Professional Development Sessions & Social Events
To keep you all in the know and to further support your future teaching careers, the ESA has prepared some really helpful PD workshops from various presenters coming from the ATA, Alberta Ed, ECSD, and EPSB. Some workshops will have the added benefit of providing a certificate of completion for your teaching portfolio, which will be distributed electronically.
You can find the list of PDs for the current month below. Click the event for more info.
Also on this page are upcoming social events for the current month.
Teach in West Vancouver Schools - hosted by Make a Future
Teach in West Vancouver Schools – April 25th at 4:30 PM PST (7:30 PM EST)
This session will feature West Vancouver Schools, a BC public school district who is ready to hire their next set of teachers for September. The speakers will be recruiters from the district, who will share information on the district, how to apply, and answer questions. This session is fantastic for anyone who wants facetime with an attractive BC school district who is actively hiring new teachers. Register here.
ESA Special General Meeting
Join us for our Special General Meeting on Wednesday, April 24, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, through Google Meet. The ESA Council has worked hard over the past few months to make significant updates to our Constitution. We will discuss the proposed changes, invite students to share feedback, and then vote on them! Please make sure to attend so your voice is heard. You can pop into the meeting for a bit or stick around for the whole thing.
Either way, we can’t wait to see you there!
ESA Special General Meeting (ONLINE ONLY)
Wednesday, April 24 · 6:00 – 7:30 pm Time zone: America/Edmonton
Google Meet joining info Video call link: https://meet.google.com/bmxbjgr-qph Or dial: (US) +1 601-680-7150 PIN: 821 306 559#
Applying For Your BC Teaching Certification - hosted by Make a Future
Applying For Your BC Teaching Certification – April 11th at 4:00 pm PST (7:00 PM EST)
This session will feature a speaker from BC’s Teachers Regulation Branch, the body responsible for administering teaching certification for those interested in teaching in BC. They will present on the process and answer questions. This is an excellent session for anyone who hasn’t applied for their BC certification and wants to teach in BC. Register here.
WestCAST 2024 Conference
Werklund School of Education is hosting the WestCAST 2024 Conference (Western Canadian Association for Student Teaching), which will involve workshops and presentations related to the theme “Re-inspire, Re-Imagine, Re-Connect”. We are pleased to announce that registration has officially opened. Please note that we will be limiting registration to 250 registrants, and hotel information is posted on the website as well.
Please visit the website below for further details:
http://werklund.ucalgary.ca/westcast
Proposal information is attached: please submit your proposals to the email address below no later than December 15, 2023, and note that you will be notified by February 1, 2024 regarding your proposal acceptance.
Interprofessional Education Experience 2024
Unique Opportunity to Collaborate with Student Speech-Language Pathologists
Every year the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department brings together student teachers and student speech-language pathologists for a unique opportunity to collaborate and learn from each other. We are looking for students in Education to attend this year's sessions to be held in the afternoon on March 25th. Students in Educational Psychology are also encouraged to attend.
The afternoon will include a number of collaborative activities, case studies and a chance to work and learn with students from a different profession. After registration, you will be provided with more details for the module. We also recommend bringing a device to the session as most of the material will be provided online.
Here are some reasons why this is an excellent opportunity for students:
You will learn about one of the professionals you will likely be working with when you become a teacher
You will receive a certificate for your participation, which will look great in your teaching portfolio
This is a great experience to discuss in an interview
Past students have found the session to be fun and informative
The session will take place on March 25th from 1:00 to 4:00 in CH (Corbett Hall) 2-44.
If you'd like to attend this session please e-mail Laura Brompton at brompton@ualberta.ca. Please put IPE in the subject line.
Please note: There is room for up to 70 education students. Priority will be given to early registrants.
Artificial Intelligence in Education: Fear or Hope?
Join us on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm, as we embark on an exploration of AI assessment and discussions of innovative AI experiences in education.
This event promises to offer valuable insights and engaging discussions, regardless of your prior knowledge of AI. Don't miss out on this opportunity to broaden your understanding and be part of enlightening conversations. Secure your spot by registering before March 18 through our website at https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/uofaconferenceai/home
Certificates of attendance will be available upon request, and participants will gain access to essential background knowledge relevant to the seminar topic upon registration. Here is the Registration Link: https://forms.gle/VJzFh3qGXSdNujZy9
Our event is proudly organized and hosted by the EDPS 512 class, under the supervision of Dr. Darryl Hunter from the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta. For further details, please refer to the attached poster or contact Cassandra Anastacio at cmanasta@ualberta.ca
International Day of Happiness
International Happiness Day
It’s a busy time of year for students, staff, and faculty. Happiness Day is a gentle reminder that we can still engage in the happiness of ourselves and people around us, often with very simple actions. Here are some opportunities to check out:
U of A Happiness Calendar - try an activity and enter to win a door prize.
