Session Descriptors

Collaborative & Proactive Solutions: Moving From Power and Control to Collaboration and Problem Solving

with Dr. Ross Greene

This is the evidence-based model Dr. Ross Greene described his influential books The Explosive Child, Lost at School, Lost & Found, and Raising Using Beings. The CPS model has transformed thinking and practices in countless families, schools, inpatient psychiatry units, and residential and juvenile detention facilities throughout the world, and has been associated with dramatic reductions in adult-child conflict, challenging behaviors, disciplinary referrals, detentions, suspensions, seclusions, and physical, chemical, and mechanical restraints. The model represents a significant departure from discipline-as-usual: it focuses on solving problems rather than on modifying behavior, emphasizes collaborative rather than unilateral solutions, encourages proactive rather than reactive intervention, de-emphasizes diagnostic categories, and provides practical, research-based tools for assessment and intervention

Stress, Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll: Managing Stress & the Work-Life Balance

with Ariel Haubrich

(This session is applicable to staff of all grade levels)

Stress looks and feels different for everyone, but we all know what it’s like to be overwhelmed, burnt out and ready to throw the stapler! Come learn about your brain on stress, why work-life balance doesn't exist (wait….what??), and how to win at work and life anyway. We will explore the dynamics of mental health and mental illness and how we can support both helping us all understand ourselves and each other a bit better. Information, humor and some practical and strategic “life-hacks” make this session just what the doctor ordered!

Active Bodies, Thriving Brains: How movement fuels mental health

with Melanie Vance

Movement is essential for healthy physical and mental development in children and youth. A growing body of research highlights the vital role that physical activity has on cognition, brain function and mental health. Learn how you can use movement as a tool to promote emotional regulation, stress management, self-esteem, problem-solving skills, and try out some fun, practical movement activities to use in your classroom, school or virtual learning environment!

All Hands on Deck – Math Card Games For In Person and Virtual Settings

with Jane Felling

We need to keep our students active and engaged in meaningful hands on math games and activities whether we are teaching in person, virtually or in a hybrid setting. Come prepared to play games that can be played with a deck of cards and that focus on the following math concepts: operational fluency and place value. Help rebuild the gaps that have happened with a year of COVID and get some great ideas for helping your students. Gameboards, ideas for creating math journals, social distancing strategies.

COME WITH A DECK OF CARDS AS YOU WILL BE PLAYING THE GAMES THROUGHOUT THE SESSION.

Understanding the Role of the Educational Assistant

with Barb Pears

We know that as Educational Assistants, you go above and beyond, every day, in pursuit of supporting complex needs and impacting the lives of children, families and the learning community to which you belong. You are the vital connection many students need to be successful. This requires skill, dedication and patience beyond measure!

The challenges of supporting students and staff in an environment where teaching and learning needs are continually evolving is complex work.

This session will provide staff who are currently in this complex role with an overview of educational best practices in support of students and teachers. Participants will also develop an understanding of the educational assistant role and the importance of common language and consistency in educational practices across a school or district.

Reconciliation Activities for Children Ages 5 - 8

with Dan Nash

This session will introduce an activity-centered resource created to help young children begin to understand the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada. It guides them gently toward how they can be part of the reconciliation journey. The activities are appropriate for children five to eight years of age.This resource has been written with the intention that Indigenous and non-Indigenous children will both find the activities meaningful. Participants will have the opportunity to explore resources related to Medicine Wheel, Blanket Exercise, Residential schools, Treaties, Equity opportunities.

Discussion will also include how this resource could be adapted for older groups.

We Learn from the Sun

with David Bouchard

A fresh, new look at the Seven Sacred Teachings through a book that is applicable to primary students. Don't kid yourself. The story and the teachings will resonate with all.

Illustrated by Metis artist Kristy Cameron and published by Medicine Wheel Publishing, We Learn from the Sun is already a best seller and will soon be a classic among Indigenous resources.

Plasticine Writing for Reluctant Writers

with Kelly Gibbs

A look at a writing technique that can support reluctant writers in their journey to becoming authors. Teachers will reflect on the writing process and how to infuse art and storytelling as a way for students to create writing pieces that capture their ideas in a unique way.

Shake Up Your Operational Fluency Practice – Box Cars Favorite K - 6 Dice Games

with Jane Felling

We need to keep our student active and engaged in meaningful, hands-on math games and activities whether we are teaching in person, virtually or in a hybrid setting. Come prepared to play our favorite regular dice games that can be played in all settings. Concepts covered include: early operational fluency strategies including doubles, make 10, fact families, early multiplication and square facts, number patterns for adding multiples of ten, mental math strategies for addition and subtraction, and more. You will receive gameboards, ideas for math journals, math talk extensions. Our math shake breaks will help you rebuild the gaps that have happened from a year of covid. Come prepared to shake, rattle and roll and engage in our best dice games for operational fluency.

COME WITH 6 REGULAR DICE AS YOU WILL BE SHAKE BREAKING THROUGHOUT THE SESSION!

