SWATCA 2025 - South Western Alberta Teachers' Convention: Full Schedule

Welcome to SWATCA 2025 on SCHED!

Here you will find the list of all the great sessions, speaker information, exhibitors and more! Check back here often for information on draws, prize winners, session updates and more!!

IMPORTANT REMINDER:
Please ensure that you are completing session evaluations - this helps our SWATCA planning team immensely in preparing for future events! You can evaluate all sessions in the session itself at the bottom of the SCHED. Thank you!

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10:30am MST

Cultivating Compassion: Building a Safe and Supportive School Environment for All

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

AH117

In this session, we will explore how compassion can be intentionally embedded into the fabric of school culture, benefiting students, teachers, school leaders, and support staff alike. Attendees will share practical strategies to foster compassion in daily interactions and schoolwide practices. We'll discuss why compassion serves as a powerful lever for creating psychological safety, enhancing mental well-being, and building stronger, more resilient educational communities. Join us to discover how compassionate practices can lead to more inclusive, supportive, and psychologically safe environments where all members of the school community can thrive.

Speakers

Lisa Everitt

Executive Staff Officer, Government

Dr. Lisa Everitt has dedicated her career to the field of education, commencing with working as a teacher in both the North West Territories and in Parkland School Division. Since 2006, she has served as an executive staff officer with the Alberta Teachers Association. Throughout... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
AH117

Professional Issues, K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

10:30am MST

Extended/Long Term Disability: It’s All About the Medical

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

AH118

Understanding extended disability and long-term disability benefits can be challenging. The session provides an overview of this benefit and its eligibility, a review of best practices on applying for the benefit and outlines supports the Association offers to members during the application and, potentially, the appeal process.

Speakers

Jeff Spady

Executive Staff Officer, Teacher Employment Services, The Alberta Teachers' Association

Jeff joined the Association’s Teacher Employment Services executive staff in 2024 after over 20 years experience in public education where he has taught all grade levels across a variety of subjects. He has also spent over 15 years in school administration, from K-12, and 2 years... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
AH118

Professional Issues, K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

12:00pm MST

Leading for Equity: Unpacking Leadership Models, Gendered Expectations, and Bias in Alberta Schools

Thursday February 20, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm MST

AH117

This session explores diverse leadership models and the traits that define effective school leaders, with a focus on how gendered expectations shape leadership roles and responsibilities. Participants will delve into the ways in which bias and gendered assumptions influence school leadership dynamics, particularly in the context of Alberta's education system. Through critical reflection and discussion, attendees will gain insights into how these factors impact not only leaders but the broader teaching profession. The session aims to provide actionable strategies for fostering a more equitable environment for all and promote leadership that is inclusive, supportive, and fair.

Speakers

Lisa Everitt

Executive Staff Officer, Government

Thursday February 20, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm MST
AH117

Professional Issues, K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

12:00pm MST

Teacher Safety Net

Thursday February 20, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm MST

AH118

Over many years the Association has been able to construct a safety net for teachers and their families. This presentation provides an overview of what teachers have in regard to sick leave and other leaves through the collective agreement, extended disability, life insurance, other benefit plan provisions, as well as pension and death benefits. This is a light-hearted presentation that is intended to be presented to local teachers in order to provide very relevant and necessary information on existing entitlements.

Speakers

Jeff Spady

Executive Staff Officer, Teacher Employment Services, The Alberta Teachers' Association

Thursday February 20, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm MST
AH118

Professional Issues, K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

1:30pm MST

Counting Time

Thursday February 20, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm MST

AH118

Adapting a process for collecting data on hours of work, both instructional and assignable, defining assignable time, and monitoring time assignments.

Speakers

Jeff Spady

Executive Staff Officer, Teacher Employment Services, The Alberta Teachers' Association

Thursday February 20, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm MST
AH118

Professional Issues, K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

3:00pm MST

President Schilling: Unplugged

Thursday February 20, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MST

PE275

President Schilling: Unplugged

Speakers

Jason Schilling

President, ATA

Jason Schilling (he/him) was re-elected president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association in 2023, following four years of service as president, two years of service as vice-president and more than eight years of service as district representative for South West. As vice-president... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MST
PE275

Professional Issues, K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

3:00pm MST

Using AI to Enhance Human-Centered Work

Thursday February 20, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MST

AH118

Join this workshop to explore strategies that leverage AI to enhance communication and connection. We will explore the intersection of AI and our social and emotional world, professional considerations for leveraging AI tools for human-centered work, and versatile strategies that work with a variety of AI tools. Participants are encouraged to bring a device, such as a laptop or tablet, for the hands-on activities included in this workshop.

Speakers

Dan Grassick

Executive Staff Officer, Professional Development, The Alberta Teachers' Association

Dan is Executive Staff Officer in the ATA’s Professional Development program. Before joining the ATA in January 2016, Dan worked as a teacher and learning leader for the CBE, as an instructor and research assistant at the U of A, and as a senior manager for YMCA Calgary. In 2011... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm MST
AH118

Professional Issues, K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12