buy the way, i dont know where you work, but teachers do get paid during christmas.
#25 RyecatcheR
Posted 18 October 2007 - 05:13 AM
Ok, sorry if I'm being a little aggressive, but the point remains. Teachers earnings are based on 10 months of work, not 12. This means that, for July and August, no pay is given nor received. It can be spread out to cover 12 months, either by saving, having 1/12 of every pay diverted in another account, or having your pay spread over 12 months instead of 10, but this is strictly an option and not mandatory. In other words, a summer of sitting on your butt is not paid for.
The statement "teachers get paid summers off" is therefore entirely false and is usually said by those who despise teachers and want to make them seem lazy. In fact, people in many other careers get true 'paid vacations' where they do no work and are paid for it. It is not taken off previous earnings and 'saved for you', it is simply time off with pay given. In fact, people can often accumulate unused time off and take weeks of vacation with full pay. This is in no way detrimental to their monthly earnings. So, to say teachers are 'paid' for the summer is a fallacy that needs to be addressed.
Again, I'm not complaining. I usually just get a summer job. I just don't want people coming into this career with any misconceptions.
Also, only teachers with continuing contracts get paid for mandatory time off like Christmas and Easter. Term contract teachers and TOC's are not paid, since they either not working (TOC) or working in place of someone else.
The statement "teachers get paid summers off" is therefore entirely false and is usually said by those who despise teachers and want to make them seem lazy. In fact, people in many other careers get true 'paid vacations' where they do no work and are paid for it. It is not taken off previous earnings and 'saved for you', it is simply time off with pay given. In fact, people can often accumulate unused time off and take weeks of vacation with full pay. This is in no way detrimental to their monthly earnings. So, to say teachers are 'paid' for the summer is a fallacy that needs to be addressed.
Again, I'm not complaining. I usually just get a summer job. I just don't want people coming into this career with any misconceptions.
Also, only teachers with continuing contracts get paid for mandatory time off like Christmas and Easter. Term contract teachers and TOC's are not paid, since they either not working (TOC) or working in place of someone else.
#26 joseph addai
Posted 18 October 2007 - 05:25 AM
I've been following this post for a while and i'm going to apply for UBC's program for next july or sept intake.
I have many teacher friends who all say that SFU's progam is better, but UBC isn't that bad altogether.
Personally, I like walking between buildings outside and inside instead of the SFU setup which is just in one square concrete cube.
Lastly, just to respond to comments made about salary, etc regarding teachers...I for one am a person who is going into this career because I like the relationships with other teachers, staff, and of course the kids. I've worked many different jobs in my life, from fast food, warehouse jobs, computer animation, even as a labourer (which there are tonnes of jobs, cash, etc) but I've realized that cash isn't everything. Now i'm not rich, but I do know that if you love what you do, money will come into the picture sooner or later. Its about doing what you are passionate about, not about chasing the dollar.
here's to becoming a teacher in 2008!
I have many teacher friends who all say that SFU's progam is better, but UBC isn't that bad altogether.
Personally, I like walking between buildings outside and inside instead of the SFU setup which is just in one square concrete cube.
Lastly, just to respond to comments made about salary, etc regarding teachers...I for one am a person who is going into this career because I like the relationships with other teachers, staff, and of course the kids. I've worked many different jobs in my life, from fast food, warehouse jobs, computer animation, even as a labourer (which there are tonnes of jobs, cash, etc) but I've realized that cash isn't everything. Now i'm not rich, but I do know that if you love what you do, money will come into the picture sooner or later. Its about doing what you are passionate about, not about chasing the dollar.
here's to becoming a teacher in 2008!
#27 Sarah
Posted 20 October 2007 - 12:53 PM
For anyone that speaks French relatively well, I strongly recommend applying to the French PDP. It is much easier to get into, I applied for January and got asked to start early (in Sept), apparently the SFU's French PDP does not have enough applicants. Another bonus, if you have French it's much easier to get a job once out of school!
