Adolescence is a time characterized by physical, emotional, and social changes with significant differences in neural structures and function. This presentation provides essential knowledge and practical resources for all educators who work with adolescents. It explains how the adolescent brain is a sensitive period of vulnerability and opportunity, and how teachers can leverage this knowledge to help adolescents thrive in junior high and into adulthood.
This is a very hands on session! With the advent of a new science curriculum, there is a new organization and format to the science curriculum. One of the new Organizing Ideas is the Scientific Method. I will show you how to offer an engaging 2-3 week unit. Can you let go of sage on the stage and help guide your students through an engaging investigation? Let me show you how with this highly engaging investigation. We will then explore ways that scientific inquiry can be incorporated into other organizing ideas for various grade levels.
Michelle Savoie is a passionate science teacher of grade 6-9 students at Eleanor Hall School in Clyde for the last 17 years. She lives in Edmonton with her husband and son. When not spending time with her family, she enjoys advocating for our colleagues as the local president for... Read More →
Friday April 11, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
Summit
In the ever-changing classroom, the impacts of child abuse and trauma can never be overlooked. As teachers, you may be the only trusted adult that our students have in their lives. This session will give you a quick overview of the types of Child Abuse, the signs and symptoms of Child Abuse and how to report when we have suspicion, or a disclosure has been made. Also, this session will provide an outline of the Four pillars and Seven principles of Trauma. Trauma plays a key role as an obstacle in the ability for a student to learn. Dean and Lee will help you understand how the 4 and 7 can be implemented in your classroom, school and division. They believe that every organization needs to understand the pillars and principles before implementing a process in order to effectively support children and youth who are experiencing trauma.
Education Program Coordinator & Director of Education, CAC
Dean Pasiuk and Lee Caine have over 60 years educational experience working in Central Alberta Schools. During Dean's 30 years as an educator, he has gone from classroom teacher to administrator with the Chinooks Edge School Division and the Red Deer Public School Division. Dean has... Read More →
Mercedes and Anastasia Korngut are two Albertan teen sisters who started their company, Small Bits of Happiness, three years ago. Their mission is to help individuals of all ages find more happiness in daily life. As two teens, they understand firsthand the difficulties of teenage-hood, including not only the hormonal changes that teens undergo, but the added stressors of war, post-pandemic life, and beyond. Through their podcast, Hack Your Happiness, the two sisters have spoken to countless Olympic Athletes, entrepreneurs, Oscar-winners, Grammy-winning composers, New York Times Bestselling Authors, marine biologists, NASA scientists, NASCAR drivers, CEOs, and beyond. Through their conversations Mercedes and Anastasia have learned critical advice from these iconic individuals, specifically on the topic of happiness and advice to teens and pre-teens. As many pre-teens and teens struggle to take advice from parents and teachers, in this session, Mercedes and Anastasia share top happiness advice from top iconic individuals, as well as their perspective on finding happiness as two teens. Mercedes and Anastasia share how teachers and educators can guide students to building happy habits, and practicing wellness - all from the perspective of a teen, and iconic interviews.
- Digital learning platform for building happiness habits- Happiness-wellness products designed by teens for students. Including an activity box featuring 100 unique, simple, and fun things to do to feel happier daily, learn what brings students happiness, and connect a classroom... Read More →
Friday April 11, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
Assiniboine
In this session, we will look at ways to support mental health through physical activity. This will include discussing resiliency principles, and learning new activities that support social and emotional learning. In addition, these games can be played in a variety of environments- this is not just for PE teachers!! Everyone is welcome to attend and learn ways to incorporate physical literacy skills in their classrooms.
Logan Grenier is a physical education teacher at Lindsay Thurber High School, where he coaches football and soccer. Logan is also the Regional Representative for the ATA Health and Physical Education Council (HPEC). Passionate about outdoor education, he enjoys taking students on... Read More →
This session will focus on facts and diagnoses to co-occurring conditions and strategies for students and teachers. This session has been designed for professionals who work with students to help build their understanding of ADHD in order to increase student success specifically at the Jr High Level. I hope to provide attendees with practical strategies and insights that they can implement in their own educational settings.
Manager of Professional Development & Community Education, Foothills Academy Society
Bani holds a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta, marking over two decades of dedicated service as an educator. With a richly varied background encompassing teaching across multiple grade levels, international teaching experience, leadership roles... Read More →
Friday April 11, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
Den Boardroom
Middle school educators are invited to participate in an interactive session focused on integrating inquiry-based, experiential learning into the STEM curriculum.The session will highlight aquatic ecosystems, environmental stewardship, and the significance of water systems, alongside incorporating Indigenous perspectives for water stewardship. It will also includes practical training on water quality testing, enabling teachers to facilitate authentic scientific investigations that connect classroom learning to students' communities and everyday lives. This holistic approach will connect the dots science and society and promoting environmental stewardship and community engagement, making STEM education more relevant and impactful
By the end of the workshop, teachers will be equipped with actionable strategies and resources to deliver engaging, interdisciplinary STEM lessons.
