Every true hero knows that their greatest strength lies not just in their own abilities, but in the diverse histories and perspectives that form their community. For educators, weaving authentic Indigenous knowledge into the classroom is essential—a path that requires the right map and the right allies to avoid missteps.

In this transformative professional learning session, the Rupertsland Institute—the educational authority over Métis education in Alberta—invites you to expand your teaching arsenal with authentic Métis knowledge. Designed and presented directly by Métis Educators and supported by the community, this session acts as a crucial "mission briefing." We will guide you through the five core Métis Foundational Knowledge Themes:

* Languages of Métis

* Métis Culture and Traditions

* Homeland History

* Métis in Alberta

* Métis Nation Governance

You will learn how to confidently identify and select genuine, culturally rich educational materials. We will explore powerful tools—ranging from land-based learning frameworks (askîhk kiskinohamâtowin) to resources that explore historical resilience—ensuring you are equipped to move past superficial lessons and create truly meaningful teachable moments.

Attendees will leave with a fortified "knowledge set" of authentic, classroom-ready materials and the heroic confidence needed to seamlessly weave distinct Métis perspectives, history, and voices into their everyday teaching practice for all grade levels. 

Participants attending this session can expect to discover high-level strategies to seamlessly include and support their English Language Learners (ELLs) within mainstream content area classes. Moving beyond basic vocabulary lists, Lynn will share practical, high-impact approaches to scaffolding complex texts, modifying tasks without lowering academic rigor, and leveraging visual and contextual supports. Educators will walk away with a versatile toolkit of adaptable strategies designed to lower the affective filter for language learners while boosting their comprehension, engagement, and confidence in any subject.

This session will focus on working with neurodivergent students, and implementing strategies and supports that are effective and realistic. We will discuss the challenges of working with students who require accommodations and ways to support them in and out of the classroom. We will teach the importance of working as a team and following through on a student-centered plan to see students succeed. 

Learning isn't just a mechanical process of downloading information; it is a dynamic, living journey. Just as a hero’s extraordinary abilities don't appear overnight but grow organically through experience and training, true student learning follows a profound biological rhythm.

Based on the insights of Rudolf Steiner, this session explores how the learning process can be mapped directly to seven natural life processes. By understanding this organic blueprint, educators can guide students through a natural evolution of mastery:

• Breathing (Observing): Taking in the surrounding environment and gathering raw, unshaped information.

• Warming (Relating): Sparking a personal connection and building an emotional resonance with the material to ignite engagement.

• Nourishing (Digesting): Breaking down heavy, complex concepts into usable, life-giving intellectual energy.

• Sorting (Filtering): Discerning what is essential and separating the core truths from the surrounding noise.

• Maintaining (Practicing): Flexing the intellectual muscle through deliberate repetition to build lasting strength and stamina.

• Growing (Expanding): Stretching beyond the basics to apply these new abilities to broader, more complex challenges.

• Reproducing (Creating): Reaching the ultimate level of mastery, where students can take what they've learned to forge and express something entirely their own.

When we force education against the grain of human nature, teaching can feel like a constant battle. But by aligning our instructional design with these seven natural steps, we unlock a powerful momentum. Attendees will leave this session with a practical framework to design lessons that are not only deeply meaningful but result in enduring, unstoppable student success.

ACTIVE Session (K-6)

Most teacher training programs spend very little time preparing you for the gym — and that gap shows up fast. This hands-on, active session walks you through the core skills that build real confidence: structuring lessons for engagement, observing movement with purpose, and giving feedback that kids actually use. This session is the Best of the Best from over 2 decades of teaching in the gym to explore practical tools for formative assessment and lesson design. You'll leave with immediately usable strategies and a clearer framework for seeing and adjusting for student progress, how to use micro teachings to hone in on skill development, and have a better understanding of how, as a teacher, to move in the space to minimize student behavioural challenges.  

