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COMPLETE THE CATCA 2025 SURVEY TO IMPROVE FUTURE CONVENTION

CLOSURE REMARKS FROM CATCA 2025!

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THE CONVENTION AND FOR CATCA 2026 WILL HAPPEN ON FEBRUARY 19 AND 20, 2026 AT RDP.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM YOUR ATA LOCALS.

All pre-recording videos will be up until May 31st.


Venue: Recording clear filter
Thursday, February 20
 

8:50am MST

President Schilling: 2025 Convention Greeting
Thursday February 20, 2025 8:50am - Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm MST
ATA President Jason Schilling welcomes teachers from across the province to Convention 2025.


Speakers
avatar for Jason Schilling

Jason Schilling

President, ATA
Jason Schilling (he/him) was re-elected president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association in 2023, following four years of service as president, two years of service as vice-president and more than eight years of service as district representative for South West. As vice-president... Read More →
Thursday February 20, 2025 8:50am - Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm MST
Recording
 
Friday, February 21
 

9:00am MST

Un livre 3 matières et plusieurs idées organisatrices 4-6
Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Rejoignez-nous pour une session ludique et pratique dédiée aux enseignants de la 4e à la 6e année, où vous découvrirez comment exploiter le potentiel d’un album jeunesse pour enseigner des concepts clés en français, en maths et en sciences. Join us for a fun, hands-on session dedicated to teachers of grades 4-6, where you'll discover how to harness the potential of a children's album to teach key concepts in French, math and science.
Speakers
EM

Elyse Morin

Learning Network, APLC et le Consortium Francophone de l'Alberta
Élyse est une enseignante dynamique et créative avec plus de 20 ans d’expérience en immersion française, en enseignement virtuel et en coaching pédagogique. Apprenante passionnée, elle reste à jour avec les dernières recherches et aime créer et partager des ressources... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Creative Mandalas for Relaxation RECORDING
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Create therapeutic art while relaxing! Using concentric patterns and designs, create amazing decorative mandalas on paper. Learn how to add watercolour, ink and markers to decorate your patterns. The process of creating mandalas can be very meditative giving one an escape from the stress of daily life. USE THE HANDOUTS TO HELP GEAR THE RECORDED SESSION AS IT HAS SAMPLES AND LIST OF MATERIALS.
Speakers
avatar for Sally Towers-Sybblis

Sally Towers-Sybblis

artist/instructor
Sally Towers-Sybblis is a full time mixed media artist from Red Deer, Alberta. Her whimsical style of art often incorporates a combination of lettering, watercolor or acrylic. Her work has been featured in various publications including “The Lettering Arts Review”.Her journey... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Classroom Assessment Techniques
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
This session will demonstrate formative assessment strategies that will enhance student learning and provide teachers with valuable feedback about their teaching practice. This information can guide instruction and will benefit all students; however, it will particularly have a positive impact on low-achievers. This is a valuable session because it will introduce teachers to a range of formative classroom assessment techniques, how to use them, how to analyze the data that they gather, and how to share that data with students. The takeaways from this session are very practical and could be smoothly incorporated into any classroom regardless of teaching situation or teaching style.
Speakers
avatar for Tyler Buchan

Tyler Buchan

Tyler Buchan is a teacher at Salisbury Composite High School in Sherwood Park, Alberta. He has taught science for over 15 years at schools in Alberta, Burkina Faso and Jamaica. He has degrees in Education and Arts from the University of Alberta, and a Master’s of Science in Science... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Outcomes, Triangulation and Gradebooks - OH MY!
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
We know that tests and traditional grading are not necessarily the most effective for assessing and reporting student learning, but how to make the transition from what we’ve always done to what we want to do? This session will share ideas and resources for tracking student progress, setting up an outcome based gradebook and reporting achievements in a way that meaningfully describes what students know and can do.
Speakers
avatar for Julie Arsenault

Julie Arsenault

Science Lead Teacher, Science Council
After receiving her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Microbiology and Biotechnology, Julie entered the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta to pursue her teaching career. She has been teaching with Edmonton Public Schools since 2002 and has developed a passion for incorporating... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Student Self-Marking as Formative Assessment
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
This presentation is an overview of an action research project on the effects of having students mark their own formative quizzes upon their level of metacognition, attitude and academic achievement. In addition, the reliability of student self-grading, and the potential benefits upon the instructor’s time were also evaluated. Come to this session to hear about how this action research was conducted and the takeaways from this project.
Speakers
avatar for Tyler Buchan

