CATCA 2025: Full Schedule

9:00am MST

Supporting First-Year Teachers

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

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.

Speakers

Will Langille

Will Langille is a 2nd-year teacher at Lacombe Junior High School. In his first year, he taught social/LA 9, creative writing, robotics, reading interventions, and leadership. Langille was Wolf Creek Public School's Edwin Parr nominee in 2024 and is excited to share stories both hilarious... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP Room 2503

Reflection/Collaboration (TQS/LQS 2), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 4 (Gr 10-12) | School Leadership (LQS 1-9), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 4 (Gr 10-12) | Fostering Effective Relationships (TQS/LQS 1), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 4 (Gr 10-12)

10:20am MST

Role of Community-based Organizations in Indigenous Education

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

RDP Room 2503

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.

Speakers

Madison Properzi

Provincial Education Lead, Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association

As the Provincial Education Lead at ANFCA, Madison Properzi has supported initiatives focused on urban Indigenous education, leading the Weaving Wicihitowin For Learning program. Madison has supported initiatives for youth-centred prevention of human trafficking and sexual exploitation... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP Room 2503

Indigenous Education (TQS/LQS 5), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 4 (Gr 10-12) | 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)

11:40am MST

Understanding the Difference: The Science of Reading and Implementation for English Learners/Emerging Literacy Learners

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

RDP Room 2503

If you are wondering how to best support and teach additional language learners in your classroom how to read, then this session is for you. We will explore the joint statement from The Reading League and the National Committee for Effective Literacy (NCEL) and examine the six pillars outlined by the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) that are crucial for supporting language learners.

Speakers

Angela Skene

I am an educator based in Alberta with a Master's degree in English Language Learners, which I earned in 2019 from the University of North Dakota. My goal is to make learning exciting and to tailor my teaching methods to meet the unique needs of each student. I am deeply passionate... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP Room 2503

English Additional Language [EAL/ESL](TQS/LQS 4), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 2 (Gr 4-6)

1:00pm MST

Unlocking Potential: Top Strategies for Empowering Language Learners in Your Classroom

Thursday February 20, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

RDP Room 2503

This engaging and informative session is designed to provide educators with effective strategies to support and empower additional language learners in their classrooms. Drawing from the latest research and best practices, we will explore practical approaches to enhance language development and academic success for multilingual students.

Speakers

Angela Skene

Thursday February 20, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP Room 2503

English Additional Language [EAL/ESL](TQS/LQS 4), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 4 (Gr 10-12)

2:20pm MST

Literacy Leadership Matters

Thursday February 20, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST

RDP Room 2503

Comprehensive literacy instruction is important at all levels of education. Effective instructional leaders can enhance the literacy instruction within their schools. This session provides insight into current practice, strong pedagogy, an understanding of the science of reading, and practical strategies that literacy leads, consultants, and administrators can use within their schools to become more effective literacy leaders.

Speakers

Karen Filewych

Words Change Worlds

Karen Filewych has over twenty-five years of educational experience as an elementary teacher, school administrator, and language arts consultant. In 2007, she completed her Master of Education degree in the area of literacy. Karen has four books published by Pembroke Publishers: How... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST
RDP Room 2503

Language Arts (TQS 3), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6) | School Leadership (LQS 1-9), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6)

9:00am MST

ASL - Introduction / Beginner

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST

RDP Room 2503

This is a "hands on," beginner ASL course geared toward educators with little or no experience in ASL. We will start with the ABC's and take you to asking and answering questions, playing games, numbers, and more. You will have the benefit of two instructors, one Deaf and one Hearing, who together will take you through accurate signing as well as explain clearly the logic behind the signs. You will leave excited to practice and show off your ASL!

Speakers

Andy Davies

Andy Davies has been a teacher (U of L BFA/B.Ed '09) of languages and art in Southern Alberta for 15 years. Andy has studied, worked in, and been active with ASL and the Deaf community for many years. Originally self-taught, he studied ASL at Grant MacEwan from 2000-2001. He has worked... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP Room 2503

10:20am MST

ASL - Intermediate

Friday February 21, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST

RDP Room 2503

This course is geared toward educators with some familiarity with ASL who would like to take it to the next level. After reviewing the basics, we will go deeper into the grammatical and syntactical structure of ASL, directional verbs, locational/spatial organization and narrative organization. Participants will leave this session able to tell a joke or story in ASL.

Speakers

Andy Davies

Friday February 21, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP Room 2503

11:40am MST

Autism 101

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

RDP Room 2503

Autism 101 gives the opportunity to gain a basic overview of autism and neurodiversity. It is an introduction to what autism is and gives information on how autistic individuals may interact with others and the world around them. More specifically, the presentation covers the following topics:
• Overview of Autism
• Characteristics of Autism
• How Sensory Processing Works
• Sensory toolbox
• Language to Use
• Introduction to Visual Supports

Speakers

Douglas Parsons

Douglas Parsons is the Training and Resource Manager for Autism Edmonton. He lends his expertise in providing learning opportunities for the Autistic community (and those wanting to learn about Autism) around the world. Under his management umbrella is the Housing portfolio where... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP Room 2503

1:00pm MST

Stress, Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll: Managing Stress

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 3:20pm MST

RDP Room 2503

Stress looks and feels different for everyone, but we all know what it’s like to be overwhelmed, burnt out and ready to throw the stapler! Come learn about your brain on stress and how this affects our thoughts, behaviours and interactions with each other. We will explore the dynamics of how to manage our stress so that we can be our best selves as we take on the challenges of work and life and understand ourselves and each other a bit better. Information, humor and some practical “life-hacks” for coping make this session just what the doctor ordered!

Speakers

Ariel Haubrich

Consultant/ Trainer/ Private Practitioner, Learning Network

Ariel Haubrich works in school & community mental health as a counsellor and program manager, and also as a consultant, presenter and private practitioner with government, businesses, teams and individuals working toward personal and organizational development. She is a Certified... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 3:20pm MST
RDP Room 2503

Professional Issues (TQS/LQS 6), 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 | 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