Welcome to the Beginning Teacher Conference SeriesWelcome to a year of learning, growth, and connection. As beginning teachers in Edmonton Catholic Schools, you are called to a vocation that shapes hearts, minds, and futures. Rooted in joy and guided by faith, this conference series is designed to support you as you develop your professional practice, strengthen your confidence, and deepen your impact on student learning. Throughout the year, we will journey together through three learning experiences:
September 10th, 2026: Called to Teach – Beginning with Purpose Building strong foundations through planning, relationships, and classroom routines.
January 30th, 2027: Called to Respond – Seeing and Serving Every Learner Developing responsive practices through assessment, inclusion, and student-centered learning.
April 24th, 2027: Called to Grow – Strengthening Your Voice, Vocation, and Impact Reflecting on your growth, celebrating your accomplishments, and setting goals for the future. Together, we are rooted in faith, called to serve, and committed to excellence in Catholic education. We are grateful that you are part of this community and look forward to learning alongside you throughout the year.
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness..." Galatians 5:22
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Starting a new school year can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to turn curriculum outcomes into meaningful learning experiences. This interactive session will support beginning teachers in developing practical lesson-planning skills while providing an overview of the resources and supports available within our division. Participants will explore key components of effective lesson planning, consider how lessons connect to broader long-range plans, and learn where to find high-quality, curriculum-aligned resources. Teachers will be introduced to divisional SharePoint resources, the Provincial Resource Review Guide, the ATA Library, ATA specialist councils, and the Consortium. Participants will leave with practical tools, planning templates, and a clearer understanding of how to confidently plan for the first weeks of school.
This session introduces K–6 educators to the intentional use of Proactive Circles as a foundational practice for building community, strengthening relationships, and fostering a sense of belonging in the classroom. Grounded in restorative practices, participants will explore how proactive circles create safe, inclusive spaces where every student’s voice is heard. Teachers will experience circle structures firsthand and leave with practical tools to embed regular circle practice into daily routines.
Claudia Pederson leads the Creating Communities of Belonging department, supporting schools in fostering environments where every student and staff member feels valued, safe, and connected. Her work focuses on strengthening inclusive practices, building staff capacity, and advancing... Read More →
This hands-on session is designed to empower Elementary and Junior High teachers to select accurate, strengths-based, and diverse Indigenous education resources to address KUSPs across subject areas. Using criteria from Jo Chrona's 2022 book Wayi Wah!, participants will critically assess print and digital resources and will leave with the confidence to apply these criteria to their own professional practice.
Indigenous Learning Services Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division
Shannon is a Métis auntie and educator who is passionate about the weaving of Indigenous Knowledges and ways of knowing into K-6 curriculum. Anti-racism, the ongoing effects of colonization, and Indigenous student wellbeing are also areas of interest.
Saturday September 12, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT 2A
This session helps bring clarity to what reading looks like from Kindergarten through Grade 6 in the Alberta ELAL curriculum. We’ll explore grade-level expectations, look closely at what students should know and be able to do within each organizing idea, and consider how assessment, texts, and instructional tools can help teachers build a clear picture of each reader. Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of how to recognize student strengths, plan next steps, and support reading growth across the year with confidence, clarity, and purpose.
English Language Arts Consultant (K-6), Edmonton Catholic School Division
Stephanie is a newbie joining the ELA Elementary team. She has been an Educator for 15 years with ECSD and completed her Masters in Religious Education. Stephanie has a passion for building powerful literacy classrooms where all learners experience success. She loves reading, traveling... Read More →
