Beginning Teachers Jan 2025: Full Schedule

8:00am MST

Registration and Check In (All participants, please register for this event)

Tuesday January 28, 2025 8:00am - 8:25am MST

Please join us for our registration session where you can meet other beginning teachers and interact with curriculum and division experts in our carousel. Light refreshments will be provided for you to enjoy while you chat!

Tuesday January 28, 2025 8:00am - 8:25am MST
Room 3a Located in St. Anthony's Meeting Centre, on the main level.

K-12

8:30am MST

Liturgy

Tuesday January 28, 2025 8:30am - 9:00am MST

Chapel

We invite you to join us in the chapel as we start our professional development day with a brief liturgy, symbolizing the start of the new year. Please note that food and drink are not allowed in the chapel.

Speakers

Sandra Talarico

Manager, Religious Services, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Hello. My name is Sandra Talarico and I serve the Edmonton Catholic School Division as the Manager of Religious Education Services.I love my dog, Chloe, long walks in the river valley, time spent with family, and learning about and growing more in my faith.

Tuesday January 28, 2025 8:30am - 9:00am MST
Chapel

K-12

9:15am MST

Opening Keynote: - Planning with AI and Copilot

Tuesday January 28, 2025 9:15am - 9:45am MST

Room 3a

Discover how to integrate AI tools like Copilot into backward design planning. This session will explore how AI can support teachers in creating learning intentions and success criteria for curricular outcomes, lesson creation, performance tasks, conversation scaffolds and observational checklists to create more intentional and impactful learning experiences.

Speakers

Nicole Cunningham

Emtech, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Nicole Cunningham is a Consultant with the Emerging Technology team in Learning Services with Edmonton Catholic Schools. She has been an educator with ECSD for 24 years, teaching K-6 students and serving as a technology coach for Early Learning, Inclusive Education and Curriculum... Read More →

Joel Kristiansen

Emerging Technology Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Joel is part of the Emerging Technology team at Edmonton Catholic Schools. Joel has worked in ECSD for over a decade, spending most of his time in K-9 schools teaching design, robotics, and collaborating with teachers to integrate makerspaces into their subject area.

Tuesday January 28, 2025 9:15am - 9:45am MST
Room 3a Located in St. Anthony's Meeting Centre, on the main level.

K-12

10:00am MST

The First Five Minutes - How to Get Students Thinking

Tuesday January 28, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MST

Staff lounge

Discover effective strategies to boost engagement and deepen understanding in just the first 5 minutes—across all subjects and grade levels! Learn how to establish routines that support every learner, and leave with practical techniques that promote critical thinking, student dialogue, and metacognitive growth. Transform your classroom into a vibrant space where every student’s voice is heard and actively engaged!

Speakers

Monica Posteraro

Science Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Monica is Edmonton Catholic School Division's Secondary Science Consultant with over 15 years of experience teaching Chemistry 20-30. Her multimodal teaching strategies boost student engagement, understanding and achievement; a catalyst for scientific curiosity!

Tuesday January 28, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MST
Staff lounge Located in the basement.

7-12

10:00am MST

Crucial Conversations: How to Have the Conversations that Matter

Tuesday January 28, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MST

Heritage Room

A crucial conversation is a discussion between two or more people where stakes are high, opinions vary and emotions run strong. The effects of conversations gone bad can be both devastating and far reaching. A positive conversation can that can spark learning, confront challenges and deepen relationships. There is courage in communication. Let's talk some tools for tackling tough topics

Speakers

Chris Cicchini

Division Principal, Leadership Services and School Operations, Edmonton Catholic School Division

As an Edmonton Catholic School employee for the past 25 years, I have had the privilege to work in at all levels in a variety of roles. As a principal, counsellor and teacher and now as a Division Principal, I have always felt that through conversation we can find common ground when... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MST
Heritage Room

K-12

10:00am MST

EAL Foundations: Supporting Language Learners through Benchmarks 2.0

Tuesday January 28, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MST

Room 3a

This session introduces you to the essentials of EAL instruction, including the importance of EAL Benchmarks 2.0. Learn how these benchmarks can guide you in assessing language development and planning targeted, effective instruction. Explore strategies for fostering an environment where all learners can succeed.

