A Sessions (10:45 - 12:00)
"A" SESSIONS - MORNING (10:45 - 12:00)
Title: A01 - AI for Educators: A Crash Course to Get You Up to Speed
Presenter: Holly Clark, Keynote Speaker
Audience: All Educators
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Feeling overwhelmed by the AI revolution in education? This fast-paced, hands-on workshop will equip you with the essential knowledge and skills to navigate the world of artificial intelligence in the classroom.
Title: A02 - Echolalia: Understanding Gestalt Language Processing - FULL
Presenter: Jessika Enns
Audience: EAs, classroom teachers, LSS, PVP
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Come learn about what is new in our understandings of Gestalt Language Processing, previously known as echolalia, to gain strategies for understanding and supporting our students who are complex communicators.
Title: A03 - MyEducationBC Support Session for Clerical Staff Only - FULL
Presenter: Sandra Kipling
Audience: School Admin Assistants only
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Demonstrating new functions/process in MyEducationBC with a support session Q&A.
Title: A04 - Collaborating on Literacy Routines: Tools and Techniques for Grades 4 & 5
Presenter: Amy Baker
Audience: Grades 4 & 5
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Join us for an engaging workshop focused on enhancing literacy routines for Grades 4 and 5. Collaborate with fellow educators, explore effective strategies, and share insights. This session will provide practical tools, resources, and hands-on activities to strengthen literacy practices, improve routines, and foster student success in intermediate grades.
Title: A06 - Practical Strategies for working with Challenging Student Behaviours - FULL
Presenter: Veronica Janzen, Kelsey Veinot, Sarahlynn Zimmerman and Rhonda Wiens.
Audience: Support Staff (EA, YCW, ISW - K-12)
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Trauma-informed tips and tricks for supporting students with dysregulated and challenging behaviours. An interactive workshop to learn more about strategies for inclusion and integration in the school environment. Games, prizes and snacks included. Please bring your phone for a Kahoot Challenge
Title: A07 - Integrating OneNote and Teams for Secondary Math and Science
Presenter: Lewis Van Dyk
Audience: Secondary Math and Science
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: How to use OneNote and Teams for student resource access and classroom instruction in a high impact way.
Title: A08 - Delta Math: Making math understanding digital, visible, accessible and trackable!
Presenter: Anita Gordon
Audience: Secondary Math Gr. 9 -12
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: In this session, I will introduce teachers to an online platform that has built in math concepts from grades 6 -12. Teachers can create individual assignments, units, assessments, and so on. The program has pre-built banks that is endless and random! Students could be working on an assessment side by side but get unique questions on the same topics.
Title: A09 - AI in Adobe Express for Image and Video Creation
Presenter: Bryon Carpenter
Audience: Gr. 3-12
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: As Generative AI is incorporated in Adobe Express you can "create", with the stroke of your keyboard, amazing images and animated creations. Image generation is an easy entry point into seeing the power of artificial intelligence in action and is accessible to you and your students. Participants will need a computer equipped with a mic and speakers and their Abbyschools credentials
Title: A10 – ARC BC Fundamentals
Presenter: Victoria Woelders - ARC BC Teacher
Audience: Teachers that are interested in utilizing ARC BC resources to assist students in their care.
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: An overview of how to effectively support students in using ARC-BC materials to access learning content. Topics include Introduction to alternate format materials, Copyright Act and appropriate use, Title and format searching, Downloading and sharing materials, and requesting new titles/formats.
Title: A11 - Story Workshop
Presenter: Colleen Gregory
Audience: K-3
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Are you interested in finding ways to include more oral storytelling and scaffolds for writing in your K-3 class? Come and explore ways to implement story workshop with your students. Story Workshop provides a structure for literacy that explores the relationship between play, oral language and writing. In this session we will explore a variety of read aloud storybooks to inspire Story Workshop lessons.
Title: A12 - Breaking Barriers: Addressing Unconscious Bias and Microaggressions in the Workplace
Presenter: Melissa Ly
Audience: All staff/employees
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Join us for a workshop focused on fostering diversity and inclusion within the Abbotsford School District. This session will offer a supportive space for staff to reflect, learn, and grow together. You’ll gain a solid understanding of key concepts and be equipped with practical tools to apply in your everyday teaching practices and classrooms. Our knowledgeable facilitators from the Diversity Education Department at Archway Community Services will guide you through this enriching experience.
Title: A13 - Empowering Students with Visual Impairments: Introduction to Using Access Technology for Success
Presenter: Kari-Ann Pearce, Peggy Szucs, Kim Heinrichs (SET-BC)
Audience: Classroom teachers, EAs, all grades
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Come enhance your understanding of access technology tools for students with visual impairments! As technology continues to evolve, it plays a critical role in enabling students to access curriculum materials, participate fully in classroom activities, and develop independence. This session will explore a range of access technology solutions with hands on scenarios for participants.