Every hero faces a moment where the world shifts dramatically, demanding new skills and advanced technology to navigate the unknown. Today, that monumental shift is Artificial Intelligence. As AI rapidly transforms the landscape of learning and the future workforce, our K-12 students need more than just basic exposure; they need to become "AI-confident" leaders who understand how to wield these powerful new tools safely, ethically, and responsibly.

In this session, the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii)—one of Canada’s leading national AI hubs—will provide an essential "mission briefing" on the possibilities of AI in education. We will explore Amii's comprehensive, free K-12 AI Literacy programs, a massive initiative co-developed by top educational and machine learning experts to bring world-class AI training directly into Alberta classrooms.

You do not need a background in computer science to join this alliance. We will guide you through an accessible range of teacher resources, including ready-to-use learning kits, lesson plans, and interactive projects designed for all grade levels. From harnessing the potential of generative AI (like ChatGPT) to exploring ethics, safety, and reimagined career pathways, you will discover how to demystify this technology for your students.

Attendees will leave equipped with a clear roadmap and practical tools to minimize the risks and maximize the benefits of artificial intelligence. Join us to learn how to upgrade your classroom and train the next generation of innovators to harness the superpowers of AI for good.

LINK to Amii

This session brings administrators and teachers together to examine how instructional leadership and high‑impact classroom practices align to improve student learning. Participants will explore how leader actions, teacher clarity, effective feedback, and intentional use of evidence create a shared focus on learning at every level of the school. Emphasis is placed on making learning visible for students and adults through clear goals, success criteria, formative assessment, and reflective practice. The session highlights how collective responsibility, aligned instructional practices, and continuous improvement strengthen both teaching quality and student outcomes.

YES - We love books!!! This presentation will focus on improving students’ personal connection to and intrinsic understanding of books.  The session aims to emphasize the importance of making meaning with your students using books and stories, and in sharing books as a way to build connections, empathy, and interest in the classroom. Research will be presented demonstrating the importance of reading for pleasure and connection, and a list of book examples for different topics will be shared. Participants will also be invited to share their own book ideas using an online data collection.

The shift to Alberta’s new junior high mathematics curriculum requires more than just swapping out textbooks—it demands a strategic update to our pedagogical approach. Join curriculum expert Bette Morris for an essential deep dive into the Grade 7–9 math framework. This session will map out the structural changes, critical shifts in learning outcomes, and the heightened emphasis on spatial reasoning, algebraic thinking, and financial literacy.

Designed specifically for junior high educators and school leaders, this workshop goes beyond high-level overviews to provide practical, classroom-ready guidance. Participants will explore how to successfully align daily lesson planning with the new curriculum mandates, maintain conceptual rigor, and ensure a smooth, confident transition for students navigating these vital transitional grades.

How do we transform high school students from passive decoders into deeply engaged, critical readers of complex texts? Join long-time literacy consultant Irene Heffel to explore evidence-based best practices in reading instruction specifically tailored for secondary content areas.

Designed for high school teachers, this session bridges the gap between basic reading mechanics and advanced comprehension. Grounded in mature literacy principles, the workshop focuses on the critical importance of priming adolescent thinking, systematically building background knowledge, and embedding purposeful academic dialogue before, during, and after reading complex material. Educators will walk away with an understanding of how to establish predictable classroom routines, make student reasoning visible, and utilize explicit literacy instructional strategies to significantly boost achievement across high school curricula.

Session Duration: 150 minutes (Sessions 1 and 2)

Every student brings a unique, invisible architecture into your classroom—their brain. Understanding how that architecture was built is one of the most powerful tools an educator can possess.

This session is the first of a two-part collaborative workshop designed to help educators secure their official Brain Story Certification, an internationally recognized credential developed by the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative (AFWI) and the Palix Foundation.

What is The Brain Story?

The Brain Story synthesizes decades of cutting-edge research from over 30 leading neurobiology and mental health experts into an accessible, powerful narrative. It reveals that lifelong health and learning are determined by more than just our genetics. The experiences we have during sensitive periods of early development physically shape our brain architecture—for better or for worse.

