Special Education Council of The Alberta Teachers’ Association October 16– 18, 2014 The Lodge at Kananaskis Kananaskis Village, Alberta http://specialeducation.ab.ca hashtag: #atasped Stay in touch and be informed during the conference: text this message: @atasped To 587 409-‐5898 Welcome to Celebrating the Challenges Conference 2014 Mardi Gras Style! As education continues to restructure and reform in the 21st Century educators are being required to work together in more creative and celebratory ways. Historically educators prepared for individual practice – closing their doors only to exchange information over lunch. Education today requires professional collaboration and conversation. Unfortunately Time does not magically appear for educators to support the ever-‐growing need and current demand for collaboration. We must find our own time. We must work together to create and take advantage of opportunities for dialogue that moves practice forward to support a wide range of learners -‐ dialogue that creates a positive synergy to create new ideas that members of a group may not come up with on their own. Celebrating the Challenges 2014 is one event that gives us that opportunity to have those conversations. To dialogue with each other about the importance of our work, the importance of each other and the positive impact we have on students. Celebrating the Challenges 2014 is one magical time that we can be together to create new ideas for collaboration and to celebrate together the work we do. On Behalf of the Conference Committee and Special Education Council, we hope you enjoy conference 2014! Amazing Things Happen when we all work together! Amazing Things Happen when we all celebrate together! Darci Fulton Director 2 CONFERENCE 2014 REMINDERS Please visit our NEW Special Education Council website at www.specialeducation.ab.ca Don’t miss the conference news and buzz on social media. Follow our Twitter feed @spedconference. Use the hashtags #spedconference or #atasped if you want to tweet about sessions, resources, networking ideas, etc. • • • Please wear your lanyard at all times for access to all sessions and socials. ALL sessions are first come, first served. If you arrive at a session and it is full, please go quickly to your second choice session. All conference delegates may pick up their boxed lunch beginning at 11:30 am on Friday at Grappa and in Mount Kidd Manor lobby. Lunch vouchers are inside your delegate package. SPECIAL EDUCATION COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Saturday, October 18 Breakfast 7:30 AGM 8:oo-‐8:45 am Sinclair Room Join the Executive of the Special Education Council. This meeting includes: • Complimentary continental breakfast • Annual report of the Council • Treasurer’s report • Election of Table Officers One attendee will win a free registration to Celebrating the Challenges 2015! THANK YOU • • Special Education Council Executive for their assistance at the conference Calgary Public School Board and Canadian Rockies Public School Board for supporting members of the Conference Committee in their duties 3 CONFERENCE 2014 SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE PRE-‐CONFERENCE Wednesday, October 15, 2014 6:00 pm -‐ 9:00 pm Thursday, October 16, 2014 7:30 am -‐ 8:30 am 7:30 am -‐ 9:00 am 8:30 am -‐ 11:30 am 11:30 am -‐ 1:00 pm 1:00 pm -‐ 4:00 pm Pre-‐conference registration Continental breakfast (included) Pre-‐conference registration Dr. Paula Kluth Lunch (included -‐ must produce lunch voucher) Dr. Paula Kluth CONFERENCE Thursday, October 16, 2014 6:00 pm -‐ 9:00 pm 8:00 pm -‐ 9:30 pm 9:30 pm -‐ 11:00 pm Friday, October 17, 2014 7:00 am -‐ 9:00 am 7:30 am -‐ 8:30 am 8:00 am -‐ 10:00 am 10:00 am -‐ 10:30 am 10:30 am -‐ 12:00 pm 12:00 pm -‐ 1:30 pm 12:15 pm -‐ 1:15 pm 1:30 pm -‐ 5:00 pm 6:30 pm -‐ 8:30 pm 7:00 pm -‐ 9:00 pm 9:00 pm -‐ 1:00 am Saturday, October 18, 2014 7:00 am -‐ 9:00 am 8:00 am -‐ 8:45 am 9:00 am -‐ 10:30 am 10:30 am -‐ 11:00 am 11:00 am -‐ 12:30 pm 12:30 pm – 12:45 pm Conference registration Conference Director’s opening greetings Keynote: Philip Jones Wine and Cheese reception Continental breakfast (included) Conference registration PEC greetings SEC President’s remarks Keynote: Jo Gusman Refreshment break SESSIONS Lunch (included -‐ must produce boxed lunch voucher) LUNCH SESSIONS SESSIONS Refreshment breaks TBD by session speakers Supper – Rockies Ballroom Supper -‐ Olympic Ballroom Mardi Gras dance -‐ Olympic Ballroom