BTC 2026 - Calgary: Full Schedule

WELCOME TO THE 2026 CALGARY BEGINNING TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE!

Teachers new to the profession are invited to attend the 2026 Beginning Teachers’ Conference, October 2-3, Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre, Calgary. 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.

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10:15am MDT

Being in Good Relations - An Introduction to Cultural Protocols (K–12)

LIMITED

Friday October 2, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am MDT

Horizons Ballroom

Limited Capacity seats available

Join this introductory workshop to learn more about Cultural Protocols for engaging with Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing. Rather than a "prescriptive guide" or a "checklist of dos and don'ts", this conversation-based workshop is an opportunity to be introduced to foundational concepts for developing and strengthening relationships with Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous systems of knowledge.

Speakers

Diane Litman

Indigenous Education PD Facilitator, The Alberta Teachers' Association

Friday October 2, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am MDT
Horizons Ballroom

Indigenous Education, Division I, II, III and IV

12:30pm MDT

Engaging in Numeracy and Connections through First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Traditional Games (K-12)

LIMITED

Friday October 2, 2026 12:30pm - 1:45pm MDT

Horizons Ballroom

Limited Capacity seats available

Did you know that First Nations, Métis, and Inuit traditional games are great ways to make connections to numeracy? Traditional games can provide entry points to deeper understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing and further connections to the land. Get ready to learn about resources for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit traditional games and how to create authentic learning experiences.

Speakers

Tessa Ethier

Indigenous Education PD Facilitator

Friday October 2, 2026 12:30pm - 1:45pm MDT
Horizons Ballroom

Indigenous Education, Division I, II, III and IV

12:30pm MDT

The Power of the Science Journal: Reflection, Practice, and Deeper Learning (7-12)

LIMITED

Friday October 2, 2026 12:30pm - 1:45pm MDT

Plaza 4

Limited Capacity seats available

In this session, teachers will explore the structure, purpose, and practical use of science journals in the secondary science classroom. Designed to support Assessment for Learning practices and meaningful FNMI connections, these journals serve as both a guided home study resource and a portfolio of student learning that can be shared with parents and guardians during conferences. Session participants will view student exemplars and leave with practical tools to begin developing science journals for their own classrooms. Teachers will receive ready-to-use templates, handouts, strategies, and ideas that can be implemented immediately in diverse learning environments. While Science 9 and 10 examples will be featured, the resources and approaches shared can be adapted across a variety of secondary subject areas. If you value student organization, accountability, pride in learning, and strong study habits, this session is for you!

Speakers

Erin Montgomery

Secondary Science Teacher, Elk Island Catholic Schools

Erin is a veteran Secondary Science Teacher with Elk Island Catholic Schools in Sherwood Park, AB. She currently teaches Science 9 & 10 but has also taught Gr. 5-8 Science over her 20-year career. She holds a Master's Degree in Secondary Science Education in Assessment and Resource... Read More →

Friday October 2, 2026 12:30pm - 1:45pm MDT
Plaza 4

Science, Division III and IV | Indigenous Education, Division III and IV

2:00pm MDT

Our Shared History, Our Shared Future—A Brief Introduction to Treaties (K-12)

LIMITED

Friday October 2, 2026 2:00pm - 3:15pm MDT

Deerfoot

Limited Capacity seats available

This introductory workshop will explore historical and contemporary information and resources relating to numbered treaties within present-day Alberta. Educators will build their understanding of the acknowledgement of land and people, as well as our shared responsibilities to the land and each other. Participants will engage in dialogue and reflect on their professional learning in order to build capacity in treaty education.

Speakers

Valerie McDougall

Indigenous Education PD Facilitator, The Alberta Teachers' Association

Friday October 2, 2026 2:00pm - 3:15pm MDT
Deerfoot

Indigenous Education, Division I Division II Division III Division IV

BTC 2026 - Calgary

10:15am MDT

Diane Litman

12:30pm MDT

Tessa Ethier

Indigenous Education PD Facilitator

12:30pm MDT

Erin Montgomery

2:00pm MDT

Valerie McDougall

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