The Faculty of Education at UBC began under Dean Neville Scarfe's direction in 1956 with the registration of 905 students. This new Faculty of Education consolidated the UBC School of Education and the publicly-funded Provincial Normal School, which had previously trained teachers in BC. In 1962, UBC opened the Education Building, now known as the Neville Scarfe Building. Over the years, the Faculty welcomed innovative new initiatives and additions, such as the inclusion of the School of Kinesiology, the creation of the "Native Indian Teacher Education Program" (now the Indigenous Teacher Education Program) in 1970, and the development of the Centre for the Study of Curriculum and Instruction in 1976.
The Faculty of Education has grown to become one of the leading faculties of education in the world. Indeed, since 1956, over 49,000 individuals have graduated from the Faculty of Education at UBC. Today, approximately half of elementary teachers and most secondary school teachers within British Columbia have received instruction from the Faculty.
The Office of the Dean at the Faculty of Education provides both leadership and administrative direction to the Faculty. The office includes the Dean, the Senior Leadership Team, and several committees such as the Dean's Advisory Committee and the Faculty Meetings.
The Dean's Office began with the appointment of Dean Neville Scarfe in 1956. In 1973, upon the retirement of Scarfe, Prof. J.M. Andrews was appointed Dean. Dean J.M. Andrews served as Dean until 1979 and subsequently as Professor until his retirement in 1985. Andrews, who, citing the Faculty's growth, suggested that the role of Dean should concentrate on policy and external relations and the Associate Dean on internal matters. In 1979, Andrews decided not to seek a second term, and Prof. Roy Bentley was appointed Acting Dean. The appointment was originally to be pro tempore but ended up lasting for two years. In 1981, Prof. Daniel R. Birch became the Dean of Education. In 1987, Dean Nancy M. Sheenan took on this role. In 2000 Prof. Robert Tierney was appointed Dean of Education. He remained in the position until 2010, when Dean Jon Shapiro was appointed (pro tempore). In 2011, Prof. Blye Frank became Dean of UBC's Faculty of Education.