CATCA 2025

Nearly 50 percent of new teachers leave the profession within their first five years. How can we change this? At this session, expect an eclectic mix of stories, strategies, research, and laughs as Will Langille tells the tale of his first year of teaching. Whether you're a beginning teacher, mentor teacher, teacher leader, or principal, this session will provide you with ways to help new teachers succeed at the start of their career.

Over the past number of years, with the growth of tiered response systems in schools, educational organizations have become proficient at tiering students for intensifying levels of support. When done well, it ensures a systematic approach to supporting a greater number of students and maximizing resources. When not done well, it can lead to higher levels of support becoming overwhelmed and resources stretched thin as more and more students are identified as requiring intensified supports. The great news is there is a better way that comes when you STOP tiering students! This session will provide an explanation of the paradigm shift from tiering students to tiering supports and share considerations when establishing, refining and utilizing a continuum of supports in schools and districts that has long standing impact for teachers and students.

I would like to offer NCCP Community Sport Certification Course. Attendees would gain their Community Sport Certification and be eligible to go to the next level of certification for their sport. Attendees MUST HAVE (i) an account created on the locker - thelocker.coach.ca/ and (ii) a NCCP number and (iii) will need to bring a LAPTOP with them as well to answer questions on Google Form after sections have been presented / discussed.

Join Alberta Native Friendship Centres to explore how community-based non-profits can support Indigenous students in their educational journey by addressing barriers and promoting cultural connection. Discover how programs like Weaving Wicihitowin For Learning support authentic relationships between schools and organizations, like Alberta Friendship Centres to advance overall student outcomes across the four quadrants of the Medicine Wheel: mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual.

The YMCA has a number of Programs and Services that it offers to the residence of the City of Red Deer and Area. This session will provide as an overview of the services that we offer from Youth Programming at the Northside Community Centre, to our community outreach programs that include the Youth and Transitions Program (YTP), Alternative Suspension (AS), Youth in Facilities (YIF), and Homeward Bound (a community housing initiative). Come see how these resources may impact families in your school, students in your classroom or you as a citizen in Central Alberta.

This session will outline the new discipline process in place relating to complaints of unprofessional conduct and incompetence. Teachers will learn about the stages of the new discipline process, new requirements in the Code of Professional Conduct and some strategies to avoid being the subject of a complaint.

Interested in a short-term exchange with a colleague in Spain, Germany, Mexico, Australia, Iceland or with one of Alberta’s International Accredited Schools across the globe?

Come to this session and learn how to build your own teaching or leadership adventure with an exciting in-person short term (1-2 week) exchange or a virtual one (4 week). Carolyn Freed will be your guide in this fantastic new world! The experience and realities of teaching and school leadership are constantly in transition- an exchange can bring a wealth of insights to the work you do here in Alberta.

Exchanges are a unique professional peer-to-peer development opportunity for teachers and school administrators to collaborate within their profession. Open the door and get out of your comfort zone, engage in meaningful and critical conversations, and experience first-hand how your peers engage with best practices.

The new parts are in Bold.
In this session, educators will delve into the evolving landscape of educational technology with a focus on integrating LLMs - Large Language Models, like Google Gemini, Claude, Copilot, ... into the classroom. Participants will gain hands-on experience with LLMs' innovative digital tools designed to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. This beginner to intermediate session will cover practical applications, including the integration of LLMs interactive platforms and digital resources into various curricula. We will also explore strategies for fostering digital literacy and critical thinking with students, ensuring ethical and effective use of technology in the classroom. This session will now cover the topic of AI "detectors" and plagiarism.

Discover how to implement a School Safety Patrol program in your school to increase student safety and promote leadership, citizenship and teamwork amongst grade 5/6 students. The session will cover the key benefits of the program, including improved school safety and the positive development of students. Information regarding time commitments for staff and students, registration, equipment, and school eligibility will be outlined. We’ll also discuss practical steps for setting up, training, and maintaining an effective committed patrol team. Join us to answer all your questions and learn how to have your school become part of this impactful program that has been part of Alberta schools for 86 years and counting!