Visuals – “An In-depth look” – Part 1 and Part 2

with Carmen Moore

After hearing the phrase “use visuals” for the umpteenth time in a report as a suggested strategy. I finally had the opportunity to really study more in depth the possibilities and power of using visuals. This is when I began to see possibilities for me as a classroom teacher, EA, coach or even for personal usage. Visuals are a research based strategy and you can come to hear a bit of theory and tons ideas. Come and see the visuals (pun intended)!

The Stress of Change

with Cher Brasok

If there is one thing we have all been inundated with lately, it’s change. Constant change. When it comes to coping with change, it is important to remember there are 2 aspects: practical and emotional. Many times we are forced to dive into the practical aspect only to find that we are struggling. To help build your change resilience, it is equally as important to deal with the emotions surrounding the change.

Participants will explore:

• Emotional responses to change

• How our thoughts affect the emotion of change.

• Strategies to shift unhelpful thinking.

• Tools to help with the practical side of implementing change

Fostering Educational Assistant' Support for Online Learners

with Colin Byers

Have you been asked to support students who are working online? The transition to support in an online environment from a face to face environment can be a bit overwhelming. This session will provide you with some key information related to:

• How to maintain engagement

• Effective communication with students

• Teacher/EA collaboration

• Using software tools

• Providing support for learners

• Modelling a positive school culture

Our hope is that you will leave this session with some useful tools and feeling more confident about your role online!

Guided Reading for Educational Assistants

with Kelly Gibbs

Guided Reading is a framework that is used to guide and engage students and build their reading skills.

This session is an overview that builds knowledge and understanding of Guided Reading and how Educational Assistants play a valuable role in supporting student learning in reading.

Behaviours that Challenge

with Dr. Lilian Saltel

In this session, we will discuss how to incorporate positive behaviour support when managing problem behaviours. We will talk about how problem behaviours are learned and how we can assess them to find out their function.

Lastly, we will go over some general behavioural strategies.

No Needles Required: Acupressure for Stress Relief

with Cher Brasok

When it comes to dealing with stress, one size does not fit all. If you are wanting to explore new ways to cope during these unprecedented times, join us to learn about acupressure. It is a practice that has been around for over 5000 years that, for some, is a highly effective (and easy) way to help feel calmer during times of stress.

Participants will explore:

• What is “stress” for you?

• Understanding the biological & neurological impacts of stress

• How your stress affects the decisions you make and your workplace and emotional resiliency

• What is acupressure?

• 7 Stress Releasing Acupressure Points

Opening Keynote: Pandemic Pandemonium Requires a Reconnection Revolution

with Dr. Jody Carrington

Even before this pandemic, disconnection was a concern for those we teach, lead, and love. Now, after a very difficult season around this globe, disconnection has become the epidemic. Kids these days have never been more in need of (or ready for) a place to land so they can do all the things they were born to do. The deal (breaker) is that we can't tell them how to do it, we have to show them. Which means right now, the literacy and the numeracy are the least of our worries. Reconnecting to the big people and reminding them of their holy work is our only way home.

Join us as we band together to talk about how we are so much braver together. We were never meant to do this alone. We are the ones we've been waiting for.

Students with Scars: Understanding Self Injury

with Ariel Haubrich

(This session is more applicable to staff of junior/ senior high grade levels)

The reality of the pain and struggles that many of our students experience is becoming more apparent, and unfortunately the coping strategy of "self-harm" is becoming more common. There is a lot of fear, misunderstanding, myth, judgement and confusion surrounding why and how students self-injure and we are left wondering how best to react (or not?) and support them as they cope. This session will provide some insight into the reasons students self-harm, the various forms this behavior can take, and the best strategies for prevention and support through both their physical and emotional healing.

Cultivating Relationships from the Inside Out

with Kim Barker-Kay

How can we cultivate our relationships with students and ensure their success? Most of us have many different relationships in our lives. Knowing ourselves well can help us identify our strengths and challenges. What might our next steps be to address these challenges? This inside-out journey will make our relationships richer and help us focus on what's important personally and professionally. Join Kim and learn about her experiences and research! Follow your own inside-out path!

I have to support students in a math classroom!

with Jackie Ratkovic

In this session we will be looking into some of the shifts in the math curriculum, so that you can gain a better understanding of why math is being taught differently than the way you learned it. When working with students in mathematics it is key to give them opportunities to explain their thinking in a variety of ways by asking good questions. The key to understanding is explaining with concrete materials, pictures and words which is a starting point to remembering.

Join this session if you want see math differently than the way someone may have taught you!

Supporting Educational Assistants - How to Support Reading Comprehension

with Kathleen Robertson

Do you read with students who need a little extra support in reading comprehension? This session will provide you with before, during, and after reading strategies that will benefit readers in the elementary grades.

10 Little Games to Build Big Cognitive Skills

with Vincent Mireau

We all work with kiddos with complex needs. Here are 10 little games you can play with them to target the cognitive skills assessed in the WISC and Stanford-Binet exams, to build relationship, and have fun. They will be regulating, universally designed, and developmentally matched.

