WELCOME TO THE 2024 CALGARY BEGINNING TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE!
Teachers new to the profession are invited to attend the 2024 Beginning Teachers’ Conference, October 4-5, Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre, Calgary. There is no registration fee. Space is limited; apply early.
School principals, school jurisdictions and local associations work together to provide substitute teacher coverage as per the collective agreement to facilitate the attendance of beginning teachers at the conference.Substitute teacher coverage must be organized and approved in advance. Please ensure you meet with your school principal to discuss release time and obtain the appropriate absence code to attend this conference.
Teachers in charter, federal and private schools must be associate members of the Association to be eligible to attend the Beginning Teachers Conference.
Nancy is a teacher, wanderer and wonderer, with 31 years of experience that includes: 7 schools, 4 towns, courses in grades K–12, roles as Assistant Principal and Principal and 8 years at the ATA. Nancy comes from a small farming community and that upbringing instilled in her values... Read More →
Friday October 4, 2024 9:00am - 9:15am MDT
Plaza 1
Jason Schilling was re-elected president in 2023, following four years of service as president, two years of service as vice-president and more than eight years of service as district representative for South West. As vice-president, Schilling chaired the Central Table Bargaining... Read More →
Friday October 4, 2024 9:05am - 9:20am MDT
Plaza 1
Executive Staff Officer, The Alberta Teachers' Association
Dan Grassick (they/them) is Executive Staff Officer in the Alberta Teachers’ Association Professional Development program area where their main responsibilities include supporting the Association's specialist councils and teachers’ conventions, and working with Alberta teacher... Read More →
Associate Executive Secretary, Government, Alberta Teachers' Association
Dr. Elissa Corsi is one of two Associate Executive Secretaries for the Alberta Teachers' Association and is the Coordinator of the Association's Government Services program area. She worked as a teacher and administrator in Alberta schools, both in English and French Immersion, before... Read More →
Executive Staff Officer, Teacher Employment Services (SARO), Alberta Teachers' Association
Geneviève joined the Association’s executive staff in the Teacher Welfare program area in 2015 and is now an executive staff officer in Teacher Employment Services based out of the Southern Alberta Regional Office (SARO). Teacher Employment Services assists teachers with professional... Read More →
Nancy is a teacher, wanderer and wonderer, with 31 years of experience that includes: 7 schools, 4 towns, courses in grades K–12, roles as Assistant Principal and Principal and 8 years at the ATA. Nancy comes from a small farming community and that upbringing instilled in her values... Read More →
Friday October 4, 2024 9:20am - 10:00am MDT
Plaza 1
With basic classroom management strategies already in their toolkit, participants in this workshop will look at building upon those skills. This workshop will support teachers in responding to classroom behaviours that disrupt teaching with the goal of keeping learning on track and positive relationships intact.
Conversation is a powerful part of the learning process. However, it can be frustrating when students are reluctant to participate in discussions or when small group conversations go off-the-rails. Join this interactive workshop to explore strategies that help support student discussion skills (and learning) in any subject! Through discussions and activities, we will explore strategies that build a safe community for conversation, specific conversation skills to teach students of any age and stage, and activities that involve students in learning-focused conversations.
Association Instructor, Alberta Teachers' Association
John Williamson, PhD, is a K – 12 Coordinating Teacher of Diverse Learning Services, Adjunct Assistant Professor in Education, spoken word and “page” poet, and ATA Association Instructor. His award-winning PhD Dissertation, The Case of the Appearing / Disappearing Slow Learner... Read More →
Friday October 4, 2024 10:15am - 11:30am MDT
Rundle
Create excitement in your art classroom during the first two weeks of school with this hands-on workshop. The first art project is crucial to setting the right tone while getting to know your students. This workshop will give you the tools to gain confidence in your teaching abilities and make you their favourite teacher! You will review and complete a project yourself that your students can be excited about. Excellent for teachers of grades 3-12. The assignment’s difficulty level can be scaled according to the grade level taught. You will leave the workshop with a completed artwork, a link to the step-by-step PowerPoint presentation, and a YouTube video.
Elementary music teachers, dive into the rhythm of hand clapping games in this interactive session. Explore how to weave these fun activities into your lessons, drawing from playground traditions and youth culture. Get ready to clap, stomp, and bring the playground spirit to your music room!
