ESTCA 2025: Full Schedule

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Continue to share what you’re learning from our sessions.
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Bel Air Direct is a proud to sponsor the 2025 ATA Conventions
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GOOSECHASE - Digital Scavenger Hunt
Please join us on Goosechase our digital scavenger hunt to win prizes! it will open Feb. 12th
Here is how to win and have fun:
1) Download Goosechase App on your apps store or google play
2) Find the mission ESTCA 2025 and Join the experience code - 6F65VN
3) Use password Estca and you are in
4) Start missions!
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Thursday and Friday Morning Selections (0730am - 11:00 am)
Muffins | V $4
Croissant | V $5
Cinnamon brioche bun | V $4
Double baked almond croissant + contains nuts| V $6
Slice of banana bread | V $4.00
Fruit to go cups | VN + GF $4.00

Thursday Lunch Selections (11:00 - 3:00 pm)
Whole fruit | VN + GF $2.25
Gluten free granola bar | GF + V $4
Assorted cookies | V $3
Old fashioned ham, tuna, & egg salad sandwich $6
Bistro sandwich: olive oil panino | artichoke tapenade | tomato |Italian bocconcini | V $10
Chef’s soup of the day with golden potato bun $6.00
Pizza (Hawaiian, pepperoni, & cheese) $6/slice
Grab and Go Box - Ukrainian bowl | 3 pcs cabbage rolls | 5 pcs perogies | 3 oz kielbasa | sour cream | green onions| $15

Friday Lunch Selections (11:00 - 3:00 pm)
Whole fruit | VN + GF $2.25
Gluten free granola bar | GF + V $4
Assorted cookies | V $3
Old fashioned ham, tuna, & egg salad sandwich $6
Bistro sandwich: olive oil panino | artichoke tapenade | tomato |Italian bocconcini | V $10
Chef’s soup of the day with golden potato bun $6.00
Pizza (Hawaiian, pepperoni, & cheese) $6/slice
Grab and Go Box - BBQ beef pieces | potato tots | seasonal vegetables | red wine sauce | GF $15

Thursday and Friday Beverage Selection:
Bottled water $4.25
Soft drinks $4.50
Canned juices $3.50
Coffee or tea (12oz) $3.00

10:30am MST

Creating a Path to Teacher Flourishing: Addressing Attrition and Absenteeism

Thursday February 13, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

Salon 19/20

In recent years, the teaching profession has faced growing concerns over teacher attrition and absenteeism. Many educators are leaving the field or are increasingly absent, signaling underlying issues that threaten the stability and health of the profession. This session explores the trends driving these concerns, examining the impact of stress, burnout, organizational culture, and systemic challenges that contribute to teacher disengagement. We will also delve into potential solutions, offering strategies to foster a flourishing workplace where educators feel supported, valued, and empowered. Join us to discuss how schools and educational leaders can reshape environments to not only retain teachers but inspire them to thrive.

Speakers

Melissa Damur

Principal, St. Isidore Learning Center

Melissa Cuglietta Damur is the dedicated Principal at Elk Island Catholic Schools, where she leads with a passion for education and a commitment to student success. She holds a Master's degree in Religious Education and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of... Read More →

Karen Belter

Edmonton Public Schools

Karen is an experienced educator with over 34 years in the field, having worked across all grade levels and in diverse school settings. Known as a leader and innovator, she has held both formal and informal leadership roles, establishing a strong reputation as a culture builder. As... Read More →

Thursday February 13, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
Salon 19/20

Leadership

11:45am MST

Agriculture: An Awe-full and Wonder-full Way to Teach and Learn

Thursday February 13, 2025 11:45am - 12:45pm MST

Salon 19/20

This session invites teachers to explore agriculture as a way to engage students’ innate sense of awe and wonder, which are powerful experiences that can enrich curriculum connections, deepen engagement, and harness children’s natural curiosity. Based on research findings from a school using agriculture as a lens to facilitate elementary curriculum, teachers will learn how agriculture-based teaching can tap into children’s natural curiosity, sense of wonder, and desire to discover, while expanding their experiences with nature. Teachers will leave with practical examples for integrating agriculture- and nature-based lessons they can build on to make learning meaningful, awe-full, and wonder-full, not only for students but also for teachers. Tried and true lessons will be showcased to encourage teachers to map agriculture onto Alberta curriculum in discipline-specific or cross-curricular ways. This session is meant to spark ideas for modest or elaborate projects for teachers regardless of school context. Resources including the school's own lessons website will be shared so that teachers will have concrete plans to put into action.

Speakers

Carleigh Duiker

Grade 3 Teacher, New Humble Community School

I’m a small-town teacher with a big passion for helping students understand where their food comes from and how life works. I teach at New Humble Community School, a unique charter school that blends hands-on learning with agriculture and environmental education. I don’t have... Read More →

Bonnie Stelmach

Professor, University of Alberta

I am a Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta. My particular research interest is in rural school innovation. I’m currently researching in a K-9 school in Alberta, Canada that has a program focused on agricultural literacy, experiential learning, and... Read More →

Info Sheet pdf

Agriculture An Awe full and Wonder full Way to Teach and Learn pdf

Thursday February 13, 2025 11:45am - 12:45pm MST
Salon 19/20

Div1-2

1:00pm MST

Finding Home on the Range: Exploring Alberta's Wildlife and Conservation Agriculture

Thursday February 13, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

Salon 19/20

Join Inside Education for an introduction to agriculture in Alberta's Grasslands region, exploring ecosystem health, impacts on wildlife and agriculture practices addressing climate change. This session covers biodiversity, climate change, and conservation agriculture, aligning with grade 5-6 Earth Systems, grade 6 Living Systems, grade 7 Interactions and Ecosystems, and grade 9 Biological Diversity. In addition, we’ll highlight our full suite of additional support through classroom programming, field trips, youth summits, learning resources and teacher PD.

