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

Diving Deeper: Opportunities and Challenges in School Leadership

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

SA7202

Speakers

Dr. Elissa Corsi

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm MST
SA7202

Leadership (LQS 1-9)

10:30am MST

Fostering Connection and Emotional Growth in School Communities

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

M1030

Nurturing staff well-being in a school community may seem challenging. This session equips leaders with relationship-building skills for emotional growth and connection, regardless of a counselling background.

SESSION HOST: Duane Piper

Speakers

Kelly Maxwell

co-founder & facilitator, The SILA Skills Group

When you meet Kelly Maxwell, one of the first things you will hear her talk about is how skills have changed her life both personally and as a teacher. Recently retired after 32 years as an elementary school teacher, Kelly is excited to share her story about how SILA Skills came to... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm MST
M1030

Leadership (LQS 1-9), K-Gr3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12 | Health & Wellness (TQS 3), K-Gr3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

12:30pm MST

21 Human Resources Skills That Help School Leaders Succeed

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

TH173

Principals, vice-principals, and other school leaders who participate in this session will engage in meaningful discussion and leave with a wide variety of tips, tricks, processes, resources, and key understandings in the area of human resources within the schoolhouse.

SESSION HOST: Bonnie Dyck

Speakers

Ray Hoppins

Mr. Ray Hoppins has spent the last 32 years as a teacher, vice-principal, principal, and central office leader in Vegreville, Innisfail, Sundre, and Olds, and is currently the Associate Superintendent of People Services with Chinook’s Edge School Division. For the past twenty-five... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm MST
TH173

Leadership (LQS 1-9), K-Gr3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

2:30pm MST

Nuture Relationships and Transform Your Classroom Community

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

TH204

Are your students dysregulated or anxious? What about you? If you’re overwhelmed by how to support your classroom community, this session is for you! Learn the evidence behind why relationships are foundational to wellness, student learning, and cultivating a positive classroom environment. Through facilitated discussion and sharing, we will explore strategies that help nurture relationships, support regulation, and build resiliency for you and your students. Let's get inspired to make a change!

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

Speakers

Nisa Alook-Lambrecht

Lyndsey, Courtnay, and Nisa are Health Promotion Facilitators with the Healthy Schools team who partner with school authorities to promote healthy eating, physical activity, and positive mental health in schools. They help to plan effective and coordinated strategies that improve... Read More →

Courtnay Epp

Courtnay Epp is a Health Promotion Facilitator on the Healthy Schools Team with Alberta Health Services (AHS). She has been with AHS for over 10 years and is passionate about improving student health through evidence-informed actions in school-based settings. Courtnay has a keen... Read More →

Lyndsey Spring

Thursday February 20, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm MST
TH204

Health & Wellness (TQS 3), K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12 | CALM (TQS 3), K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12 | Leadership (LQS 1-9), K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

2:30pm MST

Banning Book Bans and Challenging Book Challenges: What to do if it Happens to You

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

TH341

Book bans and challenges are rising, threatening the integrity of the profession and well-being of school communities. The best time to prepare was yesterday; the next best time is now.

SESSION HOST: Ashley Gruninger

Speakers

Harold Semenuk

A teacher-librarian with Edmonton Public Schools, Harold is likewise President of ATA’s Alberta School Learning Commons Council, previously serving in central division, and school leadership roles, as well as having taught a range of 7-12 courses. Harold draws on learning principles... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm MST
TH341

2:30pm MST

22 Timely Topics on Teacher and Leader Wellness - Ideas I’ve Stolen from Watching Others

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

TH173

This is a discussion-based session for teachers and leaders in the area of health and wellness. During our time together we engage in small and large group discussion around timely topics on staff health and wellness. Come join us and be ready to share key ideas from your own professional practice, school or division.

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

Speakers

Ray Hoppins

Thursday February 20, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm MST
TH173

Leadership (LQS 1-9), K-Gr3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12 | Health & Wellness (TQS 3), K-Gr3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

10:30am MST

School Councils: What Every Principal Needs to Know

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

M1060

ASCA invites new, seasoned, and aspiring principals to explore the often-complex world of school councils and their applicability to the Assurance Framework and LQS expectations through this high-level introduction.

SESSION HOST: Laurie Campmans

Speakers

Alberta School Councils' Association

Former Director of Client Services for ASCA and workshop instructor, Wendy brings a vast background of school council, community and education service to her role as Executive Director. “A respected and empowered school council in every Alberta school” is a vision that Wendy... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm MST
M1060

Leadership (LQS 1-9), K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

10:30am MST

For Queer Youth, Inclusion Is Not a Buzzword: Moving Beyond Pronoun Pins

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

M1030

In a time when mental health challenges are on the rise, teachers can help foster resilience in 2SLBGTQIA+ youth by reconsidering and expanding inclusion practices.

SESSION HOST: Pascale Jakobsson

Speakers

Ricardo Avelar

Ricardo Avelar - (he/him), Registered Psychologist - has worked in various fields, including non-profit organizations, K-12 schools, and post-secondary settings, as teacher, counsellor, and supervisor. Currently, he is a Counsellor (Instructor) in Student Wellness Services at the... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm MST
M1030

Leadership (LQS 1-9), Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12 | Diversity Equity & Human Rights (TQS/LQS 4), Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12 | Counselling & Student Support (TQS/LQS 4), Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

10:30am MST

Leading with Impact: Unleash the Power of Cultural Intelligence in Education

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

TH201

Lead with impact and elevate your Cultural Intelligence (CQ). Navigate the complexities of cultural diversity in education to confidently lead with empathy, effectiveness, and global-mindedness.

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

Speakers

Gail-Ann Wilson Mitchell

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

Before the professional development team at the Alberta Teachers' Association, Gail-Ann (she/her) taught high school social studies and worked as a cultural diversity educator for 22 years. She is committed to building leadership diversity leadership and promoting change in education... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm MST
TH201

Leadership (LQS 1-9), K-Gr3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12 | Diversity Equity & Human Rights (TQS/LQS 4), K-Gr3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12 | Social Studies (TQS 3), K-Gr3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

10:30am MST

Tools to build your Financial Wellness

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

TH143

Teachers have a lot going for them financially – including their pension. Most of the time, they also have gaps: things they haven’t thought about, risks they may face, and access to tools they’re currently not using.
This session walks you through what these are, how to address them, and one tiny action you can take today to change your life forever.

For CALM and financial teachers, see the way that these concepts are presented based on hundreds of hours of annual PD.

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

Speakers

Elizabeth Walton

Marketing and Communications Manager, Capital Planning

Capital Planning is the preferred financial planner for the Alberta Teachers' Association and the providers of the ATA Voluntary Benefits Program which includes the ATA Group Savings Plans. We have been proudly helping teachers and their families for over 40 years! At conventions... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm MST
TH143 DON'T DELETE

Leadership (LQS 1-9), K-Gr3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12 | Health & Wellness (TQS 3), K-Gr3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

12:30pm MST

A Principal's Guide to Functional Fundraising Association

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

M1060

Join ASCA to learn how to identify and mitigate risks while supporting the parent’s, and the principal’s, roles, responsibilities, and authority with a registered, incorporated fundraising association.

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

Speakers

Alberta School Councils' Association

Friday February 21, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm MST
M1060

Leadership (LQS 1-9), K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12