Connie Ohlmann is an elementary music educator with Edmonton Public Schools. She has presented numerous local sessions, including for the Alberta Orff Chapter, Alberta Kodály Association, and GETCA and has volunteered on a number of music education not-for-profit boards. Connie is... Read More →
Friday October 4, 2024 10:15am - 11:30am MDT
Plaza 4
Ready to revolutionize your teaching? Join our workshop on AI tools that go beyond traditional lesson planning. Explore how generative AI can create personalized content, assessments, and more. We’ll guide you through a process that balances efficiency with creativity, ensuring you remain the architect of exceptional learning experiences. Plus, let’s delve into professional considerations—because AI is not just about algorithms; it’s about impact.
Teacher. Administrator. PD Leader. Chris is an executive staff officer with the Alberta Teachers' Association and passionate about working with teachers and being involved in professional development. Spending most of his teaching career in Southern Alberta, he loved being a middle... Read More →
Friday October 4, 2024 10:15am - 11:30am MDT
Plaza 2
Est-ce que vous cherchez de nouvelles façons d'impliquer vos élèves et d'inspirer leur apprentissage ? L'IA générative peut vous aider à réinventer votre enseignement et à lui donner un coup de fraîcheur. Dans cet atelier, vous apprendrez à utiliser des modèles d'IA générative pour créer du contenu original, innovant et surprenant pour vos activités en classe. Même si vous souhaitiez rédiger un plan de cours, un quiz, une histoire ou un jeu, l'IA générative peut vous aider à créer des contenus originaux, innovants et surprenants pour vos élèves. Vous apprendrez à rédiger des messages-guides qui incitent l'IA à générer des contenus créatifs, novateurs et amusants. Préparez-vous à travailler, à partager et à explorer! Veuillez apporter un ordinateur ou un dispositif digital à cette session d'apprentissage.
Executive Staff Officer, Professional Development, Alberta Teachers' Association
Tansi, Way' -Weytk, Salut, Greetings!Stacey is the newest Executive Staff Officer in the Association's Professional Development program area. Stacey holds a Bachelor of Physical Education, Bachelor of Education, a Master’s degree in Integrated Studies and has recently completed... Read More →
Friday October 4, 2024 10:15am - 11:30am MDT
Temple
This session will explore the different types of teaching contracts under which teachers may be employed, and what teachers’ rights and obligations are in relation to their contracts.
Executive Staff Officer, Teacher Employment Services (SARO), Alberta Teachers' Association
Geneviève joined the Association’s executive staff in the Teacher Welfare program area in 2015 and is now an executive staff officer in Teacher Employment Services based out of the Southern Alberta Regional Office (SARO). Teacher Employment Services assists teachers with professional... Read More →
Friday October 4, 2024 10:15am - 11:30am MDT
Plaza 1
Ready to revolutionize your teaching? Join our workshop on AI tools that go beyond traditional lesson planning. Explore how generative AI can create personalized content, assessments, and more. We’ll guide you through a process that balances efficiency with creativity, ensuring you remain the architect of exceptional learning experiences. Plus, let’s delve into professional considerations—because AI is not just about algorithms; it’s about impact.
This workshop explores approaches for examining beliefs, attitudes, policies, structures and practices to enable schools to effectively work cross-culturally. Participants will begin to learn how to develop a greater capacity to engage in cultural self-assessment and become more conscious of the dynamics of intercultural interactions.
Association Instructor, The Alberta Teachers' Association
Adedeji studied at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria between 2002-2007, where he earned a Bachelor's in Education (Economics). He moved to London, England in 2007 where he studied Business Management at the University of Wales, and earned the Master of Science in Business Management... Read More →
Friday October 4, 2024 10:15am - 11:30am MDT
Pineridge
Teachers are increasingly challenged to support individuals with all levels of anxiety and related behaviours. This workshop will provide information about the most common anxiety disorders, examine how these disorders impact people, and provide participants with strategies to help support those affected cope and manage.
Did you know that First Nations, Métis, and Inuit traditional games are great ways to make connections to numeracy? Traditional games can provide entry points to deeper understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing and further connections to the land. Get ready to learn about resources for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit traditional games and how to create authentic learning experiences.
My name is Brian St. Germain. I recently retired from Red Deer Public School District after forty years of teaching. The last ten years spent with the First Nations, Metis and Inuit Program in Learning Services. I am Cree First Nations and Cree Metis.
Friday October 4, 2024 10:15am - 11:30am MDT
Deerfoot
Physical activity offers many benefits above and beyond physical health. This workshop will offer practical tips on how to incorporate physical activity into any subject area. Join us in learning how to re-energize your students, break up sedentary time, and increase physical activity across the school community.
