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

12:30pm MST

Success in the Middle Years

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

TH241

Discover self-care, success strategies, and the unique role of Middle School teachers. Join our session for insights into creating amazing classroom environments.

SESSION HOST: Qian Zhang

Speakers

Shawna Cunha

Marissa Gillespie and Shawna Cunha have been teachers with the Calgary Board of Education for over 15 years teaching in the Middle Years. They are also members of the Middle Years Council for the ATA.

Marissa Gillespie

Thursday February 20, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm MST
TH241

Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9 | Diversity Equity and Human Rights (TQS/LQS 4), Gr 4-6, Gr 7-9

2:30pm MST

“Madame Can We Read?” An Open Invitation to a classroom of Book Lovers

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

TH241

This hands on workshop will walk participants through a variety of strategies and classroom activities that foster a love of reading. The presenters are French Immersion teachers; the presentation will be done in English but strategies and resources are applicable to both French and English Language Arts.

SESSION HOST: Tia Giesbrecht

Speakers

Tammi Foreman

Melanie Williams and Tammi Foreman are Grade 3 French Immersion teachers at Ecole Agnes Davidson, here in Lethbridge. Their teaching philosophy centres around fostering a love for reading, building relationships, giving choice for learning and demonstration of learning. They have... Read More →

Melanie Williams

Thursday February 20, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm MST
TH241

French & International Languages (TQS 3), K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6 | Language Arts (TQS 3), K-Gr 3, Gr 4-6

10:30am MST

Enhancing Differentiation in the Classroom through Theme-Based Lessons

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

TH241

Sharks, dinosaurs, fairy tales and polar bears! We are taking the themes that engage our littlest learners to help them engage with the curriculum in a fun and hands on way.

SESSION HOST: Laura Pearce

Speakers

Natasha Goddard

Natasha Goddard is a learning support teacher who is passionate about early childhood education and loves engaging students to learn in fun and creative ways. In her toolbox you will find polar bears, princesses, pirates and everything in between. She has over a decade of classroom... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm MST
TH241

Curriculum & Pedagogy (TQS 3), K-Gr 3 | Language Arts (TQS 3), K-Gr 3 | Mathematics (TQS 3), K-Gr 3 | Social Studies (TQS 3), K-Gr 3

12:30pm MST

Artificial Intelligence in K-12 Education

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

TH241

This session will cover what AI is, where it came from so abruptly, and ideas for ways to leverage the power of AI to give teachers a WIN from this new technological advancement.

SESSION HOST: Christopher Ward

Speakers

Michelle Baragar

Michelle is a doctoral scholar at the University of Calgary who serves as the coordinator of educational technology for Chinook's Edge School Division. She spent 22 years as a classroom teacher in Alberta before moving to her current role. Her area of research is AI in K-12 class... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm MST
TH241

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