SEATCA 2025 - Southeastern Alberta Teachers' Convention: Full Schedule

arrow_back View All Dates

9:00am MST

Bridging the Gap - Supporting newcomers and refugee students: Collaborative Research project with U of C and a Grasslands School

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

Theatre

Come spend the time viewing the documentary, "Bridging the Gap," and engage in a conversation with the research team of teachers and administrators from Brooks, Alberta. The goal of the documentary and research from the University of Calgary was to create a professional development resource for educators, researchers, and school boards to support the integration and collaboration of newcomer families, particularly refugees, within the school system. The documentary incorporates first-person accounts of refugees, fosters positive relationships between families and educational institutions, and explores mental health and well being through film and visual media.

Speakers

Michelle Veroba

Michelle Veroba (she/her/hers) serves as the ELL Student Support Teacher at Brooks Composite High School, where she directs the English Language Learner (ELL) program, drawing on over a decade of experience in supporting culturally and linguistically diverse students. She is actively... Read More →

Tyler Powell

Tyler has been a teacher for the past 24 years and an in-school administrator for the past ten years. The schools he has worked in include rural K-12 and K-9, as well as urban junior high and high school. He is currently the principal of Tilley School and Hockey Academy in the Grasslands... Read More →

Rahat Zaidi

Teacher

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Theatre Medicine Hat College, 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 3Y6, Canada

9:00am MST

SESSION FULL - Terrarium Building Workshop (cost and pre-registration required)

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

F2003

SESSION IS FULL! Come and cure your winter blues with the Botanicals Terrarium Workshop! You will be provided a mini glass terrarium and get to choose your favorite cactus and/or succulents to plant in it. Your workshop instructor will discuss the plants we are using and give you all the tips and tricks on how to care for them, then go through the process step-by-step with you to plant your new creation. You'll then get to choose from a variety of accents and decor to personalize your terrarium and make it unique. All tools and supplies are provided. No green-thumb required!

$30
Email: botanicalsmh@outlook.com to pre-register and pay
Cap: SESSION IS FULL!

Speakers

Karri Montean

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
F2003 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Art

Audience All Divisions

9:00am MST

Empowering Educators: Navigating Grading Reform Through Incremental Changes for Student Success

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

S150

In the midst of numerous demands on educators' time, adapting teaching practices can be a daunting task. However, we invite educators to embark on a journey toward grading reform success, emphasizing incremental changes and practical strategies. Recognizing the pivotal role grading practices play in shaping student learning experiences, this session is crafted to equip educators with the necessary tools and insights for implementing impactful reforms in their classrooms. Join us as we empower educators to navigate the path toward effective grading practices and enhance student learning outcomes.

Speakers

AAC

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
S150

Assessment

Audience All Divisions

9:00am MST

ATRF Steps to Receiving Your Pension

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

S154

This presentation is designed for teachers who are planning to retire during the current year or within the next few years. It provides detailed information about deciding to retire, the Steps to Retirement process and forms, the pension options, and post-retirement considerations.

Speakers

Linda Lau

Pension Counsellor, Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund (ATRF)

A Pension counsellor with the Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund (ATRF).

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
S154 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Career & Retirment Planning

Audience All Divisions

9:00am MST

What About Play?

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

S107

We can hardly find the time needed to get through all of our outcomes, how on earth are we supposed to find time in our day for our students to play? Join me as we explore the importance of play for early learners and ways to include high quality, authentic play while still having adequate time to cover our outcomes. We will explore how to foster quality play opportunities through researched based practices to ensure the wellness and learning of the whole child.

Speakers

Suzanne Bergeron

Suzanne is a wife, mom of four, and teacher of many. Passionate about finding balance between mental health, a joyful homelife, and successful teaching career she is constantly seeking to learn and grow. Suzanne is deeply dedicated to play and including nature in the daily routines... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
S107 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Early Learning

Audience Early Childhood, Div 1

9:00am MST

French Cafe

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

MHC Library

Come visit our French Café for coffee and croissants during Teachers’ Convention. We will help you find materials to improve Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency and Vocabulary Expansion in your classroom. During this session you will be able to peruse the thousands of French books and resources at the Medicine Hat College Library. These resources are available to check out with a free community membership card to the Vera Bracken Library. You can also use your Medicine Hat Public Library card. We will be serving coffee and croissants in the library to anyone who teaches FSL or French Immersion. Come check out our large selection of materials while they’re on display, and mingle with others teaching French in our area.

Speakers

Emma Piayda

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
MHC Library 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

French & International Languages

Audience All Divisions

9:00am MST

Empowering Educators: Tools for a Stigma-Free School

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

S108

Are you ready to transform your school into a haven of mental wellness and inclusivity? Join us for an inspiring and interactive workshop designed to equip educators with the essential tools and strategies to promote mental health and reduce stigma among students. In this session, Andrea Paquette, President and Co-Founder of the Stigma-Free Mental Health Society, will introduce you to the comprehensive Stigma-Free School Program, which encompasses five key components: 1. Student Mental Health Toolkit: Discover a rich repository of resources, including lesson plans, activities, videos, and more, tailored to enhance students' mental health education. 2. Live Personal Story Virtual Presentations: Experience the power of lived experiences through our engaging virtual presentations. 3. Pro-D Offerings: Enhance your professional development with our targeted sessions aimed at equipping educators with the latest strategies and insights on mental health education. 4. Stigma-Free Clubs: Learn how to establish and support student-led clubs dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and reducing stigma within the school community. 5. Educator's Peer Support Training: Gain access to peer support training tailored specifically for educators. This training empowers you to support your colleagues and create a network of mental health champions within your school. By attending this workshop, you will gain practical tools and insights to make a lasting impact on your students' mental well-being. Don't miss this opportunity to join a movement towards a stigma-free educational environment. Together, we can create schools where every student feels supported, understood, and empowered.

