Best Sfu Podcasts (2026)

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Ep. 42 - After the Bell: Career Programs 33:55

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15d ago33:55

33:55

We know there are many pathways to graduation and finding success after Grade 12. On this episode of After the Bell, we’re talking about getting a head start on your career while still in secondary school. How is that possible? Through VSB’s Career Programs! Joining the conversation is Mark Reid, a District resource teacher through the Career Progr…

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Ep. 41 - After the Bell LIVE! Learning Updates 1:00:22

1M ago1:00:22

1:00:22

Welcome to After the Bell LIVE! In this episode, we are joined by Ranjit Bains, Director of Instruction, Secondary, Shannon Burton, Director of Instruction, Elementary and Suzie Polzin, District Principal of Learning Instruction. This discussion covers what learning updates communicate, why the name changed from report cards, how the B.C. proficien…

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Ep. 40 - After the Bell: Planning for post-secondary: SFU, Cap-U and Langara (part two) 34:59

3M ago34:59

34:59

In part two of our post-secondary conversation, we spoke with three representatives from the admissions offices at Simon Fraser University, Capilano University and Langara College. Our three amazing guests, Mike Peragine from SFU, Rafaela Almeida Borges from Cap-U and Jennifer Paige from Langara continue helping families navigate the world of post-…

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Ep. 39 - After the Bell: Planning for post-secondary: BCIT and UBC (part one) 34:00

3M ago34:00

34:00

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Ep. 38 - After the Bell: LIVE! Discussing the Foundation Skills Assessments (FSAs) 1:00:59

3M ago1:00:59

1:00:59

Welcome to After the Bell: LIVE! In this episode, we are joined by Jackie Cummings, vice-principal at Sir Alexander Mackenzie Elementary, and Joe Maher, principal at Queen Alexandra Elementary. This discussion covers the Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA), with clear information about the FSAs, common misconceptions, how it works, and what you can …

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Ep. 37 - After the Bell: Supporting Student Success at Home 31:30

4M ago31:30

31:30

Welcome back to school, VSB! We’re so excited to start the 2025/26 school year and the fourth season of the After the Bell Podcast. To start the school year off, we’re diving into a topic that’s close to home, literally! We’re talking about how families can support their child’s learning journey at home and how we can work together to help students…

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Ep. 36 - After the Bell: School Year Recap 17:59

7M ago17:59

17:59

It’s hard to believe, but we’re already at the end of the school year! This year was filled with many proud moments. From students winning national competitions and improving in their most challenging subjects, to educators supporting student growth and creating more inclusive school communities. On the season finale of After the Bell, we’re turnin…

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Ep. 35 - After the Bell: LIVE! Tips for Kindergarten 1:01:10

7M ago1:01:10

1:01:10

Welcome to VSB After the Bell: Live! In this live podcast episode, we are joined by Adrienne Stewardson, District Principal of Early Learning and Child Care. This conversation discusses what you and your child can expect for kindergarten, ways to support their transition, navigating common concerns, developing independence skills and community supp…

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Ep. 34 - After the Bell: Student Mental Health with Dr. Roberto Sassi 36:54

7M ago36:54

36:54

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health is an important, and often difficult, subject to talk about. It’s crucial we have open and honest conversations to end the stigma and create safe, healthy and welcoming environments for everyone. Here to talk about mental health in students is child and adolescent physiatrist Dr. Roberto Sassi. Dr…

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Ep. 33 - After the Bell: Sexual Education 33:52

9M ago33:52

33:52

Today, we're talking about an important and sometimes controversial topic: sexual education. Joining us is sexual health expert, author and educator, Saleema Noon! Saleema has been a special guest speaker at PAC organized sessions throughout Vancouver as well as across B.C. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to our podcast and leave a revi…

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Ep. 32 - After the Bell: School Based Teams 13:55