The focus of this session/workshop will be to help beginning teachers utilize children's literature to teach a range of K-12 outcomes in a variety of disciplines. There will be a short presentation on the importance of literacy across all disciplines and examples of how practicing teachers are incorporating it into everything from high school mathematics to elementary school physical education. Following the short presentation, participants will choose a children’s book relevant to their teaching assignments, explicitly link the book’s content to the broader philosophical ideas, generate essential questions, and design a short lesson plan/teacher resource that they can you use in their classrooms. At the end of the session there will be a gallery walk of all the lesson plans and an opportunity to share and reflect on the workshop.
Are you assigned to teach a CTF or options class and don't know where to start? Do you want to integrate CTF into your core subjects? Do you feel stuck in the old "home ec" or "shop" class you took when you were in junior high? Join to follow one teacher's adventure in stepping into a new role and reinventing a course to meet their students' passions and interests. You will participate in some hands-on activities and gain ideas and resources you can hopefully implement into your class with ease.
This session is designed to immerse teachers in the fundamentals of brain development - through play! The Brain Architecture Game, designed by scientists and childhood champions, is an immersive and eye-opening activity that really highlights the importance of brain development. Before, during and after play, presenters will introduce important concepts brought up by the game, such as positive vs. toxic stress, how neurons wire & fire, and how teachers can leverage this knowledge to support all students in their classrooms.
With the advent of a new science curriculum, there are new units. There are various ways to teach the organizing ideas and incorporate higher levels of thinking in Bloom’s taxonomy. One could teach them each as separate units or a teacher could incorporate the scientific method into any of the other organizing ideas. How? Science Inquiry. Can you let go of sage on the stage and help guide your students through an engaging investigation? How can one incorporate the knowledge from the unit with the organizing idea of “Scientific Method”? Let me show you how with this highly engaging investigation. We will then explore ways that scientific inquiry can be incorporated into other organizing ideas for various grade levels.
Michelle is a passionate science teacher of grade 6-9 students at Eleanor Hall School in Clyde for the last 18 years. She is also in her second term as secretary on the ATA Science Council.
Friday October 4, 2024 12:30pm - 1:45pm MDT
Plaza 5
Créer des liens solides avec les élèves est la clé pour prévenir certains comportements et aider efficacement des élèves présentants certains défis. Les techniques d'impacts en classe aident les enseignants et les différents intervenants à créer ces liens. Venez explorer comment, avec des objets, des images et des métaphores, on peut faire une différence dans le quotidien de nos élèves.
Over many years the Association has constructed a safety net for teachers and their families. This presentation provides an overview of what teachers have in regard to sick leave and other leaves through the collective agreement, extended disability, life insurance, other benefit plan provisions, as well as pension and death benefits. This is a light-hearted presentation that is intended to be presented to local teachers in order to provide very relevant and necessary information on existing entitlements.
Executive Staff Officer, Teacher Employment Services (SARO), Alberta Teachers' Association
Phil is an executive staff officer in the Teacher Employment Service program area based out of the Association's Calgary office. Phil's career spans many years of teaching, school leadership, and legal expertise. He has served as the principal of Ecole Notre-Dame des Monts in Canmore... Read More →
Friday October 4, 2024 12:30pm - 1:45pm MDT
Plaza 1
Are you looking for no-prep and low-prep ways to engage your students? Join us for a dynamic session where we will explore 20 versatile no-prep and low-prep activities you can implement in any subject and grade level. Be ready to engage with interactive activities and explore practical applications for these strategies in your teaching context.
Acting Associate Coordinator, Professional Development
Danny Maas is an Executive Staff Officer with The Alberta Teachers' Association in the Professional Development program area. He was previously the Manager of Educational Technology with Edmonton Catholic School Division and has supported teacher professional development for the past... Read More →
Friday October 4, 2024 12:30pm - 1:45pm MDT
Plaza 3
Learn how to set up your lessons for maximum success. Experience fun ways to help struggling readers while supporting the whole class; try playing games that help students get more out of the lesson, and get tips for scheduling the day and week.
Now, more than ever, there is a need to look at practices and systems that nurture the social and emotional health of all members of the school community. This workshop was developed to enhance the social-emotional skills of adults within a school environment so that they can more effectively model and teach SEL to their students. This interactive workshop can be facilitated over a series of sessions in which participants will learn and apply practical, powerful strategies to enhance social and emotional competence within themselves and their students.