Important Information communicate to teacher-registrants: Registered participants are invited to collect a small sample of water (50-100mL) from a local source (e.g., brook, creek, stream, pond, etc.). Label the sample with the collection date, time and location. This sample will serve as a test specimen for the water quality testing component of the session. Alternatively, snow will do in a pinch.
Learning and Engagement Specialist, Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition | Blue Schools Canada
janice (jae) williams is a teacher practitioner and education consultant, specializing in science, sustainability, and competency-based education. Her background includes curriculum development and learning strategy across government, formal education, and non-profit sectors, Currently... Read More →
Teaching is one of the most rewarding yet demanding professions, often leaving educators feeling stretched too thin and on the brink of burnout. This session dives deep into the science of teacher wellness, equipping educators with practical, evidence-based strategies to maintain their health, boost resilience, and foster a sustainable work-life balance.
We will explore the five pillars of teacher wellness—emotional, physical, professional, social, and cognitive—while integrating actionable research from psychology and neuroscience to support these strategies. Highlights include:
Emotional Wellness: Learn how mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programs, shown to decrease teacher burnout by 30% (Roeser et al., 2013), can help regulate emotions and improve focus in the classroom. Physical Wellness: Discover time-efficient strategies to incorporate movement and proper nutrition during a busy school day, supported by research linking physical activity to reduced teacher absenteeism (Chen et al., 2015). Professional Wellness: Explore cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) tools for managing perfectionism and setting boundaries, empowering teachers to say "no" when necessary without guilt. Social Wellness: Build support networks through strategies like "peer wellness pods" and community check-ins, inspired by studies showing the role of collegiality in reducing stress (Hakanen et al., 2006). Cognitive Wellness: Engage in lifelong learning and creative outlets to combat "teaching fatigue" and rediscover passion in your profession. Participants will also experience interactive activities, such as creating a personalized "wellness map" to identify stress triggers and develop tailored solutions, practicing micro-mindfulness exercises proven to reduce cortisol levels in as little as five minutes (Davis & Hayes, 2011), and role-playing scenarios to develop assertiveness and healthy communication.
This presentation isn’t just theory—it's packed with practical tools and inspirational success stories from the field. Attendees will leave with a wellness action plan, tips for integrating these strategies seamlessly into their daily lives, and a renewed sense of purpose and balance in their teaching journey.
If you're ready to transform the way you approach your career and your well-being, join us for this empowering session on staying well while teaching well.
How can AI enhance learning without diminishing the role of human thought? This session explores AI’s potential as a catalyst for deeper learning and creative problem-solving—one that supports and strengthens critical thinking rather than replacing it. Drawing from personal experience, curated insights from educators and edtech professionals, and emerging classroom practices, we’ll examine how AI can help students develop the skills they need to navigate an AI-infused world while still fostering independent thought and engagement.
Attendees will walk away with: Practical strategies for integrating AI to enhance—not diminish—critical thinking and creativity. Examples of AI uses that scaffold learning, support student-driven exploration, and spark innovative thinking. Key considerations for guiding students to use AI as a collaborative thinking partner rather than an answer machine. A realistic conversation about what’s working, what’s not, and what’s worth exploring.
This session will be primarily presentation-based, with opportunities for brief audience engagement to spark reflection and discussion. Designed for K-12 educators it will provide practical, experience-driven ideas in a 45-minute format.
Jennifer’s 20-plus years of experience as a high school teacher and explorer of the leading edge of educational technology gives her deep insights into the dynamic world of AI in education.
This session will provide an overview of the types of child abuse, the signs of child abuse, reporting disclosure and child abuse suspicion and the processes our kids go through once child abuse is reported, as well as the Four Pillars and Seven Principles of Trauma. Trauma plays a key role as an obstacle in the ability for a student to learn. Dean and Lee will help you understand how the 4 and 7 can be implemented in your organization. They believe that every organization needs to understand the pillars and principles before implementing a process in order to effectively support children and youth who are experiencing trauma.
Education Program Coordinator & Director of Education, CAC
Dean Pasiuk and Lee Caine have over 60 years educational experience working in Central Alberta Schools. During Dean's 30 years as an educator, he has gone from classroom teacher to administrator with the Chinooks Edge School Division and the Red Deer Public School Division. Dean has... Read More →
Come learn about the design thinking process taught at Shad Canada (a summer STEAM program) and how an authentic social innovation challenge can be a motivating experience for students. Alvina (Shad Canada) and Wanda (Aurora Academic Charter School) will share how they supported Grade 9 students in ideating, storyboarding, designing, building and presenting prototypes of their ideas to a Shark Tank-style judging panel. Educators will leave this session with ideas on how to build problem solving, collaboration and creativity into assignments about real-world issues facing society.
