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.

12:30pm MDT

How to Teach ELA When It’s Not Your Specialty (7-9)

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

Chablis (Room 12)

Get a crash course on English Language Arts and learn how to leverage the curriculum to lean into your specialty strengths. Whether you are trying to find ways to make cross-curricular connections with Social Studies, Science, Math, or Fine Arts in order to support literacy in every class, or if you are a newcomer to ELA just trying to find your bearings, this session will offer practical strategies on how to teach Jr High ELA with adaptation considerations for lower and higher grades.

Speakers

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 September 20, 2024 12:30pm - 1:45pm MDT
Chablis (Room 12)

Language Arts, Division III

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

2:00pm MDT

Survival Strategies for English Language Arts Teachers (7–12)

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

Chablis (Room 12)

Your first few years in English language arts can be intimidating: the marking, the planning, the reading... the marking! This engaging, casual session with two experienced ELA teachers and department heads will give you real-world strategies for not just surviving your first few years, but for finding the joy in them, too.

Speakers

Chandra Hildebrand

Friday September 20, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MDT
Chablis (Room 12)

Language Arts, Division III, Division IV

2:00pm MDT

Unlocking Literacy—Practical Strategies for Implementing the Science of Reading in an Inclusive Classroom (K–3)

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

Beaujolias (Room 10)

Guided by research-backed methodologies, we'll navigate through the intricacies of language acquisition, decoding, comprehension, and fluency. Through a blend of theory and practical application, educators will gain valuable insights into how to foster robust reading skills in students of all ages and abilities.

Speakers

Misty Berube

Inclusive Lead Teacher, St Lorenzo Ruiz

Friday September 20, 2024 2:00pm - 3:15pm MDT
Beaujolias (Room 10)

Language Arts, Division I | Inclusive Education, Division I

9:00am MDT

25 jeux pour améliorer les compétences orales (K–6)

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

Champagne (Room 16)

During the session, I will speak to the importance of the oral component in a French Language Program. I will briefly describe the importance of research-based approaches, such as the Neurolinguistic Approach. I will then share the program I created with support from Le Conseil Français (ATA). There will be time to explain and play some of the 25 oral games that are part of the program. All games use the Neurolinguistic Approach and are created using the new program of studies for French immersion (Grades K to 6). Participants will leave with a copy of the program

Speakers

Sophie Ducharme

Teacher and Learning Leader

Je suis enseignante et leader d'apprentissage pour le Calgary Board of Education depuis 22 ans. Je suis passionnée de littératie, plus particulièrement tout ce qui concerne les compétences en lecture et à l'oral. Je termine cette année une Maîtrise en éducation au Campus... Read More →

Présentation 25 jeux Edmonton pptx

Saturday September 21, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Champagne (Room 16)

French, Division I, Division II | Language Arts, Division I, Division II

10:30am MDT

Books for Belonging—Inclusive Texts for All Subject (K–6)

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

Piesporter (Room 5)

Looking for fresh resources for your K–6 students? In this workshop, you will explore a bin of incredible books curated by Alberta teacher-librarians. These books are applicable to a variety of subject-areas and K–6 grade levels. Through activities and discussions, you will work with these resources to explore best practices for choosing and using resources for your classroom, including factors related to social, community, and academic fit.

Speakers

Courtney Albrecht

Courtney is a passionate CTF teacher. Currently she is working as a Consultant for EPSB in the areas of CTF and Career Pathways. She has experience working in grades 3-12 and in course design for CTF. Outside of teaching, she can often be found with her puppy at dog sports classes... Read More →

Saturday September 21, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Piesporter (Room 5)

Curriculum Pedagogy, Division I, Division II | Language Arts, Division I, Division II | Social Studis, Division I, Division II

10:30am MDT

Teaching on a Hutterite Colony in Alberta (K–12)

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

Chivas (Room 4)

Are you looking for a unique and rewarding teaching career, right here in Alberta? Have you ever wanted to teach in a one-room school. Come and learn about the opportunity to teach in one of Alberta's growing number of Hutterite Colonies. Learn about the Hutterites, who they are, about their culture, and some history. How to organize and operate a multi-multi-grade classroom. Get some resources to help navigate getting through the curriculum.

Speakers

Laura-Lee Toews

Saturday September 21, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Chivas (Room 4)

10:30am MDT

Conversations On and Off the Page: Annotation and Discussion in the Secondary English Classroom (7-12)

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

Cognac (Room 15)

In this session, participants will discover how to leverage annotation and discussion techniques to deepen student understanding and appreciation of literature. We will share strategies for selecting engaging representational texts that resonate with students. Through hands-on activities and group discussions, attendees will gain practical insights into fostering meaningful classroom dialogue and critical thinking skills.

Speakers

Amanda Bourassa

English Language Arts Council

Erin Ochoa Whelan

Saturday September 21, 2024 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Cognac (Room 15)

Language Arts, Division III, Division IV