Come ready to learn, and create! In this presentation, we will explore the vital foundations that contribute to a respectful classroom community, focusing on the implementation of effective routines, smooth transitions, clear expectations, and consistent practices. You will learn how these elements work together to create an environment where students feel safe, respected, and engaged. Fostering positive relationships between students is vital. This presentation will provide example mentor texts, writing activities, Google slide examples, projects and transition songs that contribute to a respectful and engaging classroom community in a primary classroom. Participants will also create an art activity with plasticine that can be used in a cross curricular project with your students.
Congratulations on landing the job! Now that you're in the thick of it, you're likely feeling overwhelmed by the flood of expectations and responsibilities: managing student behaviors, organizing assemblies, adapting to last-minute schedule changes, attending staff meetings, coordinating volunteers, arranging field trips, communicating with parents, addressing Individualized Program Plans (IPPs), participating in committees, and the list goes on. How do you juggle all these tasks while still ensuring that your curriculum remains high-quality and aligned with educational standards? Universities provide foundational instruction on scaffolded planning, curriculum-aligned instruction, and quality assessment. While this learning is irreplaceable, beginning teachers continue to struggle when faced with the vast demands on time within the real classroom. Together we will explore the curriculum, develop a year plan, then bring this plan into the realities of the day-to-day happenings.
Now, more than ever, there is a need to look at practices and systems that nurture the social and emotional health of all members of the school community. This workshop was developed to enhance the social-emotional skills of adults within a school environment so that they can more effectively model and teach SEL to their students. This interactive workshop can be facilitated over a series of sessions in which participants will learn and apply practical, powerful strategies to enhance social and emotional competence within themselves and their students.
What are the key elements of any mathematics lesson? We will explore the "Essential 6" to guide your math lesson planning. This is an interactive session to model key math concepts, open-ended questions, cooperative learning strategies, numeracy resources, math manipulatives and even fun math games. A comprehensive handout of math considerations and resources will be shared. Prepare to be an awesome mathematics teacher!
Lorelei is a mathematics and pre-service teacher educator and has taught for over 35 years. Currently she is Chair of Education at Medicine Hat College and facilitates the 4 year B.Ed program through Mount Royal University. Making mathematics achievable for all and building into emerging... Read More →
Friday October 4, 2024 12:30pm - 1:45pm MDT
Plaza 2
A strong relationship exists between the development of executive functioning skills and self-regulation. When children and youth have the opportunity to develop the skills needed for self-regulation, they are better suited to make healthy choices that affect them and their classmates. This workshop explores how classrooms and community programs are the optimal settings to promote these skills through fun, creative and original activities.
The new Code of Professional Conduct outlines minimum expectations for teaching certificate holders, including teachers, teacher leaders and superintendents. The code applies to the conduct of teachers in both on-duty and off-duty contexts. Drawing on scenarios from various typical employment matters, this presentation describes the standards of professional conduct expected of teachers and teacher leaders and explains the complaint process.
Are you looking for no-prep and low-prep ways to engage your students? Join us for a dynamic session where we will explore 20 versatile no-prep and low-prep activities you can implement in any subject and grade level. Be ready to engage with interactive activities and explore practical applications for these strategies in your teaching context.
Terra Kaliszuk is an Executive Staff Officer in the Professional Development program area of the Alberta Teachers' Association. She brings a passion for understanding and supporting the human journey of learning to all of her work. Terra has led professional learning work for the... Read More →
Friday October 4, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MDT
Plaza 3
This session will delve into the unique challenges faced by beginning teachers when they provide emotional labour to children and their school communities. Join this session to learn about and reflect on how the emotional investment required to support students can sometimes lead to mental and emotional distress, such as burnout or compassion fatigue. You will also be guided to reimagine wellness, not just as an individual pursuit but as a shared responsibility within the school community. Be prepared to chart a path toward sustainable well-being that benefits you, your colleagues, and your students.
Comment valoriser la langue et la culture francophone dans nos milieux ? Venez découvrir comment et pourquoi il est important de développer la culture identitaire francophone chez nos élèves. L'identité francophone, le bilinguisme additif, la légitimité linguistique seront aussi abordés. Cet atelier vous aidera à avoir des pratiques gagnantes pour la construction identitaire.
Join this session to explore the complex dynamics between unconscious beliefs, bias, and the impact these factors have on educational environments. Focused on building a deeper understanding of how these factors can perpetuate stereotypes and hinder student growth, this session includes discussions and practical exercises that will challenge assumptions that perpetuate labels and stereotypes. By embracing a ‘LEAP’ approach—actively listening, engaging, asking questions, and providing support we will work together to enhance our own understanding of diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
Association Instructor, The Alberta Teachers' Association
Adedeji studied at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria between 2002-2007, where he earned a Bachelor's in Education (Economics). He moved to London, England in 2007 where he studied Business Management at the University of Wales, and earned the Master of Science in Business Management... Read More →
Friday October 4, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MDT
Whitehorn
Participants in this interactive workshop will receive information and tools to help provide safe, supportive and self-regulated environments for students who have experienced trauma. Teachers will be provided with background information on trauma and its effects on the child and adolescent brain, how to create trauma-informed environments and how to help build resiliency and self-regulation skills in students.
