CATCA 2025: Full Schedule

9:00am MST

Empowering Educators: Navigating Grading Reform Through Incremental Changes for Student Success

Thursday February 20, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST

In the midst of numerous demands on educators' time, adapting teaching practices can be a daunting task. However, we invite educators to embark on a journey toward grading reform success, emphasizing incremental changes and practical strategies. Recognizing the pivotal role grading practices play in shaping student learning experiences, this session is crafted to equip educators with the necessary tools and insights for implementing impactful reforms in their classrooms. Join us as we empower educators to navigate the path toward effective grading practices and enhance student learning outcomes.

Speakers

Shannon Ireland

Field Service Facilitator, Alberta Assessment Consortium

The Alberta Assessment Consortium is a not-for-profit education partner in the province, focused on everyday assessment to support student learning. Our facilitators combine their experience as Alberta teachers and teacher leaders with the expertise of the organization.

Thursday February 20, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP Room 2305

Assessment (TQS 3), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Early Childhood Education (Pre K-K), All Divisions | Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Early Childhood Education (Pre K-K), All Divisions

9:00am MST

AI Prompting for Teacher Success

Thursday February 20, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST

RDP Room 1400 (MP Theatre)

Discover how to harness the power of AI chatbots like ChatGPT to enhance your teaching practice! In this hands-on professional development session, you’ll learn how to craft effective prompts to get tailored, high-quality results including generating engaging lesson plans, creating differentiated instructional materials, or brainstorming new pedagogical strategies. Perfect for beginners and seasoned tech users alike, this session will equip you with practical skills to use AI as a creative collaborator and thinking partner. Leave with ready-to-use examples, prompt templates, and confidence to make AI work for you in the classroom.

Speakers

Terra Kaliszuk

Executive Staff Officer, Professional Development, The Alberta Teachers' Association

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 →

Thursday February 20, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP Room 1400 (MP Theatre)

Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Early Childhood Education (Pre K-K), All Divisions | Technology (TQS/LQS 2), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Early Childhood Education (Pre K-K), All Divisions

10:20am MST

Leveling Up Learning: Using Games as a Formative Assessment Technique

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST

RDP Room 2602

Join us for an interactive session that explores the innovative use of games as a formative assessment tool. Participants will discover how to design and implement game-based assessments that not only gauge student learning but also foster collaboration, critical thinking, and motivation. We will discuss how to create engaging assessments that align with diverse learning objectives across subjects and grade levels.Three Learning Goals for the Session:1.Refine existing assessment practices by incorporating game elements that promote active learning and provide real-time feedback on student progress. 2.Design collaborative and interactive game-based assessments that align with diverse learning objectives across various subjects and grade levels. 3.Implement strategies for integrating game mechanics into formative assessments to foster critical thinking and teamwork among students.

Speakers

Shannon Ireland

Field Service Facilitator, Alberta Assessment Consortium

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP Room 2602

10:20am MST

Using AI to Enhance Human-Centered Work

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST

RDP Room 2501

Join this workshop to explore strategies that leverage AI to enhance communication and connection. We will explore the intersection of AI and our social and emotional world, professional considerations for leveraging AI tools for human-centered work, and versatile strategies that work with a variety of AI tools. Participants are encouraged to bring a device, such as a laptop or tablet, for the hands-on activities included in this workshop.

Speakers

Terra Kaliszuk

Executive Staff Officer, Professional Development, The Alberta Teachers' Association

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP Room 2501

11:40am MST

Using AI to Generate Effective and Personalized Assessments that are Aligned to Curriculum

Thursday February 20, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm MST

RDP MAIN STAGE/ AC117 (ARTS CENTRE)

With the increasing demand for personalized learning experiences and the need to align assessments with curriculum objectives, AI presents a powerful solution. This session offers valuable insights and practical strategies to incorporate AI into your educational toolkit. Join us as we explore the frontier of assessment innovation and discover how AI can help you create effective and fair student assessments. This session is designed for teachers who are not yet using AI to create classroom assessments and want to learn practical tips and strategies to get started.

Speakers

Shannon Ireland

Field Service Facilitator, Alberta Assessment Consortium

Thursday February 20, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP MAIN STAGE/ AC117 (ARTS CENTRE)

Assessment (TQS 3), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Early Childhood Education (Pre K-K), All Divisions | Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Early Childhood Education (Pre K-K), All Divisions

11:40am MST

Embracing the Powerful Role of Failure in ALL classrooms!

Friday February 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm MST

RDP Room 1400 (MP Theatre)

What do Lizzo, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Steven King, Michael Jordan....and Albert Einstein have in common? They all faced massive amounts of failure before getting to where they are today! Let's be real. Fear of failure is one of the biggest reasons that so many students have math anxiety. It prevents students from asking questions, speaking up in class, and even supporting their peers. But one thing no one talks about is this: most mathematicians and scientists in real life get paid to fail! ln this workshop we will explore the powerful role of failure in math class and how you can harness it to inspire your students to embrace failure in math class - and in real life!

Speakers

Vanessa Vakharia

Known as the Lady Gaga of math education, Vanessa is the founder and director of The Math Guru, a super cool boutique math & science tutoring studio in Toronto that's changing stereotypes about what math education looks like. She is also the host of the Math Therapy podcast, author... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP Room 1400 (MP Theatre)

1:00pm MST

The Joy of Movement

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

RDP Room AC147(Studio B)

Moving the body is important for health, (physical, mental, and emotional) and also enhances learning. Interactive session offers great tools for your personal well-being, as well as for improving student performance and attitudes. Experience creative, expressive movement that’s safe, easy to do, and simple to incorporate into the classroom. Learn The BrainDance (a technique to help students improve performance, focus and co-ordination), the principles of Nia, and more in this fun session, which includes dance-based movement. Dress comfortably and bring a water bottle.

Speakers

Tina Thrussell

Facilitator, Best U Can B Inc

Tina Thrussell has been facilitating impactful, interactive, personal expansion experiences for 19+ years. Her light-hearted energy and contagious enthusiasm have contributed to her reputation as The Feel Good Lady. This deep lover of life has inspired thousands of people over the... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP Room AC147(Studio B)

Health and Wellness (TQS 3), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Early Childhood Education (Pre K-K), All Divisions | Physical Education (TQS 3), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Early Childhood Education (Pre K-K), All Divisions | Music & Band (TQS 3), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Early Childhood Education (Pre K-K), All Divisions | Drama & Dance (TQS 3), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Early Childhood Education (Pre K-K), All Divisions | Art (TQS 3), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Early Childhood Education (Pre K-K), All Divisions | Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Early Childhood Education (Pre K-K), All Divisions | School Leadership (LQS 1-9), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Early Childhood Education (Pre K-K), All Divisions