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

Fuel Your Body to Teach

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

Imperial 6 - HYATT

Teaching can be a high-stress job that easily spills over into your home.

Learn to fuel your body with quality sleep, nutrition, and downtime to come away with actionable steps to reach peak performance both in the classroom and in your personal life.

This is an interactive workshop that will include meditation and looking at your current life habits.

Speakers

Carman Murray

Spherical Healing

Carman's mission is to help teachers and educators fuel their minds, body, and spirit so they can live life unapologetically, both in and out of the classroom.She has spent the last 20 years learning to shift her own life priorities into alignment with the gifts she has to offer others... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Imperial 6 - HYATT HYATT

Health & Wellness (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

Finding Our Way in Indigenous Education-Connecting Hearts and Minds

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

Imperial 6 - HYATT

Fostering and developing a braided approach in the Indigenous focused competencies and indicators continues to be a challenge for many. The following are common statements from teachers and school leaders across the province; “I don’t know what I don’t know”, “I’m afraid to say and do something offensive” and “I just don’t know where to begin”. Come and learn resources and strategies to deepen understanding of Indigenous-focused competencies in the new Teaching & Leadership Quality Standard.

Speakers

Gretchen Riel

Indigenous Education PD Facilitator, The Alberta Teachers' Association

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Imperial 6 - HYATT HYATT

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) | 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

11:40am MST

Building Personal Leadership within Students

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

Imperial 6 - HYATT

Leadership starts with students understanding themselves on a deeper level. Give your students tools to support their journey of becoming the person they want to be now.

In this interactive workshop, participants will use Drew Dudley's leadership values to foster personal leadership. Carman will lead participants through several activities which can be used in the classroom to foster personal and classroom leadership. By using these values as a guide, you can begin to mentor students even more toward a meaningful and purposeful life, even at a young age.

This is a great workshop for teachers who teach leadership or run a student council. And it is open to all teachers who want to grow student leadership within their regular classroom.

Speakers

Carman Murray

Spherical Healing

Thursday February 20, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Imperial 6 - HYATT HYATT

Career & Technology Studies/Foundations (TQS 3), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12) | Fostering Effective Relationships (TQS/LQS 1), 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

Culturally Responsive Teaching

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

Imperial 6 - HYATT

This workshop explores approaches for examining beliefs, attitudes, policies, structures and practices to enable schools to effectively work cross-culturally. Participants will begin to learn how to develop a greater capacity to engage in cultural self-assessment and become more conscious of the dynamics of intercultural interactions.

Speakers

Ivonne Bayona

Association Instructor, Alberta Teachers' Association

Ivonne Bayona, inspirer, woman, curious, nature lover. She has an unwavering commitment to creating transformative learning experiences to foster curious life-long learners. Born with an innate sense of wonder, Ivonne's path led her from the intricate world of genetics and environmental... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Imperial 6 - HYATT HYATT

Diversity Equity & Human Rights (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
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No

2:20pm MST

Take a LEAP-Understanding Racial Bias

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

Imperial 6 - HYATT

Join this session to explore the complex dynamics between unconscious beliefs, bias, and the impact these factors have on educational environments. Focused on building a deeper understanding of how these factors can perpetuate stereotypes and hinder student growth, this session includes discussions and practical exercises that will challenge assumptions that perpetuate labels and stereotypes. By embracing a ‘LEAP’ approach—actively listening, engaging, asking questions, and providing support we will work together to enhance our own understanding of diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism.

Speakers

Shanley Nguyen

Thursday February 20, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST
Imperial 6 - HYATT HYATT

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

Session has participant fee No
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No

9:00am MST

Designing Effective Professional Development Sessions

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

Imperial 6 - HYATT

This fun and active workshop looks at andragogy (a system of ideas, concepts and approaches to adult learning) and helps participants build capacity and confidence to develop learning that is engaging and memorable. By understanding how we, as adults, learn best we can better understand how learning experiences can be improved for our students. The strategies, concepts and techniques used will have immediate application for teachers in any learning environment.

Speakers

Craig Baskerville

Learning Support Teacher, Rocky View Schools

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Imperial 6 - HYATT HYATT

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) | 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

AI Tools to Amplify Your Professionalism and Save Time!

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

Imperial 6 - HYATT

Artificial intelligence tools have emerged for teachers which can generate lesson plans, teaching content, assessment materials, and more! In this hands-on session, we'll explore some of these tools and their uses which can save you hours of valuable time so you can focus more deeply on your students' needs. We will share a process for generating, evaluating, applying, and reflecting on the materials generated which keeps you in the drivers' seat as the designer of incredible learning experiences as professionals while at the same time allowing you to be far more efficient in your daily work life. Bring a device if you can! Free digital resource will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring a device.

Speakers

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 →

Friday February 21, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Imperial 6 - 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

11:40am MST

20 Strategies You Can Use on Monday!

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

Imperial 6 - HYATT

Are you looking for no-prep and low-prep ways to engage your students? Join us for a dynamic session where we will explore 20 versatile no-prep and low-prep activities you can implement in any subject and grade level. Be ready to engage with interactive activities and explore practical applications for these strategies in your teaching context.

Speakers

Chris Gonsalvez

Executive Staff Officer, ATA

Friday February 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Imperial 6 - 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

Let's Get Talking! Conversational Skills for Learning

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

Imperial 6 - HYATT

Conversation is a powerful part of the learning process. However, it can be frustrating when students are reluctant to participate in discussions or when small group conversations go off-the-rails. Join this interactive workshop to explore strategies that help support student discussion skills (and learning) in any subject! Through discussions and activities, we will explore strategies.

Speakers

John Houston

Association Instructor, The Alberta Teachers Association

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Imperial 6 - HYATT HYATT

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
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No

2:20pm MST

La puissance des liens et de la bienveillance : outils et pratiques d'apprentissage socioémotionnel

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

Imperial 6 - HYATT

Maintenant, plus que jamais, il y a un besoin d’examiner les pratiques et les systèmes qui favorisent la santé sociale et émotionnelle de tous les membres de la communauté scolaire. Cet atelier a été conçu dans l’objectif de rehausser les compétences socioémotionnelles des adultes du milieu scolaire et leur efficacité en ce qui a trait à l’enseignement des compétences socioémotionnelles à leurs élèves et à leur capacité de servir de modèles à cet égard. Il s’agit d’un atelier interactif pouvant être réparti en plusieurs séances au cours desquelles les participants apprendront et mettront en pratique des stratégies tout aussi pratiques que puissantes pour renforcer leurs compétences sociales et émotionnelles et celles de leurs élèves.

Speakers

Elodie Nana

Association Instructor, Alberta Teachers' Association

Friday February 21, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST
Imperial 6 - HYATT HYATT

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) | Health & Wellness (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
Presentation Language French
Is Pre-registration required No