ATA Local 48 Institute Day 2024

Join us on an engaging journey as we share our stories of how we came to care about our changing climate. We will describe the current state of our planet and its profound effects on the health and well-being of our students. Together, we'll uncover why discussing climate change can be challenging and how having compassionate conversations demonstrates our commitment to our students' futures. We'll examine the urgent need for climate action within our educational institutions and communities. Through this exploration, we'll identify ways teachers are taking action, share successful school-based initiatives, and equip ourselves to lead our students toward a sustainable future.

This session provides participants with increased understanding through sharing of lived experiences and introduces our ‘9 Steps to Affirming Spaces’ framework which focuses on consistent and tangible actions individuals will be able to walk away from the session and immediately begin to implement in their lives leaving the session. Participants leaving the session will gain a deeper understanding and sense of empathy for the barriers facing trans and gender diverse individuals, increased skillsets to intentionally create gender affirming spaces and the confidence to use those skills to create more inclusive spaces for our students, colleagues, and communities.

Have you ever wondered about how you are expected to behave outside of school hours? Can you be held accountable if you make a bad decision while not on duty. What might happen if you find yourself on the wrong side of an Alberta Teaching Profession Commission complaint?
 
These are questions that we have answers for, along with a host of others. Join us for an interactive session where we will explore the history of Professional Discipline in Alberta, the new Code of Conduct, the Role of the Alberta Teaching Profession Commission, trends in regulatory cases and most importantly, how you can keep yourself out of the professional discipline process.

Like a lot of teachers in Science I had no idea what to do when The TQS was updated to include teaching about First Nations, Metis and Inuit perspectives. This session will focus on my beginning of and still continuing journey to develop the competencies listed in TQS 5. The goal of this session is to help teachers find a place to start in their journey understanding First Nations, Metis and Inuit perspectives, especially in a science classroom.

Many teachers, especially in math and science really struggle to include First Nations, Metis and Inuit knowledge into their classes. Because this is a difficult task and teachers are afraid to do something wrong, it is often simply ignored. I want to help teachers understand that we don’t have to be perfect right off the bat, we are going to make mistakes and that is ok! By talking about my journey and the things that I’ve tried and learned about that I can help other teachers find a place where they fit and are willing to try something new. Being willing to try is an important part of reconciliation and being able to create schools that are safer for all students, particularly those who are affected by the legacy of residential schools.

Working with parents can be tricky. In this session, teachers and admin will learn 4 key communication skills that can disarm heated discussions, come to a resolution, and be able to create a collaborative approach to the student's academic success.

The enigmatic and obscure Oxford philologist, J.R.R. Tolkien produced a corpus of writings on the world of Middle Earth that has captivated countless readers. The cinematic renderings of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit has further popularized his works, yet readers and viewers alike are often surprised at the profound impression Tolkien’s Catholic faith has made upon his writings. C.S. Lewis, a close friend and associate whose encouragement was necessary for Tolkien to publish, wove Christian themes within his works via allegory. Tolkien, on the other hand, chose a much different and more sophisticated approach in creating the drama of the Rings of Power. This talk offers educators of Literature and Religion insight into the life and works of Tolkien and the undercurrents within thought—and how these can be made accessible to students in the classroom.

What do Lizzo, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Steven King, Michael Jordan....and Albert Einstein have in common? They all faced massive amounts of failure before getting to where they are today! Let's be real. Fear of failure is one of the biggest reasons that so many students have math anxiety. It prevents students from asking questions, speaking up in class, and even supporting their peers. But one thing no one talks about is this: most mathematicians and scientists in real life get paid to fail! ln this workshop we will explore the powerful role of failure in math class and how you can harness it to inspire your students to embrace failure in math class - and in real life!

Meeting ID: 834 4211 3248
Passcode: 745675

Why is it important to prioritize our financial well-being? Being financially prepared is essential because it's not just about money; it's a fundamental aspect of overall wellness. Neglecting financial health can lead to stress and affect mental well-being, making it harder to navigate life's challenges.
 
For educators, who often prioritize the needs of others over their own, focusing on personal wellness, including financial wellness, is imperative. Studies show that 40% of financially unstable Canadians experience stress related to their finances. This stress permeates their work life, with 88% reporting frequent worries and 49% admitting it affects their job performance.
 
But what if there were simple tools that could alleviate this stress? This session aims to provide such tools, offering practical steps that can be implemented easily.
 
In this session, you will learn how to identify any financial gaps that you may have, how to prepare for the unknown (financial emergencies and unexpected costs), and how to plan for your expected financial needs (home down payment, kids' post-secondary tuition, additional retirement funds). We will explore investment options, look at market dynamics, and using our core strategies we will set you up to make informed financial decisions.
 
Being financially prepared isn't just about avoiding financial pitfalls; it's about building resilience and understanding and securing peace of mind in the face of life's uncertainties.

How can our classrooms become spaces where students have the opportunity to fully flourish?  This professional development workshop examines how we might use literature, art and other media in our teaching to help students understand positive aspects of character, and at the same time, recognize these positive aspects of character within themselves.  More specifically, it details three sample lessons that explore virtue—or the sets of traits that lead to an individuals’ flourishing—within grade-level texts.  It concludes with recommendations for character education across content areas.    

Pass the Mic: Let’s Talk About Racism
We all have a role to play in creating an anti-racist society. The Pass the Mic: Let’s Talk About Racism, resource, encourages students to consider their relationship with racism and, in turn, learn about how to be anti-racist. They will learn all about bias, microaggressions, intersectionality, identity, allyship, and making all spaces safe for their marginalized peers. Finally, they will challenge themselves to take a stand for anti-racism in their communities. This session will introduce educators to the resource and discuss how to have these important conversations with their students.
www.humanrights.ca/story/pass-mic-lets-talk-about-racism

How to Talk With Boys About Andrew Tate
This session proposes that educators should be aware of anti-feminist influences surrounding boys, particularly online, and be ready and willing to explore them alongside their students. What do educators need to know about voices like Andrew Tate? How do we use an affirming, strengths-based approach to respond to tough boys while still maintaining the safety of our classroom?