Engaging in Career-Long Learning
"A teacher engages in career-long professional learning and ongoing critical reflection to improve teaching and learning" (Alberta Education).
From the TQS: (c) building capacity to support student success in inclusive, welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments; (d) seeking, critically reviewing and applying educational research to improve practice.
Below, is an up-to-date list of the PD sessions I have attended. I have a passion for learning, especially when it comes to children, and I have learned, as a student, that education is constantly changing and it takes a growth mindset to move forward and adapt to a consistently evolving system.
Impact Statement
Professional Development
Our School is "Our Community": Using restorative practices to build relationships and repair harm in our community
Robyn Hollohan - February 23, 2024
"Restorative Practices focuses on building relationships and repairing harm after it is caused which is an essential component of the TQS. The use of talking circles and positive questioning can change the way students feel valued, supported and develop into ethical, responsible, and accountable citizens. It starts with showing students, even when making mistakes, they are loved and have a valuable place in our schools."
Math Games: Div. I
Tricia Pope - February 23, 2024
A comprehensive exhibit of engaging math games to use in K-3 classrooms.
The Importance of Explicit and Systematic Phonics Instruction
Kayla Young - February 22, 2024
A deep dive into the importance of explicit phonics instruction and the available supportive programs.
Resilience and Regulation: Supporting students with challenging behaviour
ATA Hosted by Anna Petley-Jones - February 22, 2024
Understanding the nuances of challenging behaviour helps teachers connect with their students and better navigate challenging behaviour through collaboration with all invested partners.
Art in Action: Using elementary art to aid in executive function
Alex Funk - February 22, 2024
Learning through hands-on experiences, such as art, not only creates more learning opportunities for students with challenging behaviours but it also trains task initiation and perspective taking, gives students autonomy over their learning, and allows them to regulate at their own pace.
UFLI Training Sessions
Caylie Duchscherer - January 23, January 30, February 6, & February 13, 2024
Training in the implementation of the science of reading aligned UFLI Program (day 1, day 2, assessment, and differentiated small groups)
SIVA - 2-day advanced training in Supporting Individuals through Valued Attachments
SIVA Training Ltd. - Monica Braat - November 7, 2023 & January 26, 2024
"A holistic, relationship-based model that effectively utilizes collaboration, goal-direction, self-management and healthy empowerment to strengthen relationships and create safety with persons with challenging behaviours and complex needs."
Intro to JUMP Math Part II
Gael James - October 3, 2023
A deeper dive into teaching using the JUMP Math Structured Inquiry approach to lesson design.
Using JUMP Math Digital Lesson Slides (Grades K to 8)
Jacqueline Richmond - September 25, 2023
A discovery of the many features that are built into the JUMP Math Digital Lesson Slides. When used in combination with the lesson plans, the Digital Lesson Slides make lessons even more interactive and engaging, while decreasing valuable prep time.
Intro to JUMP Math Part I
Gael James - September 19, 2023
A brief history of JUMP Math, along with a tour of its resources and how they work together to provide teachers and students with research-informed lessons and learning.
Bringing it Together in Science: Planning for Teaching and Assessing by Integrating Matter with the Scientific Methods
Nicole Lamoureux - September 18, 2023
A guide through a classroom example of teaching and assessing how actions change the physical properties of an object (second KUSP) that included learning how to plan, teach and assess an investigation to help build student understanding. As well, this session instructed how to identify opportunities to integrate ELAL and Math to make science lessons more robust by streamlining teaching.
JUMP Math: Games with a Purpose (Grades K to 3)
Gael James - September 12, 2023
A comprehensive list of games, their instructions, and resources to use in the K-3 classroom to make Math more engaging and fun for students while taking the pressure off the teacher.
Intro to JUMP Math Part II
Gael James - October 3, 2023
A deeper dive into teaching using the JUMP Math Structured Inquiry approach to lesson design.
Using JUMP Math Digital Lesson Slides (Grades K to 8)
Jacqueline Richmond - September 25, 2023
A discovery of the many features that are built into the JUMP Math Digital Lesson Slides. When used in combination with the lesson plans, the Digital Lesson Slides make lessons even more interactive and engaging, while decreasing valuable prep time.
