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

How To Get and HOLD Your Students’ Attention in Art (K–12)

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

Plaza 3

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.

Speakers

Izabella Orzelski

Fine Arts Council

Friday October 4, 2024 10:15am - 11:30am MDT
Plaza 3

Fine Arts, Division I, II, III and IV

12:30pm MDT

Foundations for Success—Strategies for Building Classroom Community in a Primary Classroom (K–3)

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

Plaza 4

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.

Speakers

Michelle Bezubiak

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

Inclusive Education, Division I | Language Arts, Division I | Fine Arts, Division I

9:00am MDT

A Year in the Life of a Music Teacher—Let's Talk Plans (K–9)

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

Rundle

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.

Speakers

Amanda Clark

music representative, Fine Arts Council

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

Fine Arts, Division I, II and III

9:00am MDT

Enhance Student Writing Starting on Monday: Practical Strategies for Increasing Student Engagement and Improving Their Skills in Creative Writing (K–12)

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

Plaza 5

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!

Speakers

Darrin Wilson

Teacher, MidSun School

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

Language Arts, Division I, II, III and IV | Fine Arts, Division I, II, III and IV