Speakers

Andrea Paquette

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
S108 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Health & Wellness

Audience Div 2, Div 3, Div 4

9:00am MST

Gentle Flow Yoga

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

Big Eagle Room

We begin with movement with a slow flow to connect our bodies and breathe; After we have connected with our breath we will move into longer deeper holds to help improve flexibility, reduced stress and will leave you feeling rejuvenated.

Speakers

Salli Siewert

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Big Eagle Room 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Health & Wellness

Audience All Divisions

9:00am MST

Complex Communication Needs & Augmentative or Alternative Communication

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

S145

Do you have non-speaking students in your ECS classroom? Do you have students who are currently unable to effectively communicate via speech? Do you have students who have been recommended or provided augmentative or alternative communication (AAC)? Do you want to know more about AAC in general? This session is for you! Understanding complex communication needs, understanding the why and how of AAC, as well as practical ideas and resources will help build confidence and success within your classroom for both you and your complex communicators.

Speakers

Jennifer Roth

Jenny is a registered speech language pathologist with 10 years of experience in public education and 5 years in private therapy. She currently works for Grasslands Public Schools (Brooks, Alberta) and owns a private speech and language company (Speech With Miss Jenny). She has a... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
S145 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Inclusive Education

Audience Early Childhood (PK - K)

9:00am MST

Executive Functioning and ADHD

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

F156

Ever wonder why so many children with ADHD struggle with tasks like planning, organization, and self-control, and feel unsure how to support them? As a classroom teacher, I saw these challenges in many students and became even more invested in understanding them when both of my own children were diagnosed with ADHD. In this engaging session, we’ll dive into the critical connection between ADHD and executive functioning (EF), focusing on essential skills such as response inhibition, working memory, emotional control, flexible thinking, sustained attention, task initiation, planning and prioritizing, organizing, time management and goal-directed persistence. You'll leave with practical strategies that can help not only children with ADHD but any student struggling with EF skills and gain the insights and tools you need to help all learners succeed both at home and in the classroom.

Speakers

Kayla Young

Optimal Learning Coach, Medicine Hat Public School Division

I have been teaching since 2009, with experience in elementary schools across Edmonton and Calgary, where I focused on supporting students with special needs and learning disabilities. In 2021, I joined MHPSD as an Optimal Learning Coach, where I have had the privilege of guiding... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
F156 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Inclusive Education

Audience Div 1, Div 2, Div 3

9:00am MST

pîmastîhwâkiskiyihta How to weave Rupertsland Institute’s Métis Education Resources in your Classroom

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

E175

This session is designed for participants to explore several authentic recommended Métis educational materials that help to create teachable moments and provide foundational learning opportunities throughout the school year. Building your foundational knowledge about Métis will empower you to select authentic, accurate resources that honour distinct Métis perspectives to weave into your current teaching practice. Together we will explore resources designed by Métis educators that weave Métis voices into your learning

Speakers

Holly Brandsma

Rupertsland Centre for Teaching and Learning develops comprehensive foundational knowledge resources, engaging lesson plans, meaningful professional development opportunities and authentic classroom learning tools that speak accurately and meaningfully to topics in Métis educati... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
E175 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Indigenous Education

Audience All Divisions

9:00am MST

Unleash the Leader Within

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

S140

You have what it takes to be an incredible leader and this session will help you identify the difference between someone with a title versus someone who makes a difference in their organization.
Whether you are new to your leadership journey or looking for strategies to creating a vibrant leadership foundation, this is for you. We will explore strategies to reduce overwhelm and increase efficiency.

Speakers

Crystal Atkinson

Crystal Atkinson is passionate about helping others foster their inner leader! She is an Association Instructor for the ATA and an Instructional Coach for Grasslands Public Schools. Crystal is also a certified coach, trainer and speaker through Maxwell Leadership Team. Prior to this... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
S140 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Leadership

Audience Admin/Leadership

9:00am MST

Cracking the Code of Morphology in Div 1

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

S151

Morphology is more present in the new Division 1 language arts curriculum. While it is easy to feel overwhelmed by adding one more thing to our existing instruction, morphology doesn’t have to be one of those things. Come and learn some short and easy ideas for weaving morphological instruction into your existing lessons with cross curricular connections.

Speakers

Danielle Martin

Teacher, I.F. Cox School

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
S151 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Literacy

Audience Div 1

9:00am MST

Helping Students Navigate Academic Vocabulary Across Subject Areas

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

E149

Students require specialized skills to be able to cope with the demands of disciplinary text. As students move up in secondary grades, the language of the texts they engage with becomes more specialized and precise, and the language more academic. Academic vocabulary (often referred to as Tier 2 Academic Words) is problematic for students to master, as academic vocabulary can take on dramatically different meanings depending on the usage. As the knowledge students engage with becomes more formalized and complex, so too do the patterns of language that construct that knowledge. This session will take a look at patterns of language and some of the problems with academic vocabulary. Teachers will come away with practical and useful tools that students can use to visualize, organize and structure their thinking to improve their reading, writing and communicating across all subject areas.