Getting Ready to teach JUMP Math (Grades 1 to 3)
Kate McKegney - August 15, 2023
An overview of how to access and use JUMP Math resources in the classroom to engage students more fully. JUMP Math follows the 10 Principles of Instruction which can be advantageous in any classroom. It is important to keep students interested with captivating lessons and games to build their confidence.
Trauma Informed Education
Savannah Leahy - November 15, 2022
Our education system has recognized that the mental health of our students needs to be moved to the forefront of the curriculum. Children come to our classes with adverse childhood experiences that inhibit their ability to learn. It is the job of educators to arm students with the tools or support necessary to ensure the curriculum can be accessed.
Working with Other Professionals in the Classroom
Lynae Egert - November 8, 2022
Knowing when to seek help from professionals outside the classroom is imperative for teachers and their students. Additional support from a speech language pathologist, physical or occupational therapist, and/or mental health professional might be all a student needs to access the Alberta curriculum.
Classroom Management
Cal Hauserman - November 1, 2022
Classroom management begins with the explicit teaching of classroom expectations.
Life Skills Curriculum Introduction
Emma Macdermid - October 18, 2022
Sometimes, inclusion requires the curriculum to change for the student. Life skills can make a bigger impact in the lives of students whose needs cannot be met by the Alberta curriculum.
Using Escape Rooms as an Educational Tool
Juanita Whelan - September 27, 2022
Escape rooms are a tool that can be used to engage students in the process of inquiry.
Triumph Through Trauma
Laurie McIntosh - June 2, 2022
Explore ways to support students post-pandemic and how to address mental health needs following shared trauma.
Teaching Sexual Health
AHS Nicole Inglis - April 7, 2022
Nicole leads an informative session on how best to teach sexual health to our (age-appropriate) students. The session is filled with important topics and questions, and included many resources.
Differentiation
Stacey Miner - March 24, 2022
For learning opportunities to be effective, instruction must to be tailored to the needs of the students. To differentiate, teacher clarity is essential--decide what needs explicit teaching and what can be delivered in other ways. Use the tools and resources that have been provided for effective differentiation.
Dealing with Difficult People (Parents)
ATA Ian Stewardson - March 22, 2022
Dealing with difficult people starts with you. Know how to set and maintain professional boundaries while maintaining focus on the student. Be prepared: have evidence, allow parents to speak first, be aware of non-verbal cues, and involve administration if there is a problem. Always start with a positive before introducing a negative.
Classroom Management
Kendra Boyd - March 15, 2022
To get to the bottom of troublesome behavior, always ask why... why the behavior, and why now? Classroom management is better managed through proactive strategies. Find and fuel the passion of the students to create the buy-in needed to appeal to their interests. Additionally, know when it is time to contact administration; do not be afraid to ask for help.
Digital Portfolios
Danielle Martin - March 8, 2022
Digital portfolios are an efficient way to demonstrate the authentic learning experiences of our students. They provide accountability for learning experiences and assessments and allow parents to be more actively involved in their child's education. Portfolios can make goal setting easier by showing a visual picture of students' growth.
MAP/MIPI Diagnostic Tests
Cammie Kannekens - March 1, 2022
A look into the Math and Literacy diagnostic tools used by many teachers in Medicine Hat school divisions. Cammie introduces MAP and MIPI tests, explains when they are best administered, and allows the group to sample the tests first-hand to experience how students at different grade levels are assessed.
The Importance of Calendar and Routine Time in K-2
Carolyn Freeman - February 15, 2022
Routines and visual schedules are important for children. Calendar time is a good time to implement routines, but it must be guided by a purpose. Remember: What is your purpose for implementing the routine?
Behavior 101
Di Robinson - February 8, 2022
One of the main struggles for a teacher is dealing with students' undesirable behaviors. In most cases, teachers can interrupt an unwanted behavior by being proactive. A behavior is most often a signal that something is not right in the child's world. If teachers take the time to get to know students and appeal to their needs, the behaviors will become potentially less disruptive.
