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Information About the Day
On February 17, 2026, staff from 15 schools within the M.E. LaZerte Catchment will be gathering at M.E. LaZerte High School for professional learning focusing on EPSB Priorities and Catchment goals.
Staff will have the opportunity to select two sessions that align with their professional goals. Session descriptions and capacity limits are provided below.
Light refreshments and beverages will be provided throughout the morning. Please use Session Selection Form to indicate any dietary requirements.
Session Selection
February 17th Professional Learning Registration: Session Selection Form (Form Closed)
Note: Sessions will be removed from form as capacity is reached
Session Selection form must be completed by Tuesday February 10 at 4:00pm. Following registration, staff members will receive an email confirmation with their selected session details and location by February 12th.
Please check spam folders or reach out to Kercelyn.Pasternak@epsb.ca if you have not received your confirmation.
Session 1: 9:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Priority 1 Sessions
AI Tools to Assist Teacher Planning
Presenter: Blythe Evans
Target Audience: All Divisions
Capacity: 200
Location: Elniski Gym
Description: Join this hands on session for practice using a number of large language model tools to create lesson materials for the learning outcomes you teach, matched with a variety of pedagogical strategies. Demonstrations will focus on Google Gemini, while also showcasing Google Vids, Google Classroom tools, Adobe Express and Magic School.
Engaging Reluctant Writers
Presenter: Christine Lux
Target Audience: Divisions 1/2
Capacity: 100
Location: Cafeteria
Description: Provides practical strategies to empower reluctant writers, build stamina, and independence, and increase engagement.
Supporting Literacy Across the Curriculum
Presenter: Shelley Pitzel
Target Audience: Division 3/4
Capacity: 100
Location: Room 203
Description: Equips teachers with strategies and resources for supporting literacy development in secondary classrooms.
Music Teacher Collaboration
Presenter: N/A
Target Audience: Music Teachers Across Divisions
Capacity: 30
Location: Room 151
Description: Join the catchment music teachers for open-ended collaboration, planning, and sharing.
Priority 2 Sessions
Words Matter: Addressing Inappropriate Racialized Language in School Communities
Presenter: Janice Pinnock
Target Audience: All Divisions
Capacity: 75
Location: Room 129
Description: This session is a professional learning conversation focused on the use of inappropriate language in schools and our responsibility as educators to create welcoming, safe, inclusive, healthy learning environments. Led by Diversity Education Consultant Janice Pinnock, the session explores how the use of appropriate language can remove the ability for individuals to feel a sense of belonging and safety.
In today’s polarized climate, words matter. Participants will receive a brief historical and social overview of racially harmful and exclusionary terms, and why their use causes real harm to students and communities. Through guided scenarios and discussion, educators will examine how inappropriate language shows up in school settings and how to respond in ways that are educational, accountable, and aligned with the Division's priority on anti-racism.
The session concludes with practical strategies educators can use to interrupt and address harmful language when it occurs.
Exploring Métis Dot Art
Presenter: Katie Holubowich
Target Audience: All Divisions
Capacity: 25
Location: Room 152 - Circle of Courage
Description: Get to know the Métis people through a creative, hands-on experience. In this session, you’ll learn about the history and identity of the Métis—often called the Flower Beadwork People—and explore the meaning behind their traditional art. Then, try your hand at Métis dot art—a painting style inspired by traditional beadwork. No experience needed. Just come ready to learn, create, and walk away with a piece of art and a better understanding of the people whose land we live and work on.
Priority 3 Sessions
ADHD & Our Classrooms
Presenter: Justin Lessard
Target Audience: All Divisions
Capacity: 100
Location: Theatre
Description: Join Justin to discuss the impact that ADHD has on students in our classrooms. This presentation will cover the basics of ADHD and how it can make things incredibly challenging for students and their families. We'll also cover universal ADHD interventions that will benefit all students in your classroom to try and lighten classroom management. Come with lots of questions for discussion during the presentation.
Fears, Feelings, & F(ph)ones: Working Towards Healthier & More Functional Youth
Presenter: Dr. Erica Dunn
Target Audience: All Divisions
Capacity: 100
Location: Library
Description: In this presentation, attendees will be provided:
1. A very brief overview of brain development in adolescence.
2. A new perspective on the emotional experience of anxiety and problems with avoidance.
3. The argument for the “double problem” with cell phones (avoidance and reinforcement).
4. Different ways to approach emotion with youth.
Dr. Erica Dunn is a Registered Psychologist in Edmonton and lover of teachers (she is the wife of a teacher, the sister of a teacher, the friend of many teachers, and mom of a school-aged kiddo). She currently works in private practice, offering counselling to individual adults and couples while also engaging in clinical supervision. Erica is passionate about teaching and helping individuals understand how the principles of psychology relate to their work and relationships.
Addiction in Youth
Presenter: Jacky Lam
Target Audience: All Divisions
Capacity: 100
Location: Room 243
Description: When most people hear the word addiction, they often think of substance use—such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine, or alcohol. While substance-related addictions remain important and relevant, the landscape of addiction has been changing rapidly. With the rise of the internet, social media, and digital platforms, we are seeing emerging forms of addiction that are behavioural rather than substance-based and include activities such as video gaming, online gambling, pornography, and excessive social media use.
In this session you will gain an understanding to these newer addiction trends helping to better interpret student behaviour, and provide strategies to improve classroom engagement, emotional regulation and timely more informed interventions.
Session 1: 10:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Priority 1 Sessions
Exploring Notebook LM: content creation and independent study strategies
Presenter: Blythe Evans
Target Audience: All Divisions
Capacity: 200
Location: Elniski Gym
Description: Join this fast paced hands on session to explore the latest features in Notebook LM, combined with prompting for cognitive learning strategies to create lesson materials or self study resources for students.
Engaging Reluctant Writers (Repeat)
Presenter: Christine Lux
Target Audience: Divisions 1/2
Capacity: 100
Location: Cafeteria
Description: Provides practical strategies to empower reluctant writers, build stamina, and independence, and increase engagement.
Supporting Literacy Across the Curriculum (Repeat)
Presenter: Shelley Pitzel
Target Audience: Division 3/4
Capacity: 100
Location: Room 203
Description: Equips teachers with strategies and resources for supporting literacy development in secondary classrooms.
Music Teacher Collaboration Continued
Presenter: N/A
Target Audience: Music Teachers Across Divisions
Capacity: 30
Location: Room 151
Description: Join the catchment music teachers for open-ended collaboration, planning, and sharing.
Priority 2 Sessions
Words Matter: Addressing Inappropriate Racialized Language in School Communities (Repeat)
Presenter: Janice Pinnock
Target Audience: All Divisions
Capacity: 75
Location: Room 129
Description: This session is a professional learning conversation focused on the use of inappropriate language in schools and our responsibility as educators to create welcoming, safe, inclusive, healthy learning environments. Led by Diversity Education Consultant Janice Pinnock, the session explores how the use of appropriate language can remove the ability for individuals to feel a sense of belonging and safety.
In today’s polarized climate, words matter. Participants will receive a brief historical and social overview of racially harmful and exclusionary terms, and why their use causes real harm to students and communities. Through guided scenarios and discussion, educators will examine how inappropriate language shows up in school settings and how to respond in ways that are educational, accountable, and aligned with the Division's priority on anti-racism.
The session concludes with practical strategies educators can use to interrupt and address harmful language when it occurs.
Exploring Métis Dot Art (Repeat)
Presenter: Katie Holubowich
Target Audience: All Divisions
Capacity: 25
Location: Room 152 - Circle of Courage
Description: Get to know the Métis people through a creative, hands-on experience. In this session, you’ll learn about the history and identity of the Métis—often called the Flower Beadwork People—and explore the meaning behind their traditional art. Then, try your hand at Métis dot art—a painting style inspired by traditional beadwork. No experience needed. Just come ready to learn, create, and walk away with a piece of art and a better understanding of the people whose land we live and work on.
Priority 3 Sessions
ADHD & Our Classrooms (Repeat)
Presenter: Justin Lessard
Target Audience: All Divisions
Capacity: 75
Location: Theatre
Description: Join Justin to discuss the impact that ADHD has on students in our classrooms. This presentation will cover the basics of ADHD and how it can make things incredibly challenging for students and their families. We'll also cover universal ADHD interventions that will benefit all students in your classroom to try and lighten classroom management. Come with lots of questions for discussion during the presentation.
Fears, Feelings, & F(ph)ones: Working Towards Healthier & More Functional Youth (Repeat)
Presenter: Dr. Erica Dunn
Target Audience: All Divisions
Capacity: 75
Location: Library
Description: In this presentation, attendees will be provided:
1. A very brief overview of brain development in adolescence.
2. A new perspective on the emotional experience of anxiety and problems with avoidance.
3. The argument for the “double problem” with cell phones (avoidance and reinforcement).
4. Different ways to approach emotion with youth.
Dr. Erica Dunn is a Registered Psychologist in Edmonton and lover of teachers (she is the wife of a teacher, the sister of a teacher, the friend of many teachers, and mom of a school-aged kiddo). She currently works in private practice, offering counselling to individual adults and couples while also engaging in clinical supervision. Erica is passionate about teaching and helping individuals understand how the principles of psychology relate to their work and relationships.
Addiction in Youth (Repeat)
Presenter: Jacky Lam
Target Audience: All Divisions
Capacity: 75
Location: Room 243
Description: When most people hear the word addiction, they often think of substance use—such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine, or alcohol. While substance-related addictions remain important and relevant, the landscape of addiction has been changing rapidly. With the rise of the internet, social media, and digital platforms, we are seeing emerging forms of addiction that are behavioural rather than substance-based and include activities such as video gaming, online gambling, pornography, and excessive social media use.
In this session you will gain an understanding to these newer addiction trends helping to better interpret student behaviour, and provide strategies to improve classroom engagement, emotional regulation and timely more informed interventions.
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