PDTCA 2025: Full Schedule

The PDTCA Board hopes you have an amazing Convention 2025!
Emergency Procedures Calgary Telus Convention Centre
Emergency Procedures Hyatt
Human Rights Statement
Land Acknowledgement

CALGARY TELUS CONVENTION CENTRE (CTCC) and HYATT - address

Pre-Registration will OPEN February 1, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. and CLOSE February 16, 2025 AT 8:00 p.m.

For Pre-Registered sessions please use the pre-registration link on the pre-registration page at pdtca.org. Adding the session to your Sched schedule does not mean you are pre-registered.

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.

09:00 MST

Queering Mental Health in the Classroom: What you need to know about supporting 2SLGBTQIAP+ students

Thursday February 20, 2025 09:00 - 10:00 MST

Imperial 2 - HYATT

Queering Mental Health in the Classroom: What you Need to Know about Supporting 2SLGBTQIAP+ Students

This session will discuss how teachers can foster supportive classroom environments for their 2SLGBTQIAP+ students. The classroom can often be one of the few spaces where children and teens can feel supported and able to be themselves. In addition, having one safe, affirming, and trustworthy adult can significantly improve a youth's mental health, meaning that teachers and school support staff can play a vital role in supporting their students. This session will review common terms and important language related to the 2SLGBTQIAP+ community as well as offer specific tips on how to foster a more queer-affirming classroom space. This session will also address the complex relationship between 2SLGBTQIAP+ identities in youth and mental health as well as offer several concrete strategies for how to support students to thrive personally, socially, and academically. This session is applicable for teachers, administrators, and school support staff who work with students of all ages and will offer suggestions relevant to any grade level. Whether you are a committed ally or just curious to learn more, this session will have something to offer you!

Speakers

Dominique Bonneville

Dominique Bonneville (she/her) is a child and family therapist (registered provisional psychologist) and the owner of Renewed Stories Psychology, a private practice in Calgary that supports youth, young adults, and their families. Dominique specializes in working with gender identity... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 09:00 - 10:00 MST
Imperial 2 - HYATT Hyatt

Diversity, Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12) | Equity & Human Rights (TQS/LQS 4), 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

10:20 MST

Enhance Well-being, Enhance Learning: The CSH Approach

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

Imperial 2 - HYATT

Healthy students learn better and achieve better outcomes. The comprehensive school health (CSH) framework is Alberta’s roadmap for school health and wellness. CSH begins with you, right in your classroom! Join us for an engaging discussion on hot topics that directly impact you and your students. Together, let’s demystify CSH and explore strategies that enhance well-being and learning for students and staff in your classroom – leading to meaningful and lasting change.

Speakers

Alberta Health Services

Health Promotion Facilitator, Alberta Health Services

Alberta Health Services - Healthy Schools team works in partnership with school divisions to help make schools healthier places for students and staff to learn, work, play, and grow.Alberta Health Services – Teaching Sexual Health provides resources and lesson plans to teach sexual... Read More →

Nannette Gropp

Health Promotion Facilitator, Alberta Health Services

Nannette Gropp is a Health Promotion Facilitator with the Healthy Schools team, Alberta Health Services (AHS). She supports school jurisdictions by using a Comprehensive School Health (CSH) approach for building healthy school communities by focusing on the core areas of positive... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20 - 11:20 MST
Imperial 2 - HYATT Hyatt

Health & Wellness (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 Intermediate content
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No

11:40 MST

Inclusive Sexual Health Education: Making sex ed work for all your students

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

Imperial 2 - HYATT

Traditional sex ed has focussed on heterosexual and cisgender people and relationships, but that leaves out a large group of students. Whether you have some out 2SLGBTQI+ students, or none, your sex ed classes can be inclusive, welcoming, safe, caring and respectful places for students of every gender identity and sexual orientation.

Speakers

Nicole Inglis

Health Promotion Facilitator, Alberta Health Services: Teaching Sexual Health

Nicole Inglis (she/her) has taught everything from grade 1 PE to Bio 30 and has taught in both public and Catholic Schools. She has an M.Ed in Adult Education and works on the Sexual and Reproductive Health Promotion team at Alberta Health Services. Nicole lives in Calgary with her... Read More →

Christine McKernan

Health Promotion Facilitators, Teaching Sexual Health, Alberta Health Services

Christine McKernan (she/her) has Master of Science in Health Promotion and has worked in the field of public health for over nine years. She has experience building healthy school communities across Alberta in urban and rural settings. In her free time, Christine enjoys hiking, biking... Read More →

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

Health & Wellness (TQS 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

13:00 MST

6 Super Strategies for Superb Sex Ed: Best Practices for Teaching Sexual Health

Thursday February 20, 2025 13:00 - 14:00 MST

Imperial 2 - HYATT

Are you stuck teaching sexual health the same way it was taught to YOU as a student? Times have changed, and there are subtle ways to make your sexual health classes more inclusive and impactful. Get the facts on how to answer questions from students with confidence, and ensure that all students see themselves in your lesson. We’ll review 6 great tips that will take your sexual health classes from subpar to superb!

