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

Unlucky When Hiring?

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

Macleod Hall E2 - CTCC

Have you ever wondered, “What was I thinking when I hired this guy?” His on-the-job performance doesn’t match what his resume and interview promised. What went wrong? It’s tempting to attribute hiring decisions that don’t work out to “just being unlucky.” Turns out that luck has little to do with it. Most bad hires can be traced back to mistakes that could easily have been avoided. By the end of this session, participants will understand the 13 reasons administrators are “unlucky” when hiring and how to avoid these missteps.

Speakers

Nelson Scott

Nelson Scott is committed to providing frontline leaders with the tools and techniques they require to hire, engage and retain the right people. A full-time consultant, speaker and trainer since 1995, Nelson sees his programs and writing as opportunities to remind audiences and readers... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Macleod Hall E2 - CTCC

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)

Session has participant fee No
Level of content Intermediate content
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No

10:20am MST

Supportive and Responsive Classroom Instructional Strategies for Students with FASD

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

Macleod Hall E2 - CTCC

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) affects approximately 4% of Canadians and is Canada’s leading developmental disability (CanFASD, 2023). Since FASD is more prevalent than Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, and Autism Spectrum Disorder, educators can expect to have at least one student with FASD in their classroom dynamic (ibid). Students with FASD bring many positive assets to the classroom; however, educators often report being unprepared for the various needs and challenges of the developmental disability. This presentation aims to support educational professionals to improve their classroom practice through research-driven instructional strategies and approaches for students with FASD. These practical ideas are presented within an RTI framework that both honours restorative justice and trauma-responsive approaches. Educators curious about FASD are also encouraged to attend as the strategies presented will be beneficial and appropriate to a wide range of students.

Speakers

Patricia Kincaid

FASD Network

Patricia Kincaid is a FASD Instructional Coach with the Central Alberta FASD Network. She has over 24 years of educational experience working in various parts of Canada and with the neurodiverse population. Patricia is a mother of two neuro-diverse children and recently became a... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Macleod Hall E2 - 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) | 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 Intermediate content
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No

11:40am MST

Where Staff Believe They Belong

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

Macleod Hall E2 - CTCC

The staff retention message is simple. People stay where they feel respected, valued for who they are and appreciated for what they achieve and how they contribute. Organized around themes from Thanks, Again! More Simple, Inexpensive Ways for Busy Leaders to Recognize Staff, this program is filled with simple ways to create a workplace where staff members feel they belong. When you feel you are where you belong, why leave?

Speakers

Nelson Scott

Thursday February 20, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Macleod Hall E2 - CTCC

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)

Session has participant fee No
Level of content Intermediate content
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No

1:00pm MST

97 Staff Recognition Tips in Just 75 Minutes

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

Macleod Hall E2 - CTCC

No time here for theory! Just 97—or more—simple, cost-effective tips, tools and techniques to recognize staff. Guaranteed! There will even be a few minutes left over to answer your questions (and maybe, to glean just a little bit of theory).

Speakers

Nelson Scott

Thursday February 20, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Macleod Hall E2 - CTCC

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)

Session has participant fee No
Level of content Intermediate content
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No

9:00am MST

Musicianship to Ensembleship: Fostering a Functional Sound in the High School Band Room

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

Macleod Hall E2 - CTCC

Ensembleship is the ability of musicians to function effectively (i.e. creatively and artistically) in groups. Secondary School Band and Music conductors/educators have pursued that goal with a relentless focus on individual preparation (musicianship) and connection through convergent thinking. This session will connect contemporary music educational methodologies and practices to traditional rehearsal practice to build a more effective and ultimately artistic method of developing ensembleship, including rehearsal activities and techniques based on interactive and ensemble-based methods. Material to develop character, define point of view, and enable interaction (as opposed to simple presentation which tends to be the ensemble musician’s default) will be interwoven in the presentation. The emphasis for the session will be on how to achieve the shift in values, thinking, and behaviours that not only strengthens musicianship in you bands, but more importantly supports ensembleship your program's present and into the future.

Speakers

Taylor Grant

Teacher/Educator, Bow Valley High School

Taylor Grant is the Band and Music Educator and Director at Bow Valley High School, in Cochrane, Alberta. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in both Music Performance (Voice) and Greek and Roman Studies at the University of Calgary, he has also completed a Master of Arts from U of... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Macleod Hall E2 - CTCC

Music & Band (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

10:20am MST

Electronic Music Production: A High School Music Class for Non-Music 'Majors'

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

Macleod Hall E2 - CTCC

Technology is all around us and students seem to be on it constantly. Why not harness that power of technology in a music educational class that can inspire and promote an even stronger musical culture within our schools outside of our traditional instrumental/band programs? Now, more than ever, students are using ready, affordable, and at-hand music technology to create incredible musical pieces, scores, and experiences - all in the comfort of the their rooms or parents basements (with makeshift egg-carton soundproofing). Gone are the days where young artists are having to shell out a ridiculous amount of money to rent out a studio space and engineer; all of this is now happening in the palms of students' hands at a very affordable price. This session will focus on the ins and outs of getting approval for, setting up, promoting, and offering a General Music 9, 10, 11, and 12 course that focuses Music Technology and its application for students and musicians in our 21st Century educational environment. These are designed courses that foster a students' passion for music and offers a credited General Music course for students who may have no interest (or not an interest YET) in our traditional band classes.

Speakers

Taylor Grant

Teacher/Educator, Bow Valley High School

Friday February 21, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Macleod Hall E2 - CTCC

Music & Band (TQS 3), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12) | Technology (TQS/LQS 2), 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

11:40am MST

Financial Literacy for Grade 4-12: Ready to go, age-appropriate financial lesson plans that your students will love!

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

Macleod Hall E2 - CTCC

Are you in search of ready to go, age-appropriate financial literacy lesson plans? Enriched Academy is a free resource designed to connect with the needs and interests of grade 4 to 12 students. It uses an engaging and entertaining video-based format complete with lesson plans, teacher guide, and student activities.....everything you need to get started today. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with Sonya to learn more about how the three classroom resources support the curricular outcomes for grade 4 to 6 PE & Wellness, grade 7 to 9 Health and grade 10 to 12 CALM, Math & CTS.

Speakers

Sonya Fox

Sonya Fox is an experienced educator with over 20 years of teaching experience and has worked with students from grades one through twelve.  In her last four years, Sonya took her passion for business and finance into the classroom, teaching entrepreneurship and finance to high... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Macleod Hall E2 - CTCC

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

1:00pm MST

Assessment Practices in the High School Band Room

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

Macleod Hall E2 - CTCC

Like any other subject in school, assessment in a band class should be a measure of student achievement and understanding, attitude and overall effort. While the Alberta Instrumental Music and Band Programs of Study dictate both specific and general learning objectives for students in a band class, there seems to be much latitude on how band students are actually assessed. More often than not, in most classes and particularly in band class, most students and their parents/guardians are generally more concerned about marks than meeting the objectives of the curriculum. If we simply award high marks we can keep everyone happy. But are we really showing students the value of hard work and achievement if they receive high marks just for showing up? In this session, we will explore these topics and have an opportunity to collaborate and share assessment practices.

Speakers

Taylor Grant

Teacher/Educator, Bow Valley High School

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Macleod Hall E2 - CTCC

Music & Band (TQS 3), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9), Div4 (Gr 10-12) | Assessment (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