Tyler Buchan

Tyler Buchan is a teacher at Salisbury Composite High School in Sherwood Park, Alberta. He has taught science for over 15 years at schools in Alberta, Burkina Faso and Jamaica. He has degrees in Education and Arts from the University of Alberta, and a Master’s of Science in Science... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

XP Boost: Establishing Esports in Middle and High Schools
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Discover the transformative power of esports in education through my firsthand experience of launching and scaling esports programs in middle and high schools across our division. Learn how Esports can foster student engagement, enhance social-emotional learning, and create a dynamic, inclusive school community. Join me in exploring strategies for implementing a thriving esports program that prepares students for future success both in and out of the game.
Speakers
avatar for Scott Blenkhorne

Scott Blenkhorne

Scott Blenkhorne is currently a Specialist with the Teaching and Learning with Technology team at the Calgary Board of Education and has been an educator for the past 17 years, teaching Math, Science, and Computer Science to students from grades 6 - 12. He learned how to code websites... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

How Big Movies Help Students Understand Big Transferable Concepts
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Finding Nemo. How to Train Your Dragon. Apollo 13. There are big ideas and big moments in big movies: ideas that can pinpoint key instances of learning and transfer. We’ll examine these moments (and more) and bridge them into classroom learning. Teachers will learn about transfer theory and ways to use movies to explicitly teach for transfer of understanding. This session includes a support package of takeaways, teaching tips, and graphic organizers teachers can use in their classrooms.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Karena Hartson

Dr. Karena Hartson

Karena is a secondary literacy consultant who delivers high-level, high-energy professional learning sessions that help teachers leverage their own experiences to support student learning. Teachers attending her sessions will come away with tools and strategies that they can use immediately... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Teach Across the Curriculum Like a B.O.S.S. with Computational Thinking & Scratch
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Up all night worrying about how you are going to create amazing instructional activities for the new Alberta curriculum? Feeling overwhelmed by outcomes and objectives? Put those bothersome worries to bed for good by exploring the power of Computational Thinking (CT) and Scratch! Come see why the Scratch visual block coding language is a PERFECT FIT for cross-curricular instruction infused with Computational Thinking and Computer Science (CS). This session will walk you through simple activities that operationalize CS objectives with cross-curricular outcomes from the NEW Alberta Programs of Study. Use a CT (B.O.S.S.) framework to add a new layer of community building, engagement and fun to your cross-curricular instructional design with Computational Thinking and coding in Scratch!
Speakers
avatar for Trevor Iampen

Trevor Iampen

Trevor has over 20 years of experience as an elementary school teacher (EPSB), university course developer/instructor (The King's University & University of Alberta), app/web developer and consultant for a variety of organizations and institutions across North America.
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Using Riddles and Unsolvable Problems to Encourage Oral Language and Higher Order Thinking Skills
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Here’s a great entry point for thinking, speaking and problem solving! Riddles and unsolvable problems contain clues, mysteries, and thought-provoking opportunities seen as ‘play’, but in reality they encourage complex cognitive investment. Along with developing valuable language-manipulation skills, riddles and unsolvable puzzles support higher level thinking, literacy and numeracy competencies, and promote subject-specific skills. Teachers will walk away with a number of riddles and puzzles that encourage students to engage in oral language, problem solving, and critical thinking. Join us for a puzzlingly good time!
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Karena Hartson

Dr. Karena Hartson

Karena is a secondary literacy consultant who delivers high-level, high-energy professional learning sessions that help teachers leverage their own experiences to support student learning. Teachers attending her sessions will come away with tools and strategies that they can use immediately... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Sex Ed Made Simple: Learn to deliver sexual health education with confidence!
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE) has been deemed a human right by the U.N. According to Action Canada, most Canadian youth do not currently receive best practice CSHE. Many teachers receive little to no support in how to implement CSHE effectively. In this interactive online session, teachers will learn what makes sexuality education comprehensive and why it's so important. We will cover creating safe environments, navigating different beliefs and values systems, meeting Alberta curriculum and best practice benchmarks and how to answer student questions.
Teachers will leave with a pocket full of evidence-based resources to support their unit design, and the confidence to tackle this topic and meet best practice standards.
Speakers
CM