10M ago13:55

13:55

Have you heard of the term school based teams? One listener did, and asked us to cover this topic on After the Bell. It’s a great question, because as a parent/guardian you may know what it is, but then again, not really? Today, we invited Maiky Ma and Sheryl Morris, both District Case Managers who work with school based teams. If you enjoy this ep…

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Ep. 31 - After the Bell: LIVE! Helping kids navigate digital literacy, online safety and AI 1:00:26

10M ago1:00:26

1:00:26

Welcome to VSB After the Bell: Live! In this live podcast episode, we are joined by Jeff Spence, District Principal for Learning and Information Technology, and Christina Walker, Digital Literacy Mentor. This conversation helps families navigate the digital world with their children, and welcomed audience members to submit questions during the broa…

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Ep. 30 - After the Bell: Matter of the Month: Pink Shirt Day 13:58

10M ago13:58

13:58

For this Matter of the Month, we're discussing Pink Shirt Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness against bullying and fostering kindness. Back in 2007, two high school students in Nova Scotia, David Shepherd and Travis Price, saw a younger student being bullied with homophobic slurs and threats. These two students responded by giving out 50 pink…

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Ep. 29 - After the Bell: Universal Design for Learning Part Two 13:48

10M ago13:48

13:48

Last month, we discussed a modern approach to learning. Specifically, Universal Design for Learning, or UDL. This month, we are continuing our conversation with David Nicks, district principal of inclusion for secondary schools at VSB and Katie Novak, an internationally renowned education consultant, author and former assistant superintendent of sc…

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Ep. 28 - After the Bell: Universal Design for Learning Part One 26:58

11M ago26:58

26:58

Welcome to our first episode of 2025! Today, we are taking a look at a modern approach to learning. Specifically, Universal Design for Learning, or UDL. On the show to discuss all things UDL is David Nicks, district principal of inclusion for secondary schools at VSB and Katie Novak, an internationally renowned education consultant, author and form…

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Ep. 27 - After the Bell: Matter of the Month: Happy Holidays, VSB 9:14

1y ago9:14

9:14

It’s been a wonderful year spent with you, After the Bell listeners! Before we head into the winter break, we’re reflecting on a few highlights we’ve shared so far this school year, and what we can look forward to in 2025. To share these warm winter wishes, we are joined by VSB Superintendent, Helen McGregor! If you enjoy this episode, please subsc…

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Ep. 26 - After the Bell: Reading and Literacy 24:22

1y ago24:22

24:22

Do you remember learning how to read when you were in school? Was picking up a book one of your favourite parts of the day, or did you feel a twist of anxiety in your stomach every time you had to read aloud in class? For some, reading and literacy were enjoyable learning experiences. For many, though, the unfortunate reality is learning to read an…

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Rock n’ Roll and Research: A Bricolage 1:03:11

1y ago1:03:11

1:03:11

In this conversation with Özlem Sensoy, Shirley Steinberg will discuss principles and ethics of rock n’ roll and its value as a generative metaphor for research. The conversation will cover aspects of performance & “sway/g,” history & values, radicalism & margins, volume & voice, collaboration & individuality. As the late Freddie Mercury said, “Dar…

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Ep. 25 - After the Bell: Matter of the Month: Inclement Weather 9:21

1y ago9:21

9:21

We have a reoccurring segment on the show called “Matter of the month,” where we address the most talked about topics. This can be anything from a success story to a controversial issue. As Jon Snow would say, " winter is coming!” This month, we’re helping families prepare by sharing what you need to know, and how to find it, during inclement weath…

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Ep. 24 - After the Bell: Navigating Digital Literacy 28:28

1y ago28:28

28:28

If there’s one topic that’s always ringing in the minds of students, families, and teachers, it’s digital devices in education. In early 2024, the provincial government mandated all schools to have restrictions on cell phones across the province, and in September of this year, VSB implemented its District-wide policy on digital devices. As of this …

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Ep. 23 - After the Bell: AI Learning 21:55

