A specialist council of the Alberta Teacher's Association
CONFERENCE FAQS
WHO ARE THE ORGANIZERS OF THIS CONFERENCE?
We are the Council for Inclusive Education. We are a specialist council of the Alberta Teacher’s Association. The Council for Inclusive Education provides educators with increased knowledge and understanding of students with diverse needs through professional development, communication, and policy.
The conference committee is comprised of teachers and administrators from several Alberta school districts who work full-time with students. Inclusive Education is so important to us that we volunteer our evenings and weekends to bring you this professional development opportunity. If you are interested in joining our committee, please stop by the registration desk to chat!
WHEN IS THE 2019 CONFERENCE?
The conference is October 18 and 19.
Friday 8:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
DO YOU HAVE SESSIONS PRIOR TO THE CONFERENCE?
A pre-conference is held on October 17 which focuses on a separate topic(s) for the full day. Pre-conference is not included in the conference rate and must be registered and paid for separately from conference.
WHERE IS THE CONFERENCE?
The 2019 Conference will be held in Edmonton at the Fantasyland Hotel, West Edmonton Mall.
8882 170 St. NW, Edmonton, Alberta.
WHERE CAN I STAY?
See more information under the Hotel Tab. Fantasyland Hotel offers a discounted rate for our delegates staying at the hotel. Rooms include free wifi and discounted attraction rates.
There are many hotels with various rates in the area. We encourage delegates to stay at our host hotel as they have offered us an excellent rate. Please contact Fantasyland Hotel front desk directly.
Individual Reservations can be made by contacting our hotel Reservations Department directly:
Tel: (780) 444-3000
Toll Free: 1-800-737-3783
Callers MUST mention the following to receive the negotiated rate:
BOOKING NAME: 2019 ATA Council for Inclusive Education
CODE NUMBER: 7535861
Delegates are advised to register as soon as possible as rooms at our rate are limited and must be booked prior to September 16 for a guaranteed rate. There are many other hotels and options near West Edmonton Mall, along with transit, cabs and alternate ways to get to the venue.
Room Types:
Superior Standard with 2 Queens (STWN)
Superior Deluxe with 2 Queens + Bunkbeds (STWBN)
Room Rate:
Weekday (Wed – Thu) $174
Weekend (Fri-Sat) $184
WHAT IS THE CONFERENCE SCHEDULE?
We use an app called “Sched” for detailed information about sessions, speakers and social events. Any changes in schedules are announced there and on our social media sites. Information on keynotes and speakers will be available prior to registration opening June 1.
Our conference starts with a keynote speaker Friday morning in the main ballroom followed by concurrent sessions. Typically the day begins at 8:30 and ends approximately at 3:45. Saturday offers morning sessions and we wrap up the conference with a closing keynote and lunch, ending about 1:00 p.m.
WHAT TOPICS ARE COVERED AT YOUR CONFERENCE?
As a council of the Alberta Teacher’s Association, we cover a wide variety of topics of interest to educators from K-12. Our council includes everyone and all topics! Our focus includes: curriculum perspectives for students with a variety of special needs and disabilities; mental health; First Nation, Metis, Inuit perspectives; Diversity and Human Rights; Technology; Behaviour and Staff Wellness. Topics vary from year to year.
WHO CAN ATTEND?
We encourage all educators to attend! Teachers who are part of the ATA can become members of our Council as well as other educators such as Educational Assistants, Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists. When you register, you will be prompted to choose a membership. More information can be found here. Children or partners are not allowed in our sessions or social events.
HOW MUCH ARE REGISTRATION FEES TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE?
Conference rates for members and subscription members are as follows. Rates for those ineligible for ATA membership are charged a different rate. Please see registration form for details.
DO I HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL FOR INCLUSIVE EDUCATION TO ATTEND?
Yes. If you are not already a regular member of our council, you must pay the $25.00 membership fee on top of your conference rate. Many of our delegates have chosen our council for their free specialist council membership and do not have to pay again. It does not expire. The membership continues from year to year until you change it. If you have chosen another specialist council, you can also be a member of our council on a year to year basis (September – June). Therefore we ask that teachers include their permanent certificate number as we check all memberships. Non-teachers need to choose a subscription rate, which entitles them a non-voting membership for 1 year.
