BTC 2024 - Calgary: Full Schedule

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.

10:15am MDT

Let's Get Talking! Conversation Skills for Learning (K–12)

Friday October 4, 2024 10:15am - 11:30am MDT

Rundle

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.

Speakers

John Williamson

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

Curriculum Pedagogy, Division I, II, III and IV

12:30pm MDT

Oreo Cookies and the Scientific Method (4–9)

Friday October 4, 2024 12:30pm - 1:45pm MDT

Plaza 5

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.

Speakers

Michelle Savoie

Secretary, ATA Science Council

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

Ed Tech, Division II and III | Curriculum Pedagogy, Division II and III

12:30pm MDT

20 Strategies You Can Use on Monday! (K–6)

Friday October 4, 2024 12:30pm - 1:45pm MDT

Plaza 3

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.

Speakers

Daniel W Maas

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

Hot Topics for Professionals, Division I and II | Curriculum Pedagogy, Division I and II

2:00pm MDT

20 Strategies You Can Use on Monday! (7–12)

Friday October 4, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MDT

Plaza 3

Speakers

Terra Kaliszuk

Executive Staff Officer, Professional Development

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

Hot Topics for Professionals, Division III and IV | Curriculum Pedagogy, Division III and IV

9:00am MDT

Engaging Students with Student-Centered Digital Activities (K–12)

Saturday October 5, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am MDT

Plaza 4

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.

Speakers

Darren Maltais

Educational Technology Council

Saturday October 5, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Plaza 4

Ed Tech, Division I, II, III and IV | Curriculum Pedagogy, Division I, II, III and IV

9:00am MDT

Free Tools and Kits for Use with Students (K–12)

Saturday October 5, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am MDT

Plaza 3

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!

Speakers

Dan Grassick

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

Hot Topics for Professionals, Division I, II, III and IV | Curriculum Pedagogy, Division I, II, III and IV

10:30am MDT

Unlock the Potential with new.LearnAlberta.ca (K–6)

Saturday October 5, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am MDT

Garden Court 2

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.

Speakers

K Holt - Alberta Education

Saturday October 5, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Garden Court 2

Hot Topics for Professionals, Division I and II | Curriculum Pedagogy, Division I and II