PDTCA 2025: Full Schedule

THE PDTCA BOARD HOPES YOU HAVE AN AMAZING CONVENTION!
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES CTCC
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES HYATT
HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENT
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

CALGARY TELUS CONVENTION CENTRE(CTCC) and HYATT - address and driving directions

PRE-REGISTRATION WILL OPEN ON JANUARY 11, 2024 AT 8:00P.M. and CLOSE FEBRUARY 11 AT 8:00 P.M.
We have decided to start pre-registration on January 11th to make sure everyone is informed of the start time and has time to check out the sessions as the first week back to school can be quite hectic.
FOR PRE-REGISTERED SESSIONS PLEASE USE THE PRE-REGISTRATION LINK BELOW THE SESSION DESCRIPTION IN SCHED. Adding the session to your Sched schedule does not mean you are pre-registered. The number in the title shows how many will be allowed to attend the session. We do allow more names to be added, but they will be on the waiting list. This is explained on the pre-registration page.
https://www.pdtca.org/pre-registration.html

REASON TO CREATE A PROFILE IN SCHED
You do not need to create a profile and log in to see sessions in Sched. However, if you want to add yourself to a session to create a schedule or evaluate a session you must be logged in.

CONVENTION AT A GLANCE LINK WILL BE AVAILABLE HERE IN MID FEBRUARY
Off-Site Addresses are included.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
“On the two school days of your assigned teachers’ convention, you have a legal and professional responsibility to attend convention. If you are not able to make it safely to your assigned convention, however, your collective agreement may include impassable roads or inclement weather clauses that you can access. If your collective agreement does not include language specific to road conditions or weather, you may make use of the personal leave clauses of your agreement in most cases. Please be aware that using any of these types of leave may require you to pay substitute costs, forego a portion of your salary and benefits, or report to your school or another work location in your district. Refer to your collective agreement for more information. Should you require any additional information or if you need assistance interpreting your collective agreement, please contact Teacher Employment Services at 1-800-232-7208 or 780-447-9400.”
This information is also found on the Frequently Asked Questions page on the www.ataconventions.ca website. If you have any further questions regarding this, please contact Daniel.Maas@ata.ab.ca.

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9:00am MST

Effectively Differentiating Instruction to Meet The Needs of All Learners (K-6)

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

Glen 203/204 - CTCC

With the high demands and constant daily pressures that teachers face, differentiating instruction seems a dream of the ideal world!
Providing proven strategies, tools and resources to support teachers in differentiating learning to meet all
students’ needs, this session turns the ideal world into the reality. From research studies to personal experience, teachers will truly understand the importance and the benefits of delivering a differentiated curriculum. Above all, teachers will be able to transfer their knowledge and experience from the session, to make positive changes in the classroom and ultimately improve their students learning and performance.

Discover how to:
• Plan differentiated lessons;
• Use assessment data to inform your differentiated plans;
• Differentiate learning through ability groups;
• Manage differentiation in the classroom;
• Seek personalized support to successfully implement differentiated instruction.
Learn how to deliver a curriculum that challenges and progresses the learning for all students, regardless
of their ability so that every learner reaches their true potential!

Speakers

Samantha Smith

I’m Samantha Smith, the owner of TruTeach, providing elementary teachers, parents and students with support and guidance through the constant changes in the education world. Throughout my teaching career, I’ve been continuously evaluated as an exceptional elementary teacher. I’m... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Glen 203/204 - CTCC

Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6)

Session has participant fee No
Level of content Intermediate content
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No

10:20am MST

Lyrical Lessons: Using Music In Language Arts

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

Glen 203/204 - CTCC

Taking a look at music you may have heard a hundred times but never really listened to, this workshop will dive deeper into the meaning behind the melodies. Analyzing the different strategies we can learn from these timeless tunes, we will discuss techniques and examples to teach poetry, creative writing, and literary devices. Whether we’re looking at enduring classics or present-day pop hits, this workshop will give you an arsenal of toe-tapping material to pull the students into the literary arts.

