HEART

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:

• Unit Plan Template.docx
• Lesson Plan Template.docx
• Lesson Plan Template - Fillable.pdf

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.

TRB Evaluation Letter

When you submit your application, you will be required to upload a copy of your TRB 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.
• 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 the SFU Undergraduate Admissions office to be received by APRIL 15 (Fall intake) or SEPTEMBER 15 (Spring intake)

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 TRB 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$80 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 2025 are due January 31, 2025.

• You must also apply to SFU by the appropriate deadline date
• If you are a previous SFU student, you must apply for reactivation OR readmission