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-Pre-recorded: 2026 President Schilling’s Convention Address: https://youtu.be/uZmsvjr-pCo

-The main event will occur at RDP (Red Deer Polytechnic)

-The Social will happen on Feb 19 after the last session in the Main Stage Foyer, do sign up by including it in your schedule

-Edcamp sessions all occur on Feb 20 Session 5, watch the following to understand what an Edcamp event is all about
https://youtu.be/uIHonn97TJk

-A few sessions you will need to pre-register and pay a supply fee to attend on the day

-POST RECORDING VIDEOS are availble from Feb 20th at 3:30 PM - May31st at 11:59 PM
-Be Scent Free for the event

-DO YOU HAVE ANY ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS AT THE EVENT? e.g.) quiet space, allergies, wheel chair assistance, etc.
Please reach out to [email protected]

-If you need hotel accommodations do use the following link to get a special deal for CATCA members until February 4th: https://reservations.travelclick.com/108483?groupID=5047732

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Friday, February 20
 

8:30am MST

Smudging and Prayer with Elder
Experience a Moment of Connection and Spirit. Join us for a sacred morning of Smudging and Prayer, led by a respected Elder. This session offers a peaceful space to ground yourself, clear away negative energy, and connect with traditional teachings. Whether you are looking for spiritual guidance or simply a moment of quiet reflection, all are welcome to come and share in this restorative practice.
Friday February 20, 2026 8:30am - 8:50am MST
Gary W. Harris Basketball Court 120 College Cir, Red Deer, AB T4N 0T7

9:00am MST

A Year in the Life of a Div Three/Four Art Classroom
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
This collaborative session will allow time for art educators to reflect, discuss and share successes and challenges within the context of the art classroom. Educators are encouraged to come prepared with a resource, project idea or an art piece/sketchbook to share, discuss and trade with like minded individuals. This open discussion style environment will create opportunities for art teachers to network and build connections with other art educators. We will discuss short term and long term planning in relation to the Alberta Art Curriculum, assessment practices, processes, approaches, materials/media in relation to a vast array of art projects to further develop and facilitate an inclusive artistic classroom community and studio environment.
Speakers
avatar for Christa Chapman

Christa Chapman

Social Emotional Learning, Mindfulness & Yoga, Visual Art Education
Christa Chapman has been practicing mindfulness, meditation and yoga for over 20 years, and has completed a Modo/Moksha yoga teacher training (500hr), is a certified yin yoga instructor (80hr), meditation instructor (200hr), a CASEL certified Social Emotional Learning/Mindfulness... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP ROOM AC160 (ARTS Centre)

9:00am MST

Teaching Art with No Art Room, No Budget and Lots of Kids!
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
This workshop shows teachers new ways to organize their classroom to accommodate supplies as well as student artwork. Teachers will learn various Art techniques that are engaging for kids, quick and easy to prepare, AND require little to no budget.
Teachers will discover how to:
• Begin an Art programme
• Organize their regular classroom, one medium at a time
• Start small and build on what they have
• Introduce 3D media painlessly
• Look good when the principal drops in – because your class is too quiet!
Speakers
avatar for Susan Carter

Susan Carter

How to Teach Humour for Stress Relief, Life Skills and Fun
Susan Carter holds a B.Ed. from the University of Regina and has taught in four provinces. In 1993 she decided to act upon a long-time dream of doing standup comedy! Susan shows you how to deal with all the changes involved in our teaching world with a laugh. Creative coping ideas... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP Room 1303

9:00am MST

Monet’s Waterlilies: Draw & Inspire with Oil Pastels
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Step into the world of Claude Monet and learn to recreate his famous waterlilies using oil pastels and expressive mark-making. This guided, hands-on session will explore key Impressionist techniques you can bring back to your classroom. All materials are included and reserve your spot by sending an email transfer of $10 to [email protected]. Leave with a finished artwork, a YouTube tutorial, and a PowerPoint to support your teaching. This workshop connects directly to the art curriculum through outcomes related to technique, historical context, and expression of mood and movement.
Speakers
avatar for Izabella Orzelski

Izabella Orzelski

Teacher, EPSB
Izabella is an experienced artist and educator with an MFA from the New York Academy of Art and a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Alberta. She has received art awards like the Winspear Fund Grant and the Dahesh Museum Award to further her education. Her commissioned portraits... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP ROOM 2304

9:00am MST

From Passions to Paycheques: Building Career Clarity and Financial Smarts
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
This session explores Alberta’s updated Career Education and Financial Literacy curriculum. Learn about the latest government-released updates, how to interpret KUSPs through a junior high lens, and how to integrate career and financial literacy across both legacy and new curriculum areas. We’ll explore connections to other Jr and Sr high courses, such as CALM, Health, and Math. As well, we will share practical lesson ideas using resources such as ChatterHigh, myBlueprint, and others. This session is ideal for educators and system leaders looking to support both students and teachers in developing real-world readiness through career exploration and financial literacy.
Speakers
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP ROOM 2601

9:00am MST

Engagement and Differentiation in ELA (7-9)
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Would you like to set up class routines that bolster engagement and respond to different learning needs in complex classrooms? This session explores a variety of creative ways to differentiate ELA skills in engaging ways that work with any student selected text. We’ll look at different ways to approach reading, listening, writing, speaking, and representing in junior high classes with tangible examples. You’ll leave the session with a repertoire of ELA tools and creative ways to engage your students and offer authentic choice in assessment.
Speakers
avatar for Alyssa Backs

Alyssa Backs

Teacher, English Language Arts Council
Backs is the Central Region Representative for the ATA’s English Language Arts Council. She holds a B. Ed in Secondary Education with a major in Social Studies and a minor in ELA through the University of Alberta. She recently completed her master’s degree in Library and Information... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP ROOM 2305

9:00am MST

Assessment Security in the Classroom
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Ensuring that your assessments accurately reflect student learning and that they give yourself and your students meaningful feedback about misunderstandings is an increasingly daunting task, but is one which can be managed using a handful of easy strategies. In this workshop, we'll discuss why students work around assessments instead of using them for feedback, and we'll outline some simple but effective strategies you can use to make sure your assessments are giving all students feedback on what they've learned. The focus will be on concrete strategies you can use in your classroom right away for assessments done on paper and using devices. Jason Cooper is the creator of SmarterMarks, and has 9 years of experience teaching Math and Science in Alberta high schools.
Speakers
avatar for Jason Cooper

Jason Cooper

Onsite contact: Jason Coooper
Jason Cooper is the creator and owner of SmarterMarks, a tool that helps teachers and students do more with paper and online assessments. Before making the switch to supporting and developing SmarterMarks full-time, he worked as a high school science teacher in Calgary for 9 year... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP ROOM 2600

9:00am MST

Power Hour: Know your Bill, Know your Power
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Do you want to save money on utilities? Do you teach financial literacy?
When looking to save money on electricity, natural gas, and water utilities, the Utilities Consumer Advocate (UCA) is here to help. Within the Ministry of Affordability and Utilities, the UCA has a wealth of free resources available to help consumers compare their utility options, make informed choices, and reduce usage.
The Utilities Consumer Advocate presentation supports energy and financial literacy including:
> How Alberta’s electricity and natural gas markets work  
> Ways to reduce utility usage
> Understanding utility bills, reading meters, and recognizing utility scams
> Shopping for utilities and comparing rates
>The Winter Utilities Reconnection Program
Free teaching resources including games and online courses
Our mandate is to empower consumers to make informed utility choices.
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP Room 1600

9:00am MST

Birth Control Facts for Educators: What Students Want to Know
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Ever been stumped by the variety of birth control options or caught off guard by a student’s question? This session breaks down what students want to know about birth control, including the latest innovations, how different methods work, typical vs. perfect use, emergency contraception, and financial supports. You'll leave with clear, accurate information and trustworthy resources to support informed, inclusive conversations in your school community.
Speakers
avatar for Nicole Inglis

Nicole Inglis

Teaching Sexual Health
TeachingSexualHealth.ca  is an innovative website developed by Alberta educators and health professionals. We offer up-to-date, evidence-based information and strategies for teachers and educators teaching the Alberta Education Human Sexuality curriculum. All resources on TeachingSexualHealth.ca... Read More →
avatar for Paul McCaskill

Paul McCaskill

Sexual Health Nurse, Primary Care Alberta
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP Room 1503

9:00am MST

Quick and Effective Front Loading
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Need some ideas for engaging your students and keeping their attention? Then this is the session for you. Come learn how to proactively begin your lesson with hooks, bridges, foundations, previews or quick assessments. Ensure student success by understanding and implementing valuable approaches to front loading. The way we start our lessons is key to motivating, engaging and understanding our students.
Speakers
avatar for Danny Bateman

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 →
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP Room 1328

9:00am MST

Unpacking the New Draft Junior High Mathematics Curriculum
Join in for an engaging session that provides an overview of the new 7- 9 Draft Mathematics curriculums, along with practical planning tools to support your instruction. We’ll explore how key concepts in Algebra and Number are connected across grades 4–6 and into the new grade 7–9 curriculum. Discover how these relationships can help you build a strong foundation and smooth transitions for your students.
Speakers
avatar for Chris Zarski

Chris Zarski

Educational Consultan, Alberta Provincial Learning Consortium
Chris is an Educational Consultant supporting Alberta teachers in a variety of school divisions and as a Designer of Professional Learning with the Alberta Provincial Learning Consortium (APLC). She has served as a Teacher, Administrator, Curriculum Director of Curriculum, Examiner... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP ROOM AC149 (ARTS Centre Studio D) 100 College Blvd, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H5

9:00am MST

Shakespeare Remix: Romeo & Juliet
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
What do sword-fights, swooning, and secret weddings have to do with modern storytelling? Everything! Join author and part-time bard Andrew Buckley for a high-energy, laugh-out-loud remix of Romeo and Juliet. In this interactive session, attendees will (literally) step into a fast-paced, comedic retelling of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy. This session blends performance, literary analysis, and storytelling craft, unpacking the structure of the play using modern storytelling tools. Grab your frilly collars, it’s time to remix some Shakespeare!
Speakers
avatar for Andrew Buckley

Andrew Buckley

Author, Speaker, Creator
Andrew Buckley is a storyteller, educator, and keynote speaker with 20+ years in creative writing and marketing. Renowned for humor that stubbornly refuses to behave, he crafts captivating speculative fiction, comics, screenplays, podcasts, and immersive experiences. Creator of Deadly... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP ROOM 2602

9:00am MST

Protecting our Future: Safe and Healthy Teachers for Safe and Healthy Students
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Every worker has occupational health and safety rights and responsibilities. Many teachers experience harassment and violence at work. Many of your students have after-school jobs or will soon enter the workforce. This session will cover essential workplace health and safety information to help you protect yourselves as educators and provide support to your students so that they are prepared to enter the workforce.
We will cover worker and employer rights and responsibilities, identifying workplace hazards, psychosocial hazards, violence and harassment prevention, and ergonomics. Discover a range of resources available to support workers, young workers, parents, and employers, including training materials, educational printouts and where to find the legislation to ensure compliance with legislative standards to enhance workplace safety.
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP Room 2501

9:00am MST

Relentless for Division 1+2
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Relentless is a call to action, to live your most passionate purposeful life! People want to be seen, heard, and valued, creating a culture and environment that advocates and amplifies all stakeholder voices, opportunity and ownership of the journey, process, and results. Hamish will take you on an exhilarating journey of self discovery, with his goal to elevate you both personally and professionally, the Relentless journey of going one more round will leave you inspired and motivated to tackle the incredibly hard and important work of helping children achieve their dreams and goals, ensuring you leave a legacy for the ages!
Speakers
avatar for Hamish Brewer

Hamish Brewer

The Tattooed Principal
Hamish Brewer is a powerful and positive disruptor who transcends the status quo and typical norms in leadership and education. Mr Brewer is a globally recognized advocate who built his reputation on results and performance, becoming affectionately known as the Relentless, Tattooed... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Gary W. Harris Basketball Court 120 College Cir, Red Deer, AB T4N 0T7

9:00am MST

Get 'em Moving! Dynamic and Inclusive Activities for Any Classroom
Feeling the pressure to get your students moving but limited by a small space or large class size? This session is for you! Join us for a fun, interactive, and practical workshop where you'll experience a variety of ready-to-use physical activities that require minimal equipment and can be done in a medium-sized space, like a classroom or common area.You'll leave with a toolkit of new ideas, including:
Cooperative games that promote teamwork and communication.
Quick, energizing brain breaks perfect for transitioning between subjects.
Creative movement challenges that encourage problem-solving and self-expression.
Inclusivity-focused activities that ensure every student feels successful and engaged.
This isn't a sit-and-listen session. Be prepared to get up, move around, and leave with practical strategies and a renewed sense of inspiration to get your students moving. Come discover how easy it can be to integrate dynamic physical activity into your daily routine!
Speakers
avatar for Logan Grenier

Logan Grenier

Logan is a High School Physical Education Teacher in Red Deer, AB and serves on the Health and Physical Education Council as the Central Region representative. He is passionate about Health, Wellness and Physical Education and instilling this passion in to his students. He believes... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP Room AC147 (ARTS Centre Studio B) 100 College Blvd, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H5

9:00am MST

The Hunger Games: That Kid’s Just Looking for Attention…
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Everywhere around us kids are just “looking for attention” starved for connection & positive adult relationships. This session speaks to the biological, psychological and developmental reasons kids seek our attention & uses theory & humor to look at the behaviors & brains of these kids & the survival games they play. Participants will learn the "Vitamin C" approach to attention seeking behavior & explore practical ways to nourish children & youth with the time & attention they seek…and deserve.
Speakers
avatar for Ariel Haubrich

Ariel Haubrich

Consultant/ Trainer/ Private Practitioner, Learning Network
Ariel Haubrich works in school & community mental health as a counsellor and program manager, and also as a consultant, presenter and private practitioner with government, businesses, teams and individuals working toward personal and organizational development. She is a Certified... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP ROOM 2303

9:00am MST

Div 3 Poetry
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Want to make poetry come alive in your classroom? Want your students to engage with poetry in new and meaningful ways?
We’ll explore effective poetry teaching techniques and approaches that go beyond traditional analysis. From spoken word and performance to creative writing and visual poetry, you’ll discover ways to make poetry interactive, personal, and engaging for all learners.
We’ll also look at how poetry can be integrated into history and social studies, using it as a lens to explore Indigenous voices, Canadian history, the Renaissance, and Japan. Poetry offers a powerful way to connect students with historical voices, cultural perspectives, and key social movements.
You’ll walk away with ready-to-use lessons, activities, and strategies to make poetry an exciting and meaningful part of your curriculum!
Speakers
avatar for Nicholle Morrison

Nicholle Morrison

Teacher, Calgary Board of Educaiton
Nicholle Morrison has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Bachelor of Education. With 15 years of teaching experience, Nicholle began her career working primarily with Grade 5 and 6 students. She then spent nine years teaching humanities in the middle school years, before moving... Read More →
avatar for Joanna Zakus

