GETCA 2025

Yoga is more than just being flexible and bending yourself into a pretzel whilst wearing the most form fitting clothes you own. Only to watch a yoga teacher do their class at the front of a room while you try to keep up and learn and relax all at the same time. Yoga is an excellent moving meditation in which we move with the breath. In this class, we will discuss the importance of balance in our bodies and in our minds. We will work to understand the importance of grounding ourselves to create a solid safe place for ourselves. Then we will work on three different types of pranayama breathing that can be done in the classroom or at home or even in the car driving to work. Finally from our seats we will move through a series of effective stretches for the shoulders, hips, back and legs. We will also practice one standing balance once we understand the fundamentals of balance and bring all we have discussed together.

Across Alberta, more and more students of African descent (hailing from Somali, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Jamaica, Trinidad, other Canadian provinces, and elsewhere) are in our classrooms. In Edmonton Public Schools, they’re 11 percent of all students. And, unfortunately, extensive research demonstrates they face a three-pronged crisis of under-achievement, down-streaming, and dropping out. But what if schools had a simple approach that had the power to improve the lives not only of African students, but to give educational, career, and business opportunities that are—literally—worth billions of dollars, and which massively contribute to quality of life and community for all? The standard approach of “anti-racism” isn’t designed to do any of that. But aspirational Africentric education is. Join award-winning author and journalist Malcolm Azania of the aspirational Africentric education company Project Saqqara for an innovative, data-drive discussion and strategy to increase belonging and boost achievement for students of all backgrounds. Emerge energized and empowered with practical tools you can use your very next class!

Relationships are the foundation of effective education. In this session, Kevin shares strategies for building strong connections with colleagues, parents, and school staff. Like directors of blockbuster movies, successful educators thrive on relationships and collaboration. This session is divided into two parts. Part 1 focuses on creating a vision for school-wide cooperation. Part 2 will be full of ideas to motivate your school's staff and helping to reignite your school's culture! Kevin gets everyone out of their seats, engaging in laughter and team-building activities that teachers can also use with their students. Games like Egg Roulette, Frozen T-shirt, Lies in a Box, Last One Standing, and more will invigorate your team and provide practical ideas that can also be brought back to the classroom.

How do you spark a person’s curiosity? Whether you’re engaging a client, a colleague, or a trainee, that first step of getting them to “lean in” can be the ticket for meaningful engagement. In this captivating and humorous talk, Dan Riskin breathes life into the subject of curiosity through storytelling, while sharing his personal journey from insecure science student to Discovery Channel TV host. Initially plagued by imposter syndrome and fear, Riskin quit academics for a time, giving up on his dreams and working instead as a waiter. But something pulled him back, and while doing his PhD on vampire bats, Riskin was bitten — yes, by a few bats but also by a fundamental fact about curiosity that transformed his life. From that moment on, Riskin was unstoppable, publishing his research in top journals, appearing as a science expert on Jay Leno and Craig Ferguson’s late night talk shows, then ultimately taking the helm as the host of his own TV shows on Animal Planet and The Discovery Channel. What’s the secret? It's the profound understanding that people engage best with content when they are emotionally connected to it. (Riskin knows this from experience, but also because he can point to the scientific papers that explain why it happens.) That realization transformed his career trajectory and empowered him to achieve remarkable success. And since Riskin’s talk is carefully crafted to stoke the emotions of your audience, his message has the power to change them, too. That emotional engagement is why Riskin’s talk will be unforgettable for your group, and why it can permanently alter their perspective on their own professional paths.

Teach yoga to your students by just using their chair and space around them. Help de-stress your kiddos by doing simple shapes in and around the classroom.

A combination of over 20 years' teaching experience did not prepare us for what was coming when we were expecting our first child in 2018. From challenges with being heard and understood by our daughter's physician, to her now learning how to advocate for herself, the last nearly 7 years have given us perspective, patience and a different lens from which we now view our own neurodivergent students. Join us on a journey from being educators to becoming parents of an autistic girl. We can promise you some insight, some sadness, some laughter and a whole lot of joy.

Looking to unwind and relax? This style of yoga encourages physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. Appropriate for all levels, restorative yoga is practiced at a slow pace, focusing on stillness and conscious breathing.

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 downpayment, 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. Financial Wellness high-overview 1. Identifying financial gaps that you may have 2. Plan for the unknown 3. How to get started 4. Investment and insurance options to help close the gaps 5. Core strategies for success

You chose to be an educator, which says much about you. You care for others before yourself, find meaning and purpose in the success of others, and live a life of service. Just like a llama! It also means you are exhausted with all the “extras” of teaching that steal your time, energy, and teaching spirit. You spend more time working on improvements rather than embracing your gifts and talents and time with students. This session is a call back to why you chose education and leaning into the things you love about yourself and education. Through group discussion, reflection, and purposeful consideration, you will be rejuvenated in your call and emboldened in your role as a teacher, counselor, leader, and coworker. Llamas are funky and have no business doing the job they do. Yet, they are perfect for it.

Ever wondered about teaching overseas at an International School? Come learn about the opportunities that are available as well as the challenges you may face, from someone who did it for 14 years.

Participants will learn strategies and best practices to lead successful student trips and participate in an Amazing Race.

“Do I have to do this?”  “Is this going to be on the test?”  Motivation and engagement are critical factors in helping our students find success in school.  This session will feature simple ways to keep students actively plugged into teaching efforts. Participants will learn how to facilitate lessons that help students not only pay better attention in class, but also better retain the content being taught.

As educators, we know that we are not in control of everything all the time and this can be a challenge in general: personally as well as professionally. This presentation is a based on an unexpected life lesson I learned as my father was in the process of dying as well as ongoing life hurdles. This theme is universal in that struggle is an inevitable part of the human condition. Using this pretext as a way to offer insight, direction and consolation, this presentation is told within a story format that is relatable and sometimes even humorous. This presentation has some faith based elements.

When I was a child in elementary school there wasn't such a thing as ADHD, but I definitely struggled with it. I was officially diagnosed in my fifties. I always thought I was dumb until I ended up in education. As a teacher for over 30 years, and a University Instructor of pre-service teachers for 6 years, I have learned how to navigate the ups and downs of a neurodiverse brain. If you, or someone close to you, struggles with ADHD then this is session for you. I promise that you will not be bored!