NCTCA 2025: Full Schedule

EVENTBRITE (PRE-REGISTERED SESSIONS) -- Get your tickets here!
Tickets go on sale Monday, December 9th at 7PM
- EVENTBRITE IS THE ONLY WAY TO SECURE YOUR SPACE IN A PRE-REG SESSION!
- ONLY add a pre-registered session to your schedule on Sched if you have purchased your Eventbrite ticket.
- Sales end Monday, January 27 at 12PM

Wednesday Social - KARAOKE NIGHT!!
Location: The Westin Hotel - Devonian Room
Time: 7PM - 10PM
Appetizers will be provided throughout the evening.

2025 Tours
Art Gallery of Alberta
"Guided Tour": Thursday February 8th 9:30AM - 11:00AM
"Guided Tour": Friday February 9th 12:00PM - 1:30PM

Telus World of Science - Edmonton
Thursday February 8th PM

Fort Edmonton Park
Thursday, February 6th 9AM - 3PM
Friday, February 7th 9AM - 3PM

Muttart Conservatory
Thursday, February 6th 12:30PM - 1:30PM
Friday, February 7th 9AM - 10AM

Royal Alberta Museum
FRENCH Classroom: Thursday, February 6th 9:30AM - 11AM
ENGLISH Classroom: Thursday, February 6th 1PM - 2:30PM
FRENCH Tour: Friday, February 7th 9:30AM - 11AM
ENGLISH Tour: Friday, February 7th 1PM - 2:30PM

2025 Partners In Education Luncheon with Scott Ervin -- Get your ticket here!
Tickets go on sale Monday, December 9th 2024 at 7PM
10:30AM Doors open
11:15AM Program begins
11:30AM Scott Ervin to speak
12:15PM Lunch will be served

2025 Venues:

The Westin Edmonton: 10135 100 St. NW
Edmonton Convention Centre: 9797 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton
Saville Community Sports Centre: 11610 65 Ave, NW, Edmonton
Art Gallery of Alberta: 2 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton
Offsite locations: There are numerous offsite locations which all require an Eventbrite ticket. All Attendees with an Eventbrite ticket will be emailed directly with a location address.

9:00am MST

Conference Day 1 Opening Remarks

Thursday February 6, 2025 9:00am - 9:15am MST

ECC - Hall D

tbd

Thursday February 6, 2025 9:00am - 9:15am MST
ECC - Hall D Edmonton Convention Centre

General Interest / Intérêt Général, General Interest / Intérêt Général

Language of Presentation English
Grade Focus All Grades
format Lecture
Room Details ECC - Hall D (Edmonton Convention Centre, Lecture Max capacity for 2000 people)
Tags English, All Grades

9:15am MST

Jessica Janzen - Keynote Session

Thursday February 6, 2025 9:15am - 10:15am MST

ECC - Hall D

tbd

Speakers

Jessica Janzen

tbd

Chairperson

Janet Vader

NCTCA Past President

Thursday February 6, 2025 9:15am - 10:15am MST
ECC - Hall D Edmonton Convention Centre

Feature / Conférencier, Feature / Conférencier

Language of Presentation English
Grade Focus All Grades
format Lecture
Room Details ECC - Hall D (Edmonton Convention Centre, Lecture Max capacity for 2000 people)
Tags English, All Grades

10:45am MST

Truth Before Reconciliation

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am MST

ECC - Hall D

Connie Walker has been at the forefront of covering Indigenous stories for over 20 years. Her award-winning investigations into the crisis of violence in Indigenous communities and the legacy of residential schools help audiences make the connections required to better understand the truth and impact of our colonial history. Walker's powerful presentation draws on her Pulitzer Prize and Peabody Award-winning podcast to help audiences understand why it’s crucial to uncover the truth before we can begin talking about meaningful reconciliation.