Joanna Zakus

Teacher, Calgary Board of Educaiton
Joanna has a BA History and a BEd Secondary Social Studies. She has been teaching primarily social studies and humanities for the last 21 years at the junior high level. Joanna currently is a teacher at a junior high school with the Calgary Board of Education. She focuses on interactive... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP ROOM 2301

9:00am MST

Supporting Reading Comprehension Improvement
We know that building reading comprehension skills is important but how exactly do we do that? This session will explore a variety of ideas and invite participants to maybe think a little differently about we ask students to show their understanding of a text.
Speakers
avatar for Charlie Kraig

Charlie Kraig

VP. Mom. Avid reader.
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP ROOM AC148 (ARTS Centre Studio C) 100 College Blvd, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H5

9:00am MST

Mathology (Gr 7-9)
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
New Curriculum, eh?
Research tells us that a coherent, consistent resource helps students better achieve the outcomes we are aiming at.
Professionalism demands that we choose the resources we will use.
What if we could have both?
Mathology is an open, editable framework of lessons, activities, proven pedagogies, activities and assessments that can be used out-of-the-box, or combined flexibly with your own favourite activities, with a consistent framework across grades 1-9. (Teachers have access to all grades for review, intervention, or extension.)
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.
Speakers
avatar for Gerry Varty

Gerry Varty

Consultant, Pearson Canada
In a 40 year career as an Alberta classroom Teacher, Principal, District Leader, and Consultant, Gerry has been a tireless advocate for professional learning support for Educators. His work with Schools and Districts remains grounded in the 3 Rs - Research, Relevance, and Relationships... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP Room 2505

9:00am MST

What can we do to intervene with students in Grades 7-9 who have significant gaps in their math learning?
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
How can we best intervene with students who have unfinished learning from previous grade level content? How do we engage students with content at their working level? For which concepts should we intervene? Which models should we use? How might we do this within the regular classroom setting? In another setting? When it comes to interventions in math, we often feel that we have more questions than answers. In this session we will discuss and investigate methods to support and develop foundational concepts of math for students. While the session will be focused on Math 180, an intervention resource for students, the examples used will be helpful for any educator who is concerned about students who have significant gaps in their math learning.
Speakers
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP ROOM 2302

9:00am MST

Games & Activities for Adolescent Self-Regulation and Wellness
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Middle and high school students are navigating unique emotional and social challenges. This session equips teachers and group leaders with physical activity-based tools to support their self-regulation and mental wellness. Learn engaging activities designed to foster emotional control, and connection through movement. This session is rooted in current mental health trends and builds on practices from active living and mental well-being initiatives.
Speakers
avatar for Hayley Degaust

Hayley Degaust

Health and Wellness Consultant, Ever Active Schools
Ever Active Schools is a national charity based in Alberta that supports healthy school communities through comprehensive school health and well-being practices. With a mission to positively impact the social, emotional, physical, and mental health of children and youth, the organization... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP ROOM AC159 (ARTS Centre)

9:00am MST

Financial Wellness: How and What do teachers Get Paid
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST

Speakers
avatar for Christien Perrault

Christien Perrault

Executive Staff Officer, Teacher Employment Membership Support, The Alberta Teachers' Association
Christien joined the Association’s Teacher Employment Membership Support executive staff in 2022. After earning his Bachelor of Education degree from the Campus St Jean, he taught in various communities and school divisions across Alberta before settling in St Albert. Christien... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP Room 2503

9:00am MST

Unchartered Lessons: My Unexpected Journey of Teaching
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
This session shares my unexpected path into the teaching profession and the key lessons learned through early uncertainty, career risk-taking, professional growth, and long-term reflection. Drawing from personal experiences across multiple schools and roles, the session explores lessons such as maintaining balance, embracing change, being willing to move, trying new approaches, and avoiding the trap of believing you have everything figured out. Rather than focusing on best practices alone, the session highlights the realities of teaching over time and the value of honesty, adaptability, and continuous learning. The goal is to offer educators reassurance, perspective, and practical wisdom that resonates across career stages, reminding teachers that growth often comes from discomfort and that meaningful careers are rarely linear.
Speakers
avatar for Michael Saretzky

Michael Saretzky

Teacher
I am a middle school teacher with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, with nearly 20 years of teaching experience across Alberta, including roles in Fox Creek and Hinton. I completed my Master’s in Educational Technology through University of British Columbia, focusing on the meaningful... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP ROOM 1437

9:00am MST

More Than Words: Leading Schools Beyond Harm, Toward Healing.
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
Across schools today, educators are confronting a painful reality — a rise in students using derogatory language. Due to social norms and pop culture, the N-word specifically is being widely used by various cultures, by those who don't fully understand its dark past and hurtful meaning. For many leaders and teachers, the question isn’t whether to respond, but how. How do we support the student who has been harmed, guide the one who caused harm toward growth, and build a school culture that refuses to accept hate disguised as humor? This keynote goes beyond reaction — it’s about restoration. Jeff A.D. Martin, a nationally sought-after speaker and expert in empathetic leadership, brings two decades of experience in law enforcement, crisis response, and human connection to help educators lead with both heart and accountability. This is not a talk about blame — it’s a call to courageous leadership. Participants will walk away understanding how to navigate these critical conversations with grace, skill, and compassion.
Speakers
avatar for Jeff A.D. Martin

Jeff A.D. Martin

Jeff A.D. Martin is a dynamic leadership and DEI strategist who helps professionals and organizations build inclusive, people-centered cultures. With over 20 years as a police officer and investigator, Jeff developed expertise in victim management, trauma-informed communication, and... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP ROOM 1400 (MP Theatre)

9:00am MST

The Science of Play – Bringing the Playground into the Classroom
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
This session explores the fascinating science hidden in every playground. Using familiar spaces that all students have experienced, participants will examine how surfacing materials, structure design, and force calculations demonstrate real-world physics principles. From understanding impulse and force dispersion to calculating energy and impact (MGH), educators will discover creative ways to turn playgrounds into dynamic STEM learning environments. By connecting playground experiences to physics concepts, teachers can make science tangible and relatable, helping students grasp how forces react and move in the spaces where they used to play.
Speakers
avatar for Jeremiah Huo

Jeremiah Huo

Recreation Planner, Quantum Recreation
Jeremiah Huo is a recreation planner with Quantum Recreation. He is also a certified playground and fall surfacing impact attenuation Inspector. Jeremiah uses his knowledge of kinesiology to understand the importance of injury prevention and creating risky play opportunities. He has... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP Room 1435

9:00am MST

The Power of Patterns - Making and Modifying Models
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
In this 1-h workshop participants will make observations and draw inferences, build models and test those models, and then compare the strengths of empirical models to theoretical models to purely mathematical models. There will be something in this session for you if you teach science in grades 7 to 11. This session is based on the free classroom-ready resources Nature of Science, Process of Science, and Beyond Bohr available from the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.
Speakers
avatar for Laura Pankratz

Laura Pankratz

Western Canada Teacher Network Coordinator, Perimeter Institute
Laura is an internationally recognized educator who values teaching practices that help students learn and help teachers teach. For over ten years Laura has been part of the Perimeter Institute’s teacher network and for over twenty-five years she coordinated the Physics 30 diploma... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP ROOM 1408

9:00am MST

Source Based Writing Guides and Tips for High School Social Studies.
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
The goal of this session is to look at guides and tips to help in the development of source based writing in High School. We will look at how the preparation between 10 differs to 20 and 30 along with areas of typical strength and weakness between -1 and -2 Source Analysis.
Speakers
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP ROOM AC222 (ARTS Centre)

9:00am MST

Come meet a ATA Specialist Group=Middle Years Council, Health and Physical Education Council, English Language Arts Council, Council of School Counsellors, Outreach Education Council
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 3:30pm MST
Come see a ATA Specialist Group and get to learn what they do for you.

Check out the poster: ​https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EmTP9T5tzltISGRyIt24YTk8-dYxFDWuY9dk8b9XBLw/edit?usp=sharing​​​
Speakers
JS

Jeremy Spink

Middle Years Council (MYC)
avatar for Alyssa Backs

Alyssa Backs

Teacher, English Language Arts Council
Backs is the Central Region Representative for the ATA’s English Language Arts Council. She holds a B. Ed in Secondary Education with a major in Social Studies and a minor in ELA through the University of Alberta. She recently completed her master’s degree in Library and Information... Read More →
avatar for Logan Grenier

Logan Grenier

Logan is a High School Physical Education Teacher in Red Deer, AB and serves on the Health and Physical Education Council as the Central Region representative. He is passionate about Health, Wellness and Physical Education and instilling this passion in to his students. He believes... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 9:00am - 3:30pm MST
Outside the Main Gym 100 College Blvd, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H5

9:00am MST

9:30am MST

Not Your Typical Pinch Pot
Friday February 20, 2026 9:30am - 12:00pm MST
This session is for Art Specialists that have experience in art. We will explore a hand building technique in clay that provides endless possibilities in sculptural as well as functional ceramics. To reserve your spot and pay for supplies, do send an email transfer of $10 to [email protected] This session will occur at Flux Studio found at 4732 60 St #150, Red Deer, AB T4N 7C7
Speakers
avatar for Sheena Mcniff-Wolfe

Sheena Mcniff-Wolfe

Sheena has taught Art since 1993. She currently teaches Art and Ceramics at Ecole Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School and is looking forward to sharing ideas and strategies for bringing anything Art into the most number of classrooms possible!
Friday February 20, 2026 9:30am - 12:00pm MST
Flux Studio

10:20am MST

Artful Expression: Exploring Canadian Landscapes Through Oil Pastels and Artist Study
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Bring this creative, landscape-inspired art project into your classroom! Join me for a hands-on, interdisciplinary session where we’ll create an expressive oil pastel landscape inspired by Canada’s natural beauty.
This session offers cross-curricular connections to children’s literature and music and includes an artist study featuring a Canadian artist. You'll also learn how to engage your students in meaningful discussions about art using Feldman’s Art Critique process—building both creative confidence and critical thinking skills. To reserve your seat and supplies do send an email transfer $10 to [email protected]

Here are links from the session:
Canadian Landscapes Google Slideshow
Cameron Bird Images​​​
Speakers
avatar for Coreen Blenkhorne

Coreen Blenkhorne

Teacher, Calgary Board of of Education
Coreen has taught with the CBE for over 19 years, is a mother of three wonderful boys, and married to an amazing husband who is also a teacher. Her teaching career has brought her experience teaching a variety of grades from grade K-6, literacy specialist, and also a music specialist... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP ROOM 2305

10:20am MST

Colour Magic with Pointillism
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Discover the magic of optical colour mixing in this engaging, hands-on watercolour workshop inspired by Georges Seurat and the art of pointillism. Designed for Grades 3–12 art educators, this session explores how small, deliberate marks of pure colour can blend visually to create vibrant, dynamic effects. You'll experiment with watercolour techniques that are easy to adapt for different grade levels and abilities. The session includes a ready-to-use PowerPoint presentation and a demonstration video for classroom use. This workshop connects directly to visual art curriculum outcomes related to colour theory, mark-making, technique, and historical context in art movements. Whether you're new to watercolour or looking to refresh your approach, you'll leave with a finished artwork, practical teaching resources, and new ways to spark creativity in your students. All materials are included and reserve your spot by sending an email transfer of $5 to [email protected]; Come create, learn, and be inspired!
Speakers
avatar for Izabella Orzelski

Izabella Orzelski

Teacher, EPSB
Izabella is an experienced artist and educator with an MFA from the New York Academy of Art and a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Alberta. She has received art awards like the Winspear Fund Grant and the Dahesh Museum Award to further her education. Her commissioned portraits... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP ROOM 2304

10:20am MST

From Surface to Deep: Engaging Students Through Math Games
Surface-level knowledge gives students the terminology—but true understanding happens when they apply it in meaningful ways. In this hands-on session, we’ll explore how math games can move students beyond worksheets and into rich problem-solving experiences. You’ll try out a variety of ready-to-use games—from Classroom Ready Alberta Dynamic Math, CPAR, and other great resources—that help students connect concepts and deepen their thinking. Roll up your sleeves and get ready to play, learn, and take fresh ideas back to your classroom. Join the fun!
Speakers
avatar for Chris Zarski

Chris Zarski

Educational Consultan, Alberta Provincial Learning Consortium
Chris is an Educational Consultant supporting Alberta teachers in a variety of school divisions and as a Designer of Professional Learning with the Alberta Provincial Learning Consortium (APLC). She has served as a Teacher, Administrator, Curriculum Director of Curriculum, Examiner... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP ROOM AC149 (ARTS Centre Studio D) 100 College Blvd, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H5

10:20am MST

Wake Up "Insert School Name Here"
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
This professional learning session introduces educators to Wake Up St. Pat’s, a student-led morning announcement and media production program designed to build leadership, communication, and digital literacy across grade levels. The session will examine how the program operates in practice, including student roles, production workflows, scheduling, and assessment strategies, while demonstrating how a school-based broadcast can support curriculum outcomes across multiple subject areas. Participants will also explore how AI is now used within the program to support planning, scripting, organization, and reflection, enhancing efficiency while maintaining student voice and creativity. The session highlights practical considerations for sustainability, inclusion, and scalability, offering educators a realistic model for implementing student-led media within their own school communities.
Speakers
avatar for Michael Saretzky

Michael Saretzky

Teacher
I am a middle school teacher with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, with nearly 20 years of teaching experience across Alberta, including roles in Fox Creek and Hinton. I completed my Master’s in Educational Technology through University of British Columbia, focusing on the meaningful... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP ROOM 1437

10:20am MST

The Tyler in Your Room: Building Health Agency Through Engagement
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
What if the world you create within your classroom walls has a direct effect on the health outcomes of your students? Explore the significance of epigenetics on mental and physical wellness, and the invaluable role you play. An intriguing combination of theory and participatory activities parallel the path of fictional character, Tyler, as she pilots her journey with ADHD. A must for any teacher seeking a fresh point of view. Author Dawn Leslie and counselling therapist Aimee Calayo collaborate to provide practical, relevant exercises to be applied in your classroom tomorrow.
Speakers
avatar for Dawn Leslie

Dawn Leslie

Founder / Author, Paz Publishing
Dawn Leslie is a nurse and the author of the Healthy-Wealthy-Wise educational series for children, with over 150,000 books on the shelves of Canadian elementary classrooms. A self-proclaimed nomad: she’s lived in four countries to date, including nine years in Saudi Arabia, and... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP Room 1303

10:20am MST

Interoception and Self-Regulation: Practical Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Interoception. What is it? This session will explore how interoception impacts student behavior and provide some practical implementation ideas
Speakers
avatar for Tania Diletzoy

Tania Diletzoy

Tania Diletzoy is a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. She has Masters in Counselling and has counselled children, youth, adults and families from a variety of backgrounds for over 20 years as a school counsellor, learning assistance... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP ROOM 2602

10:20am MST

Hattie in the Classroom
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
What truly makes a difference in student learning? This session dives into the research of John Hattie and turns his high-impact teaching strategies into practical, classroom-ready tools. Discover how to make learning visible through student goal setting, success criteria, feedback cycles, and self-assessment. Participants will explore simple ways to incorporate Hattie’s top influences—such as teacher clarity, collective efficacy, and visible learning—into daily practice across subjects and grade levels. You’ll leave with ready-to-use templates, examples from real classrooms, and strategies to help every student take ownership of their learning. Whether you’re new to Hattie’s work or looking to deepen your practice, this session will inspire and equip you to make learning more intentional, transparent, and impactful.
Speakers
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP Room 2501

10:20am MST

Get OUT...side and Learn
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Colleen will detangle and demystify the challenge of taking children outside to learn in all types of Alberta weather. Studies have repeatedly shown the value of outdoor learning but how do I manage kids? Achieve curriculum outcomes? Plan and prepare for success? These questions will be specifically addressed in Colleen's practical and informative session.
Speakers
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP ROOM 1408

10:20am MST

Parler en français: Strategies to Grow Oral Language in Early Immersion
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Developing strong oral language is the foundation for success in French Immersion. In this session, I will share practical strategies, tools, and classroom routines to help students in Grades 1–3 progress from basic words and phrases to confident spoken French.