School district employees (such as superintendents, directors) who have opted out of the ATA are welcome to attend our conference, however they are considered “ineligible” for membership as they do not pay ATA fees. They must pay the “ineligible” rate.
See more information here
WHAT DOES CONFERENCE REGISTRATION INCLUDE?
Conference sessions, (2 keynotes and 40+ sessions)
Light breakfast Friday and Saturday mornings
Lunch Friday and Saturday
Coffee and snacks
Access to Displays, door prizes
Thursday evening Presidents Reception with beverages and snacks
Friday evening social event with beverages and snacks
WHEN CAN I REGISTER?
Registration will open June 1, 2019
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW BEFORE REGISTERING?
We need to know your name, address, school district, position and Teacher Certificate number.
All delegates must be members. If you are not a member of our council you may join in the following ways when you register:
Active member – you have chosen our council as your free specialist council membership, or you are paying on a year-to-year basis. When you choose this option, you will have full voting membership for one year or more.
Subscription members - Teacher assistants, school support staff (such as SLPs and OTs), out of province teachers, retired teachers can be connected to the council by paying a subscription fee. It provides access to publications and some services but does not provide membership in the council.
Student member - Student members must be undergraduate university ATA members, as specified in ATA bylaws. Graduate students who are current ATA members are not eligible for student rates or membership.
Teachers in charter, federal or private schools must be associate members of the ATA to be eligible for specialist council regular membership.
Central office staff who are eligible for active membership in the Association but have elected associate or non-membership are not eligible for specialist council membership as they do not pay ATA fees.
Event-wizard allows you to group registrations and pay for the group with the same corporate card. Payment must be included at the time of registration.
After clicking Continue to Checkout below, you will be offered to REGISTER ANOTHER PERSON on the next page. When you are finished registering your group, you may pay for the entire group at once. Please DO NOT chose group registration if you are only registering one person.
IS THERE A GROUP RATE?
We do not offer a group rate. We encourage groups to register early for the best rates. One person may register several delegates and pay with a corporate card. Payment must be included at the time of registration. Band schools or districts that can only pay by cheque are asked to contact our registrar prior to registering. You will be provided with a promo code to register your group.
WHAT IS YOUR REFUND POLICY?
Substitutions are accepted.
ALL cancellations will be subject to a $50.00 processing fee.
Cancellations will only be accepted on/after September 30, if accompanied by a medical certificate. A $50.00 processing fee will still be charged.
"No shows" will not be eligible for any refund.
CIE Memberships are non-refundable.
Refunds will not be provided for absences due to weather or weather related circumstances. Participants are encouraged to plan ahead as this conference takes place in early October and winter driving conditions are always a possibility.
WHAT ABOUT REFUNDS FOR ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS?
Refunds will not be provided for absences due to weather or weather related circumstances. Participants are encouraged to plan ahead as this conference takes place in early October and winter driving conditions are always a possibility.
LOST AND FOUND ITEMS?
If something is left in the meeting rooms, please contact our registration desk. If something is left in the hotel room, please contact Fantasyland Hotel directly.
HOW CAN I BECOME A PRESENTER AT THE CONFERENCE?
Typically Call for Session Proposals are posted on our council website between February and April. Please watch our social media spaces and website for announcements.
HOW CAN I BECOME AN EXHIBITOR?
Please check the Exhibits Tab for more information. Please watch our social media spaces and website for announcements and contact info. For the 2019 Conference at Fantasyland Hotel, please contact Rita Lal, exhibits2019cie@gmail.com
ARE THERE SOCIAL EVENTS PLANNED?
Yes, more specific information will be shared on “Sched”. Typically we have a casual social event Thursday evening and again Friday evening which all delegates are welcome.
WHO DO I CONTACT IF I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
For questions about registration, please contact Tracy at registrar@cieducation.ca
The 2019 Conference Director is Carol Knott. She can be reached at Conferencenorth@cieducation.ca
If you have questions about Exhibits or Displays, please contact Rita Lal at exhibits2019cie@gmail.com