BTC 2024 - Edmonton: Full Schedule

WELCOME TO THE 2024 EDMONTON BEGINNING TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE!

Teachers new to the profession are invited to attend the 2024 Beginning Teachers’ Conference, September 20-21, Fantasyland Hotel, Edmonton. There is no registration fee. Space is limited; apply early.

School principals, school jurisdictions and local associations work together to provide substitute teacher coverage as per the collective agreement to facilitate the attendance of beginning teachers at the conference. Substitute teacher coverage must be organized and approved in advance. Please ensure you meet with your school principal to discuss release time and obtain the appropriate absence code to attend this conference.

Teachers in charter, federal and private schools must be associate members of the Association to be eligible to attend the Beginning Teachers Conference.

10:15am MDT

Google Classrooms Rubrics for Performance Based Classes (7–12)

Friday September 20, 2024 10:15am - 11:30am MDT

Piesporter (Room 5)

Learn how to build rubrics digitally on Google Classroom using a program of studies document. We will focus on building rubrics for performance classes and projects. These rubrics can be used on the spot while watching performances and save time and printing by digital grading. More importantly give transparency on the students' achievement via Google Classroom. This session is geared for junior high and high school teachers in CTS and Fine Arts disciplines, but all teachers are welcome.

Speakers

Victoria Reid

Mrs. Victoria Reid, BA/BEd, is currently the ATA Fine Arts Council: Dance Representative. She spent the past 7 years teaching at Archbishop Jordan High School (ABJ) in the department of Fine Arts instructing dance, drama, and musical theatre. Victoria has a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor... Read More →

Friday September 20, 2024 10:15am - 11:30am MDT
Piesporter (Room 5)

Fine Arts, Division III, Division IV

10:15am MDT

How To Get and HOLD Your Students’ Attention in Art (K–12)

Friday September 20, 2024 10:15am - 11:30am MDT

Medoc (Room 14)

Create excitement in your art classroom during the first two weeks of school with this hands-on workshop. The first art project is crucial to setting the right tone while getting to know your students. This workshop will give you the tools to gain confidence in your teaching abilities and make you their favourite teacher! You will review and complete a project yourself that your students can be excited about. Excellent for teachers of grades 3-12. The assignment’s difficulty level can be scaled according to the grade level taught. You will leave the workshop with a completed artwork, a link to the step-by-step PowerPoint presentation, and a YouTube video.

Speakers

Izabella Orzelski-Konikowski

Art Representative, Fine Arts Council

Izabella holds an MFA from the New York Academy of Art and a Ph.D. in education from the University of Alberta. Her awards and grants include Winspear Fund Grant and Dahesh Museum Award in New York. Among her commissions are portraits of Lois Hole, former Lieutenant Governor of Alberta... Read More →

Friday September 20, 2024 10:15am - 11:30am MDT
Medoc (Room 14)

Fine Arts, Division I, Division II, Division III, Division IV

10:15am MDT

Rhythmic Fun—Engaging Elementary Music Students with Hand Clapping Games (K–6)

Friday September 20, 2024 10:15am - 11:30am MDT

Beaujolias (Room 10)

Elementary music teachers, dive into the rhythm of hand clapping games in this interactive session. Explore how to weave these fun activities into your lessons, drawing from playground traditions and youth culture. Get ready to clap, stomp, and bring the playground spirit to your music room!

Speakers

Connie Ohlmann

Fine Arts Council (FAC)

Connie Ohlmann is an elementary music educator with Edmonton Public Schools with more than 20 years of experience teaching elementary music. Connie is passionate about exploring music education practices to improve student engagement and retention. Connie serves on the ATA Fine Arts... Read More →

PDF COPY Rhythmic Fun Engaging Elementary Music Students with Hand Clapping Games PRESENTATION SLIDES pdf

Hi everyone pdf

Friday September 20, 2024 10:15am - 11:30am MDT
Beaujolias (Room 10)

Fine Arts, Division I, Division II

12:30pm MDT

Ensemble Building in the Drama Classroom (and Beyond!) (4-12)

Friday September 20, 2024 12:30pm - 1:45pm MDT

Madeira (Room 7)

In this hands-on session you will learn (and play) numerous ensemble building games and activities that will help you to create a classroom environment of trust, focused energy, and cooperation.

Speakers

Molly Danko

Fine Arts Council

Molly Danko, BA/BEd, sits on the Fine Arts Council of the ATA as the Drama representative. She has been teaching Drama at the secondary level for the past six years with Edmonton Catholic School District. Molly is passionate about arts education and providing a place for students... Read More →

Friday September 20, 2024 12:30pm - 1:45pm MDT
Madeira (Room 7)

Fine Arts, Division II, Division III, Division IV

2:00pm MDT

Foundations for Success—Strategies for Building Classroom Community in a Primary Classroom (K–3)

Friday September 20, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MDT

Madeira (Room 7)

Come ready to learn, and create! In this presentation, we will explore the vital foundations that contribute to a respectful classroom community, focusing on the implementation of effective routines, smooth transitions, clear expectations, and consistent practices. You will learn how these elements work together to create an environment where students feel safe, respected, and engaged. Fostering positive relationships between students is vital. This presentation will provide example mentor texts, writing activities, Google slide examples, projects and transition songs that contribute to a respectful and engaging classroom community in a primary classroom. Participants will also create an art activity with plasticine that can be used in a cross curricular project with your students.

Speakers

Michelle Bezubiak

Early Childhood Education Council

With 26 years of experience in education, I am a dedicated educator with experience teaching Kindergarten through to Grade 3.Through my years in the field, I have witnessed the transformative impact that nurturing connections can have on students' growth and development. I strive... Read More →

Friday September 20, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MDT
Madeira (Room 7)

Inclusive Education, Division I | Language Arts, Division I | Fine Arts, Division I

9:00am MDT

Drama Productions—From Zero to Hero—NO Experience Required (4–12)

Saturday September 21, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am MDT

Chianti (Room 6)

Are you a first-year teacher who has been, voluntold to put up the school play? Perhaps you're a drama/music teacher looking to build a drama program from the ground up. Regardless, this session is for you. This session will cover the process of choosing a show, planning and preparing a show from start to finish, tech and design, parental involvement and building a culture. This session has been presented at various conventions and PD days, in full day, half day, and one-hour sessions.

Speakers

Matt White

Fine Arts Council

Saturday September 21, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Chianti (Room 6)

Fine Arts, Division II, Division III, Division IV

10:30am MDT

A Year in the Life of a Music Teacher—Let's Talk Plans (K–9)

Saturday September 21, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am MDT

Medoc (Room 14)

Welcome to a workshop on year plans, unit plans and making them work together to make your year go smoothly. We will talk tips and tricks and look at a few examples. Along the way we will hit topics like assessment and technology. Let’s make those long-range plans and unit plans workable documents that you refer to all year long. Bring a device if possible.

Speakers

Amanda Clark

music representative, Fine Arts Council

Amanda Clark has been an elementary music teacher in Leduc for more than 10 years where she teaches in both French and English. She also teaches private lessons including the Music for Young Children program. She completed a Bachelor of Music at University of Alberta Augustana Campus... Read More →

Year in the Life of a Music Teacher—Let's Talk Plans (K–9) (2) pdf

Saturday September 21, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Medoc (Room 14)

Fine Arts, Division I, Division II, Division III