GETCA 2025

This session will outline the new discipline process in place relating to complaints of unprofessional conduct and incompetence. Teachers will learn about the stages of the new discipline process, new requirements in the Code of Professional Conduct and some strategies to avoid being the subject of a complaint.

This session, led by a speech-language pathologist, is designed to empower educators with a deeper understanding of executive functioning and its impact on student learning and behavior. Executive functioning skills—such as perception, attention, organization, self-regulation, and working memory—are critical for academic success but are often challenging for many students. Through interactive discussions and practical strategies, participants will explore how executive functioning difficulties manifest in the classroom and how these challenges may appear as behavior problems or lack of effort. Educators will learn how to identify signs of executive functioning deficits, implement effective support strategies, and create a classroom environment that fosters the development of these skills. By the end of the session, teachers will leave with a better understanding of executive functioning and the toolkit of evidence-based techniques to enhance overall classroom behaviour and help all students reach their academic potential. This session is ideal for early childhood and elementary teachers.

The Educational Leadership at the Intersections of Gender is a bilingual project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and co-led by academics (UofA) and professional bodies (ATA, CASS). This research project aimed to investigate the effect of factors such as leaves and care taking roles and the impact of gender and intersectionalities on the career progression of women educators. We first gathered data through an anonymous online survey and then through focus groups. Our data confirmed what we have long known, the progression of women through the teaching profession is significantly different than men and reinforced the importance of bringing women to the policymaking process. As the late justice Ruth Baden Ginsburg said, "Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn't be that women are the exception." With that in mind, our workshop will be dedicated to both presenting our research findings in an interactive manner, and to hosting a collaborative dialogue around policy-oriented questions and personal experiences with career progression. The Alberta based research is the first step to what we hope becomes a nation-wide project, which will improve the live experiences of women as they move through the teaching profession.

Discover how to harness the power of AI chatbots like ChatGPT to enhance your teaching practice! In this hands-on professional development session, you’ll learn how to craft effective prompts to get tailored, high-quality results including generating engaging lesson plans, creating differentiated instructional materials, or brainstorming new pedagogical strategies. Perfect for beginners and seasoned tech users alike, this session will equip you with practical skills to use AI as a creative collaborator and thinking partner. Leave with ready-to-use examples, prompt templates, and confidence to make AI work for you in the classroom.

Do you have an adventurous spirit? Do you like collaborating with people from different backgrounds? Would you like to challenge your professional skills in foreign environments? If you answered YES to the above, consider attending this session on the ATA's International Cooperative Initiatives to learn more about overseas volunteer opportunities and other international initiatives.

In this session, participants will explore strategies that leverage AI to enhance communication and connection. We will explore the intersection of AI and our social and emotional world, professional considerations for leveraging AI tools for human-centered work, and versatile strategies that work with a variety of AI tools. Participants are encouraged to bring a device, such as a laptop or tablet, for the hands-on activities included in this session.

Are you interested in learning how to communicate the story of your teaching career and showcase your educational, professional, leadership and volunteer experience to pique employers’ interest? In this session, the presenter will share advice on how to edit your resume and write a strong cover letter to improve your chances of getting an interview.

Are you interested in a short-term exchange with a colleague in Spain, Germany, Mexico, Australia, Iceland or with one of Alberta’s International Accredited Schools across the globe? Come to this session and learn how to build your own teaching or leadership adventure with an exciting in-person short term (1-2 week) exchange or a virtual one (4 week). Carolyn Freed will be your guide in this fantastic new world! The experience and realities of teaching and school leadership are constantly in transition- an exchange can bring a wealth of insights to the work you do here in Alberta. Exchanges are a unique professional peer-to-peer development opportunity for teachers and school administrators to collaborate within their profession. Open the door and get out of your comfort zone, engage in meaningful and critical conversations, and experience first-hand how your peers engage with best practices.

We will explore how AI can be a powerful tool to support and enhance your teaching practice. As educators, we are continually looking for ways to innovate and personalize instruction to better meet the needs of all students. AI can serve as a “co-pilot” in this process, offering solutions to common challenges such as differentiated learning, time management, and providing real-time feedback. By the end of the session, educators will leave with a deeper understanding of how AI can complement their work and feel empowered to integrate these tools into their teaching practice for more effective and engaging learning experiences.