Carlie McPhee

Meet Carlie (she/they) - your go-to authority on all things sexual health education.Carlie has been working in the Sexual & Reproductive Health field as a specialized sexual health educator for over a decade across western Canada. She has a Bachelor of Kinesiology in Leadership in... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

AI Made Simple for the Classroom
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
We invite you to join us for this interactive exploration into how AI can assist you to make a real difference to your work-life balance while also increasing student engagement in your classroom! You'll walk away with an abundance of custom curricular aligned teaching resources for new or existing AB curriculum as well as a supportive community to help you navigate the journey of enhancing your professional practice with AI. Let's take care of your teacher's "to-do" list, so you can take care of your students!

The objectives for this session are:
Using AI to assist you with best-practice instructional strategies, assessment, and inclusion.
Using AI to make the complexities of outcome based assessment easy to manage
Teachers will be use AI to differentiate instruction
Teachers will be able to evaluate the output of AI resources on the basis of Teacher Quality Standards
Teachers will be supported while they learn very practical ways to achieve work/life balance with the use of AI
Teachers will be taken through the necessary process of reflection to generate resources built on best practices
Speakers
avatar for Sharon Skretting

Sharon Skretting

CEO/Founder, Teacher Time Machine Ltd.
Teacher Time Machine is an Alberta based Educational AI company. We save teacher hours each week by giving them the technology tools and mentorship in outcome based planning and assessment! Some of our best selling features include: Hard Coded AB Curriculum, The ability to create... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

An Introduction to Forest Bathing In the Classroom: More than a Walk in The Woods
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, began in Japan in the 1980s as a government initiative to help reduce stress among citizens. There was even had a name for it - Karoshi, or “death by overwork”. Since then, research has demonstrated the benefits of being in nature on physical and mental health and forest bathing (or forest therapy) has become more mainstream.

Students today are spending less and less time outdoors and forest bathing is a way to help bring them into the natural environment they so desperately need. This session will describe the practice of forest bathing and its benefits. It will also include easy-to-implement strategies for the classroom, including ways to enjoy the benefits of forest bathing when getting outdoors isn’t practical or possible. Come prepared to participate and learn about this wellness practice for yourself and your students!

Here is a link to follow along with the resources: https://tinyurl.com/fbathinghandouts
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Joni Turville

Dr. Joni Turville

Founder and CEO, Wild Transformation Coaching and Consulting
Dr. Joni Turville's career has included various roles, from teaching multiple grades and subjects to serving as an administrator, consultant, university instructor, most recently, Deputy CEO of the Alberta Teachers' Association. She is the author of books, articles, and chapters with... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Aristotle, Happiness and Teaching
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Aristotle is one of the most pre-eminent thinkers of all time. Come to this session to learn about his biography and his compelling ideas about happiness! This session will also link Aristotle’s account of happiness to teaching to show how it can be a source of hope in a time of increasing demands and stresses both inside and outside of the classroom.
Speakers
avatar for Tyler Buchan

Tyler Buchan

Tyler Buchan is a teacher at Salisbury Composite High School in Sherwood Park, Alberta. He has taught science for over 15 years at schools in Alberta, Burkina Faso and Jamaica. He has degrees in Education and Arts from the University of Alberta, and a Master’s of Science in Science... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

ASEBP Benefit Overview Presentation
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Whether you are a new covered member or not, this session can help you learn about the wide range of benefits, programs and services we offer.
In this presentation you will discover how to get the most from your coverage, our different tools and platforms, the benefits of spending accounts and more!
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

ASEBP Inkblot
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording
  Health and Wellness (TQS 3), All Divisions
  • Post Convention Recordings ASEBP

