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

The Regulated Classroom "Bottom Up" Trauma Informed Teaching

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

Imperial 6 - HYATT

The goal of this session will be to help those who work with K-12 kids to broaden their windows of tolerance, incorporating co-regulation and self-regulation strategies, to enable them to be the safe, present adults that students desperately need.

Speakers

Tracey MacNeil

Teacher, Foothills School Division

Tracey MacNeil is a classroom teacher at Percy Pegler School. She has taught in Foothills for the past 20 years and completed the Regulated Classroom Train the Trainer workshop in 2023.

Rona Reid

VP, FSD

Rona Reid is the Principal of Ecole Percy Pegler and completed the Regulated Classroom Train the Trainer workshop in 2023. She has been a classroom teacher, instructional coach and administrator over the last 20 years in Education.

Thursday February 20, 2025 09:00 - 10:00 MST
Imperial 6 - HYATT Hyatt

Fostering Effective Relationships (TQS/LQS 1), 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

Active Citizenship & Democracy in the Classroom (10:20-12:40)

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

Imperial 6 - HYATT

Sharing abstract concepts like active citizenship and democracy in the classroom can pose some serious challenges. Join the Visitor Services Team from the Legislative Assembly Office of Alberta in a hands-on learning session about innovative ways to enliven programming based in inquiry, while encouraging active citizenship of all participants.
During this session, we will discuss different ways of using innovative, budget-friendly tools to enhance your own programming while highlighting resources offered by the Legislative Assembly Office. We will empower teachers to bring all levels of content to life in the classroom in ways that are dynamic and engaging.
The Legislative Assembly Office provides fun and unique learning experiences that emphasize active citizenship and the democratic process.

Speakers

Sophie Gareau-Brennan

Supervisor, Education Services, Legislative Assembly Office of Alberta

Sophie is a Franco-Albertan artist and educator with a passion for theatre, visual arts, and heritage. After having completed a BA Honours in Drama at the University of Alberta, Sophie taught with various theatre companies and the Art Gallery of Alberta. Sophie started working at... Read More →

Marlee Yule

Legislative Assembly of Alberta

Marlee Yule is the Education Services Coordinator at the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Marlee is from Edmonton and is a graduate of the BA Drama program at the University of Alberta and the Master of Museum Studies program at the University of Toronto. She has worked in programming... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20 - 12:40 MST
Imperial 6 - HYATT Hyatt

Social Studies (TQS 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

13:00 MST

Help! I Can't Do It All: Boundaries & Critical Communication (13:00-15:20)

Thursday February 20, 2025 13:00 - 15:20 MST

Imperial 6 - HYATT

In this session we will explore discussion around creating and sharing boundaries and how this can improve our confidence, relationships, mental health and quality of life. We share common misconceptions around boundaries and share kind, clear strategies for both setting boundaries and receiving boundaries from others. We share the neuroscience behind Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to facilitate psychological flexibility, discuss the mind/body connection and then discuss how to communicate with the people in our lives both professionally and personally to bring back joy in our lives.

Speakers

Lesley Wenzel

Lesley has been an educator for over 25 years. Her career as a classroom teacher and Vice Principal focused on implementing customized learning strategies for facilitating confident, independent learners. Lesley has also been a Learning Support Teacher specializing in providing classroom... Read More →

Lindsay Booker

Dr. Lindsay Booker holds a PhD from the University of Nebraska, a Master & Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Studies/Health from Brock University. Lindsay specializes in conducting comprehensive psychological assessments and providing mental health treatment for children, teenagers... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 13:00 - 15:20 MST
Imperial 6 - 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

09:00 MST

Gr.7-9-Literacy Interventions that Work!

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

Imperial 6 - HYATT

So many kids need help - where do you possibly start? Tracey will help guide you through the process, starting with easy diagnostic assessments then how to use that data to set up simple treatment plans for your small groups (Tier 2 or 3) Suggestions for resources, timetable/staff organization and evidence-based intervention materials will be discussed. Be prepared to share organizational routines and resources that have worked for you! Handouts for this session will be available at https://mackjacklearning.ca/academy/ (under "Workshop Handouts").

Speakers

Tracey Bowes

Dyslexia Practitioner/Literacy Consultant, Mack Jack Learning

After 31 years in the classroom in a variety of roles (elementary/middle school classroom teacher, K-12 Learning Support, K-12 Music/Drama/Musical Theatre, Special Education Coordinator), Tracey left the public school system to start her own private practice in Calgary, Mack Jack... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 09:00 - 10:00 MST
Imperial 6 - HYATT Hyatt

English Language Learning (TQS/LQS 4), 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

10:20 MST

Top 10 Practical Strategies for EAL Success (10:20-14:00)

Friday February 21, 2025 10:20 - 14:00 MST

Imperial 6 - HYATT

How can we effectively engage our English Language Learner (ELL) population in the classroom? Join us for an interactive session aimed at leveraging students' strengths to enrich their English Language Development. This interactive workshop will delve into user-friendly EAL (English as an Additional Language) best practices, drawing from insights in language acquisition theory and emphasizing the pivotal role of oral language in advancing classroom progress. Key topics will include the significance of fostering academic vocabulary and background knowledge, fostering a supportive environment for students and their families, as well as employing comprehensible input and scaffolding techniques. Attendees can expect to gain practical insights and actionable strategies for integrating these approaches into their teaching practices. Participants will leave equipped with a toolkit of resources and methodologies ready for immediate implementation, ensuring effective support for all learners in the classroom.

Speakers

Youssra Badr

Youssra is a passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism, drawing from her rich cultural heritage as an Arab African Muslim Canadian. With over 15 years of experience in education, she has made significant contributions in various roles, including front-line mental... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 10:20 - 14:00 MST
Imperial 6 - HYATT Hyatt

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)

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