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

Celebrating Intercultural Connection and Inclusion in Physical Education

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

Telus 108/109 - CTCC

Join Ever Active Schools as we explore ways to foster inclusivity, enrich learning, and promote a global perspective within your physical education program. This session samples activities from International Games, a resource featuring lesson plans from 9 countries. Learn the process used to develop the student-led resource, and spark ideas for how to celebrate the unique cultures of your school community.

Speakers

Kalli Green

Kalli is on the Ever Active Schools Educator Advisory Council. Kalli has been teaching for 10 years, and currently teaches PE, Health, French, and Science. She coaches many sports, and is passionate about getting kids active and outdoors! In her spare time Kalli enjoys running, hiking... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 09:00 - 10:00 MST
Telus 108/109 - CTCC Calgary Telus Convention Centre

Physical Education (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 General overview for novice learners
Presentation Language English
Is Pre-registration required No

10:20 MST

Think on Your Feet - Enhancing Drama Class Through Improv

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

Telus 108/109 - CTCC

Improvisation in drama is a fun and creative activity. It allows students to think quickly, develop characterization skills and interact with other students. This interactive session will have participants engaging in a variety of games and activities. This session is intended for drama teachers or generalist teachers that are looking for new ways to spice up their curriculum. Come prepared to laugh, challenge your boundaries and walk away with ideas that you can use next week in your class.

Speakers

Janell Toews

Janell Toews is a teacher out of Canmore who has been teaching for 18 years. She was nominated for the Musicounts Teacher of the Year Award at the 2022 Junos. She is passionate about music and drama. She currently teaches elementary music, guitar, drumming, jazz, concert band... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:20 - 11:20 MST
Telus 108/109 - CTCC Calgary Telus Convention Centre

Drama & Dance (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

11:40 MST

Teaching Physical Literacy & Fundamental Movement Skills to Students with Sight Loss (11:40-14:00)

Thursday February 20, 2025 11:40 - 14:00 MST

Telus 108/109 - CTCC

Alberta Sports and Recreation Association for the Blind (ASRAB) will support all educators to create
meaningful inclusion in physical education for students with sight loss in Alberta. In this workshop we will
discuss Physical Literacy and Fundamental Movement Skills, practical experience working with adaptive
equipment, and various resources and tools developed by ASRAB. This session and the resources
presented are needed to fill a vital gap in services for the visually impaired community, physical education
teachers and teachers for vision impaired students(TVI). After this session, educators will have the
knowledge and confidence to support visually impaired students with physical education in their schools
and will also leave with a network for further resources and support.

Speakers

Chris Abdalla

Chris Abdalla is the President of Alberta Sport and Recreation Association for the Blind (ASRAB). Chrishas a passion for ensuring meaningful inclusion in physical education for students with sight loss inAlberta. Specializing in Physical Literacy and Fundamental Movement Skills through... Read More →

Yeganeh Yasa

Yeganeh Yasa is the Program Lead Calgary for Alberta Sports and Recreation Association for the Blind (ASRAB). She has worked with ASRAB Goalball and a multitude of programs in the organization. Yeganeh provides her background and knowledge as a Physical Literacy student at Mount Royal... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 11:40 - 14:00 MST
Telus 108/109 - CTCC Calgary Telus Convention Centre

Inclusive Education (TQS/LQS 4), 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

14:20 MST

HPEC Presents: Elevating Physical Education Strategies for Success

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

Telus 108/109 - CTCC

Join the Health and Physical Education Council of the ATA (HPEC) for an engaging session designed specifically for Physical Education teachers eager to explore innovative approaches to Phys Ed classes and health education. This session will provide practical knowledge and hands-on strategies that you can implement immediately in your classroom.
During this session, we will delve into essential topics such as physical literacy, emphasizing the significance of being active for life, and highlighting the crucial role of movement in overall well-being. Additionally, we will discuss the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and teamwork within physical education settings.
Get ready to leave this session feeling inspired, empowered, and ready to elevate your PE classes to new heights!

Speakers

Anne Murphy

Anne Murphy is the Regional Representative for Greater Calgary for HPEC.