3:20pm MST

Food & Finance
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Two of the biggest goals we never seem to achieve are to be better with our health and better with our money. This can be challenging as we’re taxed for time and energy with our busy work days and family time. Finding ways to save time and money with our food budget can help us towards each goal at the same time!
Join us for our Food and Finances workshop/webinar to learn some valuable information and easy-to-implement steps. In the session, you will learn how to:
• Recognize the various factors that impact your food budget
• Track your food budget so you know exactly what you’re spending instead of what you believe you’re spending
• Learn how to create a meal plan
• Save money on your groceries
• Make meal preparation easier and less time consuming
• Use mobile technologies that can help you save money.
This session can help you get organized with your meal planning, shopping and cooking which saves you time and money while nourishing you and your family with healthy meals.
Speakers
avatar for Mark Kalinowski

Mark Kalinowski

Financial Educator and Credit Counsellor, Credit Counselling Society
Mark is a bit of a personal finance nerd! His interest grew when he started his career at a bank call center and read the David Chilton book, “The Wealthy Barber.” He has taken courses on investing and insurance and was at one time licensed to sell them at the bank, but that wasn’t... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Mind your Mindfulness : Skills to develop Emotional Intelligence
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Educators face the challenge of maintaining classroom calm amidst constant distractions—busy students, loud bells, and tight schedules.

By developing mindful skills, teachers can achieve internal balance, fostering a more peaceful classroom environment.

Participants will gain:

The ability to distinguish between being distracted and staying present with themselves and their students.
Five steps to clear mental clutter, even in chaotic settings.
A powerful technique for cultivating inner peace.
Skills to quickly regain calm after disruptions.
Practical tools to model emotional regulation, promoting a supportive learning atmosphere.
These skills will enhance classroom dynamics and contribute to a more effective teaching and learning experience.
Speakers
AK

Amritha Kailas

As a Jay Shetty Certified life coach, expert in the Bhagavad Gita, and a Sanskrit instructor, Amritha inspires her audiences to bring calm to the workplace and home. She offers her audiences practical methods to cultivate self-discipline, emotional intelligence, and a life of confidence... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

My Retiree Plan Presentation
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Retirement can no doubt be both exciting and daunting. Between all the paperwork and planning, let us make one of the items on your checklist a little easier!
During this presentation, you will learn the ins and outs of your health benefits during retirement. From eligibility requirements to different types of coverage, ASEBP has got you covered—literally
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

The Weekend Reset: 7 Keys to Teacher Wellness
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Do you lose sleep on Sunday nights because your to-do list is running through your head? Do you start the week feeling exhausted? This session will highlight 7 research-based practices to help you start every week feeling more calm, connected, and confident. This all may sound easier said than done since teachers often carry their work and their care for students into their personal time, but fear not! We will explore a framework that is easy to implement and includes strategies for days when you only have a small amount of time for self-care. Many of the ideas will also translate into activities you can incorporate into wellness activities for students. Don't just survive...thrive!
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Joni Turville

Dr. Joni Turville

Founder and CEO, Wild Transformation Coaching and Consulting
Dr. Joni Turville's career has included various roles, from teaching multiple grades and subjects to serving as an administrator, consultant, university instructor, most recently, Deputy CEO of the Alberta Teachers' Association. She is the author of books, articles, and chapters with... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Truth About Credit
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Ever wondered what the difference between a credit score and a credit report was? Do you know what builds (or reduces) your credit score? Credit can be very confusing and this can lead to decisions that may impact our overall credit profile. Decisions and actions that are seemingly positive may actually impact us negatively.
Information is key to making decisions that positively affect our credit and overall financial health. In The Truth About Credit workshop, you will learn how to:
• Identify what’s in it for you to be good with your money and credit;
• Identify what is on your credit report and the credit rating system;
• Identify the 5 factors that affect your credit score;
• Check your own credit report;
• Name who may be interested in your credit score/report;
• Identify some myths around credit; and
Speakers
avatar for Mark Kalinowski