We will showcase 3 interactive low-equipment Monday-morning ready classroom activities, adaptable by grade:
-An active reflection game that explores students' connections to agriculture and the food system.
-An immersive group game on habitat in the grasslands
-A high-energy game show about native grasslands species, innovation in the region, and more!

Speakers

Inside Education

Inside Education is an Alberta-based, environment and natural resource education charitable society. We have been supporting teachers and inspiring students to think critically about natural resource topics since 1985! With our full suite of no-cost teaching resources, youth summits... Read More →

Thursday February 13, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Salon 19/20

Div1-2

2:15pm MST

Shameless: How to talk about sexting, pornograpy, consent and more in today's sex ed

Thursday February 13, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MST

Salon 19/20

Scary pictures, silence, fear and loathing are the sex-ed of the past! Bring your classroom into the modern era through effective, inclusive, and comprehensive sexual health education. In today's digital age, students have unprecedented access to information at their fingertips, anytime and anywhere, so it’s crucial to be prepared to talk about sexting, pornography, and consent. We’ll showcase practical teaching strategies, valuable conversation tips, and curated resources to support today’s sex ed classroom. By the end of this session, you will feel more confident and prepared to meet students where they are and foster meaningful and inclusive discussions about sexual health.

Speakers

Desirea Agar

School Health and Wellness Promotion, Alberta Health Services

Desirea Agar (she/her) has a Master of Arts in Human Kinetics with a Women’s Studies specialization and has utilized knowledge gained from these joint fields of study to support teachers in creating safe, caring, and respectful classrooms in urban and rural settings for the past... Read More →

Nicole Inglis

Health Promotion Facilitator, Alberta Health Services: Teaching Sexual Health

Nicole Inglis (she/her) has taught everything from grade 1 PE to Bio 30 and has taught in both public and Catholic Schools. She has an M.Ed in Adult Education and works on the Sexual and Reproductive Health Promotion team at Alberta Health Services. Nicole lives in Calgary with her... Read More →

Thursday February 13, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MST
Salon 19/20

Div2-4

10:30am MST

Fear not! You and Your Students Can Become Confident Public Speakers

Friday February 14, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

Salon 19/20

Public speaking doesn't have to be a top fear! Carmen Leibel, a former broadcast journalist, now helps people of all ages become confident public speakers. In this interactive session, you'll learn valuable tips and tricks for yourself and your students that you can implement starting next week. Concerned about the rise in online communication during the pandemic, Carmen launched "Project Five" in 2023 to teach public speaking skills. Using engaging activities and five simple steps, Project Five has empowered thousands of students, from elementary to post-secondary, to present confidently, share ideas, and excel in interviews. Join us to transform your and your students' public speaking abilities!

Speakers

Carmen Leibel

Founder & CEO, Project Five

Carmen Leibel spent more than 16 years in broadcast journalism as an anchor, producer, and reporter for CTV and is now the Founder and CEO of Project Five, Communicate with Confidence! During her time with CTV, Carmen spent many years as a health journalist and progressed to the position... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
Salon 19/20

Div1-4

11:45am MST

Spirit of the Metis

Friday February 14, 2025 11:45am - 12:45pm MST

Salon 19/20

The Metis are a people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry with a distinct and rich culture different from other Indigenous peoples. Participants will learn about the historical impact and significance the Metis have had on the development of Canada. An understanding and definition of the Metis identity will be defined and the importance and significance of traditional Metis cultural items will be shown.

Speakers

Brian St. Germain

Indigenous Education

Brian St. Germain was born and raised in Red Deer and recently retired from Red Deer Public Schools after 42 years of teaching. The last 12 years as a lead teacher with FNMI Learning Services. He also serves as an Indigenous Education PD Facilitator with the ATA. Brian is Cree First... Read More →

Friday February 14, 2025 11:45am - 12:45pm MST
Salon 19/20

Div1-4

1:00pm MST

Exchanges: Embark on a Journey That Will Inform Your Teaching or Leadership Journey

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

Salon 19/20

Interested in a short-term exchange with a colleague in Spain, Germany, Mexico, Australia, Iceland or with one of Alberta’s International Accredited Schools across the globe?

Come to this session and learn how to build your own teaching or leadership adventure with an exciting in-person short term (1-2 week) exchange or a virtual one (4 week). Carolyn Freed will be your guide in this fantastic new world! The experience and realities of teaching and school leadership are constantly in transition- an exchange can bring a wealth of insights to the work you do here in Alberta.

Exchanges are a unique professional peer-to-peer development opportunity for teachers and school administrators to collaborate within their profession. Open the door and get out of your comfort zone, engage in meaningful and critical conversations, and experience first-hand how your peers engage with best practices.

Speakers

Carolyn Freed

Exchange Liaison, The Alberta Teachers' Association

Carolyn Freed is the Educator Exchange Programs Liaison at the Alberta Teachers' Association, with over 10 years of experience coordinating international exchange programs.

Friday February 14, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
Salon 19/20

Div1-4