The 21st century classroom is complex; 1 in 5 Canadians is living with a mental health condition. This stark reality is well outlined in the 2024 ATA report detailing aggression in K–12 schools. This session is designed to provide some background on two concepts that may be both the cause, and the solution of this struggle: self-regulation and executive functions. Teachers will leave the session understanding the science behind these concepts, as well as some strategies and takeaways to help support a variety of learners in their classrooms. We will cover the neuroscience of “lid flipping,” attention, inhibition and more. Resources and practical tips will be provided with an emphasis on giving beginning teachers actionable steps when faced with dysregulated learners.
This introductory workshop will encourage educators to critically reflect on concepts such as systemic racism and assimilation. Historical and contemporary examples of anti-Indigenous racism will be explored, and participants will be challenged to consider their own role in dismantling anti-Indigenous racism. Educators will leave with a foundational understanding of anti-racism with a focus on Indigenous Peoples, and will also be equipped with suggested resources for further learning. Note that portions of this workshop may be difficult for some participants, particularly for Indigenous Peoples and/or those who have experienced racism.
My name is Brian St. Germain. I recently retired from Red Deer Public School District after forty years of teaching. The last ten years spent with the First Nations, Metis and Inuit Program in Learning Services. I am Cree First Nations and Cree Metis.
Friday October 4, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MDT
Deerfoot
Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics is a series of practices that get students spending more time critically thinking, and engaged in learning, and these practices are fantastic in any subject! Come to this Hands-on workshop to see how you can get your students diving deeper in their learning in Language Arts and Social Studies.
Wondering how to bridge learning gaps? Dive into the potential of numeracy routines to address student needs and prerequisite knowledge. Discover effective routines adaptable to any topic, and collaborate with colleagues to tailor them to your classroom, aligning with your curriculum goals.
This session is designed to support teachers to increase their confidence and competence to implement the Alberta Physical Education and Wellness curriculum. The content will be grounded in best practice in pedagogy, and will cover the similarities and differences from previous curricula, provide tips on planning, implementation and assessment, and include a reference resource for each organizing idea.
Have you heard of Thinking Classrooms? Interested in experiencing and seeing if it’s an interest to you? Join us for an active session of problem solving, storytelling and pedagogy as we dive into Liljedahl’s Thinking Classrooms! This session is targeted to those new to Thinking Classrooms, but of course all are welcome to join! This session will focus on Liljedahl’s first two toolkits of implementation.
Sessions include: ASEBP Benefits Employment Contracts Financial Wellness Inclusive Education Indigenous Education TeacheSeance de questions et reponses—Services a francaisr Evaluations Teacher Qualification Services Working with Educational Assistants New Curriculum and Resources (K-6) Technology Tools for the Classroom Teacher Evaluations
Each table will have a QR to scan that links to key information on the website about the topic. As well, there will be sample copies of print resources which are available.
Nancy is a teacher, wanderer and wonderer, with 31 years of experience that includes: 7 schools, 4 towns, courses in grades K–12, roles as Assistant Principal and Principal and 8 years at the ATA. Nancy comes from a small farming community and that upbringing instilled in her values... Read More →
Friday October 4, 2024 4:00pm - 4:45pm MDT
Plaza 1
Design a new environmental sustainable tourist destination, that engages public involvement, considers water and energy consumption, land use, and waste production, while covering content from grade 5-8 science curriculum. This is just one example of how to create new and engaging lessons that cross multiple concepts within your grade 5 - 8 science and social studies classes. that reinforce skill, knowledge and abilities through practical, meaningful projects. The projects are designed to draw from past experiences and knowledge, and ignite creative and practical approaches to connecting the science curriculum between grade levels and curricular topics.
Your students already use Google Docs, Slides, Drawings, and more, but did you know there are hundreds of templates at your fingertips to take their publications to the next level? There are also several apps and sites that will help make student demonstrations of learning more engaging. Join this session where we will look at some fun, engaging, and powerful ways students can demonstrate their understanding through images, audio, and video, and the best ways they can share that work with you! Together, we can turn learning experiences into something creative, memorable, and meaningful for students.