1y ago21:55

21:55

There’s no doubt about it, the future is now! For some, advancements in technology can be filled with fear of the unknown. For others, the rise of technology, such as artificial intelligence or AI, is an exciting opportunity to enhance student learning and provide solutions to pre-existing barriers. However you may feel about AI learning, the reali…

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Ep 22 - After the Bell: Matter of the Month: Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) 17:55

1+ y ago17:55

17:55

We have a reoccurring segment on the show called “Matter of the Month” where we address the most talked about topics. This can be anything from a success story to a controversial issue. For this month, we’re discussing something that has sparked a lot of conversation: the Foundation Skills Assessment, or FSA. To speak about this topic is Maureen Mc…

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Ep. 21 - After the Bell: Parent/Guardian and Teacher Communication 20:42

1+ y ago20:42

20:42

Welcome to the 2024/25 school year! We are excited to welcome staff and students back into classes, and to our third season of VSB: After the Bell. To start off this season, we’re talking about talking. No, seriously! More specifically, we’re diving into best practices for effective communication between parents and guardians with their child’s tea…

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The Transformative Power of Art in Ecological Learning 16:16

1+ y ago16:16

16:16

Join us as Dr. Zuzana Vasko explores the intersection of arts practice, ecological learning, and contemplative inquiry. She reveals how the arts deepen our connection with the natural world and enhance her role as an educator. Discover her innovative approaches to make arts-based learning accessible to all, including those who may not see themselve…

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Ep 20 - After the Bell: The Intersectionality of Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ Identities 42:17

1+ y ago42:17

42:17

This is the last episode of the school year! June is an exciting month for celebration and commemoration. It is National Indigenous History Month – a month dedicated to increasing our knowledge, awareness, appreciation of, and respect for Indigenous histories, traditions, cultures and contributions. It is also Pride Month – a time dedicated to cele…

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Ep 19 - After the Bell: Project-Based Learning and Public Use of VSB Fields 36:56

1+ y ago36:56

36:56

The B.C. curriculum outlines three Core Competencies students need to be deep, lifelong learners. These are communication, thinking, as well as personal and social. To a degree, these are rather abstract terms. Unlike math, science, English and social studies, subjects we are used to hearing about when referring to learning in schools, the shift in…

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Ep 18 - After the Bell: Sustainability in Schools 39:46

1+ y ago39:46

39:46

April is Earth Month throughout the District. From the student-led sustainability conference and the District-wide professional development session on April 22, to Earth Day celebrations, and the solar-eclipse on April 8, staff and students spent the month learning more about our planet and how to take meaningful steps to take care of it. There’s a…

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Writing, Learning, and ChatGPT: Perspectives from Educators 30:44

1+ y ago30:44

30:44

In this episode, we delve into the effects of AI technologies, particularly ChatGPT, on university education, featuring insights from Dr. Joel Heng Hartse and Dr. Daniel Chang. From an instructor's viewpoint, they explore the dynamic interplay between AI technology and their teaching approaches, highlighting both potential risks and opportunities. …

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Bringing our Whole Selves to Dialogue with Dr. Aftab Erfan 44:25

2y ago44:25

44:25

Shari Virjee Tañada speaks with SFU’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue executive director, Aftab Erfan. Together they explore what it means to bring your whole self to dialogue and how to prepare as both a facilitator and a participant for different selves to bump into each other. Explore More: Learn more about Deep Democracy Explore dialogue app…

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Leading with Dialogue with Dr. Laurie Anderson 35:34

2y ago35:34

35:34

In episode two of our first season, Shari Virjee Tañada sits down with SFU Vancouver’s executive director, Laurie Anderson, to speak with him about his time as interim executive director for SFU’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue and his views on leading with dialogue. Explore More: Explore what SFU Vancouver has to offer Check out the Contemplat…

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Getting to Dialogue with Dr. Mark L. Winston 35:16

