Teo home > Programs > Teacher Education (BEd) > 12-Month Secondary >
Home Economics

Deena Lewis, department head at a Burnaby high school, confirms the experience of four local "Home Ec" teachers: planning, preparation, shopping, supervising, and evaluation require patience and good organization skills. All agree, it’s demanding, but worth it.

After two years teaching Home Ec in Burnaby, Kristina Ducklow can’t imagine teaching anything else. She and her department head, Oralie Loong, believe Home Ec offers students a wonderful balance of academic and practical learning. As a former English teacher, Oralie knows Home Ec can complement any academic program. She says, "Those with heavy academic loads like to take Home Ec to de-stress. But they also find the subject appealing — it’s like putting theory into practice, especially for the science students." Both teachers remarked that attendance is seldom a problem in their classes.

Kristina added that group work in Home Ec helps unite students from across the spectrum. And, she notes with satisfaction, "I can contribute. I can help provide an important education for the next generation — education that relates to everyday life."

Creativity is a constant theme among these four teachers. They also emphasized, "It’s practical. You can apply math and science and your social skills. Students learn to enjoy working together to create meals or fashion. And that evokes shared pride."

The four also agree students who sometimes have trouble fitting into other school environments find a home away from home in Home Ec. Many learn life skills they may not have the opportunity to learn elsewhere.

Deena says, "We provide opportunities for students to learn about each other. It is important for students to be encouraged to be themselves, share their heritage, and celebrate their differences in a classroom setting in hopes that it will lead to healthy social connections throughout life."

After seeing the positive effects of peer relationships in her Home Ec classes, Deena initiated a successful school-wide peer mentoring program where grade 11 students mentor in-coming grade 8 students, beginning with a welcoming August phone call.

Joel Gibson, a Home Economics teacher in West Vancouver, confirms the Burnaby teachers’ perspectives and adds, "Foods 12 prepares the kids to be independent — they’re getting ready to leave home—learning to cook and budget is crucial. Also, kids who take the FoodSafe course in the Home Ec curriculum have the added advantage of being employable right away." Joel combines Home Ec with teaching Information Technology, Business Education or hockey (he played semi-pro hockey in Australia before completing his BEd). He likes the variety.

These four Home Ec teachers love the activity, the fun, the mix of academic and practical aspects and they all agree, "It’s never boring!"

What are the academic requirements
for a Home Economics
teaching specialization?

How do I apply?

Home Ec teachers share these traits: 

• they love their work
• believe it’s important
• and recommend it to new teachers who have commitment and stamina to keep up with the kids!

"Home Economics is such a great vehicle for youth to acquire practical knowledge for the future. I have always been inspired to help youth gain these valuable skills that are often taken for granted. From cooking, sewing, family planning and financial planning, I feel as though I am equipping a future generation of independent and competent people, far from just the next Martha Stewart."

- Joe Tong