In this session, we will begin our journey through the certification content, exploring the foundational concepts of the Brain Story:

• Brain Architecture: How early life experiences physically wire the brain's foundation.

• Serve and Return: The crucial back-and-forth social interactions that build strong neural pathways.

• Air Traffic Control (Executive Function): The cognitive skills required to regulate flow of information, focus, and follow rules.

• Toxic Stress & ACEs: How adverse childhood experiences disrupt brain development and increase the risk for lifelong physical and mental health challenges, including addiction.

• The Resilience Scale: How we can buffer the effects of toxic stress and build coping skills to tip the scales toward positive health outcomes.

Join us to uncover the biological "why" behind student behavior and learn how to use this science to foster trauma-informed, resilient, and thriving classroom communities.

(Note: Part 2 will build upon this foundation to complete the study and apply its learnings to our classrooms).

School administrators are often the first line of defense in identifying vulnerable students, yet navigating the intersection between education and Child Services can sometimes feel complex and siloed. This targeted session is designed specifically for school leaders, principals, and central office administrators looking to build clear, proactive, and collaborative pathways with Edmonton Children's Services.

Rather than viewing the system solely through a lens of crisis intervention, this workshop unpacks how to position Child Services as an essential community partner in early intervention and holistic student care. Attendees will gain deep insight into the regional frameworks governing child welfare in Alberta, legal responsibilities under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act, and standard protocols for communication.

This session explores the real experience of stepping into school leadership for the first time, moving beyond theory into the everyday realities of being a new administrator in a charter school setting. Through honest reflection, practical examples, and interactive discussion, participants will examine what it means to navigate shifting relationships, understand your school's specific charter, make complex decisions, manage competing priorities, and thrive while leading. The session is designed to be relevant for both aspiring and current administrators across diverse school contexts, from the perspectives of a new administrator. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for building trust, leading through uncertainty, protecting personal sustainability, and developing confidence in their leadership identity while staying grounded in authentic, relational practice.

This session will guide participants through the charter evaluation process, including the steps leading to the submission of a Charter Renewal request to the Minister. It will also provide an overview of what to expect in general of meetings and reports for Alberta Education. The process is intended to support ongoing improvement for charter school operators, consistent with ministry assurance requirements and the priorities established by the charter school community. Reports serve both as evidence of compliance with provincial requirements and as a summary of the operator’s successes over the charter term.

Culturally Responsive School-Wide Practices to Support Changing School Populations. Join me as we explore tried and true research-based practices that can be implemented to reflect cultural diversity in our inclusive classrooms.

This session explores how collaborative structures—such as collaborative team meetings, coaching cycles, and collaborative planning time—create intentional opportunities for both teachers and administrators to enact instructional leadership and co-develop effective instructional strategies rooted in teacher clarity, evidence-based practice, and collective efficacy. Grounded in the Collaborative Response model, participants will examine how structured collaboration shifts practice from isolated teaching to shared responsibility, enabling teacher-driven professional learning, alignment of instruction, and the creation of a living school-based instructional playbook. By connecting collaborative dialogue to classroom implementation and evidence of impact, these structures ultimately strengthen instructional coherence and conversations, build a culture of continuous learning, and lead to improved student outcomes across diverse learning contexts.

This presentation is about executive dysfunction and how it can affect students at school, at home, and in everyday life. We will explore what executive functioning skills are, common signs students may show, and why some learners struggle with organization, focus, emotional regulation, and task completion. The presentation will also highlight how executive dysfunction is a need for support, structure, and skill-building strategies. We will share practical classroom supports that can help students feel more successful, including routines, visual tools, checklists, and movement or regulation strategies. Finally, we will discuss creating SEL toolkits where students can choose personalized coping tools and strategies to help them regulate emotions and build independence.