Join our power-packed session, "Beyond the Classroom Walls: Bullying Stops Here," and unlock a world of effective strategies to combat bullying head-on. In this dynamic workshop, participants will explore evidence-based strategies comprehensively, empowering them to create a positive and inclusive learning environment where students can thrive.
Discover the game-changing WITS (Walk Away, Ignore, Talk it out, Seek Help) approach - a practical toolkit to empower students confidently in navigating social challenges. Immerse yourself in the transformative realm of Restorative Justice, fostering empathy and understanding among students while addressing incidents of harm.

And that's not all - we'll take it even further with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), a proactive framework that shapes a nurturing school climate, reinforcing positive behaviours and reducing bullying incidents.
But here's the best part - this session is not just theory! Get ready for a hands-on experience, engaging in activities you can immediately implement in your classroom. Empower your students to grasp the real impact of bullying and equip them with vital intervention skills.
The content of this session aligns seamlessly with both separate and public school curriculums, emphasizing the development of social-emotional skills and cultivating a safe, inclusive, and compassionate learning environment. By incorporating these powerful strategies, you'll become a proactive change agent, fostering a culture of respect, responsibility, and empathy in your classroom.
Take advantage of this chance to make a lasting impact! Register now for an electrifying journey toward a future free from bullying!

In the face of adversity, it is common to feel engulfed by stress, anxiety, and overwhelming emotions. Learning to navigate and master these emotional challenges is pivotal in steering clear of decisions that can derail our lives.

Through the experience of losing his hand and almost his life, Levi teaches valuable strategies for approaching decision-making with clarity and intention, fostering a mindset crucial in shifting from being a victim to becoming an achiever and from following others to leading with confidence.

Attendees will leave the event understanding the following:

By mastering the art of managing our thoughts, we have the ability to steer our emotions towards making logical and sound judgments.

How to assess the cost-benefit dynamics: evaluating the trade-offs between our decisions and their ensuing consequences.

The necessity of research to comprehend the full scope of a situation before responding, as every narrative presents multiple sides for consideration.

Encouraging thoughtful reflection on how our decisions impact the lives of those we hold dear, fostering a sense of responsibility and empathy in our choices.

Recognizing that our errors and misjudgments are inherent in the human experience, vital for personal development when we can learn from them and move forward.

Are you interested in learning how to communicate the story of your teaching career and showcase your educational, professional, leadership and volunteer experience to pique employers’ interest? In this session, the presenter will share advice on how to edit your resume and write a strong cover letter to improve your chances of getting an interview.

In this session, we will explore how compassion can be intentionally embedded into the fabric of school culture, benefiting students, teachers, school leaders, and support staff alike. Attendees will share practical strategies to foster compassion in daily interactions and schoolwide practices. We'll discuss why compassion serves as a powerful lever for creating psychological safety, enhancing mental well-being, and building stronger, more resilient educational communities. Join us to discover how compassionate practices can lead to more inclusive, supportive, and psychologically safe environments where all members of the school community can thrive.

Adapting a process for collecting data on hours of work, both instructional and assignable, defining assignable time, and monitoring time assignments.

In this dynamic session, educators will delve into artificial intelligence and its potential to transform teaching and learning. Participants will gain hands-on experience with innovative digital tools designed to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. This intermediate/advanced session will cover practical applications, including the integration of LLM and digital resources into various curricula. We will also explore strategies for fostering digital literacy and critical thinking in students, ensuring ethical and effective use of technology in the classroom.

NEW: For ease of use in this session, bring a device that makes it easy to select text and copy/paste content from published Google Docs to your favorite AI.

Over many years the Association has been able to construct a safety net for teachers and their families. This presentation provides an overview of what teachers have in regard to sick leave and other leaves through the collective agreement, extended disability, life insurance, other benefit plan provisions, as well as pension and death benefits. This is a light-hearted presentation that is intended to be presented to local teachers in order to provide very relevant and necessary information on existing entitlements.

For this highly interactive program, participants set the agenda. Bring your questions about how to interview and hire the right people. They will be answered. The first minutes of this AMA session (Ask Me Anything) will be devoted to hearing your questions. What to ask during interviews? How to write questions that will yield high-quality information on which to base your hiring decisions? How to assess candidates’ responses? Who should be on your interview panel? What is their role? What to do on Day One to ensure new staff commit to your organization?

