About
My name is Doug Smith and I live by beautiful Trout Lake in Vancouver BC. My route into the MET program has been a quick one, but it came with some long precursors. I originally received a B.A.Sc from UBC in 1994 and worked as a mechanical engineer for 15 years. The last 10 of those were spent designing and testing medical devices, which was a very interesting and rewarding experience. However, I decided in 2009 to make a career switch and began the PDP at SFU in the fall of last year. On the first day of class at SFU I felt a bit better about my choice: it turned out that one of my classmates was an instructor of mine when I did my engineering degree. I completed my B.Ed a couple of weeks ago and this fall I’m starting to chip away at the MET program.
The two biggest reasons for wanting to join the teaching profession are my two kids, and the chance to have a direct effect on the growth of our communities through education along with infusing ideas on sustainability and social awareness and justice. At this time I am on the TOC list in the Surrey School District. I’m hoping to get on the with Vancouver School District too, since Vancouver is less geographically challenging for me! I teach math and physics in secondary school.
I’ve always been a bit of a “tech-head” and I’m excited about the MET program and what I can learn from it. Although I’ve used quite a bit of technology during my practicum, I’m also acutely aware that the technology needs a solid pedagogical foundation. I think the MET program is also extremely relevant, as devices such as the iPhone and iPad creep into the classroom, along with the ever-growing number of students turning to distance education.
On a personal note, I seem to have way too many hobbies and interests. Hiking, cycling, boat building, fly fishing, music, photography, gardening, windsurfing… If I retired tomorrow, I would be a very busy person. I also love traveling and my wife and I have already involved our 5 and 7 year old kids by taking the family to Vietnam last April.
I look forward to working with everyone and having a positive experience!
cheers
Doug