2y ago35:16

35:16

Season One host, Shari Virjee Tañada interviews Dr. Mark L. Winston about getting to dialogue. They dig into the difference between dialogue and other forms of conversation while also exploring dialogue’s place in deepening relationships and moving together towards a common purpose. Explore More: Read more from Mark on his blog, Winston Hive Check …

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Ep 17 - After the Bell: Social Emotional Learning in Schools 29:44

2y ago29:44

29:44

Social emotional learning shapes that way students, and later adults, understand their emotions, navigate social situations, and use behaviour to express themselves. But what exactly is social emotional learning, and what does that look like in schools throughout VSB? In this episode, district resource teacher, Deanna Barriera, and district case ma…

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Ep. 16 - After the Bell: Equity and Anti-racism and Cellphones in School 29:52

2y ago29:52

29:52

February presents an opportunity to honour many of the diverse cultures and backgrounds of the staff and students throughout the District. From Black History Month to World Hijab Day, Lunar New Year, the Women’s Memorial March and World Day of Social Justice, this month offers a chance for us to learn, recognize and uplift as we work to create safe…

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Ep. 15 - After the Bell: Black Excellence Day Recap and Inclement Weather 30:38

2y ago30:38

30:38

Black Excellence Day was Jan. 13 this month, which is a day chosen to honour civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The VSB participated in the day through a Black Excellence live stream hosted by Ninandotoo Society and the Burnaby School District. Nola Charles and Ruth Mvukiyehe were among a few VSB students who were able to attend the ev…

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Creative Learning through Play: A Conversation with Dr. Yumiko Murai 23:45

2y ago23:45

23:45

Join us in this enlightening episode where Dr. Yumiko Murai, an Assistant Professor at Simon Fraser University, delves into the transformative role of play in education. She shares her unique perspective on integrating play with learning, especially in the context of educational technology and maker spaces. Drawing from her diverse background as a …

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Empowering Voices: A Discussion with Dr. Robyn Ilten-Gee on Podcasts and Youth Development 23:47

2y ago23:47

23:47

Dive into a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Robyn Ilten-Gee, Assistant Professor at Simon Fraser University, as she unveils the impact of podcasting on youth development. This episode examines the unique ways podcasts contribute to children's moral and social growth, highlighting their role in enhancing critical thinking and empathy. Dr. Il…

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Podcasts and Pedagogies: An Introduction 14:13

2y ago14:13

14:13

On March 30, 2023 FOE faculty at the Harbour Centre campus participated in a Podcasts and Pedagogies Symposium organized by Elizabeth Marshall. This interdisciplinary international event included a dialogic roundtable with Hannah McGregor (co-host of Witch, Please & host of Secret Feminist Agenda), Am Johal (host of Below the Radar), and Anna Mae D…

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Ep. 13 - After the Bell: Breaking down district elementary choice programs and kindergarten registration 1:18:23

2y ago1:18:23

1:18:23

With priority kindergarten registration beginning in November, this month’s episode of VSB: After the Bell focused on everything related to kindergarten. We covered a variety of topics from registration to program options families can enroll in. We spoke to District choice program teachers Eva Lin (Montessori), Melissa Peng (Mandarin Bilingual), Al…

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Ep. 12 - After the Bell : Learning about VSB community partners and the Foundation Skills Assessment 51:53

2y ago51:53

51:53

With thanksgiving being in October, the season of gratitude is upon us. VSB acknowledges and shares appreciation for the dedication of more than 50 community partners who work to make schools more welcoming, inclusive, safe and vibrant learning environments. Support ranges from providing essential services such as food programs to arts and extracur…

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Ep.11 - Season Premiere: Discussing VSB’s Literacy Framework and SOGI in schools 49:27

2+ y ago49:27

49:27

Kicking off season two of VSB: After the Bell, we take a deepdive into VSB’s first Literacy Framework. What is literacy, what does the framework do, what does it actually means for students and their families? We speak with three VSB educators behind the Framework: Suzie Polzin, Krista Ediger and Shannon Burton. For Matter of the Month, we turn our…

