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

A Day in the Life of a Blood Bus Driver

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

PE275

Come and join us for a viewing of the documentary; A Day in the Life of a Blood Bus Driver and Their Students. This session will share the stories of challenges and sacrifices that our reserve drivers and students face to come to school.

SESSION HOST: Amy Kerr

Speakers

Shelley Kirkvold

Thursday February 20, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm MST
PE275

Indigenous Education (TQS/LQS 5), K-Gr3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

12:30pm MST

We Are All Treaty People

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

PE275

Come and join some of our First Nations, Metis and Inuit Niitsitapi Facilitators in a day of learning. Our focus is to think about our experiences and relationships with Indigenous peoples in new ways and understand our role and responsibilities as Treaty People.

SESSION HOST: Hana Bissett

Speakers

Shelley Kirkvold

Thursday February 20, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm MST
PE275

Indigenous Education (TQS/LQS 5), K-Gr3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

2:30pm MST

President Schilling: Unplugged

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

PE275

This session will offer the opportunity to meet with President Schilling in a group setting to discuss matters and issues that are of importance to you and your colleagues. The session will open with a few focus questions from President Schilling followed by an opportunity to have open dialogue on topics generated by the discussion.

SESSION HOST: Jessica Ens

Speakers

Jason Schilling

President, ATA

PresidentJason Schilling was re-elected president in 2023, following four years of service as president, twoyears of service as vice-president and more than eight years of service as district representative forSouth West. Schilling was an English and drama teacher at Kate Andrews... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm MST
PE275

Professional Issues (TQS/LQS 6), K-Gr3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

10:30am MST

Featured Speaker

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

PE275

Some of the best lessons are taught in the moments between literacy and numeracy. These golden moments based on kindness, connection and community are the moments Laurie lives for.
With compassion and thoughtfulness, Laurie has an incredible way of acknowledging the accomplishments of educators and affirms them as they journey on their paths, cheering them on as they use connection and relationship to revolutionize their practice.

Storyteller, light bringer and dreamer, Laurie uses her 20+ years in education to forge new paths. With the stories she held writing ‘Teachers These Days’ with Dr. Jody Carrington and her 2 appearances on The Ellen Show Laurie strives to bring teachers together in community and to define and exemplify what it truly means to be a ‘teacher these days’.

SESSION HOSTS: Brent Saccucci, Sally Leung, and Carly Goruk

Speakers

Laurie McIntosh

Author & Educator

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm MST
PE275

Keynotes & Featured Speaker, K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12

12:30pm MST

I Am Alive

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

PE275

Christine Holubec-Jackson is a 3 time hemorrhagic stroke and brain surgery survivor. Her message includes insights into life with a brain injury and finding hope, resiliency, and finding our own personal superpower even in the face of overwhelming challenges.

SESSION HOST: Genevieve Ahart

Speakers

Christine Holubec-Jackson

Author/Storyteller

Christine is a multiple hemorrhagic stroke and brain surgery survivor. Like many people, she never thought it could happen to her. She has written two personal memoirs, two children’s books, one about stroke and one about concussion, and hosted a podcast series, all with a focus... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm MST
PE275

Keynotes & Featured Speaker, K-Gr3, Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9, Gr 10-12