Encourage someone in our campus community with a Happiness Award.
ESA Winter General Meeting
Join us for our Winter General Meeting on Tuesday, March 19, at 5:15 PM, where you can enjoy FREE pizza and refreshments! The meeting officially kicks off at 6:00 PM and includes:
Council introductions and overview of our Mandate
Highlights of significant achievements since January
Opportunity to vote on proposed amendments to our Constitution and Policy Document
You can pop into the meeting for a bit or stick around for the whole thing. Either way, we can’t wait to see you there!
Pint Night
Celebrate the end of Ed Week by socializing with fellow education students at the Pint on Whyte. Tickets are $5 and include one highball or non-alcoholic drink when redeemed before 7 pm (within the first hour of the event).
PD: Addressing Diverse Learning Needs in Classrooms
While many classrooms have effectively integrated students with learning disabilities, teachers and educational assistants still strive to improve the learning environments and programming for these students. This workshop will provide the staff with an opportunity to become more knowledgeable about how to identify, plan for and respond to students with mild/moderate learning disabilities.
Time: 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM, Friday, January 19
Location: Ed 122
Click here to sign up for this PD!
*Note: You can sign up and view other PDs available in the form above.
PD: Engaging in Numeracy and Connections through First Nations, Métis and Inuit Traditional Games - NEW
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
TIME: 6:30-8:00 PM, Thursday, January 18
LOCATION: ONLINE
Click here to sign up for this PD!
*Note: You can sign up and view other PDs available in the form above.
PD: Creating Connections that Last -- Finding Calm in the Chaos of Teaching
Do you struggle with the concept of behaviours in the classroom? Do you wish that there were strategies that would work with the classrooms that you will interact with as a classroom teacher? While teaching is an amazing career and calling, there are classroom interactions that can be very challenging. This session will introduce you to strategies that help you to find and keep calm in the chaos that classrooms sometimes are. These skills are based on DBT and have been very effective in Kelly Maxwell’s classroom and in many others who have adopted this new way of interacting. Come prepared to gain some valuable tools that will help you in and out of the classroom.
Time: 4:30 - 5:30 PM, Thursday, January 18
Location: ONLINE
Click here to sign up for this PD!
*Note: You can sign up and view other PDs available in the form above.
PD: Let's Get Talking! Conversation Skills for Learning
Conversation is a powerful part of the learning process. However, it can be frustrating when students are reluctant to participate in discussions or when small group conversations go off-the-rails. Join this interactive workshop to explore strategies that help support student discussion skills (and learning) in any subject! Through discussions and activities, we will explore strategies in classroom conversation management.
Time: 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM, Thursday, January 18
Location: Ed 122
Click here to sign up for this PD!
*Note: You can sign up and view other PDs available in the form above.
PD: Regulation and Resilience: Supporting Students with Challenging Behaviour - NEW
Join us for an interactive and empowering workshop that explores strategies for supporting students through challenging behaviours. This session focuses on approaches that cultivate student resilience, as well as strategies to support our own resilience as we respond to challenging moments of student behaviour. Through activities, discussion, and reflection, we will explore a variety of techniques that support students with challenging behaviour and care for our own wellbeing, at once.
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 PM, Wednesday, January 17
Location: ONLINE
Click here to sign up for this PD!
*Note: You can sign up and view other PDs available in the form above.
PD: Power of Play -- Engaging Learners of All Ages
Play fosters creativity, independence, problem solving and ownership in learning. This workshop will provide you with ways to successfully incorporate play into any class and give you ideas to use in your next lesson.
Time: 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM, Wednesday, January 17
Location: Ed 122
Click here to sign up for this PD!
*Note: You can sign up and view other PDs available in the form above.
PD: Good Practices -- Using Mentor Texts
What is a mentor text, and how do we use them to support student writers? Mentor texts are the next best thing to having published authors in our classroom. We can use mentor texts throughout the writing process to provide a model for students. Join Bev Smith as she shares mentor texts for narrative, informational, and persuasive texts.
Time: 4:00 - 4:45 PM, Tuesday, January 16
Location: ONLINE
Click here to sign up for this PD!
*Note: You can sign up and view other PDs available in the form above.
PD: Classroom Management—What Works?