BONUS: Participants will receive access to 25 high-quality interview questions.

This session explores diverse leadership models and the traits that define effective school leaders, with a focus on how gendered expectations shape leadership roles and responsibilities. Participants will delve into the ways in which bias and gendered assumptions influence school leadership dynamics, particularly in the context of Alberta's education system. Through critical reflection and discussion, attendees will gain insights into how these factors impact not only leaders but the broader teaching profession. The session aims to provide actionable strategies for fostering a more equitable environment for all and promote leadership that is inclusive, supportive, and fair.

How can we integrate the goals and activities of education, while understanding the ways people’s stories (traumas)impact their learning and behaviours? We become “Trauma Informed.” Learn the 5 key principles of Trauma Informed Schools and how to create safe spaces for learning and growing. This Session will help us to become aware of the dynamics of trauma, shift perspectives in how best to support these dynamics, and identify ways to respond with compassion to students and/ or colleagues in crisis.

Have you ever ignored that little voice, or gut feeling, that tells you to grab an item on your way out the door, then wished you’d listened, because, “Darn! That would’ve been handy to have right now!” That inner guidance was your intuition. Intuition is like a muscle – exercising it makes it stronger. The practical exercises presented in this session build the ability to trust intuition to assess children’s situations, or best course of action, bring greater ease into life and the classroom.

Understanding extended disability and long-term disability benefits can be challenging. The session provides an overview of this benefit and its eligibility, a review of best practices on applying for the benefit and outlines supports the Association offers to members during the application and, potentially, the appeal process.

Sure, administrators and other leaders should be recognizing staff for their contributions and achievements, but that shouldn’t be the end of it. Peer recognition can become a powerful way to create a workplace where people feel valued as individuals and appreciated for what they do. This session will include suggestions on what leaders can do to encourage and support peer recognition and on how staff members can recognize their colleagues.

BONUS: Participants will receive a sample Peer Recognition Card with more than 15 tips on how staff members can recognize their colleagues.

Our mission is to raise awareness and empower communities to combat exploitation in all its forms, particularly human trafficking. Our presentations aim to dispel myths about online safety and highlight the alarming rise in reported exploitation cases, especially among vulnerable populations like youth and marginalized groups. Understanding exploitation is vital, as it can lead to human trafficking, with many individuals manipulated online. By educating attendees on recognizing grooming signs and identifying at-risk individuals, we empower proactive intervention. Our engaging sessions feature videos, scenarios, role-playing, and interactive tools to enhance learning.

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.

Session Overview: This interactive session will explore how educators can use Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and popular pop culture fan interests to create a dynamic, inclusive learning environment. Attendees will gain insights into how D&D fosters critical thinking, empathy, resiliency, and creativity in students while building a community around shared interests. We’ll also provide practical tools, live demonstrations, engaging activity ideas that can be implemented quickly, and a Q&A section to ensure attendees leave with actionable ideas.

Please follow this link for the session's pre-survey. We have a fantastic and unique prize to give away at the end of the session. Thanks!
https://forms.gle/MqHA3i4GzLFX8kVU6

While researching for a book, McIntyre discovered 5 concepts that resonated through the exceptional football programs of the Raymond Comets, St. Francis Browns of Calgary, Calgary Dinosaurs (80s) , Edmonton Huskies (60s) and Edmonton Eskimos (50s). These programs had a profound impact on the individuals and the communities they served. After interviewing close to one hundred people, Ron acquired an appreciation for the nuances of these highly successful teams. Through storytelling and examples, Ron will unlock the vault and reveal the practices of men such as Gary Deman, Peter Connellan, Dennis Kadatz and Normie Kwong. It is McIntyre’s belief that the best practices of these exemplar programs are timeless and have implications for the classroom as coaching and teaching are intricately intertwined.

While researching for a book, McIntyre discovered 5 concepts that resonated through the exceptional football programs of the Raymond Comets, St. Francis Browns of Calgary, Calgary Dinosaurs (80s) , Edmonton Huskies (60s) and Edmonton Eskimos (50s). These programs had a profound impact on the individuals and the communities they served. After interviewing close to one hundred people, Ron acquired an appreciation for the nuances of these highly successful teams. Through storytelling and examples, Ron will unlock the vault and reveal the practices of men such as Gary Deman, Peter Connellan, Dennis Kadatz and Normie Kwong. It is McIntyre’s belief that the best practices of these exemplar programs are timeless and have implications for the classroom as coaching and teaching are intricately intertwined.

