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.

10:20am MST

Timesavers for Teachers

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 12:40pm MST

Glen 209 - CTCC

We graduated from University of Alberta 12 years ago now, and have been in a variety of roles. Through our combined experiences, we have implemented various time saving techniques as well as utilize websites to help maintain an overcome the mountain of expectations of our profession. We've put into practices several things that help us stay sane and caught up with the ever growing "MUST DO!" list. Connecting Google Classroom with outside websites like Pear deck, GoNoodle, ZipGrade, Flippity, Orange Slice, Classroom Economy and Microsoft OneNote. All of these websites and tools help keep us organized, and foster a greater sense of student ownership and participation in our student's learning. With this session, our hope is that we help teachers (new and experienced) who would like to implement simple and engaging systems into their teaching. We feel like this session would be most beneficial to new educators that are just entering into their career. The last part of the session will be playing and experimenting with these websites and sharing beneficial resources - breaking up into smaller groups to have some collaborative time! We promise that you will walk away with something wonderful to use with your students on Monday morning. **PLEASE BRING TECHNOLOGY TO THIS SESSION!!**

Speakers

Laura Laderoute

C.P. Blakely School

We are teachers with Rocky View and Chinook Winds since 2009. Between us both, we have taught every grade from grade 1 to 9. Being organized, sharing our wealth of resources and knowledge and creating effective methods that save us time are our jams!

Meaghan Wright

We are teachers with Rocky View and Chinook's Edge since 2009. Between us both, we have taught every grade from grade 1 to 9. Being organized, sharing our wealth of resources and knowledge and creating effective methods that save us time are our jams!

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 12:40pm MST
Glen 209 - CTCC

Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9) | Assessment (TQS 3), 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

11:40am MST

Transforming Teaching: Reducing workload and aplifying student engagement through Visible Thinking Routines

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

Telus 109 - CTCC

Throughout this session Amanda and Peter will share practical examples of how K-12 teachers can create time and space in their classrooms to engage all learners in thinking and making their thinking visible. Teachers will take an active role in experiencing key thinking routines that they can then take back and try out in their settings. Incorporating Visible Thinking leads to deeper student engagement, effective differentiation and a reduced teacher work load!

Speakers

Amanda Ball

Both Amanda and Peter worked together as Instructional Coaches in Golden Hills School Division and are now back in the classroom for the 2023/2024 school year. They have a passion for making learning equitable for all students and teaching more purposeful for all teachers

Peter Ehrman

Thursday February 20, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Telus 109 - CTCC

Assessment (TQS 3), Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12)

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

1:00pm MST

Balancing All The Things - How to Bring University Planning into the Real Classroom! A Workshop for Beginning Teachers

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

Macleod Hall E3 - CTCC

So you got the job, now you’re HIT with a tidal wave of expectations and responsibilities. How do you manage the expectations of teaching in the classroom, student behaviours, communicating with families, becoming a part of the school environment and maybe having a life beyond your job. How do you balance everything while still planning quality curriculum-driven experiences for students?

Universities provide foundational instruction on scaffolded planning, curriculum-aligned instruction, and quality assessment. While this learning is irreplaceable, beginning teachers continue to struggle with the realities of the classroom. This session is aimed to provide you, as a beginning teacher, with an opportunity to link your learning from university with the reality and organization of experience.

This is not a sit and get session, I wish to provide support, templates and guidance to HELP YOU build your own understanding of planning in the REAL CLASSROOM. This is a working session, please be prepared to participate in conversations, planning, and group work.

You don’t have to feel alone or drowning your first years of teaching.

