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.
Sign up or log in to add sessions to your schedule and sync them to your phone or calendar.
Streamline assessment and enhance feedback in your classes. In this interactive session, you'll learn to design your own digital rubric in Google Classroom using your program of studies outcomes. These rubrics can then be used live during student performances and presentations saving time and paper while increasing marking efficiency. Most importantly, they offer students and parents transparent, real-time insight into their achievement. Designed for junior high and high school Fine Arts and CTS teachers—but welcoming to educators from all subject areas—this session will help you bring clarity, consistency, and confidence to your assessment practice.
The Career and Technology Education Council will share successful and engaging proven tricks and tips to make your CTF/CTS Class effective, efficient and engaging for your students. Experienced CTF/CTS teachers will share integrated curricular projects, classroom procedures, project examples and assessment strategies that will streamline your workday and provide challenging and customized lessons for your students.
Lead Teacher, Career and Technology Education Council
Innovation in Education has been Paul's passion and focus for the past 30 years. He has shared his classroom and educational experiences with more than 15,000 educators and pre-service teachers across North America speaking at regional, national and international conferences/workshops... Read More →
Saturday October 3, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT Whitehorn
This session focuses on building classroom community through meaningful literacy experiences and social-emotional learning, fostering a strong sense of belonging.
The session explores classroom routines, songs, and rhymes, along with mentor texts and activities that support reflection, relationship-building, and the development of writers. Attendees will also create their own plasticine art project inspired by Canadian author and illustrator Barbara Reid, gaining hands-on experience and techniques to bring back to their classrooms. Participants will leave with practical ideas to support student growth and create an inclusive, connected learning environment in primary classrooms.
Teachers understand the challenge of supporting students through big emotions. This session acknowledges that journey and offers a path forward rooted in the latest neuroscience. Inspired by the work of Stuart Shanker, Dr. Bruce Perry, Lori Desautels, and more, you'll learn how to proactively create a classroom environment that fosters co-regulation and resilience for all. Expect practical, hands-on strategies for physical space adjustments, routine enhancements, and responsive practices. This isn't just theory; it's about equipping you with tangible tools to transform your classroom into a haven of calm, connection,
Jennifer's extensive experience, ranging from K-12 classrooms to impactful roles within non-profit organizations, provides her with unparalleled insight into the transformative power of education for all people. A dedicated leader within the Alberta Teachers’ Association as the... Read More →
Saturday October 3, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT Pineridge
The first years of teaching music can feel exciting, overwhelming, exhausting, and inspiring all at once. This practical and encouraging session focuses on realistic strategies for classroom management, concert preparation, assessment, organization, and teacher wellness.
L'enseignement de l'implicite et des inférences, souvent difficile pour les élèves, peut se faire par le biais d'un projet créatif : la création de bandes dessinées numériques! Cette présentation a pour but de vous partager une séquence d'enseignement clé en main qui articule l'écriture scolaire, le développement de stratégies de lecture et la collaboration. Les enseignants d'immersion et francophones sont les bienvenus. (Principalement applicable pour les enseignants de la 5e à la 9e année, mais je vous proposerai des variations pour adapter le projet pour les plus jeunes (2-4e année).)
After 18 years of school counselling, I've learned a few things along the way. Building relationships and connections with students, families and staff will help build resilience too. Sometimes we need a reminder of how important fostering relationships really is in the educational setting.
Are you looking for no-prep and low-prep ways to engage your students? Join us for a dynamic session where we will explore 20 versatile no-prep and low-prep activities you can implement in any subject and grade level. Be ready to engage with interactive activities and explore practical applications for these strategies in your teaching context.
Executive Staff Officer, Professional Development, The Alberta Teachers' Association
Terra Kaliszuk is an Executive Staff Officer in the Professional Development program area of the Alberta Teachers' Association. She brings a passion for understanding and supporting the human journey of learning to all of her work. In her Association role, Terra leads the Association... Read More →
Saturday October 3, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT Plaza 2
Generative AI has changed what students can produce, but not what they need to learn. This session reframes the challenge of teaching in the age of AI as a design opportunity. We’ll explore how you can create AI-resistant assignments that emphasize process, creativity, and authentic demonstrations of understanding. You’ll leave with practical strategies you can apply right away to reinforce real thinking in a world of artificial answers.