Mark Kalinowski

Financial Educator and Credit Counsellor, Credit Counselling Society
Mark is a bit of a personal finance nerd! His interest grew when he started his career at a bank call center and read the David Chilton book, “The Wealthy Barber.” He has taken courses on investing and insurance and was at one time licensed to sell them at the bank, but that wasn’t... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Helping Students Feel Happier: Insights From Icons
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Mercedes and Anastasia Korngut are two Albertan teen sisters who started their company, Small Bits of Happiness, three years ago. Their mission is to help individuals of all ages find more happiness in daily life. As two teens, they understand firsthand the difficulties of teenage-hood, including not only the hormonal changes that teens undergo, but the added stressors of war, post-pandemic life, and beyond. Through their podcast, Hack Your Happiness, the two sisters have spoken to countless Olympic Athletes, entrepreneurs, Oscar-winners, Grammy-winning composers, New York Times Bestselling Authors, marine biologists, NASA scientists, NASCAR drivers, CEOs, and beyond. Through their conversations Mercedes and Anastasia have learned critical advice from these iconic individuals, specifically on the topic of happiness and advice to teens and pre-teens. As many pre-teens and teens struggle to take advice from parents and teachers, in this session, Mercedes and Anastasia share top happiness advice from top iconic individuals, as well as their perspective on finding happiness as two teens. Mercedes and Anastasia share how teachers and educators can guide students to building happy habits, and practicing wellness - all from the perspective of a teen, and iconic interviews.
Speakers
avatar for Mercedes Korngut

Mercedes Korngut

Co-founder and CEO, Small Bits of Happiness
- Digital learning platform for building happiness habits- Happiness-wellness products designed by teens for students. Including an activity box featuring 100 unique, simple, and fun things to do to feel happier daily, learn what brings students happiness, and connect a classroom... Read More →
avatar for Anastasia Korngut

Anastasia Korngut

Co-Founder and COO, Small Bits of Happiness
Anastasia Korngut is 14-years-old, and started Small Bits of Happiness with her sister, Mercedes, two years ago.  Small Bits of Happiness is a company with the mission of helping individuals of all ages, especially teens and pre-teens, find more happiness in daily life and build... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

The Science of Language Learning for Schools and Homes
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
This presentation will outline how successful language learning happens throughout a child's development. The structure will be to answer the following questions by outlining the latest research and then providing examples from in-school experience.
1) What is unique about child language learning, and how is it different from animal communication, and AI-based language?
2) When does child language learning begin and what are the critical periods for language learning?
3) Who are the people that an ideal language development community requires?
4) Where are the spaces that language learning occurs most successfully?
5) How can home and school contexts be transformed into language-rich environments?
6) Why is language development so vital to a child's social, academic, and future vocational success?
7) Which changes can be made immediately and which changes take time?
Each of these questions will be answered in a way that attendees can understand the findings, as well as the implications and opportunities for the classroom.
Speakers
avatar for Michael Witten

Michael Witten

Speech-Language Pathologist
Since becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist in 2015, Michael Witten has worked as a school-based SLP, run a private practice, and taught First Language Acquisition at TWU. He has shared about the Science of Language Learning in numerous school district Pro-D events and for school... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Beyond Superwomen: Embracing Imperfection and Prioritizing Yourself
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Are you a high-performing teacher feeling overwhelmed by the relentless demands of your professional and personal life? As a parent, teacher, and multitasker extraordinaire, it's easy to find yourself at the bottom of your own priority list, constantly striving to meet the needs of others while neglecting your own well-being.

In this transformative presentation, we address the all-too-common experience of high-performing teachers who feel stretched thin, anxious, and perpetually behind. Drawing from real-world experiences and expert insights, we unveil the 5 essential keys to reclaiming ownership of your needs and your life, granting yourself guilt-free permission to rise to the top of your own to-do list.
Speakers
avatar for Andrea Mishio

Andrea Mishio

Teacher
With 17 years of invaluable experience in the education field, Andrea brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. After spending 15 years teaching in a junior high school setting, she now finds herself in the world of early childhood education as a dedicated kindergarten... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

The Power of Story: Living a Story Centric Life
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Ever since we scratched symbols on a cave wall, we’ve been learning how to communicate through the art of story. It’s a universal truth that we learn through storytelling, by recognizing the experiences of others, and learning important lessons that stretch beyond the cautionary tales of stealing porridge from bears. This keynote is an engaging and interactive deep dive into the art of story, including the 3-act structure of life, and how to become the master of your own story through intentional interactions and an unwavering sense of perseverance.
Speakers
avatar for Andrew Buckley