Speakers

Connie Walker

Pulitzer Prize and Peabody Award-Winning Indigenous Journalist Named one of TIME’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Connie Walker has spent over two decades shedding light on often overlooked Indigenous stories. A Pulitzer Prize and Peabody Award-winning investigative journalist... Read More →

Chairperson

Carryl Bennett

President, NCTCA

TBD

Thursday February 6, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am MST
ECC - Hall D Edmonton Convention Centre

Feature / Conférencier, Feature / Conférencier

Language of Presentation English
Grade Focus All Grades
format Lecture
Room Details ECC - Hall D (Edmonton Convention Centre, Lecture Max capacity for 2000 people)
Tags English, All Grades

12:45pm MST

Leading from the Edge: Innovative Strategies for Thriving in Turbulent Times

Thursday February 6, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm MST

ECC - Hall D

We find ourselves in a unique era, tasked with leadership in an unprecedented world. The ever- evolving landscape of technology, work settings, and challenges renders even the most advanced leadership training quickly outdated. Even the most accomplished mentors are navigating uncharted waters. What skills should we cultivate to foster meaningful dialogues and leverage diverse perspectives? How can we prioritize the well-being of those under our guidance? In this keynote address, Dr. Lisa Bélanger delves into the art of learning and leading amidst the constant flux of technology and the rapid pace of change. She explores strategies not only for enhancing personal mental agility but also for nurturing the mental agility of our teams. Furthermore, Bélanger discusses how to mentally equip ourselves for the future of work, where disruption is the norm.

Speakers

Lisa Belanger

Behavioural Change Expert | Researcher Mental well-being is our most valuable asset, both at home and work. An award-winning CEO, behavioural change expert, and high-performance specialist Dr. Lisa Bélanger shows leaders and their teams how to apply today’s leading-edge scientific... Read More →

Thursday February 6, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm MST
ECC - Hall D Edmonton Convention Centre

Feature / Conférencier, Feature / Conférencier

Language of Presentation English
Grade Focus All Grades
format Lecture
Room Details ECC - Hall D (Edmonton Convention Centre, Lecture Max capacity for 2000 people)
Tags English, All Grades

2:15pm MST

Tyler Smith - Keynote Session

Thursday February 6, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MST

ECC - Hall D

Join us to hear Tyler Smith share about his experiences navigating mental health and grief in the face of tragedy. He’ll share details about his life over the last six years, the experiences he’s gone through, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. From compassion, empathy, perspective and many topics in between, Tyler aims to create a space where individuals feel welcomed and appreciated through his storytelling. Public speaking has become one of Tyler’s greatest passions and he hopes that attendees will leave the session feeling hopeful and inspired. Tyler has founded his mental health awareness clothing line called ‘Not Alone Co.’ Not Alone is all about helping facilitate meaningful conversations around mental health with the messaging that is presented on Not Alone’s variety of apparel. Not Alone donates portions of the proceeds to different charities and foundations across Canada including Jack.org. Tyler hopes to build a lasting community with Not Alone that focuses on vulnerability and conversation.

Speakers

Tyler Smith

Tyler Smith has no memory of the worst day of his life, something the 26-year-old considers “a blessing in disguise.” On April 6, 2018, Tyler and his junior hockey team, the Humboldt Broncos, were on their way to a play-off game when a semi-truck struck their bus. He lost 16 of... Read More →

Thursday February 6, 2025 2:15pm - 3:15pm MST
ECC - Hall D Edmonton Convention Centre

Feature / Conférencier, Feature / Conférencier

Language of Presentation English
Grade Focus All Grades
format Lecture
Room Details ECC - Hall D (Edmonton Convention Centre, Lecture Max capacity for 2000 people)
Tags English, All Grades

8:45am MST

Conference Day 2 Opening Remarks

Friday February 7, 2025 8:45am - 9:00am MST

ECC - Hall D

tbd

Friday February 7, 2025 8:45am - 9:00am MST
ECC - Hall D Edmonton Convention Centre

General Interest / Intérêt Général, General Interest / Intérêt Général

Language of Presentation English
Grade Focus All Grades
format Lecture
Room Details ECC - Hall D (Edmonton Convention Centre, Lecture Max capacity for 2000 people)
Tags English, All Grades

9:00am MST

Scott Ervin - Keynote Session

Friday February 7, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST

ECC - Hall D

tbd

Speakers

Scott Ervin

Scott Ervin has spent twenty-four years working with kids. He has served as a principal, superintendent, discipline specialist, mentor and father. Scott has published a book with ASCD, “The Classroom Behavior Manual: How to Build Relationships with Students, Share Control, and Teach... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
ECC - Hall D Edmonton Convention Centre

Feature / Conférencier, Feature / Conférencier

Language of Presentation English
Grade Focus All Grades
format Lecture
Room Details ECC - Hall D (Edmonton Convention Centre, Lecture Max capacity for 2000 people)
Tags English, All Grades

10:30am MST

Why are outcomes for Indigenous students so unequal?

