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 17, 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

Supporting Students who are d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Thursday February 20, 2025 09:00 - 11:20 MST

Macleod Hall E1 - CTCC

This session will focus on how school staff can provide support to students who are d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing. We will learn about different terminology, take a look at hearing technology and see it being modelled throughout the session, and also have a chance to experience hearing loss. Discussion will also include learning about audiograms, the impacts of hearing loss in the classroom and advocacy. This session will hopefully have participants leave with a better understanding of hearing loss and what actions they can take to support our d/DHH students in our schools.

Speakers

Trista Harrison

Trista has been a classroom teacher in a handful of Alberta school divisions, primarily teaching kindergarten to grade 2. When she worked as a Learning Support Specialist, d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing for Rocky View Schools. Her role focused on teaching and supporting students (and... Read More →

Lisa Gokstorp

Educational Audiologist, Renfrew Educational Services

Lisa Gokstorp is an Educational Audiologist for Renfrew Educational Services. She works with d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students, school staff and families to provide the best possible access to spoken language at schools. Lisa is passionate about empowering students and... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 09:00 - 11:20 MST
Macleod Hall E1 - CTCC

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

11:40 MST

Survival Tips for New Teachers

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

Macleod Hall E1 - CTCC

Do you feel overwhelmed? How does a new teacher keep up with lesson preparation, engaging and managing students, grading, progress reports, parent conferencing, meeting diverse learning needs, not to mention evaluations and dealing with school administration? How can one remain enthusiastic, happy, and well-balanced when overwhelmed by these responsibilities? This hopeful session introduces principles of survival in the classroom and a medley of practical strategies for dealing with challenges. Come laugh, decompress, and learn some self-care. These tried-and-true, evidence-based tips will provide hope and make your job easier.

Speakers

Danny Bateman

Instructor, Concordia University Edmonton

Danny is currently an instructor of pre-service teachers at Concordia University of Edmonton. As an experienced and esteemed public speaker, he delivers teaching strategies and inspiration using entertaining experiences and actionable content. He has delivered hundreds of successful... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 11:40 - 12:40 MST
Macleod Hall E1 - CTCC

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

13:00 MST

Stratégies préventives en gestion de comportements - Partie 1

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

Macleod Hall E1 - CTCC

Au cours de notre carrière d’enseignant, nous avons tous eu des années plus difficiles que d’autres pour différentes raisons. Il est important, lorsque cela nous arrive, de prendre un temps d’arrêt pour réfléchir aux pratiques que nous utilisons en salle de classe et aux stratégies que nous pouvons mettre en place pour aider nos élèves. Que nous soyons un enseignant débutant ou un enseignant d’expérience, parfois ce temps d’arrêt s’impose. Lors de cet atelier, nous explorerons des stratégies préventives et correctives. Nous insisterons sur l’importance de revenir aux stratégies efficaces pour tous les élèves avant de mettre en place des interventions ciblées et spécifiques.

Speakers

Isabelle Rioux

Conseillère pédagogique, Conseil scolaire FrancoSud

Madame Rioux est détentrice d’un baccalauréat en sciences de l’éducation et d’une maîtrise en éducation - spécialisation en administration scolaire. Elle œuvre dans le milieu de l’éducation depuis 20 ans et occupe présentement le poste de conseillère pédagogique... Read More →

Andrée-Anne Robert

Madame Robert est détentrice d’un baccalauréat en sciences de l’éducation et elle réalise présentement une maîtrise en éducation - spécialisation en efficacité de l'enseignement et des écoles. Elle œuvre dans le milieu de l’éducation depuis près de 18 ans et occupe... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 13:00 - 14:00 MST
Macleod Hall E1 - CTCC

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 French
Is Pre-registration required No

14:20 MST

Stratégies correctives en gestion de comportement (partie 2)

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

Macleod Hall E1 - CTCC

Saviez-vous qu’une gestion de classe et des comportements implique que 80% des interventions sont préventives et que 20% d’entre elles sont de nature corrective (curative) (Bissonnette, 2017)? Ce deuxième volet de formation vient compléter la formation « Stratégies préventives en gestion de comportement (partie 1) ». Lors de cette session, nous aborderons les interventions correctives auprès des élèves qui présentent des écarts de conduite. Ainsi, nous présenterons les interventions indirectes, directes, l’accumulation de données comportementales, le questionnement sur la fonction du comportement et le recours à l’aide spécialisée.

Speakers

Isabelle Rioux

Conseillère pédagogique, Conseil scolaire FrancoSud

Andrée-Anne Robert

Thursday February 20, 2025 14:20 - 15:20 MST
Macleod Hall E1 - CTCC

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 French
Is Pre-registration required No

09:00 MST

Personal Retiree Plan education session

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

Macleod Hall E1 - CTCC

Your retirement, your way. If you're starting to think about retirement, you might be wondering what your benefit options will look like. Our flexible solutions will meet your needs for the next stage of your life, so you can: BE FLEXIBLE. Choose the coverage that suits your needs for extended health benefits, prescription drugs and dental care. FEEL CONFIDENT. Enjoy your retirement with peace of mind that your coverage is secure with a brand you know and trust. TRAVEL FAR. Enjoy worry-free vacations with our emergency travel coverage and up to 120 days per trip. LIVE WELL. Stay happy and healthy by taking advantage of personal, nutritional and financial counseling through our wellness programs. Learn what to expect and plan for in retirement; from government sponsored programs to personal benefit options. This is a great opportunity to plan early for the retirement you always envisioned.

Speakers

Alberta Blue Cross

Personal Benefits Specialist, Alberta Blue Cross

At Alberta Blue Cross, we believe we have the responsibility to impact lives for the better by creating and fostering accessible wellness for everyone. Alberta Blue Cross is the largest benefits provider in Alberta and one of the largest in Western Canada, serving more than 1.8 million... Read More →

Caitlane Tarun

Personal Benefits Specialists with Alberta Blue Cross. Helping to educate Albertans about their benefit options. From Government sponsored health programs to personal coverage options. Supporting individuals as they transition from group benefits to personal coverage upon retirement... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 09:00 - 10:00 MST
Macleod Hall E1 - CTCC

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

10:20 MST

How to breathe life into a CALM classroom

Friday February 21, 2025 10:20 - 12:40 MST

Macleod Hall E1 - CTCC

Come join a session where we will talk about the great opportunities that can come out of the CALM curriculum, the challenges of making it happen in a classroom, and some strategies that work.

Speakers

Michael Koehler

Teacher, Foothills School Division

Michael (he/him) has been a settler on Treaty 7 territory for most of his life. His many years of experience as a son, brother, husband, father, teacher, coach, and volunteer have given him the ability to manage most questions and scenarios in a CALM classroom. He is always excited... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 10:20 - 12:40 MST
Macleod Hall E1 - CTCC

Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), 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

Supporting autistic learners within the classroom

Friday February 21, 2025 13:00 - 15:20 MST

Macleod Hall E1 - CTCC

This session is geared to provide teachers with practical solutions in educating autistic and diverse learners within the classroom.
Highlights:
• Determining the factors that impact student learning
• Identifying strategies that can be adapted and applied to any classroom setting

Speakers

Yolande Daley

Yolande Daley is the Director of Training at Janus Academy, a school for autistic students. Yolande has over two decades of dedicated service developing training that support the education needs of a broad spectrum of learners. With an extensive background in the disability field... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 13:00 - 15:20 MST
Macleod Hall E1 - CTCC

Special Education (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