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

Story Time: Using Children's Literature to Teach K-12 Outcomes (K-12)

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

Garden Court 1

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.

Speakers

Riley Kostek

Friday October 4, 2024 10:15am - 11:30am MDT
Garden Court 1

Science, Division I, II, III and IV | Language Arts, Division I, II, III and IV | Inclusive Education, 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

2:00pm MDT

Building Thinking Classrooms in LA and Social Studies (K–9)

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

Garden Court 1

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.

Speakers

Joshua LaFleur

Friday October 4, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MDT
Garden Court 1

Language Arts, Division I, II and III | Social Studies, Division I, II and III | Inclusive Education, 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

10:30am MDT

Teaching on a Hutterite Colony in Alberta (K–12)

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

Rundle

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.

Speakers

Laura-Lee Toews

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

Inclusive Education, Division I, II, III and IV | Language Arts, Division I, II, III and IV | Math, Division I, II, III and IV | Science, Division I, II, III and IV | Social Studies, Division I, II, III and IV