This event is open to all teachers with fewer than two years of experience and is designed to support and strengthen early‑career educators as they continue to develop their practice.
This session is designed to demystify the evaluation process and reframe it as a meaningful opportunity for professional growth.
Participants will gain a clear understanding of teacher contract types, evaluation pathways, and the Teaching Quality Standard, while exploring how evaluations connect to professional reflection, continuous contracts, and permanent certification. The session will walk through what to expect during the evaluation process, the role of the Teacher Professional Performance Evaluation (TPPE), and how teachers can actively prepare through reflection, feedback, and professional learning.
Grounded in Alberta Education requirements and the values of Catholic education, this session emphasizes evaluation as a supportive, relational process, one that is meant to “sit beside” teachers, not catch them off guard. Participants will leave feeling more confident, informed, and equipped with practical strategies, resources, and contacts to support them through their evaluation journey.
When it comes to helping EAL learners access and thrive in content learning, language is at the heart of how they make sense of ideas and show what they know. This session invites beginning teachers to see how intentional academic language instruction transforms language from an afterthought into a purposeful, powerful part of lesson design. Teachers explore how to identify the linguistic demands of their subject areas, including the vocabulary, structures, and discourse patterns students need to participate fully.
EAL and Languages, Edmonton Catholic School Division
Anna Deligianis is an Elementary English as an Additional Language Consultant with Edmonton Catholic School Division. She previously worked as an elementary classroom teacher in Alberta and Mexico for many years. Anna graduated from her Masters in Educational Leadership with a focus... Read More →
English as an Additional Language Consultant (K-6), Edmonton Catholic School Division
Angelica Tan is an Elementary English as an Additional Language Consultant with Edmonton Catholic Schools. Growing up as a multilingual learner, she developed a deep passion for languages. She holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta, majoring in French... Read More →
Saturday May 23, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT Room 3b
All ESCD schools welcome newcomer students. Join us to learn about the services the One World…One Centre department provides to your students, their families, and your school staff. Our team supports your school community from the very first intake and registration appointment—including the initial EAL assessment—to interpretation and translation services, connections with community partners, and ongoing assistance to help families with settlement needs. We will also highlight opportunities for our team to participate in school-wide cultural events, professional development days, and more.
Proactive Circles are a simple, relationship-centered strategy that helps beginning teachers build trust, belonging, and shared responsibility in their classrooms. This session introduces practical structures and ready-to-use prompts that foster student voice, active listening, empathy, and respect for diversity. Grounded in restorative and trauma-informed practices, participants will leave with concrete tools to confidently implement circles as a proactive classroom management approach from the start of the school year.
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 →
EDIAR Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division
Shelley Yu is the Creating Communities of Belonging Consultant with Edmonton Catholic Schools, bringing 16 years of experience within the division. She supports schools to deepen their work in equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism, helping to build learning environments where... Read More →
EDIAR Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division
As the EDIAR Consultant my goal is to make the uncomfortable comfortable, to open the circle wider, and to help us feel good about doing this much needed work.
At its core, culturally responsive teaching is about honoring students’ identities and leveraging their cultural strengths to deepen learning. We will explore how your own background shapes your teaching and how to create classroom environments where differences are assets rather than obstacles. This session will help you build the mindset and skills needed to teach in ways that are inclusive, empowering, and grounded in genuine respect.
Elementary EAL Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division
Devin Austin, a forward-thinking Elementary EAL consultant with Edmonton Catholic Schools, sharing his skills in diverse capacities since 2011. He loves globe-trotting, keeping abreast of the newest tech innovations, supporting diverse learners, and moments with his family. Devin... Read More →
Melissa is an EAL consultant with Edmonton Catholic Schools. Her background includes teaching in both bilingual and second language programs in elementary and junior high setting. As a language lover and multilingual herself, she is committed to helping EAL learners find success in... Read More →
Inspired by Catlin Tucker’s Elevating Educational Design with AI, this session supports beginning teachers in using AI as a practical thought partner in the lesson planning process. Participants will explore how AI can help clarify learning goals, strengthen alignment between instruction and assessment, differentiate for diverse learners, design engaging blended learning experiences, and create meaningful assessments. Designed to reduce planning overwhelm and build confidence, this hands-on session ensures teachers leave with a redesigned lesson, ready-to-use prompts, and a simple framework for integrating AI into their instructional workflow with purpose and professional judgment.
Nicole Cunningham is an Educational Technology Consultant with Edmonton Catholic Schools for the past 3 years, supporting teachers from Kindergarten to Grade 12. She designs and delivers professional learning and at the elbow planning and in-class support that helps educators purposefully... Read More →
Emerging Technology Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division
Joel Kristiansen has been part of the EmTech team for the past 3 years. Joel finds inspiration in working with teachers to incorporate technology in feasible ways to make learning more accessible, exciting, and long lasting. Before that, Joel spent over a decade in K-9 schools where... Read More →
Curriculum and Assessment, Edmonton Catholic School Division
As an Assessment Consultant with Edmonton Catholic School Division, I support schools in developing responsive, curriculum-aligned assessment and reporting practices that leverage technology to enhance learning. I collaborate with educators and administrators to build capacity in... Read More →
SEL Changes Lives! Leave this session with research-informed practices you can embed into any subject/grade level STARTING TOMORROW that support Mental Health and Wellness and boost engagement.
Inclusive Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division
Kimberly is an Inclusive Education Consultant with Edmonton Catholic Schools, bringing over 20 years of experience in education, including classroom teaching at the elementary level, instructional coaching, and school-based leadership. With a passion for supporting diverse learners... Read More →
Inclusive Consultant, Edmonton Catholic School Division
Michelle is an ECSD Inclusive Education Consultant with 22 years experience as an elementary teacher, learning/instructional coach, Mental Health advocate, and assistant principal in both French Immersion, English, and Bilingual programs. She is passionate about collaborating with... Read More →
