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

Welcome to SWATCA 2024 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!

Prize Winners
Goosechase:
Kelsey Schwark and Bryce Wirzba
Katie Walker

Host Draw:
Kara Tarnava

Feedback Draw:
Carla Ferrari
Mark Bergheim

10:30am MST

Increasing Student Engagement through Collaboration in High School English

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm MST

TH241

Learn about and discuss an alternate format for high school English focusing on student agency and interest to increase engagement, skill development, and reduce plagiarism and improper use of AI.

SESSION HOST: Wendy McAdam

Speakers

Justin Clark

High School English Teacher

Justin Clark is a jr. high/high school English teacher at Picture Butte High School. He graduated from the University of Lethbridge in 2012 and has been teaching ever since. Justin is also passionate about health and wellness and trying to strike a balance between all important aspects... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm MST
TH241

Language Arts (TQS 3), Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12 | Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12 | Assessment (TQS 3), Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

10:30am MST

The Art of Assessing Mathematical Thinking - Instructional Leader Session

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm MST

AH175

In this session, we will share an assessment planning process that is based on teaching for conceptual understanding with any curriculum. Instructional leaders will focus on the new Alberta Math curriculum and learn how to support teachers in creating an assessment plan that meets the needs of a differentiated classroom.

This session needs a host! To host, complete the form linked here and include your name and the session title in the form.

Speakers

AAC Facilitator

Field Service Facilitator, Alberta Assessment Consortium

The Alberta Assessment Consortium is a not-for-profit education partner in the province, focused on everyday assessment to support student learning. Our facilitators combine their experience as Alberta teachers and teacher leaders with the expertise of the organization.Presenter Shelly... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm MST
AH175

Mathematics (TQS 3), K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6 | Assessment (TQS 3), K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6

12:30pm MST

Early Years: Assessing New Curriculum Through Play

Thursday February 20, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm MST

AH175

Join us for an engaging professional learning session focused on assessing the new curriculum through play in the early years.

SESSION HOST: Angela Court

Speakers

AAC Facilitator

Field Service Facilitator, Alberta Assessment Consortium

Thursday February 20, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm MST
AH175

Assessment (TQS 3), K-Gr 3 | Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), K-Gr 3

2:30pm MST

Designing Performance Tasks for Deeper Learning

Thursday February 20, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm MST

AH175

Are you looking for ways to create meaningful learning experiences for your students that go beyond just rote memorization and recall? Join us to discover how to create assessments that challenge and engage your students, and help them develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need to succeed in the real world.

SESSION HOST: Marcus Johnston

Speakers

AAC Facilitator

Field Service Facilitator, Alberta Assessment Consortium

Thursday February 20, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm MST
AH175

Assessment (TQS 3), K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12 | Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

10:30am MST

Exploring the Smudges: Expanding student response through multimodal composition in the ELA classroom.

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm MST

TH204

The speaker will discuss multimodal composition and how it has led to increased engagement and deepened reflection while opening new ways for students to respond. They will also cover ways to assess that increase equity.

This session needs a host! To host, complete the form linked here and include your name and the session title in the form.

Speakers

Brent Gilson

Brent Gilson is in his 13th year teaching with experience ranging from grade 3 to 12. He currently teaches at Magrath High School. Brent has been exploring ways to engage adolescent readers and writers for the last six years. He has shared parts of this journey on his website Li... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm MST
TH204

Language Arts (TQS 3), Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12 | Assessment (TQS 3), Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

12:30pm MST

Making Spaces: Learning Portfolios as Assessment

Friday February 21, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm MST

PE261

Tips and strategies for using learning portfolios, especially through Spaces EDU, to change how we assess student learning.

SESSION HOST: Deb Yawney

Speakers

Caryn Swark

Caryn Swark (Caryn Lix) is a local and international educator and published author from Lethbridge, Alberta. She is interested in the intersection between technology and education and spent much of last year considering assessment practices for 21st century learners.

Friday February 21, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm MST
PE261

Assessment (TQS 3), K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6

12:30pm MST

Using AI to Enhance Teacher Professional Practice

Friday February 21, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm MST

PE264

Come and learn how to use AI in a way that enhances your teacher efficacy and professionalism while saving you time so you can take care of your own wellness.

SESSION HOST: Fleur Sweetman

Speakers

Sharon Skretting

Sharon Skretting has been education for too many years to count! She has served in the classroom, as an assessment coach at the district level, as an administrator, and now as an educational consultant and coach. She has recently delved into the realm of AI software development and... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm MST
PE264

Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), K-Gr3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12 | Assessment (TQS 3), K-Gr3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12