Speakers

Karena Hartson

Karena is a secondary literacy consultant who delivers high-level, high-energy professional learning sessions that help teachers leverage their own experiences to support student learning. Teachers attending her sessions will come away with tools and strategies that they can use immediately... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
E149 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Literacy

Audience Div 3, Div 4

9:00am MST

Simple Classroom Games for LA and Math for Grades K-2

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

S146

Simple games that can be used to develop or assess basic Language Arts and/or Math will be shared. We will be participating and learning by doing. I will share what I do in my classroom. Hopefully you will find the games useful and applicable.

Speakers

Mona Harris

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
S146 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Literacy

Audience Div 1

9:00am MST

5 Critical Math Teaching Concepts

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

S106

This presentation looks at our role as math instructors, especially reflecting on our mindset as we work with students to develop their math understanding. Mindset, teaching strategies, the importance of clarity, etc., are critical in helping our students understand. Participants must be able to share their own personal experiences and ideas in breakout groups and reflect on their own practice as they proceed through the session.

Speakers

Dana Kohlman

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
S106 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Numeracy

Audience All Divisions

9:00am MST

Empowering Educators through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Building Resilience, Confidence, and Community in the Classroom (pre-registration required)

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

Resilience Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is more than a martial art; it’s a powerful tool for personal development, resilience, and mental clarity. This workshop introduces teachers to BJJ as a means to cultivate emotional resilience, confidence, and problem-solving skills, which are essential in today’s classroom environments. Educators will learn practical techniques for stress management, communication, and self-care, fostering skills that can be directly applied in their professional and personal lives. Please come in your comfy clothes and bare feet are required. A waiver will need to be signed upon arrival.

- Pre-registration required
- Email: stephen.doctor@gmail.com
- Cap: 20 participants
- Address: 640 Kingsway Ave SE #102, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 2X1

Speakers

Stephen Doctor

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Resilience Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 640 Kingsway Avenue SE

Physical Education & Wellness

Audience All Divisions

9:00am MST

Fun, Fast, Fresh, Free! New Resources for Teaching K-6 Physical Education and Wellness

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

B371

Come explore Ever Active Schools NEW suite of digital resources, now available for free through new.LearnAlberta.ca. These Physical Education and Wellness resources are locally developed for K-6 Learners in both English and French and aligned to the new K-6 Physical Education and Wellness Programs of Study. Participants will preview the suite of resources, sample activities and have the opportunity to give feedback.

Speakers

Hayley Degaust

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
B371 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Physical Education & Wellness

Audience Div 1, Div 2

9:00am MST

Teacher Safety Net

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

F2002

Over many years the Association has been able to construct a safety net for teachers and their families. This presentation provides an overview of what teachers have in regard to sick leave and other leaves through the collective agreement, extended disability, life insurance, other benefit plan provisions, as well as pension and death benefits. This is a light-hearted presentation that is intended to be presented to local teachers in order to provide very relevant and necessary information on existing entitlements.

Speakers

Andrea McLeod - ATA

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
F2002 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Professional issues

Audience All Divisions

9:00am MST

ACE - What I wish I knew Before Teaching on a Colony

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

F2006

Have you ever wondered what teaching on a Hutterite Colony is like? Are you curious about what teaching in a one room school house in 2025 is all about? If you are Colony curious, or have questions about what teaching or subbing at a colony school, this session if for you.

Speakers

Jenna Gabert

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
F2006 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Reflection & Collaboration

Audience Div 1, Div 2, Div 3

9:00am MST

Code Across the Curriculum: Innovative Strategies to Infuse Computer Science in K-6 Classrooms

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

F2004

In today’s digital world, computer science is becoming an essential skill, and integrating it into everyday learning is key to preparing students for the future. This session will explore creative and practical ways to infuse coding and computational thinking across the K-6 curriculum. Whether it’s using algorithms in math, coding stories in language arts, or simulating scientific experiments, participants will discover how computer science can enhance learning in all subject areas. Bringing your own device will be beneficial for this session.

Speakers

Cassie Young

Optimal Learning Coach, MHPSD#76

Cassie is a passionate and dedicated educational coach, wife, and new mom. Her dynamic approach to her Optimal Learning Coach role with Medicine Hat Public school division reflects her commitment to making learning engaging and meaningful for students, particularly through cross-curricular... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
F2004 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Science

Audience Div 1, Div 2

9:00am MST

Making sky science memorable and effective

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

S103

In our time together, Rod will provide examples of teaching methods along with visual resources to make learning sky science both memorable and effective. We will become aquainted with space, its size and scale, its contents and our place in the observable universe. Astronomy fills our every day culture. We actually know more astronomy than we realize and Rod will uncover these amazing cultural touchstones. For example, how the arctic gets its name, what the "dog days of summer" really means, or what does a zoo have in common with the zodiac? We will use visuals, hands on demonstrations as well as a PowerPoint presentation.

Speakers

Rod Devries

Rod has been doing astronomy for over 40 years. Teaching various aspects of astronomy is a passion. Making the far away seem near, or making the complex easy to comprehend. Rod used props, pictures and imagination to make space come alive for his audiences. Rod built Eagle Butte... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
S103 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Science

Audience Div 2, Div 3, Div 4

9:00am MST

Canva Meets AI: Introducing Magic Studio

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

S159

Embark on a creative journey with Canva's Magic Studio in this session crafted for educators. Unleash the potential of AI with hands-on exploration of Magic Design for tailored designs such as social media posts, presentations, and learning materials. Learn about Magic Write for text generation. Dive into Magic Media to convert text to captivating visuals. Explore Magic Edit, Magic Grab, and Magic Expand for seamless image editing. This session empowers educators to efficiently integrate Canva's AI technology into their teaching materials, enhancing creativity and engagement. To maximize your learning experience it is recommended that you bring a personal device such as a Chromebook to this session and have some prior experience using Canva (not required).