#28 bog
Posted 20 October 2007 - 01:51 PM
Here are the figures for places vs applicants for September 2006. I got this from SFU.
| Places | Applicants | Score needed out of 20 |
Elementary | 216 | 279 | 12.5 |
French – Elem and Sec | 48 | 66 | 10.5 |
English | 35 | 133 | 14.5 |
Social Studies | 35 | 164 | 13.5 |
Math | 25 | 29 | 12.5 |
Science | 31 | 71 | 13 |
FPA | 116 | 33 | 14.5 |
#29 bog
Posted 20 October 2007 - 01:54 PM
Still don't understand your point Rye. You get paid for 12 months over 10 and you have enough time offin the summer to top up with a another job if you want. Thats a good thing isn't it?
Would you like to be be paid daily in cash?
Would you like to be be paid daily in cash?
#31 RyecatcheR
Posted 20 October 2007 - 03:46 PM
Bog...again, I'm not complaining, not in the least, about how much or when I am paid. I'm trying to make this clear but I guess I can't. I honestly don't know how else to put it. It's a semantic argument, perhaps. The only thing I am riled up about is that when people say "teachers get paid summers off," it is total bull. Maybe this is the problem. You need to gain the perspective that the contract is for 10 months of work, not twelve. 10 months is not one year. That's not meant to sound insulting, it's just true and is being overlooked. We are NOT being paid for 12 months work over a 10 month period. We are being paid for 10 months work, and don't ever forget that.
The only reason I am dead set in making this clear is that some people, when arguing about teachers' pay, almost always trot out the tired argument that teachers get summers off, and that they should just shut up when it comes to salary because nobody else gets summers off. I am calling b.s. on this assertion because it is not a paid summer vacation, as many people tend to believe it is. It is a mandatory layoff, especially if you are a TOC or on a term contract. Teachers have to save to make it through, or get another job. It's that simple.
The only reason I am dead set in making this clear is that some people, when arguing about teachers' pay, almost always trot out the tired argument that teachers get summers off, and that they should just shut up when it comes to salary because nobody else gets summers off. I am calling b.s. on this assertion because it is not a paid summer vacation, as many people tend to believe it is. It is a mandatory layoff, especially if you are a TOC or on a term contract. Teachers have to save to make it through, or get another job. It's that simple.
#32 bog
Posted 20 October 2007 - 04:01 PM
I get it, I just don't understand why you keep going on about it. Semantics indeed. This is not meant to be insulting either (just wit, don't be offended, I've been thinking aobut this for a couple of days);
You give your elementary class a math question, " Teach A receives $6000 a month pay, but only gets paid for 10 months. Teacher B gets paid $5000 a month but gets paid 12 month of the year. Who earns the most?"
That pretty much sums up everything I have to say on the matter.
Lastly, I don't know how much you earn, the figures above are just easy for the class to understand.
You give your elementary class a math question, " Teach A receives $6000 a month pay, but only gets paid for 10 months. Teacher B gets paid $5000 a month but gets paid 12 month of the year. Who earns the most?"
That pretty much sums up everything I have to say on the matter.
Lastly, I don't know how much you earn, the figures above are just easy for the class to understand.
#33 RyecatcheR
Posted 21 October 2007 - 03:17 AM
I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on this point. If you want to consider yourself 'paid for the summer', that's your right.
#34 orrkids
Posted 08 November 2007 - 01:16 PM
does anyone know which teaching school (SFU? UBC?) offers part-time or distance program? I am unable to study full time right now, but would like to start something part-time to start on a teaching career ... any advice appreciated!
#35 billy
Posted 08 November 2007 - 04:19 PM
Thank you Bog for sharing that information
just to ask , what kind of experience have you had with children? i hear it's only credited if you have worked with 10+ students at a time
what kind of teaching experience is well looked upon??
just to ask , what kind of experience have you had with children? i hear it's only credited if you have worked with 10+ students at a time
what kind of teaching experience is well looked upon??