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

Autism in the Classroom

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

Imperial 2 - HYATT

“If you’ve met one person with Autism, you’ve met one person with Autism” – Dr. Stephen Shore.

Session attendees will gain a better general understanding of Autism and neurodiversity through a neuro-affirming, strengths-based lens. We will provide fast facts about Autism and neurodiversity, and discuss how these differences can show up in educational environments like the classroom. This foundational information will then guide us into discussing some key realistic and attainable strategies that support all students.

Speakers

Amy Tatterton

Amy Tatterton is the Director of Learning and Connection for the Sinneave Family Foundation. She provides leadership to learning activities and community engagement initiatives that help Sinneave fulfill its mission of reducing barriers and enhancing opportunities for Autistic youth... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Imperial 2 - HYATT HYATT

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) | Special Education (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

11:40am MST

Diving Deeper: Opportunities and Challenges in School Leadership – A Guided Conversation for Strategic Support

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

Imperial 2 - HYATT

Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking session that delves into the intricate landscape of school leadership. In this interactive guided conversation, we will explore the multifaceted opportunities and challenges faced by school leaders today.
Moreover, we are interested in hearing how YOUR Association can provide the most effective and tailored support to empower school leaders, enabling them to lead with confidence and resilience.

Speakers

Geneviève Blais

Associate Coordinator, Teacher Employment Services, The Alberta Teachers' Association

Geneviève joined the Association’s executive staff in the Teacher Welfare program area in 2015 and is now the associate coordinator in Teacher Employment Services based out of the Southern Alberta Regional Office (SARO). Teacher Employment Services assists teachers with professional... Read More →

Chris Gonsalvez

Executive Staff Officer, ATA

Teacher. Administrator. PD Leader. Chris is an executive staff officer with the Alberta Teachers' Association and passionate about working with teachers and being involved in professional development. Spending most of his teaching career in Southern Alberta, he loved being a middle... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Imperial 2 - HYATT HYATT

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
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No

1:00pm MST

Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers and Teacher Leaders

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

Imperial 2 - HYATT

The new Code of Professional Conduct outlines minimum expectations for teaching certificate holders, including teachers, teacher leaders and superintendents. The code applies to the conduct of teachers in both on-duty and off-duty contexts.
Drawing on scenarios from various typical employment matters, this presentation describes the standards of professional conduct expected of teachers and teacher leaders and explains the complaint process.

Speakers

Keith Hadden

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

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
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No

2:20pm MST

Planning for Retirement

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

Imperial 2 - HYATT

This retirement information session offers general information about the Alberta teachers’ pension plan, planning for personal savings, and briefly reviews Federal benefits and other retirement income sources . The session also briefly reviews requirements to maintain a benefit plan. Planning for retirement is vital for a smooth transition.

Speakers

Keith Hadden

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

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
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No

10:20am MST

Enseigner en milieu minoritaire: L'importance de transmettre l'amour de la langue

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

Imperial 2 - HYATT

Comment valoriser la langue et la culture francophone dans nos milieux? Venez découvrir comment et pourquoi il est important de développer la culture identitaire francophone chez nos élèves. L'identité francophone, le bilinguisme additif, la légitimité linguistique seront aussi abordés. Cet atelier vous aidera à avoir des pratiques gagnantes pour la construction identitaire.

Speakers

Maryse Simon

Friday February 21, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Imperial 2 - HYATT HYATT

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
Presentation Language French
Is Pre-registration required No

11:40am MST

Teacher Safety Net

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

Imperial 2 - HYATT

Over many years the Association has been able to construct a safety net for teachers and their families. This presentation provides an overview of what teachers have in regard to sick leave and other leaves through the collective agreement, extended disability, life insurance, other benefit plan provisions, as well as pension and death benefits. This is a light-hearted presentation that is intended to be presented to local teachers in order to provide very relevant and necessary information on existing entitlements.

Speakers

Anne-Marie Huizing

Executive Staff Officer, Teacher Employment Services, Alberta Teachers' Association

Anne-Marie joined the Association’s Teacher Employment Services executive staff in 2018. Anne-Marie holds a BA in International Relations, a BEd in Elementary French Immersion and a MEd in Educational Technology for Schools, all from the University of Calgary. Prior to joining the... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Imperial 2 - HYATT HYATT

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
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No

1:00pm MST

Le Code de conduite professionnelle : de quoi s'agit-il et en quoi me concerne-t-il?

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

Imperial 2 - HYATT

Le nouveau Code de conduite professionnelle précise les exigences minimales auxquelles doivent répondre les titulaires d’un brevet d’enseignement, y compris les enseignants, les leadeurs scolaires et les directions générales. Le Code s’applique au comportement des enseignants dans une variété de contextes, au travail comme à l’extérieur du travail. Cette présentation s’appuie sur des scénarios inspirés de situations courantes en milieu de travail pour décrire les normes de conduite professionnelle que les enseignants et leadeurs scolaires doivent respecter, en plus d’expliquer le processus de dépôt d’une plainte.

Speakers

Anne-Marie Huizing

Executive Staff Officer, Teacher Employment Services, Alberta Teachers' Association

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

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
Presentation Language French
Is Pre-registration required No

2:20pm MST

Collective Bargaining for Teachers-How it Works

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

Imperial 2 - HYATT

This session will review relevant sections of the Labour Relations Code and the changes to collective bargaining as governed by the Public Education Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA). Participants will be introduced to new processes, such as list bargaining and central table bargaining, as well as reviewing how the new process impacts the traditional work of local bargaining. This session will help teachers stay informed about bargaining and express their opinions on bargaining goals and actions.

Speakers

Anne-Marie Huizing

Executive Staff Officer, Teacher Employment Services, Alberta Teachers' Association

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

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
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No