Speakers

Nicole Inglis

Health Promotion Facilitator, Alberta Health Services: Teaching Sexual Health

Christine McKernan

Health Promotion Facilitators, Teaching Sexual Health, Alberta Health Services

Thursday February 20, 2025 13:00 - 14:00 MST
Imperial 2 - HYATT Hyatt

Health & Wellness (TQS 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

14:20 MST

Shameless: How to talk about sexting, pornography, consent and more in today’s sex ed classroom

Thursday February 20, 2025 14:20 - 15:20 MST

Imperial 2 - HYATT

Scary pictures, silence, fear and loathing are the sex-ed of the past! Bring your classroom into the modern era through effective, inclusive, and comprehensive sexual health education. In today's digital age, students have unprecedented access to information at their fingertips, anytime and anywhere, so it’s crucial to be prepared to talk about sexting, pornography, and consent. We’ll showcase practical teaching strategies, valuable conversation tips, and curated resources to support today’s sex ed classroom. By the end of this session, you will feel more confident and prepared to meet students where they are and foster meaningful and inclusive discussions about sexual health.

Speakers

Nicole Inglis

Health Promotion Facilitator, Alberta Health Services: Teaching Sexual Health

Christine McKernan

Health Promotion Facilitators, Teaching Sexual Health, Alberta Health Services

Thursday February 20, 2025 14:20 - 15:20 MST
Imperial 2 - HYATT Hyatt

Health & Wellness (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

09:00 MST

(Pre-Reg MAX 30) Navigating Child Abuse Concerns and Disclosures.

Friday February 21, 2025 09:00 - 10:00 MST

Imperial 2 - HYATT

During this session, participants will review how school staff can Recognize, Respond, Report, and Record suspected child abuse. Included in this session will be specific information to help school-based staff identify and report suspected abuse. Including, who to call, the specific questions that you will be asked when making a report, and what happens after a report is made. This session will provide templates and resources for responding to current safeguarding trends.
Pre-Registration Link

Speakers

Brenda Straw

Education Liaison, Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre

Brenda Straw is a teacher on secondment to Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) from the Calgary Catholic School District (CSSD). As a certified teacher stationed at a Child and Youth Advocacy Center in Alberta, Brenda collaborates with district leadership in Southern Alberta... Read More →

Sandi Pineda-Selva

Manager of Prevention and Wellness, Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre

Sandi Pineda-Selva, MA, holds a Master's in Leadership and has over 15 years of experience in child abuse prevention. Currently serving as the Manager of Prevention and Wellness at Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, she works to protect children and empower communities. Sandi collaborates... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 09:00 - 10:00 MST
Imperial 2 - HYATT Hyatt

Counselling & Student Support (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 Yes

10:20 MST

S.O.S. (Survival, Organization, and Success) - Strategies for Beginning Teachers

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

Imperial 2 - HYATT

This session for junior and senior high teachers will provide a “cheat sheet” of practical strategies to help teachers survive and thrive in the early stages of their career. Topics such as classroom management, assessment, and planning will all be covered from the perspective of an experienced mentor teacher. Information is based on lived classroom experience and will be presented in a light-hearted and down-to-earth manner. Beginning teachers will leave the session equipped with additional tools for their professional toolbox, helping them to excel during those challenging first years in the classroom!

Speakers

Greg Overguard

Teacher, Rocky View Schools

Greg Overguard is an avid lover of Coke and Doritos, and a high school social studies teacher with Rocky View Schools with 15+ years of classroom experience. He holds a Master's degree in Social Studies Curriculum and Pedagogy and has led many professional learning sessions and activities... Read More →

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

Fostering Effective Relationships (TQS/LQS 1), 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

11:40 MST

Beyond the Red Pen: Making humanities marking manageable

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

Imperial 2 - HYATT

Come and see the session that was so popular last year we got in trouble for breaking fire code! 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

Teacher, Rocky View Schools

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

Assessment (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

13:00 MST

Promote Yourself: Resumes and Cover Letters that Get Noticed

Friday February 21, 2025 13:00 - 14:00 MST

Imperial 2 - HYATT

Are you interested in learning how to communicate the story of your teaching career and showcase your educational, professional, leadership and volunteer experience to pique employers’ interest? In this session, the presenter will share advice on how to edit your resume and write a strong cover letter to improve your chances of getting an interview.

Speakers

Dan Grassick

Alberta Teachers' Association

Friday February 21, 2025 13:00 - 14:00 MST
Imperial 2 - HYATT Hyatt

Professional Issues (TQS 6) [emerging topics - teacher career, ECE (Pre K-K), Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12) | retirement, ECE (Pre K-K), Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12) | 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 General overview for novice learners
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No