Speakers

Kelli-Ann Nixdorf

Instructional Coach, Prairie Rose Public Schools

Kelli-Ann Nixdorf is a District Instructional Coach at Prairie Rose Public Schools. With a rare blend of expertise, she stands as one of very few Canadian Canvassadors and one of Alberta's select few TimeSlips™ Certified Facilitators. As a certified trainer with Magic School AI... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
S159 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Technology

Audience All Divisions

9:00am MST

Painting with Kameko (cost and pre-registration required)

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST

E160/161

Teachers will spend a 2 hour session creating a Cowboy Boots Painting using Kameko's artistic guidance. Acrylic paint, paint brushes, canvases and instruction will be given. Participant cost AND pre-registration required.

$35
Email: k.hillockballantyne@gmail.com to register and to Pay
Cap: 30

****Must pay prior to be signed up for the session.*****

Speakers

Kameko Ballantyne

Kameko has been teaching art for over 8 years now in her career. With her Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Fine Arts, she has implemented a strong art foundation in her classes. She has been an artist herself since she could hold a pencil and has done work for tattoo clients... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST
E160/161

Art

Audience All Divisions

9:00am MST

**NEW** Tastes of Thailand (cost and pre-registration required)

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST

Baking With Candice

Together we would prepare and build summer rolls as well as make our own hoisin sauce from scratch and make a batch of wontons from scratch to put in our Thai soup to enjoy in the class. Participant Cost AND pre-registration required.

$30
E transfer - bakingwithcandice@gmail.com
Cap: 30 people per session - SESSION IS FULL!

**Location: Root Cellar food and wellness hub at 440 Maple Ave SE**

Speakers

Candice Funk

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST
Baking With Candice 440 Maple Avenue SE, Medicine Hat

CTS

Audience All Divisions

9:00am MST

SESSION FULL - Homemade Pasta Class (cost and pre-registration required)

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST

Notre Dame School

SESSION FULL - Learn how to make homemade pasta. We will be making the dough from scratch and rolling it out using Kitchen Aid Pasta rollers. We will also be making pasta sauce to go with. Participant cost AND pre-registration required.

$10
Email: ashley.pasiciel@gmail.com to pay and register.
Cap: 24
SESSION FULL

Speakers

Ashley Wood/Will Wood

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST
Notre Dame School 646 Spruce Way SE, Medicine Hat

CTS

Audience All Divisions

9:00am MST

Beginner Line Dance

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST

Crowfoot Room

Please join Just Dance...line dance for a morning of music and dance.
It's great exercise for your mind, body and soul.

We will go through line dance terminology and basic steps, as well as learn a few beginner dances. We will dance to a variety of music including, rock, pop, 60s, jazz or country.

Please wear comfortable shoes with a sole that allows you to pivot easily.
No sandals, high heels, or open-heeled or toed shoes.

Please bring a water bottle.

Capacity: 40

Speakers

Lorrie Irwin

Lorrie has been the lead instructor at Just Dance - line dance for the past six years. She has a background in education having worked as an educational assistant for many years until her retirement.

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST
Crowfoot Room 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Drama & Dance

Audience All Divisions

9:00am MST

EAL Coffee Hour

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST

S102

The EAL Coffee Hour aims to bring together educators in a collaborative environment that emphasizes effective instructional practices. This session will serve as a productive work session for both mainstream and EAL intervention teachers. Participants are encouraged to bring current projects or resources they are developing for their classrooms to support newcomer EAL students. Specific questions related to effective instructional practices are also welcomed. Don't forget to also bring your favorite tasty beverage to sip while we share and collaborate! Given the increasing number of newcomer students entering our classrooms—often with limited experience in formalized school settings and emerging language skills—our goal is to facilitate a smoother transition for these students while also supporting teachers in meeting instructional demands. This gathering provides a valuable platform for sharing insights and strategies across different school divisions, fostering a supportive community dedicated to enhancing our teaching methods. This session is relevant for educators across all grade levels, from primary to high school.

Speakers

Shelby Giesbrecht/Cindy Engel

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST
S102 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

EAL

9:00am MST

Early Learning Collaboration

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST

F2005

Working in Early Learning is hard work and it is heart work. This session offers an opportunity for those working in Early Learning to use the time for what they need, whether seeking connection, collaboration or a space to tackle the never-ending list of supports and planning for the tiny, amazing humans we spend our days with, this is a space made for those who make Early Learning possible.

Speakers

Shyan Polson

Kindergarten/EELL Teacher, Grasslands Public Schools

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST
F2005 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Early Learning

Audience Early Childhood (PK - K)

9:00am MST

Mathology Workshop

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST

B372

In this session, we hope to give time to share and explore everything Mathology related. Please bring a laptop or any other materials you think would be helpful to work on developing slideshows and other resources or having time to prep for future lessons. We hope you will join us and feel a little more accomplished and confident in teaching your next Mathology lesson!