Andrew Buckley

Author/Speaker/Creator
Today, he’s a traditional and self-published novelist of rather silly, yet enjoyable speculative fiction for all ages, a comic book writer, screenwriter, podcaster, creator, and speaker. For over 20 years, he’s worked in the dreaded world of marketing as a content creator, copywriter... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Helping Students Navigate Academic Vocabulary Across Subject Areas
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Students require specialized skills to be able to cope with the demands of disciplinary text. As students move up in secondary grades, the language of the texts they engage with becomes more specialized and precise, and the language more academic. Academic vocabulary (often referred to as Tier 2 Academic Words) is problematic for students to master, as academic vocabulary can take on dramatically different meanings depending on the usage. As the knowledge students engage with becomes more formalized and complex, so too do the patterns of language that construct that knowledge. This session will take a look at patterns of language and some of the problems with academic vocabulary. Teachers will come away with practical and useful tools that students can use to visualize, organize and structure their thinking to improve their reading, writing and communicating across all subject areas.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Karena Hartson

Dr. Karena Hartson

Karena is a secondary literacy consultant who delivers high-level, high-energy professional learning sessions that help teachers leverage their own experiences to support student learning. Teachers attending her sessions will come away with tools and strategies that they can use immediately... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

My Students Can’t Summarize! Please Help!
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
The ability to read and summarize a text is an essential skill. A good summary needs to do more than pick out the big ideas and simplify the text. A good summary helps students to identify and analyze key points in the text and then relate those points to the overall structure of the text. Teaching summarization that is linked to text-structure improves both the quality of the written summaries and students’ overall comprehension of the text. Join Dr. Hartson to explore this powerful method of summarizing text. You’ll walk away with examples, graphic organizers, and materials you can use in your class tomorrow.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Karena Hartson

Dr. Karena Hartson

Karena is a secondary literacy consultant who delivers high-level, high-energy professional learning sessions that help teachers leverage their own experiences to support student learning. Teachers attending her sessions will come away with tools and strategies that they can use immediately... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

From Concept to Script - Screenwriting Workshop
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Speakers
avatar for Andrew Buckley

Andrew Buckley

Author/Speaker/Creator
Today, he’s a traditional and self-published novelist of rather silly, yet enjoyable speculative fiction for all ages, a comic book writer, screenwriter, podcaster, creator, and speaker. For over 20 years, he’s worked in the dreaded world of marketing as a content creator, copywriter... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

The ‘Not So Happily Ever After’ Storytelling Workshop
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
This workshop takes attendees on a magical journey through the origins of classic fairy tales, showing how storytelling principles as told through the lens of centuries old tales can inform modern writing techniques. Before two Grimm brothers compiled a collection of 'happily ever after' fairy tales, there existed the 'not so happy ever after' fairy tales. This interactive session is designed to empower teachers to inspire students through purely silly fun with a dark twist and a singular writing lesson: all stories must teach a lesson.
Speakers
avatar for Andrew Buckley

Andrew Buckley

Author/Speaker/Creator
Today, he’s a traditional and self-published novelist of rather silly, yet enjoyable speculative fiction for all ages, a comic book writer, screenwriter, podcaster, creator, and speaker. For over 20 years, he’s worked in the dreaded world of marketing as a content creator, copywriter... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

The ‘Trick or Treat’ Horror Writing Workshop
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
It's time to get creepy! This genre-bending workshop will take attendees through the horrors of . . . well . . . writing a horror. Highlighting the psychology of fear, we'll explore common horror tropes in storytelling, the formula for building a chilling tale, and put together a complete story outline for a horror movie (featuring workshop attendees). This interactive session provides teachers with the necessary tools to plan and break a discussion-based story plan. Touching upon principles of storytelling and genre writing, with a horror-infused twist, this interactive workshop is not for the faint of heart!
Speakers
avatar for Andrew Buckley

Andrew Buckley

Author/Speaker/Creator
Today, he’s a traditional and self-published novelist of rather silly, yet enjoyable speculative fiction for all ages, a comic book writer, screenwriter, podcaster, creator, and speaker. For over 20 years, he’s worked in the dreaded world of marketing as a content creator, copywriter... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

A Teenage Songwriter’s Journey: Helping people write songs as a means of personal expression
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
In 2021, Oakley set a goal to release an album before turning 16. He wrote songs and busked to fund the project. Over the next three years, he learned many lessons that he’s excited to share. His album, Auburn, was released in May 2024. Attend this session to learn how to use songwriting as a means of expression and language exploration with a young singer-songwriter. With simple frameworks, you’ll create a hook and start to craft a new song. No musical experience or talent is necessary. Oakley will complete some songs during the session. Through story, live music and collaborative writing, you’ll leave this session with an appreciation for the power of song and a process to start the journey with your students.