The gym is unlike any other space in your school; loud, unpredictable, and full of opportunity. This session unpacks what quality Physical Education teaching looks like: how you plan for it, manage it, and know your students are growing when there is nothing to collect at the bell. Drawing on current physical literacy research and real classroom experience, we explore the pedagogical decisions that make the difference between a functional class and a genuinely great one. You'll leave with a deeper understanding of the craft and a renewed confidence to deliver the KUPSs in the new curriculum. 

Every experienced hero knows that the journey does not end with mastering the basics. To face the evolving challenges of the modern classroom and step into true leadership, even the greatest heroes must occasionally return to the academy to upgrade their powers and expand their strategic vision.

In this session, we invite you to explore the ultimate "advanced command center"—the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta. Consistently ranked among the top education faculties in Canada, the U of A offers an elite training ground for educators seeking to elevate their impact. We will provide a comprehensive "mission briefing" on their diverse graduate opportunities, ranging from highly specialized Graduate Certificates to flexible Master’s (MEd) and Doctoral (EdD, PhD) programs across disciplines like Educational Psychology, Policy Studies, and School Leadership.

But this session is about more than just earning a new credential; it is about tapping into cutting-edge intelligence. We will also explore the groundbreaking, real-world research currently driving the Faculty. You will get a glimpse into how U of A researchers are actively forging the future of education—from exploring the everyday power of hope in learning and pioneering inclusive Deaf education, to advancing Indigenous knowledge and pedagogy (mâmawohkamâtowin), and supporting educator mental health and well-being.

Whether you want to add a specialized certificate to your "knowledge set" or embark on a deep dive into educational research and administration, attendees will leave with a clear roadmap of the possibilities available. Join us to discover your next great academic adventure and learn how to build the advanced superpowers needed to lead the future of education.

Discover engaging and practical ways to create a meaningful Kindergarten classroom that supports all learners! This presentation will explore cross-curricular learning, differentiation, inclusion, hands-on experiences, play-based learning, and student engagement within daily routines and lessons. Learn how to incorporate buddy activities, Kinder Cooking, outdoor education, Wonder Learning, and more to foster curiosity, independence, and connection in your classroom. Although focused on Kindergarten, many of the ideas and strategies can be easily adapted for any Division One classroom!

In this session, Betty Morris will guide educators through the tactical use of math manipulatives to support deep student learning in Grades K-6. We will move beyond simply keeping students busy with blocks and counters, and instead explore how to strategically deploy these tools to make abstract mathematical operations visible, tangible, and solvable.

Just as a hero learns the specific function of every tool at their disposal, you will learn how to match the right manipulative to specific curriculum outcomes to build true numeracy. Attendees will leave the "training room" equipped with practical, ready-to-use strategies that empower young learners to physically construct their mathematical understanding, transforming frustration into heroic confidence.

For many adolescents, staring down a blank page can feel like facing an invincible villain. Yet, the ability to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively is one of the most essential "superpowers" a student will ever need. As writing demands intensify in junior and senior high, students must evolve beyond basic mechanics to master complex arguments, deep analysis, and compelling narratives.

In this session, Irene Heffel invites secondary educators into the advanced training room to explore evidence-based best practices for adolescent writing instruction. 

1. This session will explore two simple, practical strategies that can help improve student recall, participation, and formative assessment: Quick Starts and mini whiteboards.

The main focus will be on how Quick Starts—a short set of five questions completed at the beginning of class—can be intentionally designed to strengthen retrieval of previously learned knowledge. Rather than only reviewing the previous lesson, Quick Starts can bring back key skills and concepts from days, weeks, or even months earlier, helping students build stronger long-term retention.

The session will also examine how mini whiteboards can be used as a fast and effective formative assessment tool. Teachers can quickly check the understanding of every student, identify misconceptions, adjust instruction in the moment, and increase participation without the pressure of formal assessment.

While many of the examples will come from Math, both strategies can be adapted to virtually any subject area. Participants will leave with practical ideas they can use immediately in their own classrooms to make retrieval practice and formative assessment a regular part of daily instruction.

Any Music or Arts Teacher will likely agree that justifying the validity of music and arts education and a robust music or arts program can be a challenging endeavour. Administration and the school community in general often nod whole-heartedly and agree when considerations like brain development, soft skills, independence, interdependence, logic, creativity, connection, and emotional regulation are cited and supported with peer reviewed scientific evidence for Music or Art Studies. Nobody disputes this and many are willing to speak of supporting but few have realized the full potential of that support. No need to talk about it further. Let's focus and explore the possibilities:

• What about a change in paradigm instead? 

• What about music or art as a human imperative and form of personal identity, not just personal expression? 

• How about tapping into these and providing a means to which students can identify and express themselves in a supportive and safe environment? 

By giving students the opportunity to produce and facilitate their own initiatives we are able to provide students with the freedom to make their own mistakes but have soft landings, to dream big and make their ideas come to life, and to embrace and express their identities and find value and community in them. 

Session Duration: 150 minutes (Sessions 1 and 2)

Every student brings a unique, invisible architecture into your classroom—their brain. Understanding how that architecture was built is one of the most powerful tools an educator can possess.

This session is the second of a two-part collaborative workshop designed to help educators secure their official Brain Story Certification, an internationally recognized credential developed by the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative (AFWI) and the Palix Foundation.

What is The Brain Story?

The Brain Story synthesizes decades of cutting-edge research from over 30 leading neurobiology and mental health experts into an accessible, powerful narrative. It reveals that lifelong health and learning are determined by more than just our genetics. The experiences we have during sensitive periods of early development physically shape our brain architecture—for better or for worse.

In this session, we will continue our journey through the certification content, exploring the foundational concepts of the Brain Story:

• Brain Architecture

• Serve and Return

• Executive Functions 

• Toxic Stress & ACEs

• The Resilience Scale

Join us to continue to uncover the biological "why" behind student behavior and learn how to use this science to foster trauma-informed, resilient, and thriving classroom communities.

(Note: This session will build upon the foundation to secure a certification and to apply the learnings to our classrooms).

Student discipine is a core part of a school administrator's role.   But do we fully understand the processes and the value of differnt types of consequences when given as a result of misbehaviour?  This session is for school administrators who are responsible for investigating and metting out consequences. It is a discussion of the research behind consequneces given to students for misbehaviour and participants will be asked to share their experiences, strategies, and resources so that the entire room can benefit from the collective experience.      

Schools collect more data than ever, but collecting it does not automatically improve student learning. This session will examine how STEM Collegiate gathers academic, assessment, and student-level data, why each source is collected, and how the evidence is used to guide intervention, reteaching, assessment design, teacher support, and school-wide decisions. Grounded in STEM Collegiate’s strong academic results, the session will offer practical routines for moving from data review to clear action, ownership, and follow-up. This presentation is designed for teachers, teacher leaders, and school administrators who want to strengthen how evidence informs classroom practice, instructional leadership, and school improvement.

LEAD TBD

DRAFT

This interactive session is structured as a collaborative networking hub and Community of Practice (CoP)—a dedicated space where charter board members and administrators can connect, bridge perspectives, and share dual-level strategies.

A Possible Session Agenda

• Welcome, Introductions & Role Alignment

Objective: Assemble the group, break the ice, and establish the core focus areas for both governance and administrative leaders.

• Charter Mandate, Governance & Accountability

Objective: Share best practices for maintaining the integrity of unique charter missions while co-navigating Alberta Education’s Assurance Framework.

• Shared Resources, Strategic Solutions & Board-Admin Dynamics

Objective: Address the unique operational, financial, and staffing pressures felt across the charter sector through the lens of board-administrator collaboration.

• Action Steps & Future Alliances

Objective: Identify key takeaways, align on unified leadership strategies, and build a lasting network of cross-sector support beyond the conference walls.