"Be Positive is the worst thing to Hear"

The statement challenges traditional wisdom by highlighting the limitations of simplistic positivity in fostering genuine growth and resilience among students. While positivity has its place, it often overlooks the complexities of learning and personal development. Instead, we propose "Progress Over Perfection," a nuanced approach that combines neutral thinking, the green light mentality, and the "just one more" philosophy to empower students effectively.

Neutral Thinking: Rather than simply urging students to be positive, we encourage them to adopt neutral thinking. This involves staying present and assessing situations objectively, which helps them make informed decisions and manage emotions effectively.

Green Light Mentality: Students learn to identify and capitalize on opportunities in every challenge instead of merely seeking positivity. This proactive mindset encourages resilience and turns setbacks into stepping stones for growth.

Just One More Philosophy: We advocate for perseverance through incremental progress rather than just promoting positivity. Encouraging students to push themselves further—whether it's one more attempt, revision, or effort—builds resilience and cultivates a strong work ethic.

By embracing "Progress Over Perfection," educators equip students with practical strategies to navigate challenges, embrace growth, and develop a resilient mindset beyond superficial positivity. Let's empower students to thrive in a supportive learning environment where progress is celebrated and setbacks are seen as personal and academic growth opportunities.

Objective: Our primary goal is to equip students with the tools and strategies to conquer presentation anxiety. By applying the TINKA Framework, students will learn to confidently navigate presentations, engage their audience, and unlock their full potential.
The TINKA Framework Approach:

1. Target Your Fear (T - Towards Language):
Toward Language: Encourage students to shift from "away from" Language (focusing on what they don't want) to "towards" Language (focusing on what they want to achieve).
Identify the Fear: Help students pinpoint their specific fears about presenting. Is it the fear of judgment, forgetting their content, or something else?
Set Positive Goals: Guide students in setting positive, achievable presentation goals. What do they want to achieve and convey to their audience?

2. Investigate the Fear (I - Insight):
Open Questions: Teach students to ask open questions about their fear. What triggers it? When does it happen? What thoughts and feelings are associated with it?
Analyze Past Experiences: Encourage students to reflect on previous presentation experiences. What went well, and what didn't? What can they learn from those experiences?

3. Navigate the Fear (N - Normalize):
Normalize Anxiety: Help students understand that presentation anxiety is common, even among experienced speakers. Normalize their feelings and remind them that it's okay to be nervous.
Preparation Is Key: Emphasize the importance of thorough preparation. The more students know their material, the more confident they'll feel.

4. Know Your Audience (K - Knowledge Transfer):
Audience Analysis: Teach students the significance of understanding their audience; knowing who they're presenting to can reduce anxiety.
Audience Engagement: Show students how engaging with their audience can ease nerves. Encourage them to make eye contact and gauge audience reactions.

5. Act Confidently (A - Action):
Visualization: Guide students in using visualization techniques to imagine successful presentations. Visualizing a positive outcome can boost confidence.
Practice: Encourage frequent practice sessions in front of friends, family, or a mirror. The more students practice, the more confident they become.
Seek Support: Emphasize the importance of seeking support from teachers, peers, or counsellors. Knowing they have a support system can alleviate anxiety.
Conclusion: Overcoming presentation anxiety is a journey that requires dedication and practice. By applying the TINKA Framework, students will conquer their fears and develop lifelong skills in effective communication. These skills will serve them well in academia and beyond.

We invite educators to boost their students in this transformative journey. The impact will empower your students to confidently step onto the stage, share their ideas, and overcome presentation anxiety. The result will empower them to thrive in all their academic endeavours.

Coaching is an essential tool for the development of strong schools and districts. It focuses on supporting teacher growth to drive school improvement and support student learning. At the heart of a coach approach is the unwavering belief that each person is capable, that presence and listening are key, and that powerful questions can spark insight and growth. Find out how coaching conversations can level up your leadership and create environments where open communication, inquiry, and risk-taking can thrive.

You will find the resources for this session at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/acoachapproach