Oakley’s Bio:
Oakley is a 16 year old, Calgary-born and raised singer-songwriter. He is a Grade 11 student who juggles school athletics, training for his black belt in mixed martial arts, his passion for the mountains, and his singing career. He recently released his first Album (Auburn) on all streaming platforms. His musical influences include Ella Fitzgerald, John Mayer, Ziggy Alberts, numerous world musicians, and everything in between. One of his goals is to inspire people to pick up a real instrument and start playing. He advocates doing something that takes courage over what is comfortable. He is also a connoisseur of grilled cheese and mac and cheese.
Speakers
avatar for Paul Marlett

Paul Marlett

Learning Leader, Calgary Board of Education
Paul is a purebred teacher and a maverick in education who focuses on innovation in the “art of teaching”. Having taught for over 2 decades in the classroom, the gym, and (approved) mountain tops from grades 1 to 12 in all subject matters, he has spent the last 10 years with the... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Collaborative Learning Strategies for Student Success
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
In this engaging and practical session, we will delve into a variety of collaborative learning strategies that enhance student engagement and foster a safe, productive learning environment. The session will focus on Jigsaw Learning, educational games, and whiteboard activities, to empower students to work together, improve critical thinking, and take ownership of their learning.
Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Mahal

Jennifer Mahal

My name is Jennifer Mahal. As a teacher, I’ve had experience substituting across different schools in Calgary. I also spent time teaching Science at an academy in Hastings, UK. After my time abroad, I continued to teach in Calgary. With 11 years of teaching experience, I believe... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Number Talks in the Middle School Math Classroom
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
In collaboration with three school divisions in Alberta and funded by the Research Partnerships Program of Alberta Education, Number Talks were implemented over four months in Grades 4 - 8. Our goal was to determine if the implementation of Number Talks would serve to increase the competence and confidence of students in their numeracy skills. We had approximately 30 teachers and 300 students participate in the research project. This session will present the research findings and the implications for teacher practice.
Speakers
avatar for Sandy Bakos

Sandy Bakos

Assistant Professor, University of Lethbridge
avatar for Richelle Marynowski

Richelle Marynowski

Professor, University of Lethbridge
Dr. Richelle Marynowski is a Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Lethbridge. Her background includes 14 years of teaching secondary mathematics and 13 years teaching at the University of Lethbridge. Her research foci include teacher professional growth and development... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Coaching Athletes in School: Developing the Whole Athlete to Foster a United Team
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
A retrospective on coaching, not a how-to, there is no right or wrong way to lead. New perspectives for a new generation.
Our actions teach more than our words. Alternatives to traditional authoritarian coaching approaches
High-impact phrases to bring a team together around a common goal beyond the W
Powerful tools to mentor lesser-skilled athletes into the game (we don’t all have club players)
Full Athlete includes Sleep, Hydration, Nutrition, Relationships, Activity, Downtime, Stress Management, Academics, and Service.
Defining every athlete's role - Going deeper than positions
The HUGE opportunity to engage in empowering captains
Is game day for you or the players?
The Power of Team meetings and time outs
Dedicated to one of the greats: Kevin Pelehos
Speakers
avatar for Paul Marlett

Paul Marlett

Learning Leader, Calgary Board of Education
Paul is a purebred teacher and a maverick in education who focuses on innovation in the “art of teaching”. Having taught for over 2 decades in the classroom, the gym, and (approved) mountain tops from grades 1 to 12 in all subject matters, he has spent the last 10 years with the... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Unlocking the Vault: Secrets of Exemplary Football Programs in Alberta
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT

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.
Speakers
avatar for Ron McIntyre

Ron McIntyre

Ron McIntyre is a veteran high school educator of 33 years and has played and coached football at the minor, high school, and university levels in Alberta for nearly 40 years. He earned a History Degree from York University and an Education Degree from the University of Alberta. He... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

"Be Positive is the worst thing to Hear"
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
"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.