Welcome to a workshop on year plans, unit plans and making them work together to make your year go smoothly. We will talk tips and tricks and look at a few examples. Along the way we will hit topics like assessment and technology. Let’s make those long-range plans and unit plans workable documents that you refer to all year long. Bring a device if possible.
Amanda Clark has been an elementary music teacher in Leduc for more than 10 years where she teaches in both French and English. She also teaches private lessons including the Music for Young Children program. She completed a Bachelor of Music at University of Alberta Augustana Campus... Read More →
Saturday October 5, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Rundle
During the session, I will speak to the importance of the oral component in a French Language Program. I will briefly describe the importance of research-based approaches, such as the Neurolinguistic Approach. I will then share the program I created with support from Le Conseil Français (ATA). There will be time to explain and play some of the 25 oral games that are part of the program. All games use the Neurolinguistic Approach and are created using the new program of studies for French immersion (Grades K to 6). Participants will leave with a copy of the program
Je suis enseignante et leader d'apprentissage pour le Calgary Board of Education depuis 22 ans. Je suis passionnée de littératie, plus particulièrement tout ce qui concerne les compétences en lecture et à l'oral. Je termine cette année une Maîtrise en éducation au Campus... Read More →
Saturday October 5, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Temple
Join us for this engaging session as we delve into the world of meaningful, hands-on activities that will spark creativity, ignite conversations, and promote problem-solving skills. Be prepared to embark on a cross-curricular journey of discovery, armed with a wide array of practical resources and innovative ideas. Participants are guaranteed to leave the workshop with a collection of carefully curated activities and lessons that you can seamlessly integrate into your classroom, starting as early as Monday morning.
Teacher. Administrator. PD Leader. Chris is an executive staff officer with the Alberta Teachers' Association and passionate about working with teachers and being involved in professional development. Spending most of his teaching career in Southern Alberta, he loved being a middle... Read More →
Saturday October 5, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Plaza 2
Hostile conversations with adults in school settings are becoming more commonplace and more intense, and are deemed to be extremely stressful for educators. What can schools do to safeguard the school and effectively communicate with those individuals who have a propensity toward volatility? This presentation gives an overview of the rights and responsibilities of students, parents, teachers and school leaders with an emphasis on the knowledge and skills for effective conflict management and conflict resolution. This session also provides a brief introduction to the Healthy Interactions Program.
Executive Staff Officer, Teacher Employment Services (SARO), Alberta Teachers' Association
Phil is an executive staff officer in the Teacher Employment Service program area based out of the Association's Calgary office. Phil's career spans many years of teaching, school leadership, and legal expertise. He has served as the principal of Ecole Notre-Dame des Monts in Canmore... Read More →
Saturday October 5, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Plaza 1
Imagine your classroom with challenges to solve, opportunities to create and students who are engaged. In this session, participants will have HANDS ON experience with a number of engaging kits to promote interactive learning. Throughout the session, you will have an opportunity to EXPLORE, CREATE and PLAY! Any member can sign out all demonstrated kits and books FREE from the ATA library. Participants should come armed with a mobile device to navigate the Association library and begin requesting materials before they leave the workshop. Every teacher is guaranteed a take-away!
Executive Staff Officer, The Alberta Teachers' Association
Dan Grassick (they/them) is Executive Staff Officer in the Alberta Teachers’ Association Professional Development program area where their main responsibilities include supporting the Association's specialist councils and teachers’ conventions, and working with Alberta teacher... Read More →
Saturday October 5, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Plaza 3
Join us for an interactive and empowering workshop that explores strategies for supporting students through challenging behaviours. This session focuses on approaches that cultivate student resilience, as well as strategies to support our own resilience as we respond to challenging moments of student behaviour. Through activities, discussion, and reflection, we will explore a variety of techniques that support students with challenging behaviour and care for our own wellbeing, at once.
Ivonne Bayona, inspirer, woman, curious, nature lover. She has an unwavering commitment to creating transformative learning experiences to foster curious life-long learners. Born with an innate sense of wonder, Ivonne's path led her from the intricate world of genetics and environmental... Read More →
Saturday October 5, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Whitehorn
This workshop will examine core causes of intergenerational trauma, challenge common myths and misconceptions, as well as explore activities to foster effective relationships with First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, families and community. Participants will explore assimilation strategies that have contributed to many current realities of Indigenous students, families and community. You will gain an increased understanding of physical, mental, social and spiritual impacts, and strength-based initiatives to contribute to the advancement of the reconciliation process.