Title: A14 - “Mind the Gap”: Middle School Literacy Tools, Tips, and Tricks
Presenter: Sara Strocel
Audience: Middle school (Grades 6-8)
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Students arrive at middle school with a variety of literacy skills and experience. How can you work with the 60 students in your pod to help their reading and writing skills, without differentiating for every single student? This session will offer practical ways teachers and EA's can introduce decoding, vocabulary, and sentence structure strategies into lessons, while still meeting Grade 6-8 curriculum content.
Title: A15 - EasyConnect & Sparkrock - All Employees Focus - FULL
Presenter: Adrianne Harley, Kate Muir, & Teresa Wertman
Audience: All Employees
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: An overview of EasyConnect (create/edit an absence, occasional preferences, my calendar & job board), mySparkrock Timesheets, & mySparkrock Expenses and Claims.
Title: A16 - Living Library - Experience the power of Living Stories
Presenter: Loraleigh Epp
Audience: All
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Experience the power of storytelling with the Living Library. Instead of borrowing books, meet Living Books—real people with inspiring stories to share. Some of the most meaningful learning comes from connecting with others. This workshop will allow you to hear individual stories and experience the world from a perspective that is different from your own.
Title: A17 - Coast Salish Art - FULL
Presenter: Carlos Julian
Audience: Grade 3+
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Carlos will share about Coast Salish Art while you create a piece to take home.
Title: A18 - Smudging Protocols - FULL
Presenter: Jessica Richardson
Audience: All
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Learn about the protocols for Smudging. This includes Indigenous Protocols with heart work, as well as the Abbotsford School District’s Smudging Protocols in Schools. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in smudging if they choose and leave with a bundle of sage for home.
Title: A19 - Empowering Educators: Understanding ADHD and Effective Classroom Strategies - FULL
Presenter: Lanie Champigny, Deb Cameron, Gabriel Canal, Melissa Wood, Amy LeClair
Audience: Teachers, support staff and administrators, K-12
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Join us for an insightful workshop designed specifically for all staff to better understand ADHD and its impact on students in the classroom. This session will provide practical strategies that can support students' success and will provide a look at what ADHD is and how it affects students' learning, behaviour, and emotional regulation.
Title: A20 - Effective Strategies for Targeted Instruction with Emerging ELL Students
Presenter: Bharwat Nanuwa
Audience: ELL Teachers Grades 4-12
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: This session will provide practical strategies for delivering targeted instruction to emerging English Language Learners, with a focus on foundational literacy skills. You will learn how to start lessons with engaging oral activities and connect activities to students' ongoing classwork. We’ll also explore the role of Reading Coach in supporting literacy development. By the end of this session, you’ll have a toolkit of strategies to enhance ELL instruction and support diverse learners in their literacy journey.
Title: A21 - Launch of the Math Learning Progressions Gr. K – 5 - FULL
Presenter: Tawnie Hildebrandt
Audience: Grades K - 5+
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: The Math Learning Progressions are a new resource, designed to illuminate the BC math content standards that focus on number sense, fact fluency, and operations. Learning progressions provide a break down of the content standard into learning targets with suggestions of how to plan for instruction. Participants will have time to look at Learning Progressions, and explore manipulatives and resources that compliment different concepts. Learning Progressions are available for Grades K – 5, but higher grades are welcome as it provides background knowledge for many middle school math concepts.
Title: A22 - KidsAction: An inclusive physical activity approach to support children with neurodevelopmental and intellectual disabilities in school settings.
Presenter: Lise Olsen, and Stephanie Glegg
Audience: Physical Education teachers, Learning Support Services Teachers K-12
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: KidsAction is an approach to supports children with diverse need by providing tangible and accessible resources to support their physical activity skills and promote active lives. When signing up please choose the description that matches your role if either a Teacher or an EA.
Title: A23 - Innovative Collaboration: Practical Scenarios and Strategies for EAs - FULL
Presenter: Connie Hampson and Alicia Kroeker
Audience: EAs All Grade Levels
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Join us for an engaging and interactive workshop designed specifically for EAs looking to enhance their collaborative skills. This workshop will provide participants with hands-on experience through everyday scenarios and case studies.
Title: A24 - Secondary Classroom Culture: Creating the conditions for engagement, accountability, and learning
Presenter: Ashlyen Singh
Audience: All secondary teachers
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Building resilient learners requires a fine balance of challenging and supporting them. Join us to discuss how mutual respect, student responsibilities, expectations, consequences, peer relationships, and belonging can lead to a positive classroom culture.
Title: A26 - SEL through the day
Presenter: Karen Van Egmond
Audience: Classroom teachers
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Have you noticed that your students are struggling with self-regulation strategies and need some help to be calm, alert, and ready to learn? In this session, we will explore sensory activities, visual schedules, learning targets, circles, welcoming/ concluding reflective practices to integrate SEL practices throughout your day.