Did you get the delightful task to teach mathematics to students? Does the word "fractions" frighten you? Are you worried that you might struggle with teaching mathematics and meeting the diverse needs of your students? This session is for you!!! Whether you are teaching Grade 1 counting or Grade 12 calculus, come and learn some high leverage strategies that will allow all your young mathematicians to flourish! We will work on some intriguing and enjoyable problems, share some ways to reach the edges of your classroom and end with the power of visualization in math class.
Be ready to see math come alive and experience a truly joyful math class.
Dave Martin has a Master’s degree in Mathematics, a background in Education, and an unapologetic love of prime numbers. With over 20 years of experience teaching Grades 6–12, he has worked as a Math and Science Lead Teacher, administrator, post-secondary instructor, and is currently... Read More →
Saturday October 3, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT Plaza 3
Now, more than ever, there is a need to look at practices and systems that nurture the social and emotional health of all members of the school community. This workshop was developed to enhance the social-emotional skills of adults within a school environment so that they can more effectively model and teach SEL to their students. This interactive workshop can be facilitated over a series of sessions in which participants will learn and apply practical, powerful strategies to enhance social and emotional competence within themselves and their students.
How can foundational shifts toward reconciliation authentically take root in our daily teaching practice? Join educators Omarla Cooke and Mya Penney for an inspiring, deeply personal session that explores the transformative power of collaboration, mentorship, and genuine friendship. Designed specifically for beginning teachers, this session moves beyond theory and policy. Through the art of storytelling and the sharing of their own lived experiences, Omarla and Mya model how diverse cultural backgrounds can weave together to enrich school leadership and classroom community. Participants will engage in holistic learning by exploring traditional Indigenous medicines and cross-cultural literature. The session concludes with a hands-on, experiential grounding activity: crafting a traditional medicine bag to serve as a meaningful, tangible guide for your future teaching practice.
Looking to launch a fibre arts program but not sure where to start—or how to afford it? This hands-on session is designed specifically for teachers who want practical, classroom-ready ideas they can use right away. Using simple, low-cost materials like donated fabrics, felt, and socks, you'll learn how to guide students in creating eye-catching, meaningful textile projects—without stretching your budget. We'll focus on approachable hand-stitching techniques that build student confidence and creativity, making fibre arts accessible for beginners at any grade level. Leave with ready-to-use project ideas, skill-building strategies, and the confidence to start your fibre arts program as soon as Monday.
Darrin Wilson is the President of the ATA's Fine Arts Council (FAC) and has worked within the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) since 2008, focusing mostly on teaching English language arts, visual arts, and drama to middle school students. He has a Diplôme d'Études Collégiales... Read More →
Discover mentor texts that earn a permanent place on your classroom shelf. This session will highlight diverse K–5 picture books that support reading, writing, inquiry, and inclusive classroom conversations. Teachers will leave with practical ideas, ready-to-use applications, and a growing list of books they can bring directly into their classrooms.
Vocabulary is the single most important aspect of learning a new language! This session introduces teachers at all grade levels to the basic theory of vocabulary teaching and learning, provides a deeper explanation of the theory of vocabulary acquisition, and explores the difference between Basic Interactive Social language (BICS) and Cognitive Academic Language Development (CALP). The presentation culminates with an overview of effective strategies for helping English language learners effectively improve their English vocabulary.
President Elect, Council for English as an Additional Language
Joan Miles has had over 35 years of experience teaching English Language Learners, both internationally and locally. She completed her MA in Language and Diversity (TESL) in 2014. From 2012-2016, Joan worked as an ELL System Specialist with the Calgary Board of Education to support... Read More →
Saturday October 3, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT Plaza 3
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a powerful framework that can significantly enhance educational outcomes for all students, including students who are English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners. This workshop aims to empower educators with practical strategies to create inclusive and effective learning environments where all students, including those with diverse linguistic backgrounds, can thrive.