Speakers

Abbey Hepfner

Corrie Zelantini/ Talaina Buckle

Teacher

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST
B372 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Numeracy

Audience Div 1, Div 2

9:00am MST

Lacrosse = FUN

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST

CHHS Gymnasium

Learn the skills of lacrosse and how to implement it in your Physical Education class tomorrow. You will learn how to scoop, cradle. pass, catch and shoot. Participants will learn first hand how to implement lacrosse skills into a variety of games and activities. The session will start with watching a game of lacrosse with an explanation of the rules while it happens. Next it will move into skill developments where participants will experience first hand how to teach each skill. Lastly we will take the skills and run through some modifiable games that utilize the skills of lacrosse but without the contact. All games can be modified for K-12 and you should feel confident to implement them the next day.

Speakers

Mike Peterson

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST
CHHS Gymnasium

Physical Education & Wellness

Audience All Divisions

9:00am MST

Forensics 25/35 (Pre-registration required)

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST

CHHS

This is a share session where those of us teaching Forensics class can share and develop new lessons and ideas. Heather has developed this class as a very hands on experience using Podcasting, Labs and Guest Speakers to try to make Forensics as close to real life as possible but also extremely accessible to all levels of learners. Come with questions, ideas and things to share!

Please pre-register for this session by emailing Heather at heavendawn999@hotmail.com.

Speakers

Heather McCaig

Heather McCaig is a 26 year teacher in the Medicine Hat Public school division. Heather has taught forensics for a number of years now with her teaching partners. When developing the course her and her partner focused on hands on activities that met outcomes but allowed all levels... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST
CHHS 1201 Division Avenue North

Science

Audience Div 4

9:00am MST

Grade 5 - New Science Curriculum Working Group

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST

S141

Let's get together and spend sometime planning effecive inquiry based resources and assessments for the new Science 5 Curriculum.

Speakers

Rebecca Kroschel

Division II Teacher, Grasslands School Division #6

Rebecca is an energetic teacher with many years of teaching in division II. She is a book lover and her passion for great literature spurs on her students to engage in reading, writing and participation in her class.

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST
S141 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Science

Audience Div 2

9:00am MST

Preparing & Planning for the Draft Social Studies Curriculum Grade 4-6

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST

S144

During this time teachers will be able to work with colleagues on projects, assessments and rubrics tied to the Draft Social Studies Curriculum specifically Grades 4-6.

Participants need to bring a copy of their draft curriculum and a device to work on.

Speakers

Lindsey Nemeth/Meagan Bachmeier

Lindsey has 10+ years of teaching experience in grade 6 for Medicine Hat Public School district. Social Studies is one of my favourite subjects to teach, and the draft curriculum writers were kind to us grade 6 teachers. I would love to support grade 4, 5 and 6 teachers in creating... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 11:30am MST
S144 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Social Studies

Audience Div 2

10:30am MST

Grasslands Fine Arts - Jazz Band and Rock Band Performance

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

Theatre

he Brooks Composite High School Jazz Band is made up of students ranging from grade 10 - 12 who meet twice weekly. Under the direction of Brian Stone, the band is active in the community, playing for city groups, hockey games and local music events. The jazz band travels each year to different locations for performance tours or music festivals and have enjoyed performing in Disneyland, Heritage Park in Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton.

Rock Band Performance to share what Duchess School is doing with our rock band program (this is a great opportunity for the Junior/Senior high students to perform on a big stage!) - Acoustic Guitar and Ukulele Jam is a great opportunity to relax, play or learn familiar songs, and experience how music/playing guitar/ukulele can be an enriching and enjoyable part of life!

Speakers

Brian Stone

Teacher, Grasslands School Division

Daniel Roth

Teacher, Grasslands School Division

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
Theatre Medicine Hat College, 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 3Y6, Canada

Audience All Divisions

10:30am MST

Coffee Art: Caffeine and Creativity (cost and pre-registration required)

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

S103

Using the medium of coffee, participants will simultaneously wake up and create amazing relief prints. These artworks use splashes, drips and spills to produce unique and creative effects. Take some time at convention to visit with colleagues whilst you enjoy your coffee and spark your creativity. Participant cost AND pre-registration required.

$10
Email: tyler.wardrop00@gmail.com to register and pay
Cap: 30

Speakers

Tyler Wardop

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
S103 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Art

Audience All Divisions

10:30am MST

SESSION FULL - Terrarium Building Workshop (cost and pre-registration required)

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

F2003

Come and cure your winter blues with the Botanicals Terrarium Workshop! You will be provided a mini glass terrarium and get to choose your favorite cactus and/or succulents to plant in it. Your workshop instructor will discuss the plants we are using and give you all the tips and tricks on how to care for them, then go through the process step-by-step with you to plant your new creation. You'll then get to choose from a variety of accents and decor to personalize your terrarium and make it unique. All tools and supplies are provided. No green-thumb required! Participant cost AND pre-registration required.

$30
Email: botanicalsmh@outlook.com to pre-register and pay
Cap: 25 - SESSION IS FULL!

Speakers

Karri Montean

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
F2003 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Art

Audience All Divisions

10:30am MST

Mapping Your Assessment Plan

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

S150

Whether you're a novice educator looking for guidance in creating your assessment plan or a seasoned teacher seeking to optimize your time, this session will equip you with the tools and insights needed to start mapping out a cohesive and impactful assessment plan for the academic year.

Speakers

AAC

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
S150

Assessment

Audience All Divisions

10:30am MST

ATRF Your Pension Essentials

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

S154

This presentation is designed specifically for teachers that have recently joined the plan. It provides a general overview of the plan, including information about pension contributions, maintaining your spouse/beneficiary information, the eligibility requirements for a pension, purchasing leaves of absences and substitute service, and transferring service with another pension plan.