You will see how I introduce speaking activities in a slow, structured progression and how I gradually increase expectations as students build confidence and independence. I will demonstrate real classroom examples, including interactive activities and techniques that encourage meaningful oral communication every day.
Speakers
avatar for Kaela Masikewich

Kaela Masikewich

Teacher
I have experience teaching across multiple grade levels, including middle school, and have spent most of my career in lower elementary as a Grade 2 French Immersion teacher. With 10 years of classroom experience, I’ve been recognized for my work in French Immersion education and... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP ROOM AC160 (ARTS Centre)

10:20am MST

Bienvenue à Scratch Junior! Votre plateforme de codage.
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Scratch est la plus grande communauté de codage pour enfants au monde ainsi qu’un langage de programmation visuel simple qui permet aux jeunes de créer des histoires, des jeux et des animations numériques. Développé et animé par la Fondation Scratch, un organisme à but non lucratif, Scratch favorise la pensée computationnelle, la résolution de problèmes, l’apprentissage créatif, l’expression personnelle, la collaboration et l’équité en informatique. Scratch sera toujours gratuit et est disponible en plus de 70 langues. Pendant cette session, vous apprendrez à coder avec cette plateforme (Scratch Junior) et à faire le lien au curriculum de Sciences. Aucun prérequis en programmation n’est nécessaire. Merci d’apporter votre propre ordinateur (Chromebook, Windows, Mac), car il s’agit d’une session main à la pâte. Vous repartirez avec de nombreuses ressources ainsi que la confiance nécessaire pour faciliter l’enseignement de l’informatique.
Speakers
RL

Rock Larochelle

Consultant, Alberta Regional Professional Development Consortium
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP ROOM AC222 (ARTS Centre)

10:20am MST

THROW KINDNESS AROUND LIKE CONFETTI BY BEING YOUR OWN BEST FRIEND (ART THERAPY WORKSHOP)
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Ask yourself, what do I need when I feel sad, mad, or just not so glad? Using art as a medium, participants investigate kindness from a self-compassionate lens, exploring the topic by treating themselves like a good friend. No artistic skills are needed, just a willingness to explore kindness creatively. Add to your emotional intelligence toolbelt by learning a hands-on activity you can share with your students by crafting a functional art piece that incorporates STEAM and mindful components. As a participant you will experience firsthand the psych-educational learning on how to navigate emotions effectively using a mindful, art-based practice.  
Speakers
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP Room 1435

10:20am MST

Stop, Think, Prevent! - Empowering Educators with Injury Prevention Tools for the Classroom
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Join the Injury Prevention Centre as we explore a range of free, ready-to-use resources designed to support injury prevention education in schools. This session will introduce the Brain Waves program—an engaging online neuroscience and concussion awareness resource focused on brain health and helmet safety. Educators will also gain access to the Alberta SPHEReS safety guidelines, the brand new Elementary School Injury Prevention Toolkit (aligned with the updated PEW curriculum), and a wealth of professional tools and data-driven materials. These resources integrate Canadian, Alberta, North American, and global research to help teachers confidently bring injury prevention and public health topics into the classroom—starting tomorrow.
Speakers
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP Room 2205

10:20am MST

Relentless for Division 3+4
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Relentless is a call to action, to live your most passionate purposeful life! People want to be seen, heard, and valued, creating a culture and environment that advocates and amplifies all stakeholder voices, opportunity and ownership of the journey, process, and results. Hamish will take you on an exhilarating journey of self discovery, with his goal to elevate you both personally and professionally, the Relentless journey of going one more round will leave you inspired and motivated to tackle the incredibly hard and important work of helping children achieve their dreams and goals, ensuring you leave a legacy for the ages!
Speakers
avatar for Hamish Brewer

Hamish Brewer

The Tattooed Principal
Hamish Brewer is a powerful and positive disruptor who transcends the status quo and typical norms in leadership and education. Mr Brewer is a globally recognized advocate who built his reputation on results and performance, becoming affectionately known as the Relentless, Tattooed... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Gary W. Harris Basketball Court 120 College Cir, Red Deer, AB T4N 0T7

10:20am MST

Energizing Yoga and Mindfulness
Come take in an energizing and uplifting yoga practice so that you can blissfully carry on with your day! This will be an energizing flow style yoga practice followed by relaxing restorative yoga postures and mindfulness connections to finish the class so that you can leave feeling grounded and centered. All are welcome!
*Please bring your own yoga mat, water bottle and something cozy/warm*
Speakers
avatar for Christa Chapman

Christa Chapman

Social Emotional Learning, Mindfulness & Yoga, Visual Art Education
Christa Chapman has been practicing mindfulness, meditation and yoga for over 20 years, and has completed a Modo/Moksha yoga teacher training (500hr), is a certified yin yoga instructor (80hr), meditation instructor (200hr), a CASEL certified Social Emotional Learning/Mindfulness... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP Room AC147 (ARTS Centre Studio B) 100 College Blvd, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H5

10:20am MST

Hurried & Worried: Understanding Children’s Anxiety
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Anxiety is the most common mental health issue, and it “walks and talks” in various behaviors and ways.  The average age of onset for anxiety is in childhood, and one of the most important things we can do four ourselves and our children is to understand the causes and symptoms of anxiety which helps to create safer, caring and more enjoyable experiences.  Anxiety can take many forms and affects each of us uniquely, especially children! This session will give an overview of anxiety and what it is like for this age group, and will also provide some fun & effective strategies and ideas for supporting anxious children, & helping them be successful in your classrooms, playgrounds and communities.
Speakers
avatar for Ariel Haubrich

Ariel Haubrich

Consultant/ Trainer/ Private Practitioner, Learning Network
Ariel Haubrich works in school & community mental health as a counsellor and program manager, and also as a consultant, presenter and private practitioner with government, businesses, teams and individuals working toward personal and organizational development. She is a Certified... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP ROOM 2303

10:20am MST

Beyond Kindergarten: Building a Play-Based Classroom in the Primary Years
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Play doesn’t stop at age five—and neither should play-based learning. This session is for educators in Grades 1–3 who want to integrate meaningful, developmentally appropriate play into their daily routines. Discover how to balance curriculum expectations with child-led exploration, create playful learning provocations, and shift your classroom culture to one that honors curiosity, creativity, and student agency.
Speakers
avatar for Kelsey Bagnall

Kelsey Bagnall

Learning Specialist, Rocky View Schools
Kelsey Bagnall is a dedicated educator with 18 years of experience spanning Kindergarten to Grade 12. She currently teaches Grade 1 with Rocky View Schools and serves as the Communications Officer for the Council for Inclusive Education. Kelsey also brings leadership experience from... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP ROOM 2600

10:20am MST

PreK/K Literacy: How to Learn Letters WITHOUT doing Letter of the Week
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
This session will be packed with hands-on literacy games and activities that I will bring in and demonstrate. Worksheets are not effective at the Pre-K and Kindergarten level as children learn best when they are moving, exploring, and manipulating objects. I will share many fun, engaging activities that you can take back and use in your classroom Monday morning, using materials you likely already have.  I have been teaching PreK in Red Deer Catholic for 15 yrs and in my classroom, learning is active, playful, and full of movement through games and hands-on experiences. 
Speakers
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP Room 1328

10:20am MST

How to write, publish and share your children’s book.
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
This session will give you ideas to motivate your students to respond to children’s chapter books. The author of “The Adventures of Willow “ will share his experience of writing, publishing and working with teachers of grades 1-5.
Participants will be able to book the presenter for an author visit to their school, receive study guides, examine the book, purchase and order books.
Speakers
NM

Norm McDougall

Teacher Red Deer Public, retired. Taught all levels, elementary phys. Ed. specialist. Middle School generalist. High School English.
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP ROOM AC159 (ARTS Centre)

10:20am MST

Do The Math (K-4)
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Getting some things wrong in Math isn't a big deal… you can always learn them later, while still doing well on everything else now. 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 Targeted Intervention in Math.
***Based on the work of Marilyn Burns, This session will focus on Interventions related to Counting and Place Value, Adding and Subtracting.
Teaching math would be easy if everybody came to our classes with all the pre-requisites mastered. But kids arrive with missing or incomplete understandings, and often those gaps and holes make them unable to learn the new ideas.
So we need to find and fill those gaps and holes ... on the fly.
Speakers
avatar for Gerry Varty

Gerry Varty

Consultant, Pearson Canada
In a 40 year career as an Alberta classroom Teacher, Principal, District Leader, and Consultant, Gerry has been a tireless advocate for professional learning support for Educators. His work with Schools and Districts remains grounded in the 3 Rs - Research, Relevance, and Relationships... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP Room 2505

10:20am MST

ENGAGING MATH GAMES WITH ENGAGING DICE - PRIMARY K - 3
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Come prepared to "rock and roll" with games that incorporate the use of our student's favorite types of dice, multi-sided and double dice. Dice engage students and allow you to build meaningful practice activities that are easy to differentiate to meet the needs of all students in your classroom. So welcome to the "Dice Buffet" where you will sample games that teach the following concepts: operational fluency, graphing, probability and problem solving. Gameboards, student samples will be shared.
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP ROOM 2601

10:20am MST

Developing and Supporting Additive Thinking across the Grades
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
In this session we will do some activities from different grades and use a variety of models to represent and develop additive thinking. Our intentional choice of activities and math tools will help you to reflect about your students' additive thinking journey. Regardless of the grade you teach, becoming more aware of the tools and models that students encounter across the grades can help to support learners at your grade level.
This session is sponsored by Pearson.
Speakers
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP ROOM 2302

10:20am MST

Nuvo, New-You! – My First-Year Journey with Pre-Band Instruments in the Classroom
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Curious about trying Nuvo instruments like the Clarineo, jFlute, jHorn, or jSax in your music room? Join me for a behind-the-scenes look at my first year using these colourful, kid-friendly pre-band instruments in the classroom. I’ll share how they work, why I chose them, and how they’ve transformed student engagement, skill-building, and accessibility. We’ll talk benefits, honest challenges, and how they’ve impacted my lunchtime band club that uses traditional concert band instruments. Come with your questions, ideas, and imagination—this session is perfect for anyone considering new ways to start young musicians off with confidence and joy!
Speakers
avatar for Amanda Clark

Amanda Clark

music representative, Fine Arts Council
Amanda Clark is an enthusiastic and multi-talented music educator with a flair for creativity and a heart for community. With over 15 years of experience in classrooms, choirs, theatres, and studios, Amanda has taught everything from solfa to saxophones—often in both English and... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP Room 1600

10:20am MST

Mitigating Risks in a Digital World
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST

Speakers
avatar for Christien Perrault

Christien Perrault

Executive Staff Officer, Teacher Employment Membership Support, The Alberta Teachers' Association
Christien joined the Association’s Teacher Employment Membership Support executive staff in 2022. After earning his Bachelor of Education degree from the Campus St Jean, he taught in various communities and school divisions across Alberta before settling in St Albert. Christien... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP Room 2503

10:20am MST

More Than Words: Leading Schools Beyond Harm, Toward Healing.
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Across schools today, educators are confronting a painful reality — a rise in students using derogatory language. Due to social norms and pop culture, the N-word specifically is being widely used by various cultures, by those who don't fully understand its dark past and hurtful meaning. For many leaders and teachers, the question isn’t whether to respond, but how. How do we support the student who has been harmed, guide the one who caused harm toward growth, and build a school culture that refuses to accept hate disguised as humor? This keynote goes beyond reaction — it’s about restoration. Jeff A.D. Martin, a nationally sought-after speaker and expert in empathetic leadership, brings two decades of experience in law enforcement, crisis response, and human connection to help educators lead with both heart and accountability. This is not a talk about blame — it’s a call to courageous leadership. Participants will walk away understanding how to navigate these critical conversations with grace, skill, and compassion.
Speakers
avatar for Jeff A.D. Martin

Jeff A.D. Martin

Jeff A.D. Martin is a dynamic leadership and DEI strategist who helps professionals and organizations build inclusive, people-centered cultures. With over 20 years as a police officer and investigator, Jeff developed expertise in victim management, trauma-informed communication, and... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP ROOM 1400 (MP Theatre)

10:20am MST

Div 2 and 3 - Epic end of year projects - what to do in June
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
Want to end the school year with an unforgettable, high-impact project? Want your students to engage in deep critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity? Want to bring history, debate, and storytelling to life?
We’ll explore Epic End-of-Year Projects relating to division 2 and 3 curriculums that challenge students to dive into major historical events, key Canadian moments, and creative academic showdowns. 8 Epic Events, Greatest Canadian Debates, a World Fair, Moments in Canadian History, or Who Would Win, and others; these projects will have your students researching, presenting, and debating with passion.
These dynamic projects will build essential skills in communication, research, argumentation, and creativity, while keeping students engaged right until the last day of school. You’ll walk away with ready-to-use lessons, activities, and resources to make June a month of excitement, learning, and celebration!
Speakers
avatar for Nicholle Morrison

Nicholle Morrison

Teacher, Calgary Board of Educaiton
Nicholle Morrison has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Bachelor of Education. With 15 years of teaching experience, Nicholle began her career working primarily with Grade 5 and 6 students. She then spent nine years teaching humanities in the middle school years, before moving... Read More →
avatar for Joanna Zakus