Friday February 7, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST

ECC - Hall D

Join authors Douglas Sanderson (Amo Binashii) and Andrew Stobo Sniderman for a discussion about their acclaimed book, Valley of the Birdtail: An Indian Reserve, a White Town, and the Road to Reconciliation. This book follows multiple generations of two families, one white and one Indigenous, and weaves their lives into the larger story of Canada. Valley of the Birdtail is about how two schools became separate and unequal—and what it means for the rest of us.

Speakers

Douglas Sanderson (Amo Binashii)

DOUGLAS SANDERSON (AMO BINASHII) is Beaver Clan, from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. He holds the Prichard Wilson Chair in Law and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law. Professor Sanderson has served as senior Advisor to the government of Ontario, in the offices... Read More →

Andrew Stobo Sniderman

ANDREW STOBO SNIDERMAN is a writer, lawyer and Rhodes Scholar from Montreal. He has written for the New York Times, the Globe and Mail and Maclean’s. He has also argued before the Supreme Court of Canada, served as the human rights policy advisor to the Canadian minister of foreign... Read More →

Chairperson

Cindy Christou

Program Chair, NCTCA

Friday February 7, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am MST
ECC - Hall D Edmonton Convention Centre

Feature / Conférencier, Feature / Conférencier

Language of Presentation English
Grade Focus All Grades
format Lecture
Room Details ECC - Hall D (Edmonton Convention Centre, Lecture Max capacity for 2000 people)
Tags English, All Grades

12:30pm MST

Maegan Giroux - Keynote Session

Friday February 7, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm MST

ECC - Hall D

Join us for a keynote session with author Maegan Giroux as she delves into the transformative power of the 14 building thinking classroom practices. Through practical examples and real-world applications, Maegan will illuminate how these practices foster equity and accessibility in educational settings. From fostering collaborative inquiry to nurturing meaningful reflection, each practice is designed to empower students and teachers. Discover how the building thinking classroom's pedagogy promotes inclusive learning environments where every voice is valued, and every mind is engaged. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and strategies for cultivating your own thinking classroom.

Speakers

Maegan Giroux

Maegan Giroux is an accomplished mathematics teacher, instructional coach, and educational consultant, currently working in Regina Catholic Schools. Having taught for over a decade at every grade level from kindergarten to grade 8, Maegan's teaching philosophy is rooted in innovative... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm MST
ECC - Hall D Edmonton Convention Centre

Feature / Conférencier, Feature / Conférencier

Language of Presentation English
Grade Focus All Grades
format Lecture
Room Details ECC - Hall D (Edmonton Convention Centre, Lecture Max capacity for 2000 people)
Tags English, All Grades

2:00pm MST

Laurie McIntosh - Keynote Session

Friday February 7, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm MST

ECC - Hall D

Taking a closer look at the strategies, stories and definitions of "success" that inspire and connect us in our community as 'Teachers These Days'. Laurie will hold a discussion and reflection around what we have been taught is a "good" teacher. We will examine in depth the stories we have been told about what makes a successful teacher, what elements within our teacher culture need to change and spend time discussing safe places to land in these trying times. This session is all about the connection. Teachers can expect to leave with strategies especially surrounding connection to themselves, their school community, their learners and the families they serve. What people will remember most about you, your legacy, will have so much more to do with a felt sense than it ever will with words or numbers. It will remind our teachers that their job is to shine the incredible light that brought them into this profession in the first place. It will remind them that whatever you got on any given day is (more than) enough which is something all teachers deserve to hear right now.

Speakers

Laurie McIntosh

me of the best lessons are taught in the moments between literacy and numeracy. These golden moments based on kindness, connection, and community are the moments Laurie lives for. With compassion and thoughtfulness, Laurie has an incredible way of acknowledging the accomplishments... Read More →

Chairperson

Janet Vader

NCTCA Past President

Friday February 7, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm MST
ECC - Hall D Edmonton Convention Centre

Feature / Conférencier, Feature / Conférencier

Language of Presentation English
Grade Focus All Grades
format Lecture
Room Details ECC - Hall D (Edmonton Convention Centre, Lecture Max capacity for 2000 people)
Tags English, All Grades