Speakers

Tiffany Harris

With over 10 years of classroom experience, Tiffany Harris utilizes her organizational skills and strong creativity to craft effective experiences for her students. She has a passion for supporting new teachers as they learn how to lead and inspire young children. As a mentor, coach... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Macleod Hall E3 - CTCC

Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), ECE (Pre K-K), Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12) | Assessment (TQS 3), ECE (Pre K-K), Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12)

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

9:00am MST

Concevoir des grilles d'évaluation à échelle descriptive

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

Glen 208 - CTCC

Évaluer de façon efficace à l'aide de grilles d'évaluation (rubriques d'évaluation). L'objectif de cette session est d'avoir des outils et des modèles permettant de créer rapidement des grilles d'évaluation à échelle descriptive afin d'évaluer plus efficacement les apprentissages des élèves. Durant cette session, vous aurez accès à des exemples de grilles d'évaluation, mais aussi à des outils pour concevoir des grilles en lien avec les résultats d'apprentissage des différents curriculums. La première partie de l'atelier consistera à mieux comprendre comment construire des grilles et à la présentation d'outils utiles, c'est-à-dire, entre autres, comment identifier les critères d'évaluation ainsi que formuler les échelles descriptives en utilisant des termes qualificatifs. La deuxième partie de l'atelier consistera à créer des grilles d'évaluation selon vos besoins. Les grilles d'évaluation sont un moyen efficace d'évaluer surtout, en contexte d'intégration des matières, et elles permettent de donner une rétroaction rapide aux élèves tout en informant les parents du cheminement académique de leur enfant.

Speakers

Melissa Morasse Malcom

Enseignante depuis 14 ans au sein du conseil scolaire FrancoSud, son expérience se situe au niveau du primaire, principalement de la 3e à la 6e année. Mélissa est passionnée par l'apprentissage par projets, l'intégration des technologies en salle de classe et l'intégration... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Glen 208 - CTCC

Assessment (TQS 3), Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6)

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

9:00am MST

Beyond the Red Pen: Making humanities marking manageable

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

Telus 108 - CTCC

This session will provide participants with a variety of strategies for managing the often onerous marking load of a humanities teacher in Jr. or Sr. High. The advice presented will move beyond generic time management and organization and focus on specific tips and pointers that can be easily incorporated into any teacher’s assessment practice. Information is based on lived classroom experience and will be presented in a light-hearted and down-to-earth manner.

Speakers

Greg Overguard

Rocky View Schools

Greg Overguard is a high school social studies teacher with Rocky View Schools with 15+ years of classroom experience. He holds a Masters degree in Social Studies Curriculum and Pedagogy and has led many professional learning sessions and activities. A frequent participant in the... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Telus 108 - CTCC

Assessment (TQS 3), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12) | Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12)

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

10:20am MST

Designing Performance Tasks for Deeper Learning

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

Glen 201/202 - CTCC

Are you looking for ways to create meaningful learning experiences for your students that go beyond just rote memorization and recall? In this session we will share how to:

align performance tasks with learning outcomes and standards,
create success criteria and design tools for gathering evidence and
incorporate technology and multimedia resources to enhance student engagement and understanding.

Join us to discover how to create assessments that challenge and engage your students, and help them develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need to succeed in the real world. Please note we will use both elementary and secondary examples in this session.

Speakers

Shelly Cloke

AAC Facilitator

Field Service Facilitator, Alberta Assessment Consortium

The Alberta Assessment Consortium is a not-for-profit education partner in the province, focused on everyday assessment to support student learning. Our facilitators combine their experience as Alberta teachers and teacher leaders with the expertise of the organization.Presenter Shelly... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Glen 201/202 - CTCC

Assessment (TQS 3), ECE (Pre K-K), Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12) | Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), ECE (Pre K-K), Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12)

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

10:20am MST

The Ultimate Multi-grade Classroom

Friday February 21, 2025 10:20am - 12:40pm MST

Macleod Hall E1 - CTCC

Attention all colony teachers! Come join us as we unpack pedagogy, assessment practices, & curriculum planning for the multi-grade ELL environment. If you have something to share, please bring it along as we will have time to collaborate with our peers!

Speakers

Laura-Lee Toews

President, Alberta Colony Educators

Laura-Lee has worked in colony schools for 30 years and is currently the president of the Alberta Colony Educators group. She has a passion for providing professional learning opportunities and mentorship to colony educators.

Friday February 21, 2025 10:20am - 12:40pm MST
Macleod Hall E1 - CTCC

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

10:20am MST

I Need More Energy To Work!

Friday February 21, 2025 10:20am - 12:40pm MST

Telus 108 - CTCC

The work-energy theorem is fundamental to physics and is the basis of understanding many mechanical systems. [In Physics 30 we extend it to systems involving electric fields as well.] Teachers will perform a simple experiment that illustrates this theorem and builds intuition for Physics 20 students. The materials are inexpensive, and the design is simple enough that students will know precisely what is happening and can concentrate on the algebra. We will discuss similar experimental designs, extending this idea to different types of energy exchanges.