Speakers

Devin Austin

Elementary EAL Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Devin Austin, a forward-thinking K-12 Elementary EAL consultant with Edmonton Catholic Schools, sharing his skills in diverse capacities since 2011. He loves globe-trotting, keeping abreast of the newest tech innovations, and moments with his family. Devin is deeply committed to enhancing... Read More →

Anna Deligianis

EAL and Languages, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Anna Deligianis is an Elementary English as an Additional Language Consultant with Edmonton Catholic School Division. She previously worked as an elementary classroom teacher in Alberta and Mexico for many years. Anna graduated from her Masters in Educational Leadership with a focus... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MST
Room 3a Located in St. Anthony's Meeting Centre, on the main level.

K-6

10:00am MST

Classroom Management

Tuesday January 28, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MST

Room 2b

Join us for a professional development session aimed at enhancing classroom management skills to foster positive student behavior and engagement. Educators will learn practical strategies for setting clear expectations, creating engaging routines, and implementing proactive interventions. This session will provide valuable tools to build a supportive and productive classroom environment, benefiting both teachers and students.

Speakers

Sarah Ostlund

Inclusive Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Sarah has been a teacher with ECSD for 15 years and has served as an Inclusive Consultant for the past 3. She is passionate about advocating for the needs of diverse learners and assisting teachers in planning and programming for students with various needs. When she’s not in work... Read More →

Brianna Tremblay

Behavioural Therapy Mentor, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Brianna has been a dedicated member of the Behavioural Therapy team for the past 10 years, serving in various roles including TABT, EBS, Assistant Manager, and NVCI Facilitator. She is currently an EBS Mentor and NVCI Facilitator, where she focuses on implementing positive behaviour... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MST
Room 2b

K-9

11:15am MST

High School Essentials: Exploring Everything from Credits to Special Needs Codes LIMITED

Tuesday January 28, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MST

Staff lounge

This session will offer essential insights into high school fundamentals, covering topics such as different course pathways, prerequisites, and the three graduation options available to students. It will also include information about Individualized Program Plans (IPPs), special needs coding, and diagnosis. Additionally, there will be an opportunity for questions.

Speakers

Lori Arksey

Inclusive Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Tuesday January 28, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MST
Staff lounge Located in the basement.

7-12

11:15am MST

Responding to Discrimination and Racism LIMITED

Tuesday January 28, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MST

Room 2b

What do you do when you hear a student use a racial slur or derogatory language? Through the lens of dignity and justice, we will explore strategies to respond to racism and discrimination in a Catholic School. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss scenarios and ask questions.

Speakers

Fitzroy Ford

EDIAR Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

As the EDIAR Consultant my goal is to make the uncomfortable comfortable, to open the circle wider, and to help us feel good about doing this much needed work.

Tuesday January 28, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MST
Room 2b

7-12

11:15am MST

Do The Math and Leap Ahead: Using Leaps and Bounds and Do The Math LIMITED

Tuesday January 28, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MST

Heritage Room

Session Materials

Do the Math and Leaps and Bounds are powerful resources that can be found in all schools. In this session you will receive an overview of these resources.
Combined, these resources support targeted instruction and intervention for students in Kindergarten through Grade 6. Together, these programs serve a dual purpose: helping students to progress mathematically while meticulously rebuilding their mathematical foundation and focusing on critical math concepts.