Joanna Zakus

Teacher, Calgary Board of Educaiton
Joanna has a BA History and a BEd Secondary Social Studies. She has been teaching primarily social studies and humanities for the last 21 years at the junior high level. Joanna currently is a teacher at a junior high school with the Calgary Board of Education. She focuses on interactive... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP ROOM 2301

10:20am MST

Bridging the Gaps with BLAST: Literacy Intervention That Works
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
More and more students need targeted support to close the learning gaps caused by interrupted instruction—and teachers are feeling the pressure. So how can you meet each learner where they are and help them move forward?Join this practical, solution-focused session to explore how a large-scale literacy intervention can raise reading levels for all students—whether they’re performing below, at, or above grade level. You'll see how phonemic awareness and phonics assessments guide students into small, flexible groups for focused instruction on the exact skills they need (like rhyming, letter sounds, blends, or long vowels).Whether you’re thinking about starting with a few classes, a grade team, or your whole school, this locally developed approach is adaptable, effective, and ready to use. You’ll walk away with concrete strategies, sample materials, and free resources you can start using right away.Come get inspired—and leave with a clear path to helping every reader grow.
Speakers
avatar for Nancy MacLellan

Nancy MacLellan

Nancy MacLellan is a lifelong educator with over 30 years of experience and a passion for helping students succeed in literacy. As the creator of the BLAST Literacy Intervention, she now supports schools across Alberta in implementing targeted, school-wide reading interventions that... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MST
RDP Room 1503

11:40am MST

Building Community Through Art + History
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Community is everywhere. We join it every time we go to a hockey game, sign up for a club, see a play, or even just go for groceries. Through community, we grow meaningful relationships with both others and ourselves. In this session, we'll explore how the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery uses art + history to build community across a variety of demographics, and how you can encourage this spark in your students through fun and engaging activities.
Speakers
KH

Kathryn Huedepohl

Public Programs Manager, Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP ROOM 1437

11:40am MST

Inspired by Eric Carle: Mixed Media Art with Songs and Stories
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Bring joyful art-making, songs, and stories into your classroom! Join me for a hands-on, interdisciplinary session where we’ll explore creative ways to connect visual art with the themes found in children’s literature and music.
Inspired by the beloved work of Eric Carle, we’ll begin with an adaptable artist and author study that you can use in your own classroom. Then, we’ll dive into an engaging art project using a variety of mediums—including painting techniques, paper cut-outs, and mixed media collage.
Throughout the session, we’ll highlight meaningful curriculum connections to music, storytelling, and early literacy, providing you with creative tools to inspire both you and your students. To reserve your seat and supplies do send an email transfer of $5 to [email protected]

Click here for Link:
Eric Carle Google Slideshow

Speakers
avatar for Coreen Blenkhorne

Coreen Blenkhorne

Teacher, Calgary Board of of Education
Coreen has taught with the CBE for over 19 years, is a mother of three wonderful boys, and married to an amazing husband who is also a teacher. Her teaching career has brought her experience teaching a variety of grades from grade K-6, literacy specialist, and also a music specialist... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP ROOM 2305

11:40am MST

Taking Numerical Response Beyond Calculation
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
You assess student learning on a broad range of outcomes, using a variety of tools. The numerical response format you already use for calculations can do so much more! In this workshop, we'll look at question styles that use numerical response to give timely feedback on a wide range of outcomes while giving students freedom to demonstrate their learning and also their misconceptions (even the ones you didn't expect). We'll focus our exploration on the outcomes you may not associate with numerical response questions, from qualitative understanding to lab skills. The facilitators, Jason Cooper and Laura Pankratz, have decades of classroom and assessment experience. Participants in this workshop will engage in discussion and exploration of what is currently working in Alberta classrooms.
Speakers
avatar for Jason Cooper

Jason Cooper

Onsite contact: Jason Coooper
Jason Cooper is the creator and owner of SmarterMarks, a tool that helps teachers and students do more with paper and online assessments. Before making the switch to supporting and developing SmarterMarks full-time, he worked as a high school science teacher in Calgary for 9 year... Read More →
avatar for Laura Pankratz

Laura Pankratz

Western Canada Teacher Network Coordinator, Perimeter Institute
Laura is an internationally recognized educator who values teaching practices that help students learn and help teachers teach. For over ten years Laura has been part of the Perimeter Institute’s teacher network and for over twenty-five years she coordinated the Physics 30 diploma... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP ROOM 1408

11:40am MST

Algebra in Grades 4–9: Hands-On Learning That Connects
Discover how hands-on tools and strategies used in Grades 4–6 lay the foundation for deeper algebraic thinking in Grades 7–9. In this interactive session, you’ll explore manipulatives and models that support student understanding across grades—and leave with practical ideas to strengthen the learning journey from elementary to junior high. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive in!
Speakers
avatar for Chris Zarski

Chris Zarski

Educational Consultan, Alberta Provincial Learning Consortium
Chris is an Educational Consultant supporting Alberta teachers in a variety of school divisions and as a Designer of Professional Learning with the Alberta Provincial Learning Consortium (APLC). She has served as a Teacher, Administrator, Curriculum Director of Curriculum, Examiner... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP ROOM AC149 (ARTS Centre Studio D) 100 College Blvd, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H5

11:40am MST

CTRL + ALT + TEACH: My Time-Saving Sidekick AI
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
From lesson planning to student engagement, AI has become my quirky but reliable classroom partner. I’ve used it to create student-focused poems and stories, design spiral math reviews, map out the new Social Studies curriculum, and even help with my daybook. In fact, AI even helped me put together this presentation proposal! In this session, I’ll share how I’ve used AI to save time, spark creativity, and bring fresh ideas into my teaching practice.
Speakers
avatar for Michael Saretzky

Michael Saretzky

Teacher
I am a middle school teacher with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, with nearly 20 years of teaching experience across Alberta, including roles in Fox Creek and Hinton. I completed my Master’s in Educational Technology through University of British Columbia, focusing on the meaningful... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP ROOM 2602

11:40am MST

Goal Setting & Habit Formation: Expert Insights for Lasting Change
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Success isn’t about willpower—it’s about systems. This engaging, research-based workshop combines the wisdom of Gretchen Rubin, Mel Robbins, and Jake Knapp to help participants build habits that truly last. Explore the Four Tendencies framework to understand your motivation style, apply Robbins’ 5-Second Rule to overcome hesitation, and use Knapp’s Slacker Method to make goals achievable through small, consistent actions. Through interactive planning, habit-stacking activities, and environmental design strategies, you’ll learn how to replace overwhelm with structure and progress. Leave with a personalized action plan and tools for tracking, reflection, and celebration—ready to turn good intentions into lasting change.
Speakers
avatar for Sean Grainger

Sean Grainger

Principal- Westpark Elementary School, Red Deer Public Schools
Sean began his 32 year career as a teacher at Tall Cree First Nation near Fort Vermillion. He counts his many years of experience working with Indigenous Peoples in First Nations school communities as some of his most fullfilling. He then entered the public school system teaching... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP ROOM AC160 (ARTS Centre)

11:40am MST

Practical Strategies for Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Are you interested in helping your students develop the capacity to solve problems effectively, recognize and manage emotions, and establish positive relationships? If so, this is the session for you! A plethora of research tells us that social-emotional learning (SEL) dramatically improves conduct problems, mental health, and academic performance. Come and learn some fun, practical and engaging teaching strategies for social emotional learning.
Speakers
avatar for Danny Bateman

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 →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP Room 1328

11:40am MST

Taskification in the Second Language Classroom: Simple Strategies to Implement Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT)
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Task-based language teaching (TBLT) has garnered significant attention due to its ability to facilitate conditions and learning processes associated with language acquisition (Ellis, 2003; Long, 2015). Nonetheless, numerous challenges have been identified that undermine the implementation of the approach, including challenges related to designing tasks (Erlam, 2016). In this interactive presentation, participants will be introduced to criteria that define a task and encouraged to critically engage with the criteria. They will then be shown how the criteria can be used to take activities already used in the classroom to engage in the taskification process. As such, the presentation will support teachers in implementing TBLT in the language classroom with minimal effort. Although the session will be conducted in English, the concepts can be applied to the teaching of any language.
Speakers
avatar for Greg Ogilvie

Greg Ogilvie

Associate Professor, University of Lethbridge
Dr. Greg Ogilvie is an associate professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Lethbridge focusing on second language education. He has been engaged in mentoring pre-service teachers for over twenty years and has done extensive research on the topic.
avatar for Xavier Gutierrez

Xavier Gutierrez

University of Alberta
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP Room 1303

11:40am MST

Hands Up! Beginner ASL
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Taught by two instructors, one Deaf and one Hearing, who together will take you through accurate signing as well as model ASL conversation. This is a "hands on," beginner ASL course geared toward educators with little or no experience in ASL, but all are welcome to refresh and practice. We start with the ABC's and take you to asking and answering questions, playing games, numbers, and more. You will leave excited to practice and show off your ASL!
Speakers
AD

Andrew Davies

Andy Davies has been a teacher (U of L BFA/B.Ed '09) of languages and art in Southern Alberta for 15 years. Andy has studied, worked in, and been active with ASL and the Deaf community for many years. Originally self-taught, he studied ASL at Grant MacEwan from 2000-2001. He has worked... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP Room 1503

11:40am MST

The Deadly Dinner Party: Writing a Murder Mystery 101
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Fair warning, someone is about to meet an unfortunate fate in this immersive writing workshop experience. This fully interactive workshop will guide students through the process of creating a captivating storyline, developing intriguing characters, and constructing clever clues. Explore the art of suspense and unravel the secrets behind a thrilling whodunnit murder mystery.
Speakers
avatar for Andrew Buckley

Andrew Buckley

Author, Speaker, Creator
Andrew Buckley is a storyteller, educator, and keynote speaker with 20+ years in creative writing and marketing. Renowned for humor that stubbornly refuses to behave, he crafts captivating speculative fiction, comics, screenplays, podcasts, and immersive experiences. Creator of Deadly... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP Room 2205

11:40am MST

How to Teach Humour to Promote Memory, Creativity, Coping and Connection!
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
This workshop is an informative and interactive session discussing the place of humour in your classroom and how to solve and resolve problems through humour. Susan has “lived” humour in her own classroom and will share her humour lessons that are suitable for the grade eight (and up) level. This will spill over to the staff room as well!
Speakers
avatar for Susan Carter

Susan Carter

How to Teach Humour for Stress Relief, Life Skills and Fun
Susan Carter holds a B.Ed. from the University of Regina and has taught in four provinces. In 1993 she decided to act upon a long-time dream of doing standup comedy! Susan shows you how to deal with all the changes involved in our teaching world with a laugh. Creative coping ideas... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP Room 2503

11:40am MST

Bienvenue à Scratch! Votre plateforme de codage.
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Scratch est la plus grande communauté de codage pour enfants au monde ainsi qu’un langage de programmation visuel simple qui permet aux jeunes de créer des histoires, des jeux et des animations numériques. Développé et animé par la Fondation Scratch, un organisme à but non lucratif, Scratch favorise la pensée computationnelle, la résolution de problèmes, l’apprentissage créatif, l’expression personnelle, la collaboration et l’équité en informatique. Scratch sera toujours gratuit et est disponible en plus de 70 langues. Pendant cette session, vous apprendrez à coder avec cette plateforme et à faire le lien au curriculum de Sciences. Aucun prérequis en programmation n’est nécessaire. Merci d’apporter votre propre ordinateur (Chromebook, Windows, Mac), car il s’agit d’une session main à la pâte. Vous repartirez avec de nombreuses ressources ainsi que la confiance nécessaire pour faciliter l’enseignement de l’informatique.
Speakers
RL

Rock Larochelle

Consultant, Alberta Regional Professional Development Consortium
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP ROOM AC222 (ARTS Centre)

11:40am MST

ASEBP MyRetiree Plan Presentation
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Retirement can no doubt be both exciting and daunting. Between all the paperwork and planning, let us make one of the items on your checklist a little easier!
During this presentation, you will learn the ins and outs of your health benefits during retirement. From eligibility requirements to different types of coverage, ASEBP has got you covered—literally.
Speakers
avatar for Robin Doan

Robin Doan

Benefit Specialist, ASEBP
The Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan (ASEBP) is more than health insurance—we’re health champions. We provide sustainable, holistic health benefits, programs and services and are there to support you and your employer throughout your personal and workplace wellness journeys... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP Room 2501

11:40am MST

Restorative Yin Yoga (Breath & Stretch)
In this relaxing restorative yoga class students will be encouraged to dive a little deeper into the practice of longer, supportive and restorative Yin Yoga poses as we bring awareness to mind, body, breath connections and develop deeper awareness through the integration of various mindfulness practices while we relax, restore to melt the stress away, and become more anchored and grounded. Get ready to have some fun, find a bit of inner peace and get that yoga glow on! Please bring your own yoga mat, water bottle, blanket and anything else to establish a warm & cozy vibe!
Speakers
avatar for Christa Chapman

Christa Chapman

Social Emotional Learning, Mindfulness & Yoga, Visual Art Education
Christa Chapman has been practicing mindfulness, meditation and yoga for over 20 years, and has completed a Modo/Moksha yoga teacher training (500hr), is a certified yin yoga instructor (80hr), meditation instructor (200hr), a CASEL certified Social Emotional Learning/Mindfulness... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP Room AC147 (ARTS Centre Studio B) 100 College Blvd, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H5

11:40am MST

On the Shoulders of (Spiritual) Giants
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
From the martyrs of the early Church to the rise of St. Francis, St. Clare, and St. Dominic in the 1300s, to the stories of Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II of the last century, Christian history is filled with the stories of holy heroes who've helped pass the faith on through the centuries. Having a better appreciation of their lives and stories not only helps us better understand the history of our faith, but it helps draw the best out of our students (and out of us).
Join Evergreen Catholic Schools chaplain Mike Landry for a look at those spiritual giants who've come before us, discover resources where you can learn more about their lives for yourself, and reflect on the call God has given each of us the best version of ourselves - to become saints.
Speakers
avatar for Mike Landry

Mike Landry

Although he went to church from the time he was very young, the launch of a parish youth ministry program in his teen years is what really awakened Mike Landry’s faith, making Jesus his dearest friend. For more than 28 years, Mike has sought to share the truth, beauty, and goodness... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP ROOM 2303

11:40am MST

Still Fighting - A story of grit, grace and growth
My presentation shares the story of my life beginning with my traumatic accident in 1982, and the personal battles that shaped who I am today. I speak about the resilience and perseverance I developed over the years and how those qualities helped me become a two-time Paralympian and compete at the highest levels of sport. I also address the challenges I’ve faced as a wheelchair user—some that can be overcome with skill, creativity, and mindset, and others, like inaccessible environments, that require broader change. Through humor, storytelling, and honest reflection, I explore how shifting our perspective can help us navigate adversity and create the life we want. My goal is to inspire others to see their own strength, rethink what is possible, and find their own path forward.
Speakers
avatar for Tammy Cunnington