Support Your Emotional Well Being And Your Students During Uncertain Times

with Susan Agrios

A calm mind is a focused mind. Our world has changed and most of us are struggling to make sense of what’s going on trying to find calm in the chaos and uncertainty. I can’t imagine a better time to bring us together and teach you a variety of mindfulness techniques for relaxation, emotional balance, self-regulation and improve focus to integrate in your daily life and to share with your students. Together we will also begin the beKIND Mindfulness Challenge so you can join our Global beKIND Mindfulness Movement of over 20,000 kids, teens and adults. It's simple and easy. All you need is you.

Social Referencing Throughout the School Day

with Catherine Crowe

Catherine Crowe, Speech-Language Pathologist will be presenting an Introductory Session and Workshop based on the principles of ‘Reference and Regulate’ program by David Loyst and Associates. Please see the following link for information regarding this program:

https://www.randrforautism.com/index.php?page=17

Participants will view a live webinar detailing the overview of the Reference and Regulate program, it’s stages, and the importance of sensory regulation for learning and relationship building for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The webinar will also cover some key features of ASD and the connection between these and difficulties experienced later in life with social skills.

Following the webinar participants will have the opportunity to discuss social referencing within their roles in the schools, discuss intervention strategies, and how to incorporate social referencing activities and Reference and Regulate principles throughout the school day.

Mentoring the ADHD Student

with Les Redick

Teachers and support staff are led through a discussion on how ADHD presents itself through the school years. Educators are shown what behaviors to look for in ADHD children and given strategies on how to manage their students ADHD symptoms.

I will speak to topics like: Disorganization, Irrational Behavior, Poor Social Skills, Poor Problem Solving/Time Management, Homework Issues, Video Game use and how to talk to parents about medications.

Supporting Educational Assistants - Supporting Fact Fluency Through Number Sense

with Kathleen Robertson

Are you working with students who are struggling to retain basic math facts? This session will describe why this may be happening and share approaches and activities that can help.

Developmentally-Oriented Outdoor Play for Kids

with Vincent Mireau

Many of us have had to shift to working online or outside to reduce risk of illness. Here are 10 good outdoor activities you can play with all kids that are regulating and developmentally oriented. Most of the activities will require little to no gear because let’s face it—gear makes things complicated.

Radical Change: How To Cope And Adapt To Changing Times

with Susan Agrios

Change is inevitable and difficult for many. When we feel forced to change this can create a sense of losing control of our environment which can lead to increased stress, anxiety, depression, anger and loss of hope to name a few. Do we really have control over our environment and what happens to us?

Radical change is about making a change, doing something different, so we can have a different outcome. Join us to learn a variety of techniques to help you and your students better cope and adapt to changing times.

Language Through Play, Grades K-1

with Catherine Crowe

Catherine Crowe, Speech-Language Pathologist (R.SLP) will discuss the different types and different stages of play, which are often impaired in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The presenter will then discuss an overview of possible interventions and suggestions for improving play skills in this population, as well as typically developing children. Strategies for facilitating language skills through play will be discussed throughout.

Executive Function for Teachers (Helping the ADHD Student)

with Les Redick

Teachers and support staff are led through a discussion on how to support executive functions in the classroom. Thomas Brown’s model of Executive Functions are used to give teachers and support staff tips and strategies that allow them to better manage ADHD type behaviors in any grade level classroom.

Supporting Educational Assistants - Strategies for Attention and Memory Supports

with Kathleen Robertson

Do you work with students who have challenges with attention or memory? This session will provide you with some strategies that you can use right away to support your learners.

Yoga for Self Care

with Jennifer Osborne-Aldred

Come join Jennifer for a blissful yoga practice that will leave you feeling relaxed and restored. It will be a combination of traditional poses with a focus on relaxation and gentle stretching. A conversation around self-care will follow the yoga practice. Please wear comfortable clothing, have a yoga mat, and access to a water bottle.

PowerSchool 101

with Ross Nitschke

This session will support admin assistants that are new to their roles and PowerSchool basic operations, such as using the search features to find students and groups of students; selecting and displaying/exporting information about them. The presenters will go through the basics of what the student pages looks like, and how to find, review and change this information. Participants will also be led through how to log into the Parent Portal and view the Power Teacher interface.

PowerSchool Sharing Session

with Susan Dunn

This session, facilitated by Susan Dunn, will be an opportunity for participants to share and hear about various ‘tips and tricks’ you have learned in your navigation of PowerSchool as well as bring forward any challenges or questions you may have in your work with the PowerSchool platform.

How to Access and Use the PowerSchool: System Reports

with PowerSchool Representative

In this session you will be provided with an overview of the various system reports found in PowerSchool as well as a discussion on customizable reports using Object Reports, ReportWorks and Enterprise Reporting

Accessing Power Teacher Pro as an Admin and Gradebook Overview

with Powerschool Representative

Learn how to access and view teachers gradebooks from PowerSchool Admin portal. How to setup permissions for Admin to view the teacher gradebook, how to access student information either from the grade book or student screens and reports within PowerSchool Admin portal.