Writing is the last mode of communication that humans develop. It is challenging. It is nebulous. It can feel overwhelming, even for the most experienced educators. Come join us and learn how to not only increase student engagement - the biggest hurdle in any ELA classroom - but improve the overall quality of their written work. Whether you are a novice teacher or a more seasoned educator looking to reframe how you could be teaching creative writing in your classroom, walk away from this session with a wide array of strategies that will help transform your students' writing beginning Monday!
Darrin Wilson has worked within the CBE since 2008, focusing mostly on teaching English language arts, visual arts, and a smattering of CTF to middle school students. He was the Art Representative and is currently President-elect for the ATA’s Fine Arts Council. He has a Diplôme... Read More →
Saturday October 5, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Plaza 5
In this session we will learn about the benefits of taking learning outdoors and how this impacts our wellness and the wellness of our students. We will also discuss ways to be outdoors during the school day that support curricular learning, social and emotional learning, as well as joy and happiness. This will be an interactive session and if the weather cooperates, we can head outside! Please come ready to participate.
Using the four domains of physical literacy (physical, cognitive, affective, and emotional), we will play and dissect each activity to go beyond simply playing. Come join in activities that will explore ways to help implement the new Physical Education and Wellness (PEW) program of studies and/or support the existing one. This session is suitable for all grade levels as activities will be laid out to accommodate all ages and levels of ability.
Curious about the daily life of school leaders or contemplating a future in educational leadership? Join us for an insightful session where we'll delve into the multifaceted world of school leadership through the lens of beginning teachers. Throughout our discussion, we'll explore a range of topics essential for understanding the role, from navigating evaluations to effectively managing challenging situations and embracing informal leadership roles within the school community. This interactive session provides a platform for your questions and discussions, offering valuable insights and fostering connections with fellow educators. Don't miss this opportunity to gain deeper understanding and engage in meaningful dialogue about the exciting possibilities in educational leadership.
Creativity and innovative thinking are extraordinary skills that reflect successful learning in your classroom. Students that learn and possess these skills demonstrate better retention of information and, confidence in their application of knowledge beyond the curriculum and your classroom. This session will focus on how to ignite student curiosity and the innate human desire to learn. Fun, engaging and proven classroom examples will be shared throughout the session. Participants will receive multiple lesson examples, assessment rubrics and online (AI) resources ready to use in the classroom.
Are you an elementary teacher wondering how to teach those new computer science outcomes? There are so many fun ways to incorporate coding and robotics into your science classes, as well as ways to make computational thinking an everyday habit for your students. Let's make computer science something to look forward to! We'll look at the big picture ideas behind computer science in an easy to digest progression, then we'll play with robots and Micro:bits and look at a few tools like Scratch Jr, Code.org, and CS First that will make your computer science class awesome!
This session will provide teachers with an opportunity to reflect on their understanding of provincial legislation, policy and other requirements related to teacher professional growth, promote awareness of the effective components of a professional growth plan, and share materials and tools that can be accessed to assist in the development of those plans. The session will also address the implications for teacher evaluation and permanent certification.
Nancy is a teacher, wanderer and wonderer, with 31 years of experience that includes: 7 schools, 4 towns, courses in grades K–12, roles as Assistant Principal and Principal and 8 years at the ATA. Nancy comes from a small farming community and that upbringing instilled in her values... Read More →
Saturday October 5, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Plaza 2
Cette session offre à chacun l’occasion de réfléchir aux cadres juridiques, à la politique, et aux autres exigences relatives à la croissance professionnelle des enseignants; de se familiariser avec les composantes essentielles et efficaces du plan de croissance; et de découvrir les documents d’appuis et les outils à la disposition des enseignants pour élaborer un plan de croissance professionnelle. Le processus d’évaluation des enseignants et les exigences pour l’obtention du brevet d’enseignement permanent seront également abordés pendant la session.
Executive Staff Officer, Professional Development, Alberta Teachers' Association
Tansi, Way' -Weytk, Salut, Greetings!Stacey is the newest Executive Staff Officer in the Association's Professional Development program area. Stacey holds a Bachelor of Physical Education, Bachelor of Education, a Master’s degree in Integrated Studies and has recently completed... Read More →
Saturday October 5, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Temple
Increasingly teachers are facing employment discipline resulting from their use of school computers, laptops, internet connections and cellphones. Also, teachers' posting on their own computers on such social networking sites as Facebook, Twitter or blogs are increasingly facing employer disciplinary action. Integration and use of electronic media and communication in classrooms can present some unique opportunities together with some employment risks. How do teachers use these technologies without jeopardizing their career? This session will also look at cyberharassment or cyberlibel directed at teachers by students or parents and the steps to take in these circumstances.
