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2025 Celebrating the Challenges
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Saturday, May 24
 

8:00am MDT

Grab and Go Breakfast
Saturday May 24, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Foyer
Grab and Go Breakfast for All
Saturday May 24, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Foyer

9:00am MDT

Adaptive and Inclusive PE Games for All Ages and Abilities
Saturday May 24, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Spectrum 4
Join us to learn a 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.
Speakers
MM

Matt MacDonald

Ever Active Schools
Matt is a dedicated educator with a background in physical education and a passion for creating inclusive, student-centered learning environments. With experience spanning early elementary to junior high, he focuses on fostering belonging through culturally responsive practices, global... Read More →
Saturday May 24, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Spectrum 4

9:00am MDT

Building Playful Thinking Classrooms for Equity and Vocabulary
Saturday May 24, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Spectrum 5
Experience how Building Thinking Classrooms practices and playful learning can transform vocabulary instruction for EAL students and struggling readers. In this hands-on session, participants will explore high-impact strategies - grounded in equity and designed to foster deep understanding and engagement. Leave with practical tools to create inclusive, thinking-centered classrooms where all students can thrive.
Speakers
JL

Joshua Lefleur

Joshua is a learning specialist coaching teachers around literacy instruction, language acquisition, and supporting English as an Additional Language learners. He regularly facilitates professional learning and is a doctoral candidate focusing on equity, diversity, and inclusion in... Read More →
Saturday May 24, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Spectrum 5

9:00am MDT

Creativity vs Innovation in Middle School
Saturday May 24, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Spectrum 3
Creativity and innovative thinking are extraordinary skills that reflect successful learning in your classroom. Students that learn and possess a broad spectrum of skills demonstrate better retention of information and confidence in their application of knowledge beyond the curriculum and your classroom. This session will focus on how to ignite all your students curiosity and the innate human desire to learn across the educational spectrum. Fun, engaging and proven classroom examples will be shared throughout the session. Participants will receive multiple lesson examples, assessment rubrics and online (AI) resources ready to use in the classroom.

Speakers
PB

Paul Bohnert

Paul Bohnert is the President of the Career & Technology Educators Council (CTEC). He has been the CTEC Conference Director seven times and represented the southern portion of the province as south PD Director for twelve years. He currently teaches at Senator Joyce Fairbairn Middle... Read More →
Saturday May 24, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Spectrum 3

9:00am MDT

Executive Functions: What are they and how do they impact student learning
Saturday May 24, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Studio
This session is designed to equip educators with an understanding of executive functioning, what deficits may look like in the classroom, and practical strategies to support students in developing these critical skills. Participants will explore what executive functioning is, why it’s essential for academic and personal success, and how to implement effective strategies in the classroom to support students who struggle with these skills.
Speakers
EG

Eleesha Gatti Tamia Richardson Tanya Krekosk

Eleesha GattiEleesha brings over 15 years of experience in education, with a deep passion for supporting diverse learners. She completed her Master’s in Special Education in 2019, strengthening her expertise in inclusive teaching practices. Throughout her career, she has worked... Read More →
Saturday May 24, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Studio

9:00am MDT

Interoception: What is it and how can you use it in your classroom?
Saturday May 24, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Spectrum 2
This session will give an overview of Interoception and it's implication on self regulation. There will be a focus on practical strategies for learning Interoceptive awareness in the classroom and small intervention groups.
Speakers
TD

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 →
Saturday May 24, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Spectrum 2

9:00am MDT

Maximizing the Impact of Educational Assistants: Strategies for Collaborative Success
Saturday May 24, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Spectrum 1
Are you a teacher looking to maximize the impact of the Educational Assistant (EA) in your classroom? This interactive workshop will explore effective strategies for collaborating with your EA to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.
Speakers
JL

Jennifer Lacourse

Jennifer is a teacher with Red Deer Public Schools with many years experience working and advocating for inclusion of students with disabilities. Jennifer has been working with children and adults with disabilities most of her adult life having developed a passion for this area when... Read More →
Saturday May 24, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Spectrum 1

10:00am MDT

Break
Saturday May 24, 2025 10:00am - 10:15am MDT
Foyer
Saturday May 24, 2025 10:00am - 10:15am MDT
Foyer

10:15am MDT

Building Resilience: Social and Emotional Learning and Self-Regulation in  Today’s Classroom
Saturday May 24, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Spectrum 1
Join us for a dynamic workshop to build a foundation of resilience in your classroom and empower your students to succeed both academically and emotionally. Through interactive games and activities you will gain practical tools and techniques to support students’ social-emotional and self-regulation skills.
Speakers
KW

Kai Williamson

Kai Williamson (they/them) is a Health and Wellness Consultant with Ever Active Schools, with a background in education. They are committed to creating inclusive and relational spaces through a lens of well-being. Passionate about fostering belonging through play, Kai takes a strengths-based... Read More →
Saturday May 24, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Spectrum 1

10:15am MDT

Collaborative Circle: Bring Your Own Session - Let’s Talk About What Matters to You!
Saturday May 24, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Spectrum 4
Would you like to connect with other educators who have similar challenges? Do you have something you’re passionate about when it comes to inclusive education? This is your space to start the conversation. As an educator, you’ll kick things off—whether it’s a challenge you’ve faced, a strategy that’s worked, or a big question you’re still sitting with. From there, the group takes it forward through open discussion, shared experiences, and collective problem-solving. No slides, no pressure, just real talk, led by educators, for educators.
Join us on Saturday, 10:15 - 11:15 for informal conversations—an opportunity to connect, learn, and collaborate with fellow delegates in a relaxed setting.