Speakers

Barry Edgar

Physics

Barry taught for Edmonton Public Schools for 40 years before retiring at the end of the 2013 school year (14 years in junior high math and science, and 26 years in high school general science and physics).He believes that students get most out of a classroom that is activity based... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 10:20am - 12:40pm MST
Telus 108 - CTCC

Science (TQS 3), Div4 (Gr 10-12) | Assessment (TQS 3), Div4 (Gr 10-12)

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

11:40am MST

The Art of Assessing Mathematical Thinking - Instructional Leader Session

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

Glen 201/202 - CTCC

In this session, we will share an assessment planning process that is based on teaching for conceptual understanding with any curriculum. Instructional leaders will focus on the new Alberta Math curriculum and learn how to support teachers in creating an assessment plan that meets the needs of a differentiated classroom. Participants will also collaborate to make a shareable list of planning strategies that support a modified or accommodated diverse learner support plan, intervention plan, and EAL plan.

Speakers

Shelly Cloke

AAC Facilitator

Field Service Facilitator, Alberta Assessment Consortium

Friday February 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Glen 201/202 - CTCC

Assessment (TQS 3), ECE (Pre K-K), Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6) | Mathematics (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

11:40am MST

Exploring Assessment & Year Planning with the K-6 Physical Education & Wellness Curriculum

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

Glen 205 - CTCC

Through outcome-first planning, you will explore practical ways to organize physical education and wellness lessons into meaningful and intentional themes. The themes you create will allow for flexible and responsive student-centred programming, while directly targeting the outcomes from the organizing ideas featured in the Alberta K-6 Physical Education & Wellness Curriculum. We will also discover ways that you can streamline assessment while maintaining authenticity. This session is sure to inspire creativity within and help you refine your practice.

Speakers

Everactive Schools

Health & Wellness Consultant, Everactive Schools

Ever Active Schools is a registered national charity designed to create and support healthy school communities. We engage and support schools through a Comprehensive School Health framework, which addresses health and education goals to improve the social outcomes of children and... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Glen 205 - CTCC

Physical Education (TQS 3), Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6) | Assessment (TQS 3), 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

1:00pm MST

Early Years: Assessing New Curriculum Through Play

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

Glen 201/202 - CTCC

Join us for an engaging professional learning session focused on assessing the new curriculum through play in the early years. As educators working with young learners, we understand the importance of play in their development and learning journey. This session will empower you with practical strategies and insights to effectively assess student progress and achievement of new curriculum outcomes while honouring the power of play.

Speakers

Shelly Cloke

AAC Facilitator

Field Service Facilitator, Alberta Assessment Consortium

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Glen 201/202 - CTCC

Assessment (TQS 3), ECE (Pre K-K), Div1 (Gr 1-3) | Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), ECE (Pre K-K), Div1 (Gr 1-3)

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

1:00pm MST

Assessment Practices in the High School Band Room

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

Macleod Hall E2 - CTCC

Like any other subject in school, assessment in a band class should be a measure of student achievement and understanding, attitude and overall effort. While the Alberta Instrumental Music and Band Programs of Study dictate both specific and general learning objectives for students in a band class, there seems to be much latitude on how band students are actually assessed. More often than not, in most classes and particularly in band class, most students and their parents/guardians are generally more concerned about marks than meeting the objectives of the curriculum. If we simply award high marks we can keep everyone happy. But are we really showing students the value of hard work and achievement if they receive high marks just for showing up? In this session, we will explore these topics and have an opportunity to collaborate and share assessment practices.

Speakers

Taylor Grant

Teacher/Educator, Bow Valley High School

Taylor Grant is the Band and Music Educator and Director at Bow Valley High School, in Cochrane, Alberta. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in both Music Performance (Voice) and Greek and Roman Studies at the University of Calgary, he has also completed a Master of Arts from U of... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Macleod Hall E2 - CTCC

Music & Band (TQS 3), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12) | Assessment (TQS 3), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12)

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