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

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

The Power of Connection: Strengthening Parent School Communication for Mutual Understanding through Skills

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

M1030

Unleash transformative parent-teacher communication. Learn practical strategies for strong connections, mutual understanding, and collaboration. Boost listening, engagement, trust, and empower student success. Join us now! #Education #Communication #PD

SESSION HOST: Juliana Richard

Speakers

Kelly Maxwell

co-founder & facilitator, The SILA Skills Group

Thursday February 20, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm MST
M1030

Health & Wellness (TQS 3), K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

2:30pm MST

From Work to Home and Beyond: Empowering Mental Health Resilience with Transferable Skills

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

M1030

Boost well-being and harness transferable skills in this transformative professional development session. Learn to build mental resilience for success at work and home, with practical tools for balance and stress management.

SESSION HOST: Karl Peterson

Speakers

Kelly Maxwell

co-founder & facilitator, The SILA Skills Group

Thursday February 20, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm MST
M1030

Health & Wellness (TQS 3), K-Gr3, 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

12:30pm MST

Empowering Teachers for Alberta’s Clean Energy Transition

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

M1030

Join Inside Education for innovative teaching strategies, curriculum approaches, and access to our new "Alternative Fuels Poster Resource." Leave feeling inspired and recharged about teaching Alberta’s energy transition!

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

Speakers

Inside Education

Inside Education is an Alberta-based, environment and natural resource education charity. We have been supporting teachers and students to think critically about environmental topics since 1985! With our no-cost teaching resources, youth summits, in-class and field programs, and professional... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm MST
M1030

Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), K-Gr3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12 | Environmental & Outdoor Education (TQS 3), K-Gr3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12 | Science (TQS 3), K-Gr3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12