This workshop was developed with beginning and novice teachers in mind. Participants will review what classroom management is and why it is important, starting with the impact of positive and authentic relationships. From there, participants will move into looking at rules, routines, procedures and strategies. The goal is to help participants create classrooms in which both the students and the teachers can be successful.
Time: 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM, Tuesday, January 16
Location: Ed 122
Click here to sign up for this PD!
*Note: You can sign up and view other PDs available in the form above.
PD: ᑕᐯᐧᐃᐧᐣ tapwewin: Dismantling Anti-Indigenous Racism - NEW
This introductory workshop will encourage educators to critically reflect on concepts such as systemic racism and assimilation. Historical and contemporary examples of anti-Indigenous racism will be explored, and participants will be challenged to consider their own role in dismantling anti-Indigenous racism. Educators will leave with a foundational understanding of anti-racism with a focus on Indigenous Peoples, and will also be equipped with suggested resources for further learning. Note that portions of this workshop may be difficult for some participants, particularly for Indigenous Peoples and/or those who have experienced racism.
Time: 3:30 - 5:00 PM, Monday, January 15
Location: Ed 107
Click here to sign up for this PD!
*Note: You can sign up and view other PDs available in the form above.
PD: Classroom Management—Beyond the Basics
With basic classroom management strategies already in their toolkit, participants in this workshop will look at building upon those skills. This workshop will support teachers in responding to classroom behaviours that disrupt teaching with the goal of keeping learning on track and positive relationships intact.
Time: 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM, Monday, January 15
Location: Tech in Ed (Education North 3-104)
Click here to sign up for this PD!
*Note: You can sign up and view other PDs available in the form above.
WestCAST 2024 Proposals
About WestCAST
The Werklund School of Education is proud to host this year’s WestCAST (Western Canadian Association for Student Teaching) conference.
WestCAST is an education conference held annually by the Faculties of Education in the western provinces of Canada. WestCAST 2024 will be held April 3-5, 2024 at the University of Calgary, bringing together over 200 education faculty and teacher education students for three days of conversation and engagement on topics that are relevant in today’s world of teaching.
This year, WestCAST 2024 invites pre-service teachers, Education students, teacher educators, and practicing teachers to submit presentations and participate in sessions that focus on the theme of “Re-Inspire | Re-Connect”.
How to submit your proposal
Download the Call For Proposals document below.
Follow the Proposal Submission Template.
Submit your completed Proposal to westcast2024@ucalgary.ca by December 15, 2023.
Notification letters regarding acceptance will be sent to the lead presenter only via email by February 1, 2024.
Teacher Leadership in Agriculture Education
Teacher Leadership in Agriculture Education
(free PD for Education students)
Is experiential learning a pedagogy you want to use to ENGAGE your future students?
Are you curious about how AGRICULTURE can be a means to engage students and help them understand their food sources?
Would you like to develop expertise in these areas? If so, this free, one-day interactive Professional Development opportunity is for you!
Here's what the day will involve:
learning about experiential learning as a pedagogy and philosophy
making a pizza (and eating it for lunch)
visiting the UofA farm (via LRT) to tour the dairy barn and interpretive centers
learning basic agriculture knowledge from agriculture students and experts
becoming familiar with existing school programs at the UofA farm (e.g. Homeroom Holstein)
creating a lesson plan for urban or rural classrooms using agriculture and Alberta curriculum (something for your future teaching!)
No prior knowledge of cooking or agriculture is required! No need to be destined for a rural school as agriculture affects everyone!
Friday, November 17, 2023
Time: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Morning Location: 2-36 AgFor (North Campus)
Afternoon Location: U of A Farm (South Campus)
Lunch: Free – you are cooking it!
Facilitator: Alix deBeaudrap, master's student and experienced teacher (this workshop is part of Alix's master's course, EDPS 501)
Register by November 8, 4:00 p.m. HERE
For questions please contact Alix deBeaudrop (addebeau@ualberta.ca) or Dr. Bonnie Stelmach (course instructor) (bonnies@ualberta.ca)
Pizza lunch is made possible by a donation from Alberta Pork (https://www.albertapork.com/).
Pumpkin Carving & Painting Event
Get ready for some spooktacular fun at our Pumpkin Carving & Painting Event on Monday, October 30th at the Ed Fourth Floor Lounge!
Join us, the ESA, for TWO exciting sessions:
Session 1: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Session 2: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
For just $5, you'll receive a pumpkin, carving and painting tools! Want an extra pumpkin? It's only an additional $5. Payment options: E-Transfer or cash at the ESA office (preference is before the event day).
Click here to purchase your ticket!
Teach in the UK with Aurelia Education Ltd
CLICK HERE to sign up for the online workshop!