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.

10:15am MDT

Belonging Starts with YOU! Creating Inclusive Classrooms for Every Student (K-12)

LIMITED

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

Deerfoot

Limited Capacity seats available

Creating an inclusive classroom is not about following a checklist—it's about fostering a learning community where every student feels seen, valued, and respected. Through discussion, reflection, and interactive activities, participants will explore how their own identities influence their teaching while considering how to create classrooms that honour students' diverse cultural, religious, sexual, and gender identities. Participants will also be introduced to Alberta Teachers' Association resources and Diversity and Equity Networks that support inclusive teaching and provide opportunities for ongoing professional learning and connection. This session invites you to see inclusion as a lifelong professional practice rooted in reflection, curiousity and a commitment to ensuring every student belongs.

Speakers

Andrea Berg

Associate Coordinator, Professional Development, Alberta Teachers' Association

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

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

12:30pm MDT

Teaching Computer Science and Computational Thinking in Any Classroom (4-9)

FULL

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

Deerfoot

Limited Capacity full

Computer science and computational thinking are becoming increasingly important components of K–12 education, yet many teachers are unsure where to begin. This hands-on session introduces educators to a collection of accessible, classroom-ready tools that can be used to teach coding, problem solving, creativity, and computational thinking across subject areas. Participants will explore free resources from Code.org, visual programming through Scratch, and constructionist learning approaches using LEGO Robotics. The session will highlight practical classroom examples, curriculum connections, and strategies for implementation with students of varying experience levels. Attendees will leave with lesson ideas, resource links, and a clear pathway for introducing computer science concepts into their own teaching practice.

Speakers

Quinn McCashin

Educator, University Of Alberta

Quinn McCashin is a Doctoral student in the Faculty of Education, University of Alberta. He previously worked as a high school science and math teacher in Edmonton, Alberta and most recently completed his Master of Education in the field of educational technology.

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

Science, Division II and III | Technology in the Classroom, Division II and III

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

9:00am MDT

Walking Together: Collaboration, Reconciliation, and Lived Experiences in the Alberta Classroom (K-12)

LIMITED

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:00am - 11:45am MDT

Deerfoot

Limited Capacity seats available

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.

Speakers

Mya Penney

Omarla Cooke

Saturday October 3, 2026 9:00am - 11:45am MDT
Deerfoot

Indigenous Education, Division I Division II Division III Division IV | Science, Division I Division II Division III Division IV | Social Studies, Division I Division II Division III Division IV

BTC 2026 - Calgary

10:15am MDT

Andrea Berg

12:30pm MDT

Quinn McCashin

2:00pm MDT

Valerie McDougall

9:00am MDT

Mya Penney

Omarla Cooke

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