Beginning Teachers September: Full Schedule

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

10:00am MDT

Don't Mark It All

Saturday September 12, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT

This session will provide strategies and routines for teachers to provide feedback that moves students learning forward and strengthens relationships while at the same reduces the marking workload.

Speakers

Carolyn Fenrich

Curriculum Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Carolyn is a book worm with a love of the outdoors. She works as the Junior High Curriclum Consultant for Language Arts for Edmonton Catholic Schools and is a strong believer in collaboration as a means for engaging students.

Erin Ochoa Whelan

English Consultant (10-12), Edmonton Catholic School Division

Erin has been working as an educator in Edmonton for the past 21 years.With a background in both music and English education, she enjoys supporting teachers and students in finding meaning through language and story.

Saturday September 12, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
3B

7-12

11:15am MDT

Ready, Set, Write! Planning a Week of Writing

Saturday September 12, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT

Take the guesswork out of teaching writing. In this session, teachers will map out a full week of writing instruction that supports student success and engagement. Using a clear and manageable structure that can be repeated throughout the year, participants will plan daily mini-lessons, student practice opportunities, and simple assessment strategies. By the end of the session, teachers will leave with a ready-to-use week of writing instruction and a planning template they can confidently implement in their classrooms.

Speakers

Brandi Clark

English Language Arts Consultant (K-6), Edmonton Catholic School Division

I have been working in the division for over 25 years. I have a Masters in Elementary Language Arts. My passions are reading and writing across a variety of genres and topics. I live in a house of artists and writers, specifically, my husband, two adult kids, a pug and two cats. I... Read More →

Venessa Chalifoux

Elementary ELA consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Venessa Chalifoux is one of the Elementary English Language Arts Consultants. She has been teaching for 20 years in grades 1-6 with experience as English as an Additional Language Designate. She has a passion for making learning engaging and fun for students and is an avid reader... Read More →

Saturday September 12, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
3B

K-6

1:00pm MDT

Building Relationships with Newcomer Families to Support Student Success

Saturday September 12, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT

All ECSD schools welcome newcomer students. This session introduces the services provided by the One World…One Centre department to support your students, their families, and your school community. New teachers will learn foundational strategies for effective intercultural communication and explore how cultural brokering can strengthen relationships with newcomer families to enhance student learning.
Participants will hear practical examples of how the One World…One Centre team has helped schools navigate cultural misunderstandings and build strong, trusting connections between staff and families. Teachers will also be shown where to access supports for newcomer families through SharePoint and how to connect directly with the intercultural team. In addition, the session will highlight key partnerships and resources available to assist newcomer families as they transition into the school community.

Speakers

Melanie Kidder

Coordinator Comm. Engagement, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Cheryl Shinkaruk

Manager Programs & Projects, Edmonton Catholic School Division

Saturday September 12, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
3B

K-12

2:15pm MDT

Art as SEL: Supporting Student Well-Being and Identity

Saturday September 12, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT

Session Materials

This session explores how Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is naturally embedded in the visual arts through making and reflection. Teachers will experience simple creative activities that show how choice, routine, and reflection support student well-being, identity, and belonging. They will leave with practical strategies for integrating SEL into everyday art instruction, including warm-ups, routines, and reflection prompts.

Speakers

Jenny Culbertson

Visual Art Consultant (K-12), Edmonton Catholic School Division

Edmonton Catholic Schools Visual Art Consultant **Jenny Culbertson** works with students and educators across all grade levels, from pre-K to Grade 12. With 26 years of experience teaching art, she brings a deep commitment to arts education and meaningful arts integration. Outside... Read More →

Saturday September 12, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
3B

K-9

10:00am MDT

11:15am MDT

1:00pm MDT

2:15pm MDT

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