PDTCA 2025

Learn how math is at work at the zoo! While viewing our unique creatures we will identify how math goes into the caring for these animals. Through calculating area from schematic drawings, analyzing population trends and reproductive rates, to ensuring a healthy diet we will learn new ways to bring real world math to the classroom.
This off-site session will be at the Wilder Calgary Zoo, 210 St. George's Drive NE, Calgary, AB, and has a participant fee of $10.50. ​Pre-Registration Link​​​

Giddy up! Hop aboard the historic Stampede Trolley to experience the excitement of the newly opened Sam Centre from the perspective of a student. You will experience the Calgary Stampede's legendary tales through interactive exhibits, hands-on learning, a behind-the-scenes tour of the collections room, and storytelling from Calgary Stampede experts celebrating western hospitality and the spirit of Southern Alberta! Discover rodeo! Discover midway! Discover fun! Discover Sam!

This location for this session is Sam Centre; 632 13 Ave SE with pickup at the Hyatt Hotel, and has a participant fee of $10.50.
​Pre-Registration Link​​​

This session will take place off site at WH Croxford High School, Airdrie, AB, in the Culinary Arts lab. We will learn 2 recipes; Chana Dal and Chicken Biriyani. After we create our food together, you can enjoy your creations! Grab your aprons and your taste buds and enjoy the ride!
This session has a participant fee of $10.50. ​Pre-Registration Link​​​

Immerse yourself in the zoo, while its resident animals inspire you in this workshop that will demonstrate strategies and techniques that combine art with scientific inquiry and open the door to descriptive writing. Be prepared to have fun and discover your inner artist as you slow down and appreciate the finer details around you. No previous artistic experience necessary, just a willingness to have a go!
PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN UNLINED SKETCHPAD / JOURNAL, AND WRITING/COLOURING UTENSILS
This session will be held at Wilder Calgary Zoo, 210 St. George's Drive NE, and has a participant fee of $10.50.
​Pre-Registration Link​​​

Description:

"Beyond the Classroom: Nurturing Teacher Wellbeing" is a unique workshop aimed at equipping educators with effective tools to improve their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. This hands-on experience combines mindfulness practices, including yin yoga, guided meditation (yoga nidra), and breathing techniques, with creative expression through art. These activities are designed to help teachers build resilience and enhance self-awareness, ultimately supporting their overall wellness in both personal and professional contexts.

Workshop Highlights:
Mindful Movement and Breath work:
Start your journey with gentle yin yoga and stress-reducing breathing techniques, setting a foundation for relaxation and presence.

Guided Meditation:
Delve deeper into relaxation and mental clarity through a guided meditation or yoga nidra session, introducing the concept of sankulpa (intention) for personal growth.

Art as a Path to Wellness:
The highlight of our workshop is an engaging acrylic painting activity. Participants will create two "sister paintings" - one representing what they're releasing, and another depicting what they're manifesting or intending. This creative process offers numerous benefits:
- Enhances self-awareness and promotes non-judgmental self-reflection
- Encourages mindfulness and present-moment focus, reducing stress about past or future
- Provides a joyful, childlike experience that nurtures the spirit
- Offers insights into self-perception and acceptance through the contrast between the two paintings
- Serves as a powerful tool for stress reduction and emotional expression
The art session is designed to be a meditative experience, with background music encouraging participants to go within and connect with their creative selves. This activity not only serves as a stress-reliever but also as a catalyst for personal insights and growth.

Reflection and Goal-Setting:
Conclude the day by sharing experiences, discussing insights gained from the art activity, and setting concrete wellness goals for the upcoming school term.

This workshop offers a unique blend of mindfulness practices and creative expression, providing teachers with a holistic approach to wellbeing. By engaging in art creation, participants will tap into a powerful tool for stress reduction, self-discovery, and emotional processing. The skills and insights gained will extend far beyond the classroom, enriching both personal and professional lives.

Join us for a day focused on teacher wellness, combining practical self-care techniques with creative activities. This workshop aims to help you reconnect with your passion for teaching and improve your overall wellbeing, which in turn can positively impact your students' learning experience.

Duration: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: The Red Barn: 253253 Bearspaw Road, Calgary, AB
Participant Instructions:
Dear Participant,

Welcome to our off-site teacher wellbeing workshop. To ensure you get the most out of this experience, please:

1. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing suitable for gentle yoga/ movement. Wear clothes that aren't precious to you, as you will be working with various mediums in the art activity.
2. Bring a yoga mat.
3. Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day.
4. Pack a light, nutritious lunch or snacks for the break(s).
5. Bring a journal or notebook and pen for reflective exercises.
6. Come with an open mind and willingness to engage in self-reflection and group discussions.
7. Feel free to bring a small cushion or blanket for added comfort during meditation.
8. Most importantly, be prepared to prioritize yourself and your wellbeing for the day.

We look forward to guiding you through this journey of self-discovery and rejuvenation.

This session has a participant fee of $31.50. ​Pre-Registration Link​​​

Embark on a photographic adventure at École Secondaire Highwood High School, nestled in the serene backdrop of Alberta's foothills. This session is designed to acquaint educators with Lumix bridge cameras and their role as an affordable, durable, and performance-oriented camera for students to explore the world of photography.  During this session, educators will learn the basic operation of the camera, as well as delve into its advanced manual mode where they can manipulate the "Photography Triangle" - the three fundamental elements of exposure control: aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. Complemented by Adobe Lightroom Classic, this workshop aims to provide a source of inspiration for educators to design their own photography program in the context of their own 7-12 learning environments.