You can send us your ideas, questions, or challenges ahead of time to help guide the discussion and to ensure we cover the topics that matter most to you - or just show up!
Speakers
JP

Jay Procktor

Jay Procktor is the District ATA Representative for Edmonton McMurray. Jay brings a wealth of knowledge to the Council for Inclusive Education and a strong commitment to advocating for worker conditions in the education sector.Jay has been a Division One teacher for the majority of... Read More →
Saturday May 24, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Spectrum 4

10:15am MDT

Inclusive Assessment for your Classroom
Saturday May 24, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Spectrum 3
Innovative assessment practices and reporting that provide feedback to students, parents and teaching colleagues that are easily shared, understood and proactive. The workshop will change the way you think about the impact assessment has on a childs' engagement in their own learning. Learn new ways of witnessing growth, improvement, transference and retention. These assessment practices will reinforce your content, recognize student challenges and expand on their strengths and passions
Speakers
PB

Paul Bohnert

Paul Bohnert is the President of the Career & Technology Educators Council (CTEC). He has been the CTEC Conference Director seven times and represented the southern portion of the province as south PD Director for twelve years. He currently teaches at Senator Joyce Fairbairn Middle... Read More →
Saturday May 24, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Spectrum 3

10:15am MDT

Suicide Prevention in Action: Supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth
Saturday May 24, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Studio
Queer and trans youth face unique challenges that can impact their mental health. In this interactive, conversation-based session, we will explore how to recognize signs of suicidality in 2SLGBTQIA+ students and how to respond effectively. Participants will learn about key warning signs, risk factors, and practical strategies to foster safety and resilience in their students. Join us to build your confidence in supporting queer and trans youth.
Speakers
JW

Jenna Wray

Better Belonging
Jenna Wray (she/they), Co-Founder of Better Belonging Solutions and member of the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention’s working group for people impacted by suicide. They specialize in creating supportive environments and driving meaningful, innovative change. With 15 years... Read More →
Saturday May 24, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Studio

10:15am MDT

Supporting EAL Learners in an Inclusive Environment
Saturday May 24, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Spectrum 2
This professional learning session will explore UDL strategies tailored to EAL learners. Discover practical techniques to create inclusive, engaging and accessible learning environments that support diverse linguistic needs.
Speakers
MA

Melissa Astle

Melissa is an EAL consultant with Edmonton Catholic Schools. Her background includes teaching in both bilingual and second language programs in elementary and junior high setting. As a language lover and multilingual herself, she is committed to helping EAL learners find success in... Read More →
Saturday May 24, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Spectrum 2

10:15am MDT

Supporting Struggling Mathematics Students with Evidence-Based Interventions
Saturday May 24, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Spectrum 5
Tanya Braybrook has experience as an elementary teacher, and learning support teacher, and is currently a vice-principal and middle school science teacher at a K-8 school in central Alberta.

Jennifer Steiner currently teaches middle school math, science, and early numeracy intervention for Rockyview Schools. She has experience teaching in classrooms from grades 5 -12.

Our passions lie in elementary mathematics education and with supporting students with complex learning needs. We have found that recommendations typically involve providing students with more accommodations rather than supporting understanding. In our presentation, we will share what we learned through our research on how to support struggling mathematics students.
Speakers
TB
Saturday May 24, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Spectrum 5

11:30am MDT

Lunch and Closing Keynote: Are You Ready to Choose?
Saturday May 24, 2025 11:30am - 1:00pm MDT
Spectrum 5
Diversity, equity, and inclusion aren’t just buzzwords; they are the foundation of a truly just and thriving society. When we break down barriers and dismantle systemic biases, we unlock potential that has been suppressed for too long.
Choosing equity means choosing a future in which we lift up voices that have been silenced and ensure that talent and innovation are not lost.
That vision is powerful—and it’s a world worth striving for. A world where every mind is valued for its contributions, where progress isn’t hindered by prejudice, and where innovation flourishes because all voices are heard. Sounds incredible, doesn't it?

Joanna will be doing a Meet & Greet with delegates after her keynote.
Speakers
JJ

Joanna Johnson

@unlearn16
Joanna Johnson, a high school teacher from Toronto, has become a social media sensation with her engaging educational content. With over 3 million followers, she advocates for learning that is inclusive, engaging, and transformative. Joanna uses humour, sarcasm, and clever insights... Read More →
Saturday May 24, 2025 11:30am - 1:00pm MDT
Spectrum 5
 
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