Band: “Fun in the Front Seat” Continental breakfast (included) SEC Annual General Meeting SESSIONS Refreshment break Keynote: Derek Peterson 2015 Conference Director’s closing remarks Speakers & bios -‐ specialeducation.ab.ca/conference-‐2014 4 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014 9:30 pm -‐ 11:00 pm LOCATION Wine and Cheese reception Two free beverage tickets included Main Conference Area FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 6:30 pm -‐ 8:30 pm 7:00 pm -‐ 9:00 pm 9:00 pm -‐ 1:00 am LOCATION Supper (First seating) Supper (Second seating) BALLROOM DANCE with Band: “Fun in the Front Seat” Rockies Ballroom Olympic Ballroom Olympic Ballroom For Delta Lodge at Kananaskis guests, some meals are included as part of your hotel costs. For Friday evening’s supper, hotel guests choose the 6:30 pm or 7:00 pm seating when you check in. There are a limited number of tickets available for Friday evening’s supper for guests staying at other hotels (approximately $55.00 each). Please see Hotel Reception to inquire. EXHIBITOR PASSPORT Visit the Exhibits in the Mount Allan Room, Mount Kidd Manor Foyer & Breezeway and get your passport endorsed by the different exhibitors to enter draws for great prizes. See the complete list of exhibitors at the end of the program. RESPONSIBILITY OF PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS This conference, planned by the Special Education Council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, provides an excellent means of professional development specific to teaching students with special learning needs. By virtue of your registration at this conference, all members of the ATA have a legal obligation to attend sessions. School boards have the right to deduct salary from teachers who are absent from the conference without legitimate reasons. Further, failure to attend conference sessions may result in an investigation of unprofessional conduct under the Discipline Bylaws of the ATA. It is hoped that your attendance at sessions provides you opportunities to be informed and knowledgeable about how best to meet the special learning needs of all our students. Visit the DISPLAYS in the Mount Allan room, Lobby & Mount Kidd Manor Breezeway Don’t forget your passport! Friday 8:00 am -‐ 6:00 pm Saturday 8:00 am -‐ 1:00 pm DISPLAYS Visit the displays in the Mount Allan Room, Mount Kidd Lobby and Mount Kidd Breezeway. Don’t forget to get your passport verified by the exhibitors so you can enter your passport to win fabulous prizes. 5 PRE-‐CONFERENCE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014 7:30 am -‐ 8:30 am 7:30 am -‐ 9:00 am 8:30 am -‐ 11:30 am 11:30 am -‐ 1:00 pm 1:00 pm -‐ 4:00 pm Continental breakfast (included) Pre-‐conference registration Dr. Paula Kluth Lunch (included) Dr. Paula Kluth Dr. Paula Kluth You’re going to Love This Kid! Educating Students with Autism in Inclusive Schools In this interactive session participants will learn practical ways of supporting student with autism spectrum labels and & other disabilities within a general education classroom. Topics addresses include defining (and redefining) autism, listening to the voices of those with autism, differentiating instruction, creating more active and responsive lessons, making the classroom comfortable, and providing opportunities for communication and social skill development. The session will focus on the importance of pushing beyond access and participation and asking schools to challenge students and to understand each learner as complex and capable. Dr. Paula Kluth is a consultant, teacher, author, advocate, and independent scholar who works with teachers and families to provide inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities and to create more responsive and engaging schooling experiences for all learners. Paula is a former special educator who has served as a classroom teacher and inclusion facilitator. Her professional interests include differentiating instruction and inclusive schooling. She is the author or co-‐author of more than ten books including “From Text Maps to Memory Caps: 100 More Ways to Differentiate Instruction in K-‐12 Inclusive Classrooms”, “Don’t We Already Do Inclusion: 100 Ways to Improve Inclusive Schools”, and “You’re Going to Love This Kid: Teaching Students with Autism in Inclusive Classrooms”. Paula is also the director of a documentary film titled “We Thought You’d Never Ask: Voices of People with Autism”. 6