This session has limited seating (16) and will be a full day session at École Secondaire Highwood High School, 1401 10 St SE, High River, AB T1V 1S1. The session will begin at 9:00AM. Lunch will not be provided however there are several excellent lunch locations located in High River.

The full day session will have the following sections:

-Introduction to the Lumix Bridge Camera and Adoble Lightroom Classic
-Basic Camera Controls and Manual Mode: gain hands-on experience on how to leverage aperture, shutter speed, and ISO for creative control in any environment
-Photography Time in Highwood's Indigenous Learning Landscape and other nearby green spaces including a skate park (weather permitting)
-Post processing time in Adobe Ligthroom Classic
-Photo sharing and discussion
-Course component examples
-Brainstorming and design time for participants to begin imagining photography offerings in the context of their own school environment

This session has a participant fee of $10.50. ​Pre-Registration Link​​​

Join Vicki Perkins, Alberta Park’s Environmental Education Specialist for this full day snowshoeing session at Chester Lake in Kananaskis Country! This session is designed for teachers who want to deepen their understanding of snow science and winter safety while embracing their personal health and wellness. We’ll profile winter outdoor activities, stories, and resources that you can adapt to your specific learning environments. Our journey includes snowshoeing on and off trail covering a distance of 5 km with an elevation gain of 380 m. Please come prepared to be outside with warm winter clothing, winter boots, lunch and a thermos of hot beverage. Snowshoes required.
Location: Chester Lake Snowshoe trail, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.

Transportation: Teachers are required to provide their own transportation. Please consider car pooling.

Directions
From Calgary head west on Hwy 1. Turn south on HWY 40 (by the Stoney Nakoda Casino). Continue south on Hwy 40 for approximately 45 min/51km to the winter highway closure in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. Turn right onto Kananaskis Lakes Trail. Follow the KLT for 2 km until you reach the Smith Dorrien Trail junction (Hwy 742). Drive approximately 21 km north of this intersection. The parking lot is marked by a blue sign and will be on your right-hand side. We will meet you in the Chester Lake parking lot.
Note:
• there is no cell coverage at this location.
• Outhouse facilities are in the parking lot.
• Maps will be sent to registered participants.

This session has a participant fee of $10.50. ​Pre-Registration Link​​​

Students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities can face challenges in the inclusive classroom that require strategies and supports to be successful in their learning and development. This professional development session aims to equip educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively teach students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. The session will cover the DSM criteria that psychologists use to diagnose learning disabilities, universal teaching strategies applicable to all students, targeted strategies tailored to students, and individualized strategies to meet the unique needs of each student.

Off-site location: Rocky View Schools Education Centre - Wildrose C (2651 Chinook Winds Drive SW, Airdrie, Alberta, T4B 0B4)
Pre-Registration Link

We are presenting a workshop on Indigenous Perspectives that includes "hands-on" experiential sessions with teachers actively participating in an "Educational Teaching" Sweat Lodge, Indigenous games and traditions, and discussions with regards to the application of foundational knowledge regarding Alberta Education's curriculum and First Nations, Metis, and Inuit.

What: Our planned Indigenous Perspectives workshop will include the following:
1.) Teaching/Educational Sweat Lodge Experience conducted by Indigenous Elders
2.) Indigenous Traditional games and talking circle
3.) Applying Foundational Knowledge about First Nations, Metis, Inuit and curriculum connections.

George Taven of Seeds Connections will be hosting the day and coordinating the logistics. Walter White Bear will be the Keynote speaker and Sweat Lodge Elder.

Walter will also engage several other locally recognized and respected elders to assist with the other sessions throughout the day.

KEY POINTS

1.) This workshop will be conducted from 8:30am - 3:00 pm . Teachers are responsible for their own transportation.

3.) We can have up to 50 people register.

4.) It is vital to read the attachments which are descriptions of each of the sessions as well as expectations and appropriate dress and details of what people should be aware of if they are planning to participate in the Educational Teaching Sweat Lodge.

5.) Teachers need to bring their own bag lunches. Participants should bring their own water bottle.

6.) Teachers wanting to participate in the Teaching Sweat must bring appropriate change of clothes and towel.

7.) We will require each participant to fill out and sign an Acknowledgement of Risk form when they first arrive.

Location:
241001 Range Road 42
Calgary, AB, Canada
T3Z 2X5

This site was formerly known as Kamp Kiwanis

This session has a participant fee of $10.50. ​Pre-Registration Link​​​

This session will be hosted at the West Bragg Creek Day Use Area. I will be sharing skills and management techniques to successfully have your students learn to XC ski with confidence. I will introduce techniques/drills to develop student confidence on the snow and progress to leading the group for a ski tour using existing groomed trails. Participants need to be prepared for outdoor activities. Cross country ski packages are available for rent for $25 donation to the Westmount School Outdoor Education program.

This session has a participant fee of $10.50. ​Pre-Registration Link​​​

In this session, teachers will be guided through a pathway to introduce pickleball into their curriculum. Participants are asked to come ready to learn through play! All equipment will be provided.

This session will take place at