Speakers

Linda Lau

Pension Counsellor, Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund (ATRF)

A Pension counsellor with the Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund (ATRF).

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
S154 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Career & Retirment Planning

Audience All Divisions

10:30am MST

Inspiring ideas for loose parts play in early learning

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

Kin Coulee Tobaggan Hill

In this session, educators are invited to a hands-on exploration in a beautiful outdoor space at Kin Coulee Park. Loose parts are open-ended materials that can be used and manipulated in many different ways. They can be natural, recycled or or purchased and inspire children's creativity in diverse ways. In responsive early learning environments, educators can use loose parts to stimulate children's curiousity and offer rich play and learning experiences. "When children interact with loose parts, they enter a world of “what if” that promotes the kind of thinking that leads to problem solving and theoretical reasoning. Loose parts enhance children’s ability to think imaginatively and see solutions, and they bring a sense of adventure and excite to children’s play" (Daly & Beloglovsky, 2015).

Meeting Spot: At the kitchen by the toboggan hill. There is a blue shed a bit further back and we will meet near the shed.

**Please check back closer to the date regarding weather and any changes**

Speakers

Jennifer Usher

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
Kin Coulee Tobaggan Hill 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Early Learning

Audience Early Childhood (PK - K)

10:30am MST

Preventing Difficult Behaviours

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

S106

Preventing difficult behaviour: 10 Big Things (K-12 Focus) A brief summary of experiences and practices that I wish I had learned earlier, particularly focused on managing challenging behaviour. This is a more fun/sharing oriented session that encourages colleagues to reflect on their practice, to change the things that are critical and changeable, and to accept some dimensions that are ever-present in the business.

Speakers

Dana Kohlman

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
S106 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Fostering Effective Relationships

Audience All Divisions, Admin/Leadership

10:30am MST

Move Over Cigarettes: Vapes and Nicotine Pouches are Hooking Our Youth

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

S108

Alberta Health Services health professionals will discuss vaping and nicotine pouch use amongst youth. Participants will learn: • Trends in and prevalence rates of e-cigarette use for school aged youth in Alberta • Best practices for preventing nicotine use • An overview on nicotine pouches • Marketing tactics targeting youth • Grade appropriate prevention education for schools • A summary of available resources for students and teachers to prevent and reduce nicotine use by young people

Speakers

Madelyne Porter

I'm a Health Promotion Facilitator with Alberta Health Services (AHS). I've been working in public health for more than 20 years, mainly focused on child and teen health, school health promotion, and substance use prevention. My current role is with the AHS Tobacco, Vaping & Cannabis... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
S108 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Health & Wellness

Audience Div 2, Div 3, Div 4

10:30am MST

Supporting Students with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Strategies for Success in the Classroom

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

E175

In this session, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and its impact on student learning and behaviour. Through evidence-based practices, Kaitlyn from the WRaP 2.0 program will provide foundational knowledge on FASD, explore effective classroom strategies, and discuss methods for navigating transitions for students affected by FASD. Educators will learn practical tools to create inclusive, supportive environments that meet the unique needs of these students, enhancing both engagement and academic success. The session will offer insights relevant to individual educators, small groups, and school-wide practices.

Speakers

Kaitlyn Rebmann

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
E175 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Health & Wellness

Audience All Divisions, Admin/Leadership

10:30am MST

Who Said It Has To Be Perfect: Managing Perfectionism in Your Teaching Practice

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

S107

Are you finding yourself grappling with making aspects of your teaching practice perfect? Struggling with burn out, never feeling like you are finished, and living in a constant state of stress? Join us as we take a deep breath, drop our shoulders, and explore ways to re-write perfectionistic tendencies in our classrooms. We will delve into practical strategies for managing perfectionism, fostering a growth mindset, and embracing our "enoughness" in our teaching careers. You will leave with actionable tools to help you cultivate a more flexible, sustainable, and enjoyable teaching career.

Speakers

Suzanne Bergeron

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
S107 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Health & Wellness

Audience All Divisions, Admin/Leadership

10:30am MST

Tools for your technology free colony classroom

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

F2006

Teaching in a tech free environment can be a challenge. Discover some useful tools to organize and run your multi-graded colony classroom.

Speakers

Jenna Gabert

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
F2006 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Inclusive Education

Audience Div 1, Div 2, Div 3

10:30am MST

Universal language strategies for late, delayed, and emerging communicators

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

S145

Early learning classrooms are filled with students who are not using speech to communicate, or just beginning to use language to communicate, or use language that is disordered. This session will dive into some of the reasons we are seeing a rise in delayed and disordered language. More importantly practical language strategies for teachers, assistants, and families to use with these children, to support emerging language understanding and use, both in and out of the classroom, will be taught.

Speakers

Jennifer Roth

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
S145 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Inclusive Education

Audience Early Childhood (PK - K)

10:30am MST

Predictable Personalities and How to Navigate Them!

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

S140

Have you ever wondered why some staff are motivated one way while others aren't? Have you left a conversation wondering what went wrong? Personalities are everywhere! Some people draw us in and others make us want to run away! In this session, we will learn about different personality types so that we can improve how we connect with others.