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Dr. Carolina Bergonzoni on Dancing-Reading-Writing: An embodied ABR practice 16:55

2+ y ago16:55

16:55

Explore Dancing-Reading-Writing (DRW) as a dynamic and ever-evolving ABR practice that fuses bodily engagement with research. Dr. Carolina Bergonzoni delves into the synergy of dance, reading, and writing, emphasizing how DRW transcends traditional research approaches. Her personal reflections, photos, and poetic writing exemplify ways in which dan…

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Shakespeare and Restorative Justice with The Circle Project 42:29

2+ y ago42:29

42:29

Host Elodie Jaquet speaks with guests Natasha Warren, Brenda Longfellow and Brenda Morrison about their work with The Circle Project: using art and dialogue to foster community, expression and restorative justice for formerly incarcerated women grappling with re-entering life on the outside. Links from the episode: See the "What Fools These Mortals…

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Ep. 10 - Celebrations 34:49

2+ y ago34:49

34:49

It’s the end of the school year and that calls for celebrations after months of hard work and learning. From the excitement of summer vacation to the nostalgia of saying goodbye to familiar faces, this time of year is a significant milestone in the lives of students, educators and families alike. In this episode, we travel across the Vancouver Scho…

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Dr. Robyn Ilten-Gee on Fostering Civic Reasoning Through Journalism Education 16:09

2+ y ago16:09

16:09

To navigate our digital world, educational researchers argue that we need a new form of reasoning. With increasing inequities, digital dilemmas, and more complex global relationships, it is more critical than ever to equip students with the necessary skills to tackle these challenges. In this episode, Dr. Robyn Ilten-Gee discusses her research proj…

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Ep. 9 - Indigenous Matters: Advancing truth and reconciliation, and temperature in schools 43:48

2+ y ago43:48

43:48

As we approach National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, this month on the podcast we talk about Indigenous matters. One of the three goals of the Vancouver School District’s Education Plan outlines an effort to continue our reconciliation journey with First Nations, Metis and Inuit by increasing knowledge, awareness, appreciation of, and respect…

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Ep. 8 - District programs 55:45

2+ y ago55:45

55:45

This month on the podcast, we’re talking about District programs and the many ways a diverse student population is supported in a large public education system. With nearly 50,000 students, it takes a team of dedicated educators and support staff to cater to the diverse learning needs of students. In this episode, Directors of Instruction Aaron Dav…

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Ep 7 - Managing the District’s budget and celebrating International Women’s Day 34:17

3y ago34:17

34:17

School boards across North America are responsible for making critical financial decisions that impact the quality of education our children receive, from hiring teachers and staff to investing in technology and resources. Join us as we speak with David Green, VSB’s Secretary Treasurer to learn more about the intricacies of school board finances. F…

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Ep. 6 - Pink Shirt Day and ChatGPT 31:42

3y ago31:42

31:42

We all know bullying can affect friendships and learning, but, most importantly, it can impact a student’s physical and emotional health. Pink Shirt Day is an important day for school communities to lift each other up and stand against all forms of bullying, harassment, and discrimination. On this month’s podcast, we visit General Gordon Elementary…

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Ep. 5 - Not-so-new redesigned BC curriculum 43:39

3y ago43:39

43:39

The BC Curriculum was redesigned in 2016 to respond to the technology-rich world we live in today, where communication is instant, and information is immediately accessible. The way we interact with each other personally, socially, and at work has changed and the redesigned curriculum teaches children to respond to this new demanding world. The way…

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Ep. 4 - Winter festivities 44:15

3y ago44:15

44:15

It’s time to get festive! This is our first-ever holiday episode of VSB After The Bell – and just in time for the winter break. In this episode, we go live on location at Hastings, Thunderbird, Nightingale and Hudson Elementary schools to speak with students and teachers on how they celebrate winter celebrations at school. We also get some one-one-…