Speakers

Miranda Krogstad

Presenter / Content creator, YYSpeak

Miranda Krogstad is a TEDx speaker and bestselling author of the book Glass Half Full of Poetry. A spoken word poet, eternal optimist, and workshop facilitator, Krogstad has connected with thousands of writers in dozens of cities across Western Canada. A member of the 2016 national... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Glen 203/204 - CTCC

Language Arts (TQS 3), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12) | English Language Learning (TQS/LQS 4), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12)

Session has participant fee No
Level of content Advanced content
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No

11:40am MST

Get Reel || Creative Writing Techniques in Cinema

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

Glen 203/204 - CTCC

Whether they’re packed with quirky quips or seriously sentimental scenes, films and series are among the most heavily consumed forms of literature today. Looking at cheesy rom coms and other blockbusters that any movie snob would turn their nose up at, this workshop will look at the clever moments and hidden gems within the popular cinema world. Using quotes and cinematic moments, we’ll pinpoint examples of creative writing techniques and literary devices that can be used in any writing discipline. Add to this some hands-on activities, and you’ll have a classroom-ready roster of examples with immediate practical application to ground it.

Speakers

Miranda Krogstad

Presenter / Content creator, YYSpeak

Thursday February 20, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Glen 203/204 - CTCC

Language Arts (TQS 3), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12) | English Language Learning (TQS/LQS 4), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12)

Session has participant fee No
Level of content Advanced content
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No

1:00pm MST

How to Read & Plan with the New Curriculum

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

Glen 203/204 - CTCC

Are you searching for a way to effectively navigate the new curriculum? Led by a highly experienced teacher with a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, this interactive session will provide practical activities to decode curriculum and tools to help align tasks with Bloom's Taxonomy. Gain valuable strategies for planning with the new curriculum, and differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs of your students. Prepare to enhance your teaching skills as you bid farewell to confusion and embrace newfound confidence as you embark on this collaborative journey! Hot tip: My goal is that you will walk away with an outline of lessons you can begin to teach tomorrow. I will be providing an ELA outcome from grades 4-6. If you want to work on a LO from your own grade - bring that page of the curriculum and a highlighter with you.

Speakers

Michelle Bechthold

Teacher, Rockyview Schools

With nearly 20 years of enriching experience in elementary education, Michelle is now bridging the gap between traditional teaching and technology. She is currently working on a compelling blog, aiming to shed light on the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in the... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Glen 203/204 - CTCC

Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), ECE (Pre K-K), Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6)

Session has participant fee No
Level of content General Overview for Novice learners
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No

2:20pm MST

Transform Your Teaching with AI

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

Glen 203/204 - CTCC

In the transformative era of education, Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands to redefine teaching and learning practices. My proposal, a hands-on exploration of AI tools like ChatGPT in K-9 classrooms, offers a compelling, forward-thinking workshop for your convention.

During this session, I'll demonstrate how AI can significantly improve student outcomes. Participants will learn how AI's data analytics can provide personalized insights on student performance, enabling tailored support to boost grades. I'll also show how AI's instant feedback capabilities can lead to swift mistake correction, essential for a dynamic learning environment.

Teachers will uncover practical strategies to implement AI tools in their daily routines, enabling them to work smarter and more effectively. My session will emphasize the importance of teachers harnessing AI as a teaching ally, not just a student tool. I'll share concrete examples of how AI can support diverse learners, including struggling students and English Language Learners.

With this workshop, my goal is to equip educators with the knowledge and skills to confidently navigate this new landscape, transforming their classrooms into dynamic, responsive learning environments. I am confident that my session will provide a valuable, inspiring, and future-ready contribution to your convention.

Speakers

Michelle Bechthold

Teacher, Rockyview Schools

Thursday February 20, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST
Glen 203/204 - CTCC

Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9) | Technology (TQS/LQS 2), Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9)

Session has participant fee No
Level of content General Overview for Novice learners
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No