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

Brain Architecture 101—Play the Brain Game! (K–9)

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

Garden Court 2

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.

Speakers

Jade Oldfield and Charlotte Brenner

Friday October 4, 2024 12:30pm - 1:45pm MDT
Garden Court 2

Curriculum and Pedagogy, Division I, II and III | Science, Division I, II and III | Inclusive Education, Division I, II and III

2:00pm MDT

Intro to Building Thinking Classrooms (K–12)

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

Pineridge

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.

Speakers

Landry Forand

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

Science, Division I, II, III and IV | Math, Division I, II, III and IV | Social Studies, 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