Speakers

Amy Swinkels

Math Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Amy is a Math convert! Being a child that hated Math and was highly unsuccessful in Math, it became her absolute passion to help make Math fun, meaningful and successful for all students. When not championing Math, Amy is either reading absolute garbage on a beach or running marathons... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MST
Heritage Room

K-6

11:15am MST

Energizing Classroom Dynamics: Engaging Routines with Visible Thinking and Cooperative Learning LIMITED

Tuesday January 28, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MST

Room 3a

Session Materials

Unlock the power of student voices by combining visible thinking routines with cooperative strategies. In this interactive and hands-on session, you'll discover how to create a dynamic classroom where every student actively shares their learning. Explore practical tools and strategies that encourage deeper thinking and equitable participation, ensuring all learners are engaged. Leave with ready-to-use ideas and activities that will transform your classroom the very next day!

Speakers

Anne Simpson

English Language Arts Consultant (K-6), Edmonton Catholic School Division

I am a mom to two children and two fur babies. I love to travel, read, do anything creative and spend time with friends and family (especially in cold hockey arenas and very hot soccer centers).

Natalie Zuberbuhler

Elementary Science Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Natalie Zuberbuhler: Elementary Science Curriculum and Assessment Consultant with Edmonton Catholic Schools lives for Science and supporting her teacher colleagues. Natalie always has great recommendations on books, tips for catching fish, and how to incorporate computer science to... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm MST
Room 3a Located in St. Anthony's Meeting Centre, on the main level.

K-6

12:15pm MST

Lunch LIMITED

Tuesday January 28, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm MST

Staff lounge

Join us for lunch downstairs in the staff lounge. This is the perfect opportunity to connect, collaborate, and share ideas with colleagues from across the division, as we break bread together.

Tuesday January 28, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm MST
Staff lounge Located in the basement.

K-12

1:00pm MST

Honouring Truth & Reconciliation in ECSD Classrooms

Tuesday January 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

Staff lounge

Are you committed to honoring Truth and Reconciliation in your teaching and learning practice? This session will support you in addressing Teaching Quality Standard (TQS) Competency 5: Developing and applying foundational knowledge about First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. Together, we will explore our shared responsibility in advancing Truth and Reconciliation, building foundational knowledge, and learning practical ways to integrate this learning into your classroom.

Speakers

Paula Campbell

Truth and Reconciliation Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Paula Campbell is a proud member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation from Fort Chipewyan, AB in Treaty 8 Territory. Paula has received her B. Ed through the ITEP program at the University of Saskatchewan, she has taught elementary grades in her home communities of Fort Chipewyan, Fort... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Staff lounge Located in the basement.

7-12

1:00pm MST

Permeating Catholicism - Integrating Faith into your Secondary Classroom LIMITED

Tuesday January 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

Room 2b

During this session you will learn about how to permeate faith into your learning environment. Together, we will explore what makes us Catholic, how to create a Catholic environment, and how to integrate faith into curriculum.

Speakers

Matthew Gunderson

Secondary Science Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Matt Gunderson, a secondary science consultant with Edmonton Catholic Schools, brings seventeen years of classroom experience to his role. He has taught science across elementary, junior high, and senior high levels, and has served as a sessional instructor at the University of A... Read More →

Susanna Kaup

Secondary Religious Education Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

I have been an educator for 29 years, and I have spent most of that career as a classroom teacher. For the past 6 years, I have been privileged to be the Secondary Religious Education Curriculum Consultant. Throughout this, I have worked diligently to bring more clarity to the importance... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Room 2b

7-12

1:00pm MST

Faith-filled Fun! A journey through Lent and Easter Session LIMITED

Tuesday January 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

Room 3a

Join us for a lively and interactive session designed to introduce you to the Liturgical Seasons of Lent and Easter! In this session, we will explore the Liturgical Season of Lent and Easter as well as the Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ religion resource. Together we will plan meaningful, interactive ways we can utilize the program to make learning come alive in the classroom. Come join us and make Lent and Easter a special experience for your students!

Speakers

Kathleen Nguyen

Elementary Religious Education Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Kathleen Nguyen finds joy in sharing our Catholic faith and accompanying people on their faith journey. Kathleen loves to spend time with her family and is a great aunt; literally. This is a term she loves to use quite liberally and makes her friends call her Kathleen, the Great... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Room 3a Located in St. Anthony's Meeting Centre, on the main level.