Executive Staff Officer, Teacher Employment Services (SARO), Alberta Teachers' Association
Phil is an executive staff officer in the Teacher Employment Service program area based out of the Association's Calgary office. Phil's career spans many years of teaching, school leadership, and legal expertise. He has served as the principal of Ecole Notre-Dame des Monts in Canmore... Read More →
Saturday October 5, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Plaza 1
Did you know you can do much more than just view curriculum on new.LearnAlberta.ca? This session will explore how you can make new.LearnAlberta.ca work for you. You’ll see how to view a scope and sequence, find sample lesson plans, explore professional learning supports, and learn how to use Boards, a teacher planning tool.
Children notice and think about race. Being silent about issues surrounding race reinforces racism by letting children draw their own conclusions without a safe space to ask questions. Teachers can play a powerful role in helping children develop positive attitudes about race and embrace diversity, promoting a more just future for all people. Pass the Mic: Let’s Talk About Racism is designed to aid teachers in having important conversations about racism, how to be anti-racist, microaggressions, bias and privilege.
Are you looking for a unique and rewarding teaching career, right here in Alberta? Have you ever wanted to teach in a one-room school. Come and learn about the opportunity to teach in one of Alberta's growing number of Hutterite Colonies. Learn about the Hutterites, who they are, about their culture, and some history. How to organize and operate a multi-multi-grade classroom. Get some resources to help navigate getting through the curriculum.
Explore the art of braiding Indigenous content into your classroom to cultivate a sense of belonging for every learner. While incorporating Indigenous perspectives into your daily lessons may seem daunting, it holds the potential to profoundly influence students' sense of belonging. Studies reveal that students who feel connected to their learning environment excel academically and exhibit higher levels of engagement. In this session, delve into diverse strategies for effortlessly braiding Indigenous content into your curriculum, guided by the wisdom of an elder and the experiences of a seasoned teacher. Discover how this approach can empower all students in your future classrooms to embark on a transformative journey towards reconciliation.
Looking for fresh resources for your K–6 students? In this workshop, you will explore a bin of incredible books curated by Alberta teacher-librarians. These books are applicable to a variety of subject-areas and K–6 grade levels. Through activities and discussions, you will work with these resources to explore best practices for choosing and using resources for your classroom, including factors related to social, community, and academic fit.
Association Instructor, Alberta Teachers' Association
Yvonne Toney is an elementary generalist currently working with Rocky View. Her education degree is from the University of Regina. Her Masters degree in Educational technology is from the University of Calgary. She recently finished a course in planning adult professional learning... Read More →
Saturday October 5, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Plaza 5
Did you get the delightful task to teach mathematics to students? Does the word "fractions" frighten you? Are you worried that you might struggle with teaching mathematics and meeting the diverse needs of your students? This session is for you!!! Whether you are teaching Grade 1 counting or Grade 12 calculus, come and learn some high leverage strategies that will allow all your young mathematicians to flourish! We will work on some intriguing and enjoyable problems, share some ways to reach the edges of your classroom and end with the power of visualization in math class.
Be ready to see math come alive and experience a truly joyful math class.
Dave Martin has a Masters of Mathematics, a Degree in Education, and a love for prime numbers. He has been teaching for 12 years, during which time, he was nominated for Teacher of Excellence in Alberta, has spoken across North America, and has successfully removed grades in most... Read More →
Saturday October 5, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Plaza 3
Who doesn’t enjoy playing games and running activities with their classes? As teachers and instructors, these games and activities can not only be the highlight of a student’s day in school but serve meaningful and powerful purposes behind the scenes. Team building activities help create positive group norms, foster a sense of community and inclusive social climates, and get work done in fun, cooperative ways. Without even knowing, when classes take part in these activities, they are teaching risk management, basic skill development, impart knowledge and allow for a meaningful wellness break. Skilled instructors will know that these skills are often accomplished all at the same time, without the participants (students) even knowing that they are learning it! We will go through a variety of games, activities and resources to get your students outdoors, active and leading the way! Why wait for a PE class that might only be a few days a week!
If you've been tasked with teaching Physics 20-30 or Science 10-30 and are feeling a little bit lost, this is the session for you. In this session, Brad will break down his strategy and philosophy for physics education, refined over 20 years of teaching. Brad will also provide you with access to his teaching resources, detailed notes, formative assessments and lab work.