Lors de cette séance, nous aborderons l'importance de la composante orale dans un programme de langue française, ainsi que les défis auxquels sont confrontés les enseignants en salle de classe. Nous explorerons des approches pédagogiques en langue additionnelle, en mettant particulièrement l'accent sur l'approche neurolinguistique. La majeure partie de la présentation sera consacrée à la présentation de ressources destinées à favoriser la production orale des élèves en immersion.
Sophie Ducharme est enseignante et leader d'apprentissage en immersion au sein du Calgary Board of Education depuis 24 ans. Passionnée par la littératie, et plus particulièrement par le développement des compétences en lecture et en expression orale, Sophie adore transmettre... Read More →
Saturday October 3, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT Temple
This session will provide teachers with an opportunity to reflect on their understanding of provincial legislation, policy and other requirements related to teacher professional growth, promote awareness of the effective components of a professional growth plan, and share materials and tools that can be accessed to assist in the development of those plans. The session will also address the implications for teacher evaluation and permanent certification.
Join me for a two-part look at communication in the teaching profession. We begin with a high-level overview of the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) communications strategy, highlighting how the Association advocates for public education and keeps members informed. We then shift to the school level, equipping new teachers with essential workplace communication skills. Learn actionable approaches for collaborating with staff, communicating effectively with parents, setting professional boundaries, and handling difficult workplace dynamics early in your career.
This session is designed for math teachers across elementary and middle school grade levels who are looking for practical ways to increase student engagement in mathematics. Participants will explore a variety of game-based learning strategies, interactive activities, and classroom techniques that make math meaningful, collaborative, and enjoyable for students. The session will include adaptable examples for different grade levels and abilities, along with ideas for promoting critical thinking, participation, and confidence in math. Attendees will leave with games and ideas they can use and immediately implement in their own classrooms.
This interactive session will provide Additional Language teachers with a ready-to-use "toolbox" of practical, effective strategies to support language development across proficiency levels. Participants will explore what works, why it works, how to implement it, and where to start when teaching an additional language. Teachers will learn how to address the four pillars of language learning—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—within a weekly routine. The guiding principle is that we teach the language, not just about the language. Through hands-on activities and collaborative discussion, educators will explore how to meet the diverse needs of language learners, build students' confidence, and add joy and purpose to lessons. The session will highlight ways to create a meaningful learning environment where students can make strong connections and use language. These strategies will support students' readiness to use language outside the classroom. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use resources, concrete examples, and practical approaches to enhance language growth and support student success across the curriculum.
Learn how to balance curriculum expectations with classroom realities while making Social Studies engaging, meaningful, and manageable. This session will provide practical, classroom-ready strategies grounded in inquiry-based and project-based learning to help teachers confidently navigate the new Social Studies curriculum. Teachers will explore a variety of ready-to-use resources — from quick, low-prep activities and guided inquiry tasks to larger projects that amplify student voice, choice, and critical thinking. This session will highlight how inquiry and historical thinking can support grade 4 - 9 curriculum outcomes while creating active and meaningful learning experiences for students. Teachers will also discover how the Heritage Fair Program and the Be an Upstander Program can serve as powerful examples of authentic learning that promote citizenship, historical thinking, and social responsibility.
Early-career teachers often join established grade or subject teams where communication, organization, and collaboration are essential. Technology can help new and experienced teachers work together more effectively while supporting students and strengthening parent communication. This session explores practical ways digital tools such as Google Classroom , Google Workspace , Canva , and email can support collaborative planning, resource sharing, professional communication, and family engagement. Participants will explore shared planning documents, collaborative digital workspaces, and communication strategies that help teams stay organized, connected, and consistent. Teachers will leave with practical strategies and ready-to-use tech tools that can help them contribute positively to established teams, streamline shared work, strengthen parent communication, and "be a gift" to the colleagues they work alongside.