Optional: If you would like to receive a comprehensive personality profile with your unique style, motivators, fears and leadership qualities, email Crystal and she will send you the survey. This must be completed prior to convention in order to receive this on time. Cost: $40 (convention special)
crystalcoachingconsulting@outlook.com

Speakers

Crystal Atkinson

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
S140 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Leadership

Audience All Divisions, Admin/Leadership

10:30am MST

How Big Movies Help Students Understand Big Transferable Concepts

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

E149

Finding Nemo. How to Train Your Dragon. Apollo 13. There are big ideas and big moments in big movies: ideas that can pinpoint key instances of learning and transfer. We’ll examine these moments (and more) and bridge them into classroom learning. Teachers will learn about transfer theory and ways to use movies to explicitly teach for transfer of understanding. This session includes a support package of takeaways, teaching tips, and graphic organizers teachers can use in their classrooms.

Speakers

Karena Hartson

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
E149 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Literacy

Audience Div 2, Div 3

10:30am MST

Revise Like a Rockstar: Simple Strategies for Confident Revision

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

F156

Did you know that experts like Joan Sedita (author of The Writing Rope) recommend spending 40% of writing instruction on the stage of rewriting and revision? In spite of its importance, this crucial step often gets the least amount of attention—largely because many students aren’t sure how to revise effectively or independently. In this session, we’ll dive into practical, easy-to-apply strategies to help your students approach the revision stage with more creativity and confidence. Using techniques from The Writing Revolution, such as sentence expansion, sentence combining, and adding appositives, you'll learn ways to make both drafting and revising more clear and engaging for your students. You’ll also discover strategies for fostering collaboration, helping students work together to improve each other’s writing. By the end of our session, you'll be equipped with specific feedback techniques and a toolkit of revision strategies to help your students confidently revise both their writing and the writing of their peers!

Speakers

Kayla Young

Optimal Learning Coach, Medicine Hat Public School Division

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
F156 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Literacy

Audience Div 2, Div 3

10:30am MST

Story Making for k-2

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

S146

How do you help enrich storytelling for beginning writers? Come and learn how to use Story Making in your classrooms. This is very specific to beginning writing.

Speakers

Mona Harris

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
S146 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Literacy

Audience Div 1, Early Childhood (PK - K)

10:30am MST

Cool Math and More

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

Big Eagle Room

Do you want to shake things up in your math class? Try something new? Get some exciting ideas you can use next week? Come hang out at this interactive session that will give you a taste of cool routines and structures to shake things up. You will explore mini guided math stations, thinking routines, choral counting, number talks and counting collections.

Speakers

Carlene Roth

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
Big Eagle Room 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Numeracy

Audience Div 1, Div 2

10:30am MST

Early Childhood Education Council - what we offer and sharing session for Kindergarten to Grade 3 teachers

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

S151

I will share the new structure of the Early Childhood Education Council as well as highlights from past ECEC professional development sessions in our local and from the Dec. 4 PD session with Alicia Burdess on Using Picture Books to Launch Big Beautiful Problems in Thinking Classrooms. Participants will be encouraged to network with other teachers at their grade levels to examine how they may use ideas shared, access more PD through the Early Childhood Education Council and work together to share best practices.

Speakers

Stacey McBain

I have over 20 years of teaching experience and have been a member of the Early Childhood Education Council for as long as I have been teaching. I have served on the provincial executive since 2022 and work with the council to provide quality professional development for Kindergarten... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
S151 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Pedagogy & Educational Research

Audience Div 1, Early Childhood (PK - K)

10:30am MST

Celebrating Intercultural Connection and Inclusion in Physical Education

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

B371

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

Hayley Degaust

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
B371 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Physical Education & Wellness

Audience Div 1, Div 2, Div 3, Div 4

10:30am MST

Empowering Educators through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Building Resilience, Confidence, and Community in the Classroom - REPEAT (pre-registration required)

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

Resilience Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is more than a martial art; it’s a powerful tool for personal development, resilience, and mental clarity. This workshop introduces teachers to BJJ as a means to cultivate emotional resilience, confidence, and problem-solving skills, which are essential in today’s classroom environments. Educators will learn practical techniques for stress management, communication, and self-care, fostering skills that can be directly applied in their professional and personal lives. Please come in your comfy clothes and bare feet are required. A waiver will need to be signed upon arrival.
- Pre-registration required
- Email: stephen.doctor@gmail.com
- Cap: 20 participants
- Address: 640 Kingsway Ave SE #102, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 2X1

Speakers

Stephen Doctor

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
Resilience Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 640 Kingsway Avenue SE

Physical Education & Wellness

Audience All Divisions

10:30am MST

Counting Time

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

F2002

Adapting a process for collecting data on hours of work, both instructional and assignable, defining assignable time, and monitoring time assignments.

Speakers

Andrea McLeod - ATA

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
F2002 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Professional issues

Audience All Divisions, Admin/Leadership

10:30am MST

AI-Powered Teaching: Leveraging ChatGPT for seamless Planning, Instruction, and Assessment in combined classes.

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

F2004

In this session, we will explore how to harness the power of AI, specifically ChatGPT, to enhance the teaching and learning experience in combined classes. Participants will discover practical strategies for using AI to streamline lesson planning, deliver engaging instruction, and conduct effective assessments. We will use ChatGPT to help make conceptual connections between both grade levels. Bringing your own device will be beneficial for this session.