Thursday February 20, 2025 14:20 - 15:20 MST
Telus 108/109 - CTCC Calgary Telus Convention Centre

Physical Education (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

Trickster Theatre Presents: Science Through Theatre

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

Telus 108/109 - CTCC

Alex from Trickster Theatre shows the process of bringing science learning to life in a fun, interactive way. With years of experience in Theatre for Young Audiences, Trickster gets kids on their feet and active, acting out the science in a memorable way.
In this Session, Alex will show how Trickster Theatre is tackling the New Science Curriculum, adding an interactive program to teaching Science which increases students retention by animating the scientific concepts and learning through movement.
To put it plainly, he will show you how he gets kids on their feet and active to learn science in a different way- one that has them acting out the science to help learn.
Starting with looking at your Organizing Idea and Guiding Questions, this program involves an easy and fun way to approach science, with the entirety of the new science curriculum available for kindergarten through grade 6.
But the best part? Alex is gonna show how Trickster can go over an entire Unit in Two Days!

Speakers

Alex Allen

A local Calgarian artist, with years of experience both in theater and childcare, Alex is a seasoned TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences) Actor and presenter, working with Trickster Theatre to bring their programs directly to schools. Mostly working with youths from Kindergarten to grade... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 09:00 - 10:00 MST
Telus 108/109 - CTCC Calgary Telus Convention Centre

Science (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

10:20 MST

In spirit of FLASH mobs (10:20-12:40)

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

Telus 108/109 - CTCC

Let's create a flash mob dance! Whether in your P.E, drama or any other class in need of some creative energy, Flash mobs can be a dynamic uplifting experience that unites a class, and even an entire school! Through building and implementing flash mobs, (group dance/movement), teachers can elevate students' journey of personal growth and connection to their school community. This session will provide delegates the tools and first hand experience to put together a flash mob using self expression in a safe and inclusive learning environment. Be ready to step out of your comfort zone and groove!

Speakers

Sabrina Grecu

Let's dance!! Getting students to move is my mission, whether it is in Physical Education, in the theatre, or on the dance floor. I strive to elevate student personal growth and confidence through self expression in safe and inclusive learning environments. I often leap between the... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 10:20 - 12:40 MST
Telus 108/109 - CTCC Calgary Telus Convention Centre

Drama & Dance (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

13:00 MST

Choreography for all

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

Telus 108/109 - CTCC

For teachers who wish to enter the world of musical theatre, or simply take their PE dance unit to the next level, this session will provide tools to build choreography for the beginner to the advanced dancers! Through purposeful movement driven by emotional intention, we can further connect students to a genuine performance and the power of creative expression. The goal beneath the choreo is truly to elevate student personal growth and confidence through self expression in safe and inclusive learning environments. Participants should be prepared and dressed to MOVE!

Speakers

Sabrina Grecu

Friday February 21, 2025 13:00 - 14:00 MST
Telus 108/109 - CTCC Calgary Telus Convention Centre

Drama & Dance (TQS 3), 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

14:20 MST

Game On: Elevate Your Music Classes with Calgary Orff Chapter's Top Picks!

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

Telus 108/109 - CTCC

Come join the Calgary Orff Chapter as we share our favourite music games. This session will showcase highly engaging, student approved, concept focused games that you can start using in your next music class! Becki and Brett will also show ways games can be adapted to accommodate students’ diverse needs. The Calgary Orff Chapter is a local non-profit, volunteer run organization dedicated to providing high quality professional development opportunities for music teachers.

Speakers

Becki Leipert

Teacher, Calgary Board of Education

Becki Leipert is a music specialist with CBE. She has taught elementary music for many years to elementary students within Calgary private and public schools. Becki received her Bachelor of Music (in Music Education) and Bachelor of Education degrees from the University of Saskatchewan... Read More →

Brett Kowalchuk

Friday February 21, 2025 14:20 - 15:20 MST
Telus 108/109 - CTCC Calgary Telus Convention Centre

Music & Band (TQS 3), ECE (Pre K-K), 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