K-6

1:00pm MST

Portfolio Power-Up: Create Engaging Learning Portfolios with SpacesEDU LIMITED

Tuesday January 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

Heritage Room

In this session, we'll explore the purpose and benefits of a learning portfolio, and provide practical advice and inspiration for creating one that works for your teaching style. We'll discuss what a learning portfolio is, why it's important, and how you can organize it effectively. You'll have the opportunity to see how SpacesEDU, an online portfolio, works, and you'll learn how to set up your own account. By the end of the session, you'll have the tools to get started on creating learning portfolios with your students, tailored to their unique learning styles and goals.

Speakers

Leanne Hemphill

Curriculum and Assessment, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Leanne is a tech enthusiast and new assessment consultant! Her passion lies in revolutionizing how assessments are conducted, making them engaging and insightful for all. When she's not diving deep into assessment strategies, Leanne can be found gliding through the water with the... Read More →

Alyson Gabucci

Curriculum and Assessment Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Alyson Gabucci is an Assessment & Reporting consultant at Edmonton Catholic Schools. She is passionate about eating, mainly salty carbohydrates, working out because of those salty carbohydrates, and you can often find her with her nose in a book either learning more about assessment... Read More →

Kiara Smyth

Curriculum and Assessment Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Kiara is passionate about assessment and getting students engaged in the process of learning! With a high school humanities background, she also loves to talk literature and current events. Outside of work, her favourite activity is traveling the world, but when she's closer to... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Heritage Room

K-6

2:15pm MST

EAL Foundations: Supporting Language Learners through Benchmarks 2.0 LIMITED

Tuesday January 28, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MST

Room 2b

Speakers

Jacqueline Werstiuk

Secondary EAL Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Jacquie Werstiuk has over 30 years teaching and consulting experience with ECSD and earned her Masters degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from the UofA in 2014. For the past 8 years as an EAL Consultant, Jacquie has worked with ECSD high schools to program for and support... Read More →

Vanessa Gavin

Secondary EAL Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Vanessa Gavin is an EAL Consultant with Edmonton Catholic Schools. She has a background in teaching junior high and high school math and science, which has given her a unique perspective on language learning potential across different content areas. Vanessa believes in empowering... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MST
Room 2b

7-12

2:15pm MST

Reframing Autism: Planning for Neurodiversity and Curriculum (K-12) LIMITED

Tuesday January 28, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MST

Room 3a

Speakers

Katerina Campbell

Elementary Science Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Katerina is an elementary Science consultant at Edmonton Catholic Schools. She loves all things Science, exploring natural phenomena and will never stop asking “why?” Katerina is a self proclaimed maker and cardboard collector. She is a proud promoter of inquiry based learning... Read More →

Lindsay Lott

Inclusive Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Lindsay Lott is an Inclusive Consultant with Edmonton Catholic Schools, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role. With 15 years of classroom experience both abroad and here in Edmonton, Lindsay has developed a deep understanding of diverse educational environments... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MST
Room 3a Located in St. Anthony's Meeting Centre, on the main level.

K-12

2:15pm MST

Recess Reinvented: Creative Indoor Games LIMITED

Tuesday January 28, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MST

Heritage Room

Indoor recess can be a challenge for teachers, but you don't have to compromise on the outdoors for great activities. This session highlights how creative approaches and adaptable activities can turn indoor spaces into environments for enjoyable play. With classic games like Hand-Tennis and Skully, discover how indoor recess can become an opportunity for innovation, fun, and bonding.

Speakers

Brett Barron

Physical Education and Wellness Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Brett has been a teacher for over 15 years with experience in elementary, junior high, and high school Health and Physical Education classrooms. Currently he serves the larger community as the Health and Physical Education consultant for Edmonton Catholic School Division. His teaching... Read More →

Tuesday January 28, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MST
Heritage Room

K-6

Beginning Teachers Jan 2025