Tammy Cunnington

Tammy Cunnington is a 2x Paralympian, motivational speaker, and advocate for resilience.
A survivor of a life-altering plane crash at the age of six, Tammy’s journey to Paralympic success has been marked by grit, perseverance, and a relentless spirit. After the accident, she turned her focus to wheelchair basketball, winning a gold medal at the Gold Cup Championships... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP MAIN STAGE/ AC117 (ARTS CENTRE)

11:40am MST

Empowering Students to Move, Learn, and Thrive. Novel Solutions to Health and Wellness Education That Stick!
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Empowering Students to Move, Learn, and Thrive: Health and Wellness Education That Sticks Across Alberta, classrooms are reaching a critical tipping point. Teachers are seeing the impact of learned inactivity, rising stress, and declining focus. Anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and suboptimal academic performance are becoming the new normal — symptoms of a larger health crisis that begins long before adulthood. The reality is sobering: 40% of today’s graduating students are projected to prematurely develop late-onset diabetes, and 60% will be diagnosed as pre-diabetic in their forties — all due to lifestyle patterns acquired and entrenched during their years in grade school. These outcomes are not inevitable; they are addressable and preventable.Through the Healthy Habits Start Here® initiative, we’ve built something far more powerful than traditional health education — a complete, field-tested behaviour-change ecosystem grounded in 29 validated Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs). Developed within education, and refined with educators, transforming K-12 wellness learning from passive knowledge into measurable, lasting action that reaches beyond the classroom, at home where real lifestyle change has to happen.We don’t just help kids move more — we help them own their health journey.
Speakers
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP Room AC142 (Arts Centre)

11:40am MST

Play with Purpose: Assessing Curricular Learning Through Play
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
How do you know what students are learning when they’re playing? This session dives into authentic assessment practices that capture student understanding during play. Learn how to observe, document, and interpret play in ways that align with curricular outcomes. We’ll explore tools like learning stories, anecdotal records, and student voice to make assessment both meaningful and manageable.
Speakers
avatar for Kelsey Bagnall

Kelsey Bagnall

Learning Specialist, Rocky View Schools
Kelsey Bagnall is a dedicated educator with 18 years of experience spanning Kindergarten to Grade 12. She currently teaches Grade 1 with Rocky View Schools and serves as the Communications Officer for the Council for Inclusive Education. Kelsey also brings leadership experience from... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP ROOM 2600

11:40am MST

Teach Loud: Rediscover Your Impact. Reclaim Your Purpose
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Teaching is powerful work. And sometimes, in the pressures of curriculum, expectations, and exhaustion, it’s easy to forget the deep impact you have. This keynote is an energizing reminder of the value you bring into the classroom every day.We’ll explore how to care for yourself without guilt, break out of the “standard way” of teaching, and lean into creativity and authenticity. We’ll unpack the danger of labels—how quickly they shape identity—and how intentional language can help students see possibility instead of limitation.And we’ll re-center equity and inclusion—not as buzzwords, but as everyday acts of seeing students fully, honoring their stories, and creating classrooms where every young person knows they matter.This is a session about purpose. About heart. About remembering why you started—and feeling proud of the difference you make.Expect energy. Expect connection. Expect to leave refueled.This is the session educators will talk about long after the conference ends.By the end of this session, participants will be able to: Recognize and reaffirm their personal value and impact as educators.Apply creative, meaningful strategies that break routine and strengthen student connection. Demonstrate inclusive and equitable classroom practices that avoid labels and promote belonging.
Speakers
avatar for Jeff A.D. Martin

Jeff A.D. Martin

Jeff A.D. Martin is a dynamic leadership and DEI strategist who helps professionals and organizations build inclusive, people-centered cultures. With over 20 years as a police officer and investigator, Jeff developed expertise in victim management, trauma-informed communication, and... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP ROOM 1400 (MP Theatre)

11:40am MST

Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Working alongside Elders, community members, Ever Active Schools and Red Deer Catholic Schools are offering the The Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program (IYMP). IYMP is a communal, relationship-based after school healthy living program. It is delivered by Indigenous high school students for elementary school children. This is the first time IYMP will be offered in an urban setting. IYMP is evidence based and drives positive health outcomes through a holistic Indigenous approach that enhances cultural identity and connection with school, community, land, and local traditions. Since its beginnings in 2003, IYMP has impacted the lives of thousands of Indigenous children, youth, and young adults across Canada. IYMP has led to improvements in self-efficacy (i.e., youth feeling confident in themselves), knowledge of healthy eating, reductions in waist circumference, and body mass index, as well as empowerment of youth, compared to youth not exposed to the program 4,5,8.
Speakers
avatar for Jonathan Mauro

Jonathan Mauro

Indigenous Education Services Coordinator, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools

avatar for Diane Gardipy

Diane Gardipy

Diane is Plains Cree from the Beardy's & Okemasis First Nation in Treaty 6 Territory and the Indigenous Education Consultant for the Indigenous Education Services Team for Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools. Prior to Diane entering the education profession, she worked as a Cultural... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP Room 1435

11:40am MST

Supporting Reading Comprehension Improvement
We know that building reading comprehension skills is important but how exactly do we do that? This session will explore a variety of ideas and invite participants to maybe think a little differently about we ask students to show their understanding of a text.
Speakers
avatar for Charlie Kraig

Charlie Kraig

VP. Mom. Avid reader.
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP ROOM AC148 (ARTS Centre Studio C) 100 College Blvd, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H5

11:40am MST

Do The Math (Gr 5-8)
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Getting some things wrong in Math isn't a big deal… you can always learn them later, while still doing well on everything else now. 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 Targeted Intervention in Math.
***Based on the work of Marilyn Burns, This session will focus on Interventions related to Multiplying & Dividing, and Fractions.
Teaching math would be easy if everybody came to our classes with all the pre-requisites mastered. But kids arrive with missing or incomplete understandings, and often those gaps and holes make them unable to learn the new ideas.
So we need to find and fill those gaps and holes ... on the fly.
Speakers
avatar for Gerry Varty

Gerry Varty

Consultant, Pearson Canada
In a 40 year career as an Alberta classroom Teacher, Principal, District Leader, and Consultant, Gerry has been a tireless advocate for professional learning support for Educators. His work with Schools and Districts remains grounded in the 3 Rs - Research, Relevance, and Relationships... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP Room 2505

11:40am MST

POWER PLAY - GAMES FOR TEACHING PRIMARY PLACE VALUE
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Come prepared to play and learn strategies that help teach the following concepts: composing/decomposing 10's, 100.s and 1,000's, comparing numbers, using number lines for patterns, developing the foundation for rounding and expanding numbers. Games integrate the use of cards, dice, number lines and are easy to differentiate and use in whole class or small group instruction. Handout will contain gameboards, student samples will be shared, concept skill checklists provided.
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP ROOM 2601

11:40am MST

Developing and Supporting Proportional Thinking across the Grades
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
In this session we will do some activities from different grades and use a variety of models to represent and develop proportional thinking. Our intentional choice of activities and math tools will help you to reflect about your students' proportional thinking journey. Regardless of the grade you teach, becoming more aware of the tools and models that students encounter across the grades can help to support learners at your grade level.
This session is sponsored by Pearson.
Speakers
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP ROOM 2302

11:40am MST

Make Some Noise! Advocating for Your Music Program
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Are you passionate about your music program but unsure how to get others to see its value? This session is for you! Join us for an energetic and inspiring presentation filled with practical tips, real-life examples, and a few laughs as we explore how to be confident advocates for music education in our schools and communities. Whether you’re new to teaching or a seasoned pro, you’ll leave with strategies to showcase the impact of music on student learning, well-being, and school culture. Learn how to speak the language of administrators, engage parents and guardians, build community partnerships, and turn everyday moments into powerful advocacy opportunities. We’ll also share creative ways to highlight student work, connect with local media, and make your music program a visible and valued part of the school. Come ready to be encouraged, equipped, and reminded that what we do matters—because music isn’t just a class… it’s a movement!
Speakers
avatar for Amanda Clark

Amanda Clark

music representative, Fine Arts Council
Amanda Clark is an enthusiastic and multi-talented music educator with a flair for creativity and a heart for community. With over 15 years of experience in classrooms, choirs, theatres, and studios, Amanda has taught everything from solfa to saxophones—often in both English and... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP Room 1600

11:40am MST

Low Equipment, High-Engagement Games for All Group Sizes
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Maximize participation and minimize prep with this fast-paced, active session focused on fun, inclusive games that require little equipment. Perfect for busy teachers, program leaders, large groups, or programs without a gym or PE specialist, these activities support movement throughout the day while aligning with wellness outcomes. Leave with a full toolbox of ready-to-use games adaptable to any environment.
Speakers
avatar for Hayley Degaust

Hayley Degaust

Health and Wellness Consultant, Ever Active Schools
Ever Active Schools is a national charity based in Alberta that supports healthy school communities through comprehensive school health and well-being practices. With a mission to positively impact the social, emotional, physical, and mental health of children and youth, the organization... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP ROOM AC159 (ARTS Centre)

11:40am MST

Gr 9: Part 2 -Engaging Projects (collective rights, YCJA, charter)
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
Want to make the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and Collective Rights come alive for your Grade 9 students? Want to engage them with meaningful projects that connect these topics to real-world issues?
We’ll explore engaging projects and activities that help students critically analyze and apply their learning. From connections to ELA through the business letter, to source analysis and a structured essay writing unit, students will build essential skills in argumentation, critical thinking, and civic literacy.
Through debates, case studies, and source based activities, students will not only understand their rights and responsibilities but also develop persuasive writing and analytical skills. You’ll walk away with ready-to-use lessons, activities, and strategies to make these topics engaging, relevant, and impactful in your classroom!
Speakers
avatar for Nicholle Morrison

Nicholle Morrison

Teacher, Calgary Board of Educaiton
Nicholle Morrison has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Bachelor of Education. With 15 years of teaching experience, Nicholle began her career working primarily with Grade 5 and 6 students. She then spent nine years teaching humanities in the middle school years, before moving... Read More →
avatar for Joanna Zakus

Joanna Zakus

Teacher, Calgary Board of Educaiton
Joanna has a BA History and a BEd Secondary Social Studies. She has been teaching primarily social studies and humanities for the last 21 years at the junior high level. Joanna currently is a teacher at a junior high school with the Calgary Board of Education. She focuses on interactive... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP ROOM 2301

11:40am MST

Needle Felting: Create Your Own Owl or Penguin-SESSION IS NOW FULL
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 2:00pm MST
Discover the art of needle felting in this creative and hands-on workshop. You'll learn how to transform wool into a charming owl or penguin sculpture - your choice! The techniques taught are simple, versatile, and can be easily adapted for a wide range of age groups and skill levels. Whether you're new to felting or looking to expand your crafting skills, this session offers both inspiration and practical guidance.SESSION IS NOW FULL.
Speakers
avatar for Izabella Orzelski

Izabella Orzelski

Teacher, EPSB
Izabella is an experienced artist and educator with an MFA from the New York Academy of Art and a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Alberta. She has received art awards like the Winspear Fund Grant and the Dahesh Museum Award to further her education. Her commissioned portraits... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 11:40am - 2:00pm MST
RDP ROOM 2304

1:00pm MST

Reclaim your authentic Presence in the Classroom and your life
Teachers are constantly navigating energy and presence in their classrooms. Wouldn’t it be helpful to have practical tools and techniques to find, and sustain your presence throughout the day? Presence is your vital life force—rooted in breath, body, and voice—and it becomes remarkably abundant when accessed with intention.
This workshop is somatic in nature, and participants are encouraged to wear comfortable, movable clothing. You will learn Second Circle work from a certified Patsy Rodenburg Associate (one of only three in Canada).
Speakers
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP Room AC147 (ARTS Centre Studio B) 100 College Blvd, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H5

1:00pm MST

Mosaics of Meaning: Art, Animals, and the 7 Sacred Teachings
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Bring a meaningful art project, songs, and stories into your classroom!
Join me for a hands-on, interdisciplinary session where we’ll explore creative ways to connect visual art with the themes of the Indigenous Seven Sacred Teachings and their powerful animal symbols.
Together, we’ll create a vibrant mixed media mosaic art project, designed to inspire student expression. Along the way, we’ll make curriculum connections to social and emotional learning, music, and children’s literature, offering ideas you can easily bring back to your classroom. To reserve your seat and supplies do send an email transfer of $5 to [email protected]

Click here for links:
Mosaics Google Slideshow
Animal Outline Images
Speakers
avatar for Coreen Blenkhorne

Coreen Blenkhorne

Teacher, Calgary Board of of Education
Coreen has taught with the CBE for over 19 years, is a mother of three wonderful boys, and married to an amazing husband who is also a teacher. Her teaching career has brought her experience teaching a variety of grades from grade K-6, literacy specialist, and also a music specialist... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP ROOM 2305

1:00pm MST

Beyond the Average: Why Teacher Judgment Matters in Assessment
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Grades are often treated as precise measures of learning, but numbers alone rarely tell the whole story. In this interactive session, participants will work through math-focused grading scenarios that expose the limits of calculation and the need for professional judgment. Together, we’ll explore how fairness, assessment purpose, and integrity intersect when determining final grades. The session will balance reflection with practical application: teachers will analyze examples, wrestle with common dilemmas, and consider guiding questions they can take back to their own classrooms. Participants will leave with strategies to approach difficult grading decisions with greater clarity and confidence, while keeping both student learning and fairness at the center.
Speakers
avatar for Aaron Szott

Aaron Szott

Szott Education Consulting, Szott Education Consulting
Aaron Szott is a former high school math teacher and curriculum leader with over twenty years of experience in Alberta classrooms. He now works with math teachers who feel the tension between covering curriculum and creating meaningful learning. His work centers on helping educators... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP Room 2205

1:00pm MST

Building Great Multiple Choice Questions
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Timely feedback that assesses for genuine student misconceptions matters to you. Multiple choice questions can be a great way to achieve this, going beyond simple recall, and can be a powerful tool when focusing assessment on specific outcomes. In this workshop, we'll look at how you can get the most from multiple choice items, building strategies for making high-quality questions and choices and exploring some of the applications in which multiple choice can be a great choice. The facilitators, Jason Cooper and Laura Pankratz, have decades of classroom and assessment experience. Participants in this workshop will engage in discussion and exploration of what is currently working in Alberta classrooms.
Speakers
avatar for Jason Cooper

Jason Cooper

Onsite contact: Jason Coooper
Jason Cooper is the creator and owner of SmarterMarks, a tool that helps teachers and students do more with paper and online assessments. Before making the switch to supporting and developing SmarterMarks full-time, he worked as a high school science teacher in Calgary for 9 year... Read More →
avatar for Laura Pankratz

Laura Pankratz

Western Canada Teacher Network Coordinator, Perimeter Institute
Laura is an internationally recognized educator who values teaching practices that help students learn and help teachers teach. For over ten years Laura has been part of the Perimeter Institute’s teacher network and for over twenty-five years she coordinated the Physics 30 diploma... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP ROOM 1408

1:00pm MST

The Happiness Project: Transforming Life Through Intentional Living
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Happiness doesn’t just happen—it’s built, one choice at a time. This engaging workshop transforms the science of happiness into an intentional practice through seven proven strategies drawn from The Happiness Project and positive-psychology research. Participants will explore practical tools such as the Happiness Wheel, Joy Budget, and Habit Stacking system to create personal and professional routines that boost energy, order, and connection. Guided reflection, group activities, and goal-tracking exercises will help you design your own sustainable “Happiness Project”—a blueprint for living with greater balance, gratitude, and joy. Leave with a clear plan to cultivate happiness through purposeful habits and everyday moments of meaning.
Speakers
avatar for Sean Grainger

Sean Grainger

Principal- Westpark Elementary School, Red Deer Public Schools
Sean began his 32 year career as a teacher at Tall Cree First Nation near Fort Vermillion. He counts his many years of experience working with Indigenous Peoples in First Nations school communities as some of his most fullfilling. He then entered the public school system teaching... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP Room 2501

1:00pm MST

Reset and Recharge: EMDR-Inspired Tools for Teacher and Student Wellness
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Teaching can be both fulfilling and emotionally demanding. This one-hour session introduces the principles of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) — a therapy that helps the brain heal from stress and difficult experiences. Participants will gain a basic understanding of how EMDR works, why it’s effective for trauma and stress recovery, and how its core ideas can be applied in daily life.