Speakers
HT

Harriet Tinka

Prepare to be inspired by the remarkable life of Harriet Tinka, an extraordinary individual whose passion, achievements, and dedication make her an invaluable asset to any educational community. Harriet's biography highlights her unwavering commitment to positive change and empowerment... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

"Boosting Confidence through Presentations: The TINKA Framework for Students"
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
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.
Speakers
HT

Harriet Tinka

Prepare to be inspired by the remarkable life of Harriet Tinka, an extraordinary individual whose passion, achievements, and dedication make her an invaluable asset to any educational community. Harriet's biography highlights her unwavering commitment to positive change and empowerment... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Level Up! A Coach Approach to School And District Leadership
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
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
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Joni Turville

Dr. Joni Turville

Founder and CEO, Wild Transformation Coaching and Consulting
Dr. Joni Turville's career has included various roles, from teaching multiple grades and subjects to serving as an administrator, consultant, university instructor, most recently, Deputy CEO of the Alberta Teachers' Association. She is the author of books, articles, and chapters with... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Chemistry Games
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Come and see how you can teach students about the periodic table of elements and chemistry concepts using games! Make your chemistry class fun and interactive and trick your students into learning their elements with gamification. Although this session is primarily for grade 9 science, there will be ideas that transcend many levels. You will get to try out games like periodic table Battleship & Jenga, atomic Uno and check out a variety of other commercial science board games. Amanda will share her resources to make some of the games as well as a plethora of other Chemistry ideas and tools you can use in your classroom Monday morning!
Speakers
avatar for Amanda Green

Amanda Green

Teacher, Science Council
Amanda's spark for science ignited at an early age exploring nature with her family and grew into a flame for space exploration as she followed Canada's journey skyward. She teaches Junior High STEM classes in both English and French in Beaumont, Alberta. Alongside her colleague Julie... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Lab Skills Performance Assessments in Chemistry
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Performance assessments are authentic ways for students to demonstrate their abilities and can positively affect students’ attitudes toward the lab, their academic achievement, and upon the overall environment of the classroom. When used in conjunction with student self-assessment checklists performance assessments can also promote metacognitive activity. This session will present how to administer performance assessments of five basic lab skills and the benefits to the classroom that result.
Speakers
avatar for Tyler Buchan

Tyler Buchan

Tyler Buchan is a teacher at Salisbury Composite High School in Sherwood Park, Alberta. He has taught science for over 15 years at schools in Alberta, Burkina Faso and Jamaica. He has degrees in Education and Arts from the University of Alberta, and a Master’s of Science in Science... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

PBL basics - how to develop a project based mindset
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
The real world doesn’t exist in silos so why do we expect our students to learn in them? Project Based Learning provides an opportunity to blur the lines between subject disciplines and allow students and teachers to collaborate on meaningful tasks, but how do we even begin? This session will provide guidance for different planning methods used to develop cross-curricular project based learning initiatives at the secondary level with science at their core.
Speakers
avatar for Julie Arsenault

Julie Arsenault

Science Lead Teacher, Science Council
After receiving her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Microbiology and Biotechnology, Julie entered the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta to pursue her teaching career. She has been teaching with Edmonton Public Schools since 2002 and has developed a passion for incorporating... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording

3:20pm MST

Artificial Intelligence - The Creative World of Our Robot Overlords
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
AI has emerged as a tool that school-aged children have embraced, and consequently, has become a headache for teachers everywhere. This workshop offers an open discussion forum to teach the pros and cons of AI while laughing about how we’ll all eventually be replaced by talking toasters. Most importantly, it also provides useful tools and advice on how to use AI as a creative tool for writing projects.
Speakers
avatar for Andrew Buckley

Andrew Buckley

Author/Speaker/Creator
Today, he’s a traditional and self-published novelist of rather silly, yet enjoyable speculative fiction for all ages, a comic book writer, screenwriter, podcaster, creator, and speaker. For over 20 years, he’s worked in the dreaded world of marketing as a content creator, copywriter... Read More →
Friday February 21, 2025 3:20pm - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm MDT
Recording
 


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