Speakers

Cassie Young

Optimal Learning Coach, MHPSD#76

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
F2004 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Technology

Audience All Divisions, Admin/Leadership

10:30am MST

Canva: Unlock Time-Saving Solutions to Transform Your Classroom

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

S159

In this session, explore the innovative world of Canva Education and discover how its latest additions can sharpen minds and spark creativity in your classroom. Dive into Canva’s extensive Education Library, featuring thousands of free, ready-to-teach lessons, presentations, student handouts, and assignments that will save you time and enhance your lesson planning. Learn how Canva can serve as a central hub for your entire teaching experience, allowing you to spend less time creating from a blank canvas and more time engaging with your students. Maximize your impact with the latest education resources, designed to streamline your workflow while delivering dynamic, interactive learning experiences. To get the most out of this hands-on session, please bring a personal device, such as a Chromebook.

Speakers

Kelli-Ann Nixdorf

Instructional Coach, Prairie Rose Public Schools

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
S159 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Technology

Audience All Divisions

1:00pm MST

All Heart

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

Theatre

Mike Clemons’ football career was characterized by incredible perseverance and great skill. At only 5 feet 6 inches and 170 pounds, he won against all odds. He succeeded while others predicted failure, gave more when less would have been satisfactory. All Heart is the story of a young man guided by fierce determination. Michael is an athlete with true character, an incredibly generous spirit and a quiet dignity that shines on and off the field. Michael tells how his upbringing has shaped him, how his steadfast faith has always guided him, and how his commitment to his team and his community is much more than just a professional veneer, but a deeply held feeling of true spirit and belonging.

Speakers

Michael Pinball Clemons

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Theatre Medicine Hat College, 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 3Y6, Canada

Audience All Divisions

1:00pm MST

Fibre Arts: Stitching in a Collaborative Learning Session (cost and pre-registration required)

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

S103

Come and learn the basics of several types of Fibre Arts including cross-stitching, weaving, and embroidery. Materials will be available and participants are welcome to bring their own supplies and knowledge to share. Come and collaborate with colleagues as you learn, refine, or master the skills of Fibre Arts! Participant cost AND pre-registration required.

$10
Email: tyler.wardrop00@gmail.com to register and pay
Cap: 30

Speakers

Tyler Wardop

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
S103 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Art

Audience All Divisions

1:00pm MST

SESSION FULL - Terrarium Building Workshop (cost and pre-registration required)

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

F2003

$30
Email: botanicalsmh@outlook.com to pre-register and pay
Cap: 25 - This Session is FULL!

Speakers

Karri Montean

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
F2003 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Art

Audience All Divisions

1:00pm MST

Leveling Up Learning: Using Games as a Formative Assessment Technique

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

S150

Join us for an interactive session that explores the innovative use of games as a formative assessment tool. Participants will discover how to design and implement game-based assessments that not only gauge student learning but also foster collaboration, critical thinking, and motivation. We will discuss how to create engaging assessments that align with diverse learning objectives across subjects and grade levels.

Three Learning Goals for the Session:

Refine existing assessment practices by incorporating game elements that promote active learning and provide real-time feedback on student progress.
Design collaborative and interactive game-based assessments that align with diverse learning objectives across various subjects and grade levels.
Implement strategies for integrating game mechanics into formative assessments to foster critical thinking and teamwork among students.

Speakers

AAC

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
S150

Assessment

Audience All Divisions

1:00pm MST

Finding Balance: The Art of Surviving Teaching Young Children While Raising Your Own

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

S107

Join us as we discuss the great joys and incredible challenges that come along with teaching young children while raising our own. From the practicals of lesson and meal planning to the tough topics of sharing the mental load and the division of domestic labour we will dive head first into setting ourselves up for success in our homes and classrooms. *Although this session is geared for parents and teachers of children under 10 it will have lots of helpful tips and tricks for parents and teachers of all ages.

Speakers

Suzanne Bergeron

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
S107 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Health & Wellness

1:00pm MST

Wellness Medicine Wheel

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

E160/161

Wellness Medicine Wheel x 2 I talk about being a Sixties Scoop Survivor and how that differs from Residential School. T I then teach about the Wellness Wheel. There are four parts, Spiritual, Emotional, Physical, and Spiritual. I talk about striving for balance in your life. While I'm doing my presentation, we have breaks to paint a rawhide circle in the four direction colours.

Speakers

Shirley Boomer

Shirley Boomer is a proud Cree woman. She is a member of the Mistawasis Nehiywak band in Saskatchewan. As a Sixties Scoop Survivor, her First Nation knowlege has been a life long journey. Her hope is always, to help others live a full life, by sharing her teachings.

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
E160/161

Indigenous Education

Audience All Divisions

1:00pm MST

My Students Can’t Summarize! Please Help!

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

E149

The ability to read and summarize a text is an essential skill. A good summary needs to do more than pick out the big ideas and simplify the text. A good summary helps students to identify and analyze key points in the text and then relate those points to the overall structure of the text. Teaching summarization that is linked to text-structure improves both the quality of the written summaries and students’ overall comprehension of the text. Join Dr. Hartson to explore this powerful method of summarizing text. You’ll walk away with examples, graphic organizers, and materials you can use in your class tomorrow.

Speakers

Karena Hartson

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
E149 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Literacy

Audience Div 2, Div 3, Div 4

1:00pm MST

Extended/ Long Term Disability: It's All About the Medical

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

F2002

Understanding extended disability and long-term disability benefits can be challenging. The session provides an overview of this benefit and its eligibility, a review of best practices on applying for the benefit and outlines supports the Association offers to members during the application and, potentially, the appeal process.

Speakers

Andrea McLeod - ATA

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
F2002 299 College Dr SE, Medicine Hat, AB

Professional issues

Audience All Divisions, Admin/Leadership