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.

9:00am MST

Let's Talk Phonics

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

Glen 206 - CTCC

Join Kristy Dunn, PhD., for an insightful and timely discussion about phonics:
⎼ What is phonics and why is it important?
⎼ How can I assess my students' phonics knowledge?
⎼ Why should I follow a scope and sequence?
⎼ What does explicit teaching look like?
Kristy Dunn, along with co-author George Georgiou, have published a book called The Phonics Companion. This includes a Canadian-developed scope and sequence along with 120 phonics lessons. In this session, Kristy will talk about their research and insights for effective teaching and learning of phonics skills.

Speakers

Pearson Canada

Kristy Dunn

Dr. Kristy Dunn is a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Alberta in the Faculty of Education (Special Education). Her research focuses on literacy and intervention development for at-risk readers. She has taught for over 15 years in the elementary classroom and at the post secondary... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Glen 206 - CTCC

Language Arts (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

10:20am MST

Let's Talk Phonics REPEAT SESSION

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

Glen 206 - CTCC

Join Kristy Dunn, PhD., for an insightful and timely discussion about phonics:
⎼ What is phonics and why is it important?
⎼ How can I assess my students' phonics knowledge?
⎼ Why should I follow a scope and sequence?
⎼ What does explicit teaching look like?

Kristy Dunn, along with co-author George Georgiou, have published a book called The Phonics Companion. This includes a Canadian-developed scope and sequence along with 120 phonics lessons. In this session, Kristy will talk about their research and insights for effective teaching and learning of phonics skills.

Speakers

Kristy Dunn

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Glen 206 - CTCC

Language Arts (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

11:40am MST

Reclaim Your Time!

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

Glen 206 - CTCC

Efficient time and task management is often confused with "just work faster." Your time is precious. Learn how to invest a little effort into time planning and get a huge payoff! This session is applicable to both A-type personalities who try to do it all, and those who feel scattered or overwhelmed with a disorganized to-do list.

Speakers

Grace Martin

Teacher

Grace Martin is a multi-passionate author, science teacher, and wellness mentor.

Thursday February 20, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Glen 206 - CTCC

Professional Issues (TQS 6) [emerging topics - teacher career retirement wellness], 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 Intermediate content
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No

1:00pm MST

Making Sense of Morphology

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

Glen 206 - CTCC

Understanding morphology, the study of the internal structure of words, is foundational to making sense of how the English writing system works. Studies have shown that teaching morphology can help improve reading, spelling, and vocabulary skills as early as grade one. It is particularly beneficial for students who struggle with reading. The following presentation will review the key components of morphology instruction and provide teachers with instructional tools and resources for teaching morphology as part of their literacy program.

Speakers

Kristy Dunn

Thursday February 20, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Glen 206 - CTCC

Language Arts (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

9:00am MST

pîmastîhwâkiskiyihta How to weave Rupertsland Institute’s Métis Education Resources in your Classroom

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

Glen 206 - CTCC

This session is designed for participants to explore several authentic recommended Métis educational materials that help to create teachable moments and provide foundational learning opportunities throughout the school year. Building your foundational knowledge about Métis will empower you to select authentic, accurate resources that honour distinct Métis perspectives to weave into your current teaching practice. Together we will explore resources designed by Métis educators that weave Métis voices into your learning.

Speakers

Holly Brandsma

Metis Education Consultant, Rupertsland Institute

Rupertsland Centre for Teaching and Learning develops comprehensive foundational knowledge resources, engaging lesson plans, meaningful professional development opportunities and authentic classroom learning tools that speak accurately and meaningfully to topics in Métis educati... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Glen 206 - CTCC

Indigenous Education (TQS/LQS 5), 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

Rising Interest Rates Raising your Mortgage Anxiety: How to prepare for a mortgage renewal

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

Glen 206 - CTCC

Interest rates and inflation are taking a bite out of everyone's monthly income.
If you have a mortgage coming due in the next 18 months, join Maura, a Behavioural Cash Flow Specialist and Qualified

Learn how to best prepare for a mortgage renewal, including understanding your credit score and what Banks and financial institutions look for when approving a mortgage.

Learn the differences between banks and mortgage brokers.

Understand the overall cost of debt and how to make debt management decisions

Identify the heuristics, biases and emotions that can cloud your decision making abilities.

Workbook included Q and A

Speakers

Maura Shaftoe

Maura is an engaging speaker who makes talking about money easy. She creates safe environments for people to have access to learning about money in a new way.Maura has been in financial services for over 10 years, after a full career in management and sales in the automotive industry... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Glen 206 - CTCC

Career & Technology Studies/Foundations (TQS 3)

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

11:40am MST

Why Can't I Stick to a budget: How Biases, Habits and Behaviours influence our spending

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

Glen 206 - CTCC

Money is still a taboo topic for many, people would rather talk about extra-marital affairs, addiction and death than money.
Financial stress impacts physical and mental health, has been linked to anxiety and depression, and has been listed as main reason for relationship dissolution.
It seems as if money should be easy to manage, after all, it's just numbers.
This presentation will identify biases, heuristics and emotions that impact our money decisions along with the practical strategies to get control of your monthly cash flow.
You will learn
* Why budgets don't work for most people
* What budgets are actually good for
* What mental accounting is and how it makes it hard to track our money
* How cash flow strategies help you stay on track without a restrictive budget
* How short term rewards help you stay on track financially

Work book included
Q and A

Speakers

Maura Shaftoe

Friday February 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Glen 206 - CTCC

Career & Technology Studies/Foundations (TQS 3)

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

1:00pm MST

Top 10 Practical ESL Strategies

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

Glen 206 - CTCC

How can we best reach our ELL population in the classroom? Take part in this interactive session to explore how we can capitalize on the strengths of students to enhance their English Language Development. This session will focus on easy to implement ESL best practices. Building on an understanding of language acquisition theory, as well as the fundamental value of oral language in developing and strengthening progress in the classroom. Topics addressed include; the value of academic vocabulary development and background knowledge, welcoming students and their families, comprehensible input and scaffolding strategies. Practical ways of teaching and implementing these strategies will be shared. Teachers will leave this session equipped with a variety of resources, practices and strategies that can be immediately implemented in the classroom to support all learners.

Speakers

Youssra Badr

Youssra is an Arab, Muslim, Canadian. She holds a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Psychology and Sociology, a Bachelor of Education, and a Master's in Theoretical, Cultural, and International Studies from the University of Alberta. Her professional experiences include front... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Glen 206 - CTCC

English Language Learning (TQS/LQS 4), ECE (Pre K-K), Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12) | Inclusive Education (TQS/LQS 4), 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

2:20pm MST

Communication Skills To Disarm Angry Parents

Friday February 21, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST

Glen 206 - CTCC

Working with parents can be tricky. In this session, teachers and admin will learn 4 key communication skills that can disarm heated discussions, come to resolution, and be able to create a collaborative approach to the student's academic success.

Speakers

Connie Jakab

CEO, Bring Them Closer

Connie Jakab is the author of Bring Them Closer, where she helps educators and parents figure out how to bring hard-to-reach students closer. She has been working in mental health and resilience for 25 years, studying the impacts of how belonging creates resilience. She created a... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST
Glen 206 - CTCC

Fostering Effective Relationships (TQS/LQS 1), ECE (Pre K-K), Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12) | School Leadership (LQS 1-9), 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