Literacy, Numeracy, and Integration
River Heights Elementary School Professional Learning Day - December 10, 2021
Hearing the opinions of seasoned teachers on literacy, numeracy, and integration and how they have embraced these concepts in rich student-led projects is an invaluable experience.
Indigenous Content in the New TQS:
Moving from Inspiring to Requiring
The Alberta Teachers' Association - October 29, 2021
An eye-opening realization of how much teachers may not know about colonialism and its effects on Canada's Indigenous Peoples. The resources included are essential to current and future educators in Canada.
Standard First Aid
St. John Ambulance - August 7, 2021
Level C CPR & AED Recertification
Creating a Culture of Respect for Gender and Sexual Diversity
Calgary Centre for Sexuality - November 10, 2020
In a world where it can be hard to know what questions are appropriate to ask, Chris, from the Calgary Centre for Sexuality, arranges a safe place, without fear of judgment, for those questions to be answered.
Education Resources in the Library
Joanne Mokry - November 10, 2020
Joanne gives an informative presentation on how to use library resources, specific to education.
Teaching Tips for Online Learning and Connecting with Students
Ron Clark Academy - March 27, 2020
This course was offered by Ron Clark Academy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The course provides useful strategies to encourage relationship building in online learning environments.
Bronze Certificate of Exceptional Attendance
March 26, 2020
Received for attending more than the required number of professional development sessions offered by the Medicine Hat College Education Undergrad Society.
Self-Regulation in the Classroom Using Mindfulness
Carla Thorogood - March 5, 2020
This session is helpful in providing mindfulness tools for pre-service teachers to use in their future classrooms.
E-Liability for Teachers
Ian Stewardson - February 11, 2020
This session explored the guiding principles for using school division technology.
The Importance of Incorporating Play in the Classroom
Sonia Stanton - February 6, 2020
Sonia supports her argument for the importance of play, including how it affects students' learning. Sonia believes in freedom and fairness--students don’t need their center time to be governed because they are capable of managing their own time.
Childhood Anxiety: Helping Children Heal
Institute of Child Psychology - November 29, 2019
This course focuses on the epidemic of childhood anxiety. Children must distance themselves from passive technology and have more social interactions, time in nature, and PLAY!
When Students Get in Trouble: Alternatives to Consider
Dana Kohlman - November 14, 2019
Dana describes behavior management from his role as an administrator. This session informs pre-service teachers of the administrator's role in behaviour management so they will be empowered to seek support instead of feeling alone. Behavior management takes time. As Dana says, “you have all the time in the world” to correct negative behavior.
What is the ATA?
Ian Stewardson - October 1, 2019
Ian informs future teachers of the benefits of the ATA and how the association will protect them in their practice.
Traditional Knowledge Teaching
Migizi-Wasaa-Ewaabit - September 19, 2019
David leads by example. His traditional practices are welcoming and instill peace and calm. David shares his experiences as an Indigenous person attending a French Catholic school to make future teachers aware of the different perspectives that may occur within a single classroom.
Direction of the MHPSD #76
Mark Davidson - September 17, 2019
Mark gives a thought-provoking lecture which encourages reflective practice. MHPSD#76 implements their vision of education through goals of inclusivity, wellness, First Nations education, and optimal learning environments for all.
Won’t or Can’t? A New Lens for Understanding Challenging Behavior
Angela Irvine - March 29, 2019
Understanding why challenging behaviors occur is the root of classroom management. This session arms the teacher with beneficial ways of preventing or responding to negative behavior, rather than REACTING to it.
New Students, New Questions: Supporting the Classroom Teacher in an Inclusive School
Emma Van der Klift and Norman Kunc - November 16, 2018
Emma and Norman humourously tackle the issue of how to successfully implement inclusion in the classroom by engaging anecdotes of their own personal experiences of struggling through school with disability.
Ana Schlosser - November 22, 2017
There are so many ways a student might signal a cry for help. This session warns teachers and parents of red flags and how to prevent dangerous situations from arising.