Alvina Mardhani-Bayne is Shad's Education Engagement & Recruitment Manager, and travels across Canada to support educators. Prior to joining Shad, Alvina was an Assistant Professor at MacEwan University. She holds a PhD in Literacy Education from Syracuse University.
This session, presented by the ATA Health and Physical Education Council, will look at ways to infuse physical literacy in your teaching. This is not just for PE teachers! Activities can be done in the hallways, outside, and even in a traditional classroom space. We will focus on building resiliency, teamwork, communication skills, sense of belonging, problem solving skills and social emotional learning. You will leave this session inspired with new activities, sample lesson plans, and free resources you can put into practice right away!
Logan Grenier is a physical education teacher at Lindsay Thurber High School, where he coaches football and soccer. Logan is also the Regional Representative for the ATA Health and Physical Education Council (HPEC). Passionate about outdoor education, he enjoys taking students on... Read More →
Trauma has been identified as the largest issue for children even prior to the pandemic Even after the stressful or traumatic situation has passed, our brains and bodies continue to react as if the stress is continuing. Students become self-protective, they spend a lot of their energy scanning their environment for threat, their bodies act as if they are in a constant state of alarm and their brains are endlessly vigilant. Join me as we explore strategies to teach and learn under those conditions?
(I would like for this to be a concurrent session to Adolescent Neurodevelopment: Changing Attitudes and Practical Approaches to Adolescent Neurodevelopment)
Join us for an engaging and dynamic conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing school leaders today. Led by Mr. Mike Cellini, this session offers an open forum for administrators and aspiring leaders to discuss the most pressing issues in education. From navigating change to fostering a positive school culture, no topic is off-limits in this organic and interactive dialogue. This popular session is the perfect opportunity to connect with peers, share experiences, and gain valuable insights to enhance your leadership journey. Whether you’re an experienced administrator or an emerging leader, come prepared to engage, learn, and be inspired.
Many don’t know where to begin when starting a Shop/construction CTF program within their school. I have had the opportunity to be a part of a brand new school and establish a program from the ground up!
Omnikin Canada has developed a wide variety of lively PE games and activities for participants of all ages, skill level and experience. Our PE games and activities encourage motivation, inclusion, tolerance, cooperation, self-confidence, and so much more! In this session you will learn warm up games, team building games, and how to make your PE classroom more inclusive using this adaptive equipment. Led by Omnikin and Kin-Ball Canada Trainer Cassandra, who is also the HPEC VP in Curriculum and Pedagogy.
Logan Grenier is a physical education teacher at Lindsay Thurber High School, where he coaches football and soccer. Logan is also the Regional Representative for the ATA Health and Physical Education Council (HPEC). Passionate about outdoor education, he enjoys taking students on... Read More →
In this workshop, we will explore a number of teaching ideas on generating writing ideas for students. Lorrie is a published author who is passionate about writing, education and being creative. Her Young Adult Fiction, SCARS, is used in Middle Years classrooms. Taking snippets from student experiences; snapshots of characters and clips from film; scribbled ideas about writing, you will go back to class on Monday with a collection of "ignited dendrites!" Get creative in the classroom!
Say what you want, but I survived over 20 years in the Middle Years classroom. Experience, relationships and teaching mean something different to everyone, but I thrived by connecting to a group of people. The Middle Years Council matters!
This session will help to enhance our skills and knowledge around supporting disclosures of sexual violence. An overview of the fundamentals of responding to and supporting disclosure of sexual assault and abuse from children, youth and adults. Learn some key messages and legal obligations when it comes to reporting child sexual abuse. The goal is to feel empowered to respond to disclosures that may come from students, youth and adults you work with in a confident and compassionate manner.
Join me as we explore the exciting and intimidating world of AI for middle school teachers. Let’s eliminate those worries around AI and learn how to be the AI boss in your classroom. This session will explore some easy-to-use Apps that can enhance your teaching and students’ learning. This session will be presented with the beginner in mind so bring your computer and an open mind. Let’s dive into this exciting world of AI and discover the opportunities as we explore how to bring our lessons to life, and engage our middle school students.
Some topics that we will dive into: -Gamification with AI -Time saving strategies -Teacher specific AI tools, including limitations, features, and applications in educations -Increasing teacher productivity -Student use of AI to support learning and demonstrate understanding -Assessment of student learning using AI -Ethical use
Teachnology 2024Are you ready to engage your middle school students? Arm yourself with strategies to not only manage the madness, but also excite your students. In this hands-on engaging session, I will share my top 10 secrets to motivating middle school learners. Up your game Monday... Read More →
Do you hear these comments from teachers who do classroom circles? " My students don't take circles seriously.They still goof off. Some students always pass and refuse to join in the conversation. I have way too many students to do circles." This workshop will provide ways to allow both teachers and students to take ownership of classroom circles so they create a difference in the learning and teaching environment. It will demonstrate how to use both small and large circles integrating them into their classroom methodology rather than circles being an additive to their teaching pedagogy. The workshop will be participatory, provide handouts show videos and provide resources.
