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

Teacher Evaluations and Contracts (K-12)

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

Ballroom C

This session will explore the different types of teaching contracts under which teachers may be employed, and what teachers’ rights and obligations are in relation to their contracts.

Speakers

Konni deGoeij

Associate Coordinator, Teacher Employment Services, Alberta Teachers' Association

Dr Konni deGoeij Alberta Teachers' Association Associate Coordinator, Administrator Assistance Edmonton, AB Dr Konsctancija (Konni) deGoeij has worked as schoolteacher, school-based administrator, teacher educator, researcher, and policy advisor in Alberta. Being an administrator... Read More →

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

12:30pm MDT

Teacher Safety Net—Your Entitlements, Your Protection (K–12)

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

Ballroom C

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

Speakers

Christien Perrault

Executive Staff Officer, Teacher Employment Services, The Alberta Teachers' Association

Christien joined the Association’s Teacher Employment Services executive staff in 2022. After completing his BEd degree at the Campus St Jean, he taught in a variety of different communities and schools divisions throughout Alberta before settling down in St Albert. Christien is... Read More →

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

Hot Topics for Professionals, Division I, Division II, Division III, Division IV

2:00pm MDT

Code of Conduct for Teachers—What You Need to Know! (K–12)

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

Ballroom C

The new Code of Professional Conduct outlines minimum expectations for teaching certificate holders, including teachers, teacher leaders and superintendents. The code applies to the conduct of teachers in both on-duty and off-duty contexts. Drawing on scenarios from various typical employment matters, this presentation describes the standards of professional conduct expected of teachers and teacher leaders and explains the complaint process.

Speakers

Tanya Thiessen

Executive Staff Officer, The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Tanya joined the Association’s Teacher Employment Services executive staff in April 2021. She spent most of her 15-year career with Elk Island Catholic Schools as a high school teacher, school counsellor and administrator. Tanya was fortunate to be able to serve in many communities... Read More →

Gordon King

Executive Staff Officer, The Alberta Teachers' Association

Gordon King joined the Association’s Teacher Employment Services executive staff in 2024. He has been a teacher, teacher leader and division leader for almost 30 years with the majority of that time with Edmonton Public Schools.

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

Hot Topics for Professionals, Division I, Division II, Division III, Division IV

9:00am MDT

Making it in the Middle—Engaging and Connecting with Middle Years Learners (4–9)

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

Ballroom C

"Understanding and responding to the unique developmental characteristics of young adolescents, 10 to 15 year olds, in culturally responsive and sustaining ways is central among the tenets of middle level education" (Bishop & Harrison, 2021). Teaching in the “Middle” is a unique and rewarding opportunity to bridge the gap for students who are just beginning to discover who they are. Education in the middle should be Responsive, Engaging, Challenging, Empowering, and Equitable for everyone. By looking after themselves first, Middle School teachers can create an environment that fosters success for all. In this session you will find out some tips and tricks to help create environments of success. You will discover what makes Middle School teachers, and the students they teach, unique. Plan to leave this session with strategies and ideas in order to make your Middle School classroom an amazing space!

Speakers

Tina Chadwick

Secretary and Conference Registration, Middle Years Council

Vicki Leong

Middle Years Council

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

Curriculum Pedagogy, Division II, Division III

10:30am MDT

Your Online Presences and Your Job—Safeguarding Your Online Activities to Protect Your Employment (K–12)

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

Ballroom C

Increasingly teachers are facing employment discipline resulting from their use of school computers, laptops, internet connections and cellphones. Also, teachers' posting on their own computers on such social networking sites as Facebook, Twitter or blogs are increasingly facing employer disciplinary action. Integration and use of electronic media and communication in classrooms can present some unique opportunities together with some employment risks. How do teachers use these technologies without jeopardizing their career? This session will also look at cyberharassment or cyberlibel directed at teachers by students or parents and the steps to take in these circumstances.

Speakers

Dave Matson

Executive Staff Officer, Teacher Employment Services, Alberta Teachers' Association

A rolling stone at heart, Dave’s teaching career includes experience teaching high school and International Baccalaureate Physics and Math in a variety of communities including a northern community in Saskatchewan, a rural fishing village in Nova Scotia, a metropolitan city in the... Read More →

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

Hot Topics for Professionals, Division I, Division II, Division III, Division IV