Through discussion and simple, practical exercises, teachers will explore grounding, bilateral movement, and self-soothing techniques that promote calm and focus. The session also highlights ways these same tools can be adapted for use with students to support regulation and resilience in the classroom.
Speakers
avatar for Tania Diletzoy

Tania Diletzoy

Tania Diletzoy is a Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. She has Masters in Counselling and has counselled children, youth, adults and families from a variety of backgrounds for over 20 years as a school counsellor, learning assistance... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP ROOM AC159 (ARTS Centre)

1:00pm MST

Press Start: Launching Your School Esports Program
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
In this session, I’ll share our journey of transforming an after-school esports club into a successful, competitive team. What began with a mix of systems and casual games has since evolved into a structured program focused on league play. Along the way, we’ve built a team culture, refined our approach, and found success at both the provincial and national levels. This session will highlight the steps, challenges, and strategies that helped us level up from casual play to championship competition, offering insights that other schools can adapt to their own programs.
Speakers
avatar for Michael Saretzky

Michael Saretzky

Teacher
I am a middle school teacher with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, with nearly 20 years of teaching experience across Alberta, including roles in Fox Creek and Hinton. I completed my Master’s in Educational Technology through University of British Columbia, focusing on the meaningful... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP ROOM 1437

1:00pm MST

From Foundations to Futures: Draft Financial Literacy Grades 7–9
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Explore the new Grades 7–9 Draft Financial Literacy curriculum through an engaging, practical lens. We’ll unpack what’s new, examine how learning from Grades 4–6 connects and progresses, and share planning tools you can use immediately in your classroom. Suitable for Administrators and teachers likely to have this assignment!
Speakers
avatar for Chris Zarski

Chris Zarski

Educational Consultan, Alberta Provincial Learning Consortium
Chris is an Educational Consultant supporting Alberta teachers in a variety of school divisions and as a Designer of Professional Learning with the Alberta Provincial Learning Consortium (APLC). She has served as a Teacher, Administrator, Curriculum Director of Curriculum, Examiner... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP Room AC142 (Arts Centre)

1:00pm MST

Hands Up! Next Steps in ASL
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Taught by two instructors, one Deaf and one Hearing, who together will take you through accurate signing as well as model ASL conversation. This course is geared toward educators with some familiarity with ASL who would like to take it to the next level. We will review a few basics then delve into locational/spatial organization, as well as ASL narrative structure. Participants will leave this session able to tell a joke or simple story in ASL.
Speakers
AD

Andrew Davies

Andy Davies has been a teacher (U of L BFA/B.Ed '09) of languages and art in Southern Alberta for 15 years. Andy has studied, worked in, and been active with ASL and the Deaf community for many years. Originally self-taught, he studied ASL at Grant MacEwan from 2000-2001. He has worked... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP Room 1503

1:00pm MST

Let There Be Light! – A Fun & Practical Guide to Stage Lighting
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Ready to shine a spotlight on your school shows? Whether you're working with a single clamp light or dreaming of a full lighting grid, this session is your backstage pass to understanding basic stage lighting for theatre, music, and dance. Learn how to make the most of what you've got, discover budget-friendly tips for borrowing or renting gear, and leave with simple, effective lighting tricks that will wow your audience without burning out your budget (or your bulbs). Perfect for beginners—no techie experience required!
Speakers
avatar for Amanda Clark

Amanda Clark

music representative, Fine Arts Council
Amanda Clark is an enthusiastic and multi-talented music educator with a flair for creativity and a heart for community. With over 15 years of experience in classrooms, choirs, theatres, and studios, Amanda has taught everything from solfa to saxophones—often in both English and... Read More →
AW

Aaron Wicks

Aaron Wicks excels at blending art and logistics, a skill he's honed since earning a Theatre Production degree from Vancouver Island University in 2005. Wicks has worked across Vancouver’s stages and toured extensively throughout the province. In 2009, Wicks moved to Edmonton, where... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP Room 1600

1:00pm MST

Collaborative, AI-supported Projects for language learning and soft-skills development
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Project-Based Learning (PBL) aims to engage students in learning opportunities through problem-solving activities that culminate in an end-product and reflection about the process (Beckett et al., 2020; Stoller, 2006). The combination of PBL with collaborative learning (CL) and artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to create a powerful pedagogical synergy that promotes the development of language proficiency, as well as soft skills such as creativity, critical thinking, self-management and leadership. In this session, we will discuss the characteristics and advantages of PBL, CL and AI, and we will use an example of an AI-supported collaborative project to illustrate the different stages of the project development and the associated pedagogical decisions. The session will be conducted in English, but the concepts are applicable to the teaching of any language.
Speakers
avatar for Xavier Gutierrez

Xavier Gutierrez

University of Alberta
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP Room 1303

1:00pm MST

The Red Deer Indian Industrial School: histories and stories from our own back yard
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
This session will provide an opportunity for participants to: learn about some of the history and stories that have been lived out in our own community. As well as being introduced on how to use this knowledge in their classroom instruction, background to the school, an introduction to the Remembering the Children Society and their work, as well as practical classroom activities will all be a part of this presentation
Speakers
avatar for Terry Lakey

Terry Lakey

First Nation, Metis and Inuit Learning Services: Lead Techer, Red Deer Pubic Schools
Terry Lakey is currently working with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Learning Services in Red Deer Public Schools. Prior to joining Red Deer Public Schools in 1999, he taught with Northlands School Division. Since joining Red Deer Public Schools, he has taken on several roles. As... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP ROOM 2602

1:00pm MST

Writing in French Immersion Made Simple
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Teaching writing in early French Immersion can feel overwhelming. How much support is enough? When do we increase expectations? What does strong writing actually look like in Grades 1–3?
In this session, I will share the classroom tools, strategies, and routines I use to support writing development in lower elementary French Immersion. I will show you examples of progression of writing across the year, including how expectations shift as students grow in confidence, independence, and language proficiency. I will walk through how writing begins with highly teacher-guided experiences, such as shared and modeled stories, and gradually moves toward more independent student writing.
This session will focus on practical, realistic approaches that help get students writing early and often, while intentionally building writing competencies over time. Real classroom examples will be shared to illustrate how tools are introduced, used, and adapted throughout the year.
There will also be opportunities for discussion and collaboration, allowing participants to share what works in their own classrooms and to reflect on how these strategies can be adapted to their students’ needs.
This session is designed for French Immersion teachers in Grades 1–3 who are looking for concrete ideas, clear progression, and confidence in teaching writing in the early years.
Speakers
avatar for Kaela Masikewich

Kaela Masikewich

Teacher
I have experience teaching across multiple grade levels, including middle school, and have spent most of my career in lower elementary as a Grade 2 French Immersion teacher. With 10 years of classroom experience, I’ve been recognized for my work in French Immersion education and... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP Room 2505

1:00pm MST

Initiez vos élèves à l’IA avec Teachable Machine et micro:bit.
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Dans cet atelier interactif, vous découvrirez à quel point il est facile d’intégrer l’intelligence artificielle en classe. Les participants apprendront à coder avec Teachable Machine de Google, à créer et entraîner leur propre modèle d’IA, puis à le transférer sur un micro:bit afin de réaliser un exemple pratique et concret d’IA en action. Il s’agit d’une session main à la pâte - merci d’apporter votre propre ordinateur (de préférence un Chromebook) ainsi qu’un téléphone intelligent. Les micro:bits seront fournis pendant l’atelier, et vous recevrez ensuite toute l’information nécessaire pour savoir où vous en procurer. Tous les logiciels utilisés sont gratuits, disponibles en français, et conçus avec un codage visuel, ce qui les rend accessibles à tous les élèves, sans expérience préalable. Vous verrez aussi comment ces activités s’arriment directement au curriculum de Sciences. Aucun prérequis - il suffit de retrousser vos manches et d’explorer!
Speakers
RL

Rock Larochelle

Consultant, Alberta Regional Professional Development Consortium
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP ROOM AC222 (ARTS Centre)

1:00pm MST

Effectively Balancing Your Time When There’s So Much to Do
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Teachers can be overwhelmed by marking, phone calls, prep, emails and student behavior. As a teacher for more than thirty years, Susan has experienced and observed her colleagues dealing with these challenges. Susan shares timesaving solutions to give teachers breathing room and lighten their workload.
Speakers
avatar for Susan Carter

Susan Carter

How to Teach Humour for Stress Relief, Life Skills and Fun
Susan Carter holds a B.Ed. from the University of Regina and has taught in four provinces. In 1993 she decided to act upon a long-time dream of doing standup comedy! Susan shows you how to deal with all the changes involved in our teaching world with a laugh. Creative coping ideas... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP ROOM 1400 (MP Theatre)

1:00pm MST

A Spiritual "Booster Pack"
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
A portable booster pack is a great tool to have in your car for an Alberta winter. When your car battery lacks the power needed to start your car, a booster pack provides the surge of energy necessary to get you back on the road. Our spiritual well-being can work the same way. We can find sometimes that our spiritual batteries are nearly drained and need a similar boost.
Join Evergreen Catholic Schools chaplain Mike Landry for a brief spiritual retreat meant to charge your spiritual batteries. During this session, Mike will use scripture, music, and prayer to help refresh and renew your faith, while offering some practical tips on how to plug-in to God on a regular basis.
Speakers
avatar for Mike Landry

Mike Landry

Although he went to church from the time he was very young, the launch of a parish youth ministry program in his teen years is what really awakened Mike Landry’s faith, making Jesus his dearest friend. For more than 28 years, Mike has sought to share the truth, beauty, and goodness... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP ROOM 2303

1:00pm MST

Charge Your Battery by Incorporating SEL & Mindfulness into the Classroom
Come explore various easy and fun ways to charge your own battery as an educator by incorporating mindfulness and social emotional learning into the classroom environment! We will dive into the proven scientific evidence, anecdotes and testimonials about how and why bringing mindfulness and SEL into your daily routines/classroom environments are beneficial to you and your students mental, emotional and physical health. Simple and easy to use tips, techniques and methods will be explored, and a hand out will be provided, where you will then be able to practice them in the session, and conveniently incorporate Mindfulness and Social Emotional Learning strategies into your classroom & daily life! We will end the session with a longer relaxing group mindfulness session/reflection, to send you blissfully on your way! All experiences are welcome!
Speakers
avatar for Christa Chapman

Christa Chapman

Social Emotional Learning, Mindfulness & Yoga, Visual Art Education
Christa Chapman has been practicing mindfulness, meditation and yoga for over 20 years, and has completed a Modo/Moksha yoga teacher training (500hr), is a certified yin yoga instructor (80hr), meditation instructor (200hr), a CASEL certified Social Emotional Learning/Mindfulness... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP ROOM AC149 (ARTS Centre Studio D) 100 College Blvd, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H5

1:00pm MST

Aunties and Uncles in Training
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Aunties and Uncles in Training is an Indigenous female and male mentorship program that connects high school Indigenous students with community members through for-credit land camps. The land camps combine cultural teachings and Two-Eyed Seeing (Elder Dr. Albert Marshall, Mi’kmaw, Eskasoni First Nation) STEM activities by building relationships with community members, Elders, Kokoms, Aunties, Uncles, Mushums and post-secondary institutions. In this session we will share our experiences from the program last year and where we are going this year. Feedback from students, families and community members has been very positive. Details of the programming will be shared.
Speakers
avatar for Pamela Neumann

Pamela Neumann

Science Outreach Coordinator, Red Deer Polytechnic
Pamela Neumann is the Red Hot Science outreach coordinator and a faculty member in science at Red Deer Polytechnic.
avatar for Tracy Skinner

Tracy Skinner

Tracy Skinner is from the northern Alberta community of Fort Vermilion, located along the Peace River on Treaty 8 territory, and has called Red Deer home for the last 24 years. She has worked in Indigenous Education in Central Alberta for the last 15 years, initially as an Indigenous... Read More →
avatar for Jonathan Mauro

Jonathan Mauro

Indigenous Education Services Coordinator, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools

Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP Room 1435

1:00pm MST

There's Always Time for morph+o+log+y!
Word Nerds Unite! Whether you are new to understanding how English spelling can be explained or are a seasoned veteran, this session will explore activities that you can use to bring morphology into your classroom on a regular basis. Resources will be shared and fun facts will be given freely.
Speakers
avatar for Charlie Kraig

Charlie Kraig

VP. Mom. Avid reader.
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP ROOM AC148 (ARTS Centre Studio C) 100 College Blvd, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H5

1:00pm MST

Developing and Supporting Multiplicative Thinking across the Grades
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
In this session we will do some activities from different grades and use a variety of models to represent and develop multiplicative thinking. Our intentional choice of activities and math tools will help you to reflect about your students' multiplicative thinking journey. Regardless of the grade you teach, becoming more aware of the tools and models that students encounter across the grades can help to support learners at your grade level.
This session is sponsored by Pearson.
Speakers
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP ROOM 2302

1:00pm MST

ATRF Your Pension Essentials
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
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
avatar for Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund (ATRF)

Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund (ATRF)

Pension Counsellor, Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund
A Pension Counsellor with the Alberta Teachers' Retirement Fund (ATRF).
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP ROOM 2601

1:00pm MST

The Agile Teacher — Hiring Guidance and Career Development
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Let’s talk career growth! In this session, we will explore a variety of tips and tricks for creating, résumés, cover letters and application packages that get noticed. We will also cover skills to help you navigate interviews with confidence and career development opportunities in the teaching profession.
Speakers
avatar for Danny Maas