Title: A27 - PHE for Classroom Teachers (elementary focus)
Presenter: Sylvia Smith and Courtney Krause
Audience: Elementary classroom teachers who teach PE
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Join us for an experiential session where you will learn elementary PE safety, how to structure a class, management tips, game ideas, and how to teach specific skills.
Title: A28 - Accessibility Tools Starter Kit – A Look at Microsoft 365
Presenter: Maria Romanelli SET BC Provincial Educator
Audience: all grades, all subjects
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Do you have students who have difficulty writing, or who struggle reading? Do literacy skills impact the completion of assignments? This workshop is for you! You will explore built-in and free reading and writing tools to support literacy. When working on a laptop, these built-in tools allow students to access information, make annotations, create & edit their own writing. Some supports include: dictation, predictive text, text-to-speech online & in Word, annotation of PDFs for assignment completion, and the reduction of visual distractions from websites. These tools align with the principles of UDL as they will benefit all students. Come explore them with us. This is a hands-on workshop – laptops provided.
Title: A29 - Debunking the Myths: Breaks vs Choices - What is the difference?
Presenter: Wendy Costello
Audience: Classroom Teachers K-8, LSS Teachers
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: More and more, learners are needing personalized supports in your classroom. Does your student need a break? Do they need a choice after an unpreferred work job? Or maybe they need both? Come learn the difference between a break and a choice and how to implement these effective strategies in your classroom. You will leave with tips and resources to help you get started.
Title: A30 - Pathways to Leadership
Presenter: Ryan Colbert and Tyler Baruta
Audience: Teachers who are interested in being a Principal or Vice Principal
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Join our panel of Principals and Vice Principals to explore leadership pathways and strategies. This interactive session will address aspiring leaders’ questions, aligning with our goal to improve leadership capacity and foster a progressive workforce. Discover how to navigate and excel in educational leadership roles.
Title: A31 - LLC Technology Playground
Presenter: Tambra Henderson
Audience: All staff
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Want to see what kind of technology we have at our disposal? We've gathered some of the lesser-known items for you to come and have hands-on play time. There will also be Destiny and SORA guidance. This is a self-guided, exploratory session.
Title: A32 - Workplace Violence - Awareness Training
Presenter: Manveer Phagura and Lauren Lamont
Audience: Support staff and Teachers
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: An interactive session focused on the District's Workplace Violence Prevention Program. An opportunity to meet with OHS and review how the existing system works. Key areas of focus will include but are not limited to reporting, roles & responsibilities, how to get help, safety plans, personal safety risk assessments, the importance of follow-up, and debriefing.
Title: A33 - Unlocking the Power of Sora: Enhancing Literacy and Engagement in K-12 Education
Presenter: Tina Robbins
Audience: K-12 Classroom Teachers, LLC teachers, LSS teachers EAs
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Discover how Sora, the award-winning student reading app, can enhance literacy and engagement in K-12 education. Learn to access eBooks, audiobooks, and more, while supporting diverse learners and integrating with classroom activities. Join us to make reading easier and more accessible for every student.
Title: A34 - Making Cent$ of Money: Budgeting 101 - FULL
Presenter: Sheilagh Cahill
Audience: All Staff
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: In the session you will learn how to: Apply meaning to your money, Set S.M.A.R.T. financial goals to achieve your goals, Understand the components of creating an effective spending and savings plan, Track your expenses and identify areas of potential (behavioural) change, Plan and have enough for irregular expenses, emergency savings, and fun things, Create a pay cheque plan that matches your budget, and understand tips to make it easier to budget with multiple bank accounts.
Title: A35 - Eating for Energy
Presenter: Jess Young
Audience: All
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: People often find themselves trapped in a peak-and-valley pattern of high and low energy fueled by coffee, sugary snacks, and Sunday sleep-ins that never seem to provide them with quite enough rest. Keeping your energy up and at a steady pace can be made easier by selecting appropriate foods. This seminar will discuss nutritious food choices that can increase participants’ energy and reduce the mid-afternoon drowsiness that they may feel.
Title: A36 - Healthy Active Living - FULL
Presenter: Sundeep Hans
Audience: All
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Anyone can benefit from regular physical activity. Research shows that moderate amounts of physical activity on most days of the week can improve your health and quality of life. This seminar will teach participants about the benefits of being active as well as the risks of inactivity. They will also learn about the components of fitness and activities, and the six stages of behavior change toward a healthier lifestyle.
Title: A37 - Resiliency at Work
Presenter: Mark Wessner
Audience: All
Time: 10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Description: Resilience is often described as your ability to bounce back from adversity. Being resilient is an important building block of individual and organizational health and well-being. This seminar will provide participants with an understanding of the different components that contribute to resiliency and will show them how they can thrive under pressure.