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

Adding the session to your Sched schedule does not mean you are pre-registered.
Pre-Registration will OPEN February 1, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. and CLOSE February 16, 2025 AT 8:00 p.m.

How to pre-register - Check the infographic For Pre-Registered sessions please use the pre-registration link in the session description.

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

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

Engaging Students in Science Using Real Data (9:00-11:20)

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

Macleod Hall E3 - CTCC

This interactive, hands-on session will introduce teachers to a number of classroom-ready activities that encourage students in applying evidence-based reasoning. Participants will engage in activities suitable for junior high science and high school physics that promote student to analyze, assess, and evaluate scientific models using real scientific data. All the resources used in the session will be available in English and in French, although the session will be presented in English. The resources are available from the Perimeter Institute.

Speakers

Kristina Wasyleczko

Teacher, Rocky View Schools

Kristina Wasyleczko is a high school physics and science teacher who is dedicated to a student-centered, rich learning environment. She values and encourages students' deeper understanding through intentional pedagogy and thoughtful assessment.

Thursday February 20, 2025 09:00 - 11:20 MST
Macleod Hall E3 - CTCC

Science (TQS 3), 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 E3 - 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 →

Survival Tips for Teachers Worksheet docx

Thursday February 20, 2025 11:40 - 12:40 MST
Macleod Hall E3 - 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

Closing the Gap: Practical Tips to Comprehension in the Middle Years

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

Macleod Hall E3 - CTCC

In the middle years, the literacy gap is arguably at its highest! Those of you that have taught division 2 and 3 know first hand what it is like having a grade 1 to grade 12 reader in one room, while trying to approach a single curriculum for them all. No small feat!

More important than how we got here or what causes are to 'blame' for the comprehension gaps in our middle years students, the bigger question is how do we close that gap and bridge their understanding of literacy for high school and beyond. In this session, I will share some of my own resources and approaches tied to pedagogical practices, nuggets of knowledge gained from colleagues past and present, and have some time for our own collective sharing about our successes in raising the next generation of readers. My goal is to provide some ready-to-implement tools and tips to your programs and approaches already a part of your classroom and schools.

*The resources I will be sharing in this session are most directly tailored to grades 6-8 (ex. texts), however, can easily be adaptable to grades 4-9!

Speakers

Breanne Pyle

With six years of experience teaching middle school, I am deeply passionate about literacy intervention and support. My focus has been on integrating effective literacy strategies within the structures of the classroom, not adding onto an already busy plate! Taking inspiration from... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 13:00 - 14:00 MST
Macleod Hall E3 - CTCC

Language Arts (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

14:20 MST

Finding Home on The Range: Exploring Alberta’s Wildlife and Conservation Agriculture

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

Macleod Hall E3 - CTCC

Join Inside Education for an introduction to agriculture in Alberta's Grasslands region, exploring ecosystem health, impacts on wildlife and agriculture practices addressing climate change. This session covers biodiversity, climate change, and conservation agriculture, aligning with grade 5-6 Earth Systems, grade 6 Living Systems, grade 7 Interactions and Ecosystems, and grade 9 Biological Diversity. In addition, we’ll highlight our full suite of additional support through classroom programming, field trips, youth summits, learning resources and teacher PD.

We will showcase 3 interactive low-equipment Monday-morning ready classroom activities, adaptable by grade:
-An active reflection game that explores students' connections to agriculture and the food system.
-An immersive group game on habitat in the grasslands
-A high-energy game show about native grasslands species, innovation in the region, and more!

Speakers

Inside Education

Inside Education is an Alberta-based, environment and natural resource education charitable society. We have been supporting teachers and inspiring students to think critically about natural resource topics since 1985! With our full suite of no-cost teaching resources, youth summits... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 14:20 - 15:20 MST
Macleod Hall E3 - CTCC

Environmental & Outdoor Education (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

09:00 MST

Maximize Impact by Aligning Mathematics Teaching with the Science of Learning

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

Macleod Hall E3 - CTCC

Learn how to maximize student understanding by applying evidence-based principles from the Science of Learning to your mathematics teaching. In this session we will investigate how to structure content during lessons and how to apply research-based principles of instruction. This includes:

- using a micro-scaffolding approach that builds upon student prior understanding and connects mathematics concepts;
- reducing cognitive load and creating a truly inclusive classroom;
- applying Rosenshine’s principles of instruction to ensure your teaching is impactful.

You will leave this session with a new understanding of evidence-based instruction and a variety of strategies to immediately apply in the classroom.

Speakers

Carla French

Teacher, Calgary Board of Education

Carla French specializes in elementary mathematics teaching. She is currently a grade 5/6/8 math/science teacher with CBE and a sessional instructor with the University of Alberta’s Campus Saint-Jean satellite program in Calgary. Carla is dedicated to helping teachers develop their... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 09:00 - 10:00 MST
Macleod Hall E3 - CTCC

Mathematics (TQS 3), Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9)

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

10:20 MST

The Ultimate Multi-grade Classroom: Colony Schools (10:20-12:40)

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

Macleod Hall E3 - CTCC

Attention all colony teachers! Come join us as we unpack pedagogy, assessment practices, & curriculum planning for the multi-grade EAL environment. If you have something to share - please bring it along, we will have time to collaborate with our peers!

Speakers

Laura-Lee Toews

President, Alberta Colony Educators

Laura-Lee has worked in colony schools in a variety of capacities for 30 years. She is currently the president of the Alberta Colony Educators group and Principal of Colony Schools in the Prairie Land School Division. She has a passion for providing professional learning opportunities... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 10:20 - 12:40 MST
Macleod Hall E3 - CTCC

Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6), Div3 (Gr 7-9)

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

13:00 MST

Intervention in Math: Getting the Big Ideas Right

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

Macleod Hall E3 - CTCC

Some things aren't a big deal… you can get them wrong now, and yet still do well on everything else. But other things are so important that their loss means the learner is handicapped at learning new ideas. Sometimes, you can't let weak understandings slide. Enter the need for Intervention in Math. Based on the work of Marilyn Burns, Do The Math is a series of targeted interventions, aligned with a Mathematical Learning Progression, that leverages the power of Manipulatives, Models, Direct and Guided Instruction, along with the engaging power of games to help remediate and strengthen student performance where it counts... on the Big Ideas of Math. Use these ideas for Intervention, Remediation, or everyday Instruction to build strong learners that leverage strong mathematical foundations to tackle new situations.

Speakers

Gerry Varty

Pearson Canada

"For over 35 years, Gerry has been a classroom teacher, school and district leader, and tireless advocate for professional learning support. A leader in K-12 Mathematics education, Assessment, and Instructional Design initiatives, Gerry loves working with teachers to make success... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 13:00 - 14:00 MST
Macleod Hall E3 - CTCC

Mathematics (TQS 3), Div1 (Gr 1-3), Div2 (Gr 4-6)

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

14:20 MST

Building solid mathematical understandings with Mathology 7-9

Friday February 21, 2025 14:20 - 15:20 MST

Macleod Hall E3 - CTCC

"Built around the K-9 Learning Progression developed at the U of A by Dr Lynne McGarvey, Pearson's Mathology is a one-stop, integrated resource that aims to transform the way students approach and engage with math, fostering a deeper appreciation and mastery of key concepts.

If you're tired of using restrictive resources that don't fit you or your class, or weary of spending your time searching online for those mix-and-match ideas, materials, and tools, join Gerry for a conversation about how Mathology's editable and adaptable instructional materials, planning and assessment tools, and pedagogical supports can simplify resource choices for today's Middle-School Teachers and Learners."

Speakers

Gerry Varty

Pearson Canada

Friday February 21, 2025 14:20 - 15:20 MST
Macleod Hall E3 - CTCC

Mathematics (TQS 3), Div3 (Gr 7-9)

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