Danny Maas

Coordinator, Professional Development, The Alberta Teachers' Association
Danny Maas is the Coordinator in the ATA's Professional Development program area. He was previously the Manager of Educational Technology with Edmonton Catholic School Division and has supported teacher professional development for the past 15 years. Danny brings a passion for evidence-based... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP Room 2503

1:00pm MST

Time Management
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
A session that is not a waste of your time! Retrain your brain for time efficiencies, organization, and healthy boundaries.
Speakers
avatar for Grace Martin

Grace Martin

Grace Martin is an author, teacher, and wellness advocate., Chinook's Edge School Division
Grace Martin is an author, teacher, and wellness advocate.
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP ROOM 2600

1:00pm MST

My Life as a Teacher with ADHD
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
When I was a child in elementary school there wasn't such a thing as ADHD, but I definitely struggled with it. I was officially diagnosed in my fifties. I always thought I was dumb until I ended up in education. As a teacher for over 30 years, and a University Instructor of pre-service teachers for 6 years, I have learned how to navigate the ups and downs of a neurodiverse brain. If you, or someone close to you, struggles with ADHD then this is session for you. I promise that you will not be bored!
Speakers
DB

Donna Bateman

Donna is married to Danny, so she has real life experience with his ADHD. They have 4 adult children and 12 grandchildren. As well as being a mother and wife, she worked for Edmonton Public Libraries for over 20 years.
avatar for Danny Bateman

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 →
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP Room 1328

1:00pm MST

SS Writing Part 2: Historical Narratives and Debates (persuasive/position papers)
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Want to help your students become confident writers in Social Studies? Want to give them the tools to express their ideas clearly and persuasively across historical and contemporary topics?
This session will focus on writing in Division 3 and 4 Social Studies, with an emphasis on historical narratives, debate preparation, and argument writing. Whether students are crafting a position paper, analyzing historical perspectives, or engaging in persuasive debates, they will learn how to structure ideas, use evidence effectively, and develop a strong voice.
You’ll explore strategies and project ideas that build core writing skills through Social Studies content—like structured debates, persuasive position papers, and creative narrative writing from historical viewpoints. You’ll leave with ready-to-use resources to strengthen student writing, enhance critical thinking, and bring key Social Studies concepts to life.
Speakers
avatar for Nicholle Morrison

Nicholle Morrison

Teacher, Calgary Board of Educaiton
Nicholle Morrison has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Bachelor of Education. With 15 years of teaching experience, Nicholle began her career working primarily with Grade 5 and 6 students. She then spent nine years teaching humanities in the middle school years, before moving... Read More →
avatar for Joanna Zakus

Joanna Zakus

Teacher, Calgary Board of Educaiton
Joanna has a BA History and a BEd Secondary Social Studies. She has been teaching primarily social studies and humanities for the last 21 years at the junior high level. Joanna currently is a teacher at a junior high school with the Calgary Board of Education. She focuses on interactive... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP ROOM 2301

1:00pm MST

Dill with Stress-Pickleball Session 2
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 3:30pm MST
Pickleball is a game where you can really relish the moment. In this session you will learn the basic rules, what equipment is needed, and where you can go to play. Come out and learn some new lingo, and find out what all the rave is about. Do come out to PicklePlex to reserve your spot by sending a $5 email transfer to [email protected]
Friday February 20, 2026 1:00pm - 3:30pm MST
PicklePlex 409 Lantern St #106, Red Deer County, AB T4E 0A5

2:15pm MST

EDCAMP: Career Counselling/Work Experience/RAP
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
Edcamp session where you will have the opportunity to share and collaborate with other teachers in Central Alberta. Do use the following document to share your progress: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JrzCkNELIWoQ12umIBipIl1aHxYUvG4_ZI8Zmc1K63Y/edit?usp=sharing
Speakers
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
RDP ROOM AC159 (ARTS Centre)

2:15pm MST

EDCAMP: Grade 2
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
Edcamp session where you will have the opportunity to share and collaborate with other teachers in Central Alberta. Do use the following document to share your progress: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19vgNPlxS9FKsbdxp55giTz9Kj6GuY_rQ0cbgRxftbiY/edit?usp=sharing
Speakers
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
RDP ROOM AC160 (ARTS Centre)

2:15pm MST

EDCAMP: Grade 3
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
Edcamp session where you will have the opportunity to share and collaborate with other teachers in Central Alberta. Do use the following document to share your progress: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KUCkd_6m1G7UH1o5iInTahuHtL-RQJvdwP-qCLG1Lz8/edit?usp=sharing
Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Smith

Jennifer Smith

Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division
I currently teach at St. Gregory the Great Catholic school in Blackfalds. I am passionate about creating inclusive, regulated and trauma-sensitive classrooms and schools.
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
RDP ROOM 1408

2:15pm MST

EDCAMP: Grade 5
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
Edcamp session where you will have the opportunity to share and collaborate with other teachers in Central Alberta. Do use the following document to share your progress: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EuF0jmScmuhJE-0G-7pMXMCMPknBEwpufPvwlQluLxE/edit?usp=sharing
Speakers
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
RDP Room 1303

2:15pm MST

EDCAMP: High School English
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
Edcamp session where you will have the opportunity to share and collaborate with other teachers in Central Alberta. Do use the following document to share your progress: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18YooSrpYZAPnCWMI6HWMiTLxVLiRmz5nDg8HNTJ1YoI/edit?usp=sharing
Speakers
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
RDP ROOM 2600

2:15pm MST

2:15pm MST

2:15pm MST

2:15pm MST

EDCAMP: K-12 Languages/ELL/ESL/EAL
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
Edcamp session where you will have the opportunity to share and collaborate with other teachers in Central Alberta. Do use the following document to share your progress: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lGbYXhyt0rBrRRKdk3uZQqCXXYL9FMa9LxiYoi5LzI8/edit?usp=sharing
Speakers
avatar for Gaylene Mackay

Gaylene Mackay

EAL Coordinator, CEAL President, Red Deer Public Schools
Gaylene has been working in the field of EAL for the past 23 years. She currently works as EAL Coordinator with Red Deer Public Schools and has taught and supported English Language Learners at the high school and middle school level. Additionally, Gaylene serves as president of the... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
RDP Room 2501

2:15pm MST

EDCAMP: Grade 4
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
Edcamp session where you will have the opportunity to share and collaborate with other teachers in Central Alberta. Do use the following document to share your progress: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18g6mB2bMQ_pfjfPP75kb631v5D-pH0KLQBiPejVzfA8/edit?usp=sharing
Speakers
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
RDP Room 1600

2:15pm MST

EDCAMP: Grade 6-9 French
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
Edcamp session where you will have the opportunity to share and collaborate with other teachers in Central Alberta. Do use the following document to share your progress: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CKqQnab_MUfTz0JBITjJB9jNDw2uKT-E8yah0bnAITU/edit?usp=sharing
Speakers
avatar for Dania Hill

Dania Hill

A veteran teacher with over 20 years experience she has worked in 6 schools, taught in all divisions and in a wide variety of courses. Specialist in math and science Dania Hill has worked in both English and French Immersion programs. She has lead a number of field studies and has... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
RDP Room 1503

2:15pm MST

EDCAMP: Grade 6-9 Mathematics
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
Edcamp session where you will have the opportunity to share and collaborate with other teachers in Central Alberta. Do use the following document to share your progress: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Lv59G077hYF12Vz1ovNTzCiIfKsVf4RDEqEmpvnaua0/edit?usp=sharing
Speakers
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
RDP Room 1435

2:15pm MST

EDCAMP: Grade 1
Edcamp session where you will have the opportunity to share and collaborate with other teachers in Central Alberta. Do use the following document to share your progress: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1egg5Y3A7HwuGBn7SLR5IRFTAYoWNK54oNKm6m6wQyGQ/edit?usp=sharing
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
RDP ROOM AC148 (ARTS Centre Studio C) 100 College Blvd, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H5

2:15pm MST

2:15pm MST

EDCAMP: Kindergarten and Pre-K
Edcamp session where you will have the opportunity to share and collaborate with other teachers in Central Alberta. Do use the following document to share your progress: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fQtA4Kx4o5oAb384XZbOT-8y6gp1f1BUFIcKjh7sjlY/edit?usp=sharing
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
RDP ROOM AC149 (ARTS Centre Studio D) 100 College Blvd, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H5

2:15pm MST

EDCAMP: Grade 6-9 English
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
Edcamp session where you will have the opportunity to share and collaborate with other teachers in Central Alberta. Do use the following document to share your progress: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jllqQ3To0gf0mVr-zjndElnLBYdsxQXBkK_s0gCi698/edit?usp=sharing
Speakers
avatar for Charlie Kraig

Charlie Kraig

VP. Mom. Avid reader.
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
RDP Room 1328

2:15pm MST

EDCAMP: High School Math
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
Edcamp session where you will have the opportunity to share and collaborate with other teachers in Central Alberta. Do use the following document to share your progress: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VQ2t62Kz_aNJoWgFORxb5kTu-u02Fn41dzUqjCXO6GQ/edit?usp=sharing
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
RDP ROOM 2301

2:15pm MST

EDCAMP: High School Science (Bio, Chem, Physics and General Science)
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
Edcamp session where you will have the opportunity to share and collaborate with other teachers in Central Alberta. Do use the following document to share your progress: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uMsKObOwG-h4go-m2ndV_xxw0x_PuRgD6JqDE2KOMDs/edit?usp=sharing
Speakers
avatar for Larkin Joevenazzo

Larkin Joevenazzo

Larkin is a high school science teacher at Notre Dame High School in Red Deer, where she teaches both K&E and mainstream science. A passionate advocate for hands-on learning, Larkin incorporates labs and interactive activities into the classroom on a weekly basis, ensuring students... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
RDP ROOM 2302

2:15pm MST

2:15pm MST

2:15pm MST

2:15pm MST

EDCAMP: Grade 6-9 Science
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
Edcamp session where you will have the opportunity to share and collaborate with other teachers in Central Alberta. Do use the following document to share your progress: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jnorbvz7mng5W5U7CHd_pCo1Oz2CruwiYNdZHninB-w/edit?usp=sharing
Speakers
avatar for Evelyn Chan

Evelyn Chan

Middle School Teacher, Red Deer Public Schools
I have been teaching for over 16 years with Red Deer Public Schools. I have taught at the Middle School and High School Levels, including the Alternative Programs. Currently, I am teaching Math and Science at GH Dawe School. I love board games, escape/locked rooms, photograph and... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
RDP ROOM 2601

2:15pm MST

EDCAMP: K-12 Technology [Maximizing AI in your teaching]
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
Edcamp session where you will have the opportunity to share and collaborate with other teachers in Central Alberta. Do use the following document to share your progress:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ybv2WbO_80t9zWDm_Hhu3cMhN_MzEcMtuPBbbkKQPvk/edit?usp=sharing
Speakers
avatar for Michael Saretzky

Michael Saretzky

Teacher
I am a middle school teacher with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, with nearly 20 years of teaching experience across Alberta, including roles in Fox Creek and Hinton. I completed my Master’s in Educational Technology through University of British Columbia, focusing on the meaningful... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
RDP ROOM 2602

2:15pm MST

The Gutter Bowling
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
Be prepared to make a team of six or less and pay $40 to book your lane by making a team on the following roster: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aqIVsMFycC5anReaCjR5QF_v5e7ptHgXQPpn9LZtRLM/edit?usp=sharing    Relax and have fun.There is a $3.00 shoe rental fee for each participant which can be paid at the venue.
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
The Gutter Red Deer 5118 47 Ave, Red Deer, AB T4N 3P7

2:15pm MST

Wizard Loft Board Game Adventures
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
Come learn to play board games that you can use to supplement content and curriculum in your classroom or have some fun socializing and mingling with fellow gamers of all levels at Wizard's Loft (5201 54 Ave). A $15 entry per person will reserve your spot by sending an email transfer to  [email protected] which includes your player fee as well as 2 drinks or snacks. Check-in will begin at 2:15pm and close at 3:00 pm, however, you are welcome to stay past the 3:30 "end" time.
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
Wizard Loft 5201 54 Ave #110, Red Deer, AB T4N 5K5

2:15pm MST

President Schilling: Unplugged
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
Speakers
avatar for Jason Schilling

Jason Schilling

President, Alberta Teachers' Association
Jason Schilling was re-elected president in 2025 following six years of service as president, two years of service as vice-president and more than eight years of service as district representative for South West. As vice-president, Schilling chaired the Central Table Bargaining Committee... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
RDP ROOM 1400 (MP Theatre)

2:15pm MST

EDCAMP: Gr 6-12 Social Studies
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
Edcamp session where you will have the opportunity to share and collaborate with other teachers in Central Alberta. Do use the following document to share your progress: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sP4ftuVrKhfzx3T9ojAoo-DzlJktUNgknWhSjYAMVp0/edit?usp=sharing
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
RDP ROOM 1437

2:15pm MST

EDCAMP: Indigenous Education
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
Edcamp session where you will have the opportunity to share and collaborate with other teachers in Central Alberta. Do use the following document to share your progress: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CkDd4fQdVHkIZ8238FHPwwDz5yCqbsJZgfilVrjvTro/edit?usp=sharing
Speakers
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
RDP Room AC142 (Arts Centre)

2:15pm MST

EDCAMP: K-12 Physical Education
Edcamp session where you will have the opportunity to share and collaborate with other teachers in Central Alberta. Do use the following document to share your progress: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SJKYmNpwIbGqaaWz0EZ2A7edmS1pHS0aidUXMlny23o/edit?usp=sharing
Speakers
avatar for Logan Grenier

Logan Grenier

Logan is a High School Physical Education Teacher in Red Deer, AB and serves on the Health and Physical Education Council as the Central Region representative. He is passionate about Health, Wellness and Physical Education and instilling this passion in to his students. He believes... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 2:15pm - 3:30pm MST
RDP Room AC147 (ARTS Centre Studio B) 100 College Blvd, Red Deer, AB T4N 5H5

3:20pm MST

CTRL + ALT + TEACH: My Time-Saving Sidekick AI POST RECORDING VIDEO
Friday February 20, 2026 3:20pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
From lesson planning to student engagement, AI has become my quirky but reliable classroom partner. I’ve used it to create student-focused poems and stories, design spiral math reviews, map out the new Social Studies curriculum, and even help with my daybook. In fact, AI even helped me put together this presentation proposal! In this session, I’ll share how I’ve used AI to save time, spark creativity, and bring fresh ideas into my teaching practice.
Speakers
avatar for Michael Saretzky

Michael Saretzky

Teacher
I am a middle school teacher with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, with nearly 20 years of teaching experience across Alberta, including roles in Fox Creek and Hinton. I completed my Master’s in Educational Technology through University of British Columbia, focusing on the meaningful... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 3:20pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Post Recording Video

3:20pm MST

Wake Up "Insert School Name Here" POST CONVENTION VIDEO
Friday February 20, 2026 3:20pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
This professional learning session introduces educators to Wake Up St. Pat’s, a student-led morning announcement and media production program designed to build leadership, communication, and digital literacy across grade levels. The session will examine how the program operates in practice, including student roles, production workflows, scheduling, and assessment strategies, while demonstrating how a school-based broadcast can support curriculum outcomes across multiple subject areas. Participants will also explore how AI is now used within the program to support planning, scripting, organization, and reflection, enhancing efficiency while maintaining student voice and creativity. The session highlights practical considerations for sustainability, inclusion, and scalability, offering educators a realistic model for implementing student-led media within their own school communities.
Speakers
avatar for Michael Saretzky

Michael Saretzky

Teacher
I am a middle school teacher with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, with nearly 20 years of teaching experience across Alberta, including roles in Fox Creek and Hinton. I completed my Master’s in Educational Technology through University of British Columbia, focusing on the meaningful... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 3:20pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Post Recording Video

3:20pm MST

Press Start: Launching Your School Esports Program POST CONVENTION VIDEO
Friday February 20, 2026 3:20pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
In this session, I’ll share our journey of transforming an after-school esports club into a successful, competitive team. What began with a mix of systems and casual games has since evolved into a structured program focused on league play. Along the way, we’ve built a team culture, refined our approach, and found success at both the provincial and national levels. This session will highlight the steps, challenges, and strategies that helped us level up from casual play to championship competition, offering insights that other schools can adapt to their own programs.
Speakers
avatar for Michael Saretzky

Michael Saretzky

Teacher
I am a middle school teacher with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, with nearly 20 years of teaching experience across Alberta, including roles in Fox Creek and Hinton. I completed my Master’s in Educational Technology through University of British Columbia, focusing on the meaningful... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 3:20pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Post Recording Video

3:20pm MST

ASEBP Benefit Overview Presentation (Post Recording Video)
Friday February 20, 2026 3:20pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Whether you are a new covered member or not, this session can help you learn about the wide range of benefits, programs and services we offer.
In this presentation you will discover how to get the most from your coverage, our different tools and platforms, the benefits of spending accounts and more!
Friday February 20, 2026 3:20pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Post Recording Video

3:20pm MST

ASEBP Spending Accounts: Making the Most of your ASEBP Benefits (Post Recording Video)
Friday February 20, 2026 3:20pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Learn the basics of what WSA and HSA is all about.
Friday February 20, 2026 3:20pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Post Recording Video

3:20pm MST

Exploring Your EFAP with GreenShield Health (Post Recording Video)
Friday February 20, 2026 3:20pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Learn more about this program that ASEBP offers to our teachers
Friday February 20, 2026 3:20pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Post Recording Video

3:20pm MST

Unchartered Lessons: My Unexpected Journey of Teaching POST CONVENTION VIDEO
Friday February 20, 2026 3:20pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
This session shares my unexpected path into the teaching profession and the key lessons learned through early uncertainty, career risk-taking, professional growth, and long-term reflection. Drawing from personal experiences across multiple schools and roles, the session explores lessons such as maintaining balance, embracing change, being willing to move, trying new approaches, and avoiding the trap of believing you have everything figured out. Rather than focusing on best practices alone, the session highlights the realities of teaching over time and the value of honesty, adaptability, and continuous learning. The goal is to offer educators reassurance, perspective, and practical wisdom that resonates across career stages, reminding teachers that growth often comes from discomfort and that meaningful careers are rarely linear.
Speakers
avatar for Michael Saretzky

Michael Saretzky

Teacher
I am a middle school teacher with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, with nearly 20 years of teaching experience across Alberta, including roles in Fox Creek and Hinton. I completed my Master’s in Educational Technology through University of British Columbia, focusing on the meaningful... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 3:20pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Post Recording Video

3:20pm MST

Creating Videos with Canva (Post Recording Video)
Friday February 20, 2026 3:20pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
In classrooms, video is one of the most powerful tools for capturing attention, reinforcing learning, and making concepts stick. This hands-on session will guide you through Canva’s video features, showing how to use templates, text, images, and music to design professional looking videos with ease. We will go through transitions, tailor content to specific subjects, and quickly export and share their finished product. By the end of the session, you’ll leave with a polished video ready to use in your classroom and the confidence to create more on your own—no prior editing experience required.
Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Mahal

Jennifer Mahal

My name is Jennifer Mahal. As a teacher, I’ve had experience substituting across different schools in Calgary. I also spent time teaching Science at an academy in Hastings, UK. After my time abroad, I continued to teach in Calgary. With 11 years of teaching experience, I believe... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 3:20pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Post Recording Video

3:30pm MST

FASD: Mythbusting and Building Success (Post Recording Video)
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 10:00am MDT
Jeff and Eloise Madsen's session shares paths to success for FASD students and the professionals who support them. They share their knowledge and training about FASD using CANFASD data and hands on resources directly from the wider FASD community, ie. insights from individuals on the spectrum and the caregivers who support them. They address stats, facts, and myths in the context of their own stories as both teachers and parents.
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 10:00am MDT
Post Recording Video

3:30pm MST

My Life as a Teacher with ADHD (Post Recording Video)
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 2:00pm MDT
When I was a child in elementary school there wasn't such a thing as ADHD, but I definitely struggled with it. I was officially diagnosed in my fifties. I always thought I was dumb until I ended up in education. As a teacher for over 30 years, and a University Instructor of pre-service teachers for 6 years, I have learned how to navigate the ups and downs of a neurodiverse brain. If you, or someone close to you, struggles with ADHD then this is session for you. I promise that you will not be bored!
Speakers
DB

Donna Bateman

Donna is married to Danny, so she has real life experience with his ADHD. They have 4 adult children and 12 grandchildren. As well as being a mother and wife, she worked for Edmonton Public Libraries for over 20 years.
avatar for Danny Bateman

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 →
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 2:00pm MDT
Post Recording Video

3:30pm MST

Colour Magic with Pointillism (Post Recording Video)
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Discover the magic of optical colour mixing in this engaging, hands-on watercolour workshop inspired by Georges Seurat and the art of pointillism. Designed for Grades 3–12 art educators, this session explores how small, deliberate marks of pure colour can blend visually to create vibrant, dynamic effects. You'll experiment with watercolour techniques that are easy to adapt for different grade levels and abilities. The session includes a ready-to-use PowerPoint presentation and a demonstration video for classroom use. This workshop connects directly to visual art curriculum outcomes related to colour theory, mark-making, technique, and historical context in art movements. Whether you're new to watercolour or looking to refresh your approach, you'll leave with a finished artwork, practical teaching resources, and new ways to spark creativity in your students. All materials are included and reserve your spot by sending an email transfer of $5 to [email protected]; Come create, learn, and be inspired!
Speakers
avatar for Izabella Orzelski

Izabella Orzelski

Teacher, EPSB
Izabella is an experienced artist and educator with an MFA from the New York Academy of Art and a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Alberta. She has received art awards like the Winspear Fund Grant and the Dahesh Museum Award to further her education. Her commissioned portraits... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Post Recording Video

3:30pm MST

Monet’s Waterlilies: Draw & Inspire with Oil Pastels (Post Recording Video)
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Step into the world of Claude Monet and learn to recreate his famous waterlilies using oil pastels and expressive mark-making. This guided, hands-on session will explore key Impressionist techniques you can bring back to your classroom. All materials are included and reserve your spot by sending an email transfer of $10 to [email protected]. Leave with a finished artwork, a YouTube tutorial, and a PowerPoint to support your teaching. This workshop connects directly to the art curriculum through outcomes related to technique, historical context, and expression of mood and movement.
Speakers
avatar for Izabella Orzelski

Izabella Orzelski

Teacher, EPSB
Izabella is an experienced artist and educator with an MFA from the New York Academy of Art and a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Alberta. She has received art awards like the Winspear Fund Grant and the Dahesh Museum Award to further her education. Her commissioned portraits... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Post Recording Video

3:30pm MST

Needle Felting: Create Your Own Owl or Penguin (Post Recording Video)
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Discover the art of needle felting in this creative and hands-on workshop. You'll learn how to transform wool into a charming owl or penguin sculpture - your choice! The techniques taught are simple, versatile, and can be easily adapted for a wide range of age groups and skill levels. Whether you're new to felting or looking to expand your crafting skills, this session offers both inspiration and practical guidance. All materials are included and reserve your spot by sending an email transfer of $25 to [email protected]; come create, relax, and take home your own felted friend!
Speakers
avatar for Izabella Orzelski

Izabella Orzelski

Teacher, EPSB
Izabella is an experienced artist and educator with an MFA from the New York Academy of Art and a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Alberta. She has received art awards like the Winspear Fund Grant and the Dahesh Museum Award to further her education. Her commissioned portraits... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Post Recording Video

3:30pm MST

Whimsical Winter Watercolour Village (Post Recording Video)
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Become your own community planner as you learn how to draw and paint a whimsical winter landscape using watercolour. Delegates will explore drawing simple buildings, snowy hills, and trees to create a cohesive winter community scene. This lesson supports the Alberta Arts Education curriculum by developing skills in observation, composition, colour, and creative expression, while also making meaningful connections to Social Studies concepts such as communities. Participants will learn skills in how to paint with watercolour while discovering a joyful, calming approach to art-making that encourages creativity and confidence. There is a supply fee of $10 to attend this class. This fee covers the cost of materials you will use in this class. To secure your spot in the class, email the supply fee to [email protected]. Please print off and bring your 2 handouts to the class (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y49_i9JcVfv12nWQw2vNDbUoMB7fT8VQa8s1p0mQ1s4/edit?usp=sharing)
Speakers
avatar for Sally Towers-Sybblis

Sally Towers-Sybblis

artist/instructor
Sally Towers-Sybblis is a full time mixed media artist from Red Deer, Alberta. Her whimsical style of art often incorporates a combination of lettering, watercolor or acrylic. Her work has been featured in various publications including “The Lettering Arts Review”.Her journey... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Post Recording Video

3:30pm MST

Digital Escape Room (Post Recording Video)
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Join me for this captivating session where we’ll create our very own digital escape room. This engaging activity is perfect for concept reviews and exciting holiday activities. Students will be presented with a video hook (as seen in the example below) and then asked to solve a series of clues to "escape" or find a location from the video.Please bring your laptops, as we’ll be using online tools, including Canva and AI—to design clues tailored to your subject and classroom needs. These tools will help us build the escape room faster and more effectively, giving you something ready to use right away. To get a sneak peek of what we'll be working on, check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wa1YhEtLik Please note that this session will be different than previous years
Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Mahal

Jennifer Mahal

My name is Jennifer Mahal. As a teacher, I’ve had experience substituting across different schools in Calgary. I also spent time teaching Science at an academy in Hastings, UK. After my time abroad, I continued to teach in Calgary. With 11 years of teaching experience, I believe... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Post Recording Video

3:30pm MST

Canva in the Classroom (Post Recording Video)
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Canva is a powerful, cloud-based platform that allows educators to create a wide range of classroom tools including videos, worksheets, posters, cards, and invitations. Bring your laptop for this interactive session, where we’ll explore the ins and outs of Canva together. By the end of our session, you’ll leave with a resource you can use in your next lesson or a lesson plan that empowers your students to create with Canva.
Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Mahal

Jennifer Mahal

My name is Jennifer Mahal. As a teacher, I’ve had experience substituting across different schools in Calgary. I also spent time teaching Science at an academy in Hastings, UK. After my time abroad, I continued to teach in Calgary. With 11 years of teaching experience, I believe... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Post Recording Video

3:30pm MST

Mindfulness and Teacher Wellness (Post Recording Video)
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
This session is perfect for first-year teachers but a refresher for any teacher looking to build strong foundations for personal and professional well-being. Together, we'll explore essential strategies for organizing your time and life to foster teacher wellness. Topics will include effective time management, stress reduction techniques, and creating a calm classroom environment. Let’s work smarter, not harder, to ensure that we take care of ourselves just as well as we take care of our students.
Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Mahal

Jennifer Mahal

My name is Jennifer Mahal. As a teacher, I’ve had experience substituting across different schools in Calgary. I also spent time teaching Science at an academy in Hastings, UK. After my time abroad, I continued to teach in Calgary. With 11 years of teaching experience, I believe... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Post Recording Video

3:30pm MST

Mapping Step 0: A Strategic Tool for Project Planning & Development (Post Recording Video)
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
The first step of project planning is outlining the big picture, or "Step 0".
This session introduces a practical, creative framework for project planning and development that can be applied across all grade levels and school administration. From essay writing to science projects to school-wide initiatives, the process helps educators and students break projects into clear, manageable stages that are easy to understand and implement. Using the water cycle as a metaphor, Karli brings the planning process to life with a simple, visual model that makes it easy to see the next step, the last step, and the bigger picture. This approach not only reduces overwhelm but also strengthens collaboration and communication across classrooms and schools. Educators will leave with a flexible tool that supports both teaching and leadership while helping students succeed with confidence.
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Post Recording Video

3:30pm MST

Mastering Feedback: from Miscommunication to Closed-Loop Information (Post Recording Video)
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
When we think of “feedback,” it’s often tied to grades, reviews, or criticism at the end of a process. But what if feedback became a living stream of information for guiding growth, improving communication, and strengthening trust along the way? In this session, Karli Grove redefines feedback as a tool for simply collecting information throughout the process instead of just at the end. Through relatable examples and take-home questions to build from, you’ll explore six key elements of feedback: direction, timing, voice, interpretation, repercussions, and feedback (of feedback). You’ll uncover where your current approach may create gaps and will learn practical strategies to transform feedback into clear, constructive conversations.
Expect a thought provoking and hands-on experience that shifts frustrating miscommunication into tools for navigating feedback as information that deepens communication with students, colleagues, and school leadership.
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Post Recording Video

3:30pm MST

Building A Happier Classroom (Post Recording Video)
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
This workshop helps teachers explore simple, realistic ways to build happiness and motivation into their students' everyday school lives -- from the perspective of two teenage students, Mercedes and Anastasia Korngut. Through stories and tangible activities, teachers will leave the session with an insider perspective to what teens experience at school, with tips for how to help teens manage school stress, stay motivated through busy schedules, and discover how small actions can create a positive impact on themselves and others.
Speakers
avatar for Anastasia Korngut

Anastasia Korngut

Co-Founder and COO, Small Bits of Happiness
Anastasia Korngut is 14-years-old, and started Small Bits of Happiness with her sister, Mercedes, two years ago.  Small Bits of Happiness is a company with the mission of helping individuals of all ages, especially teens and pre-teens, find more happiness in daily life and build... Read More →
Friday February 20, 2026 3:30pm - Sunday May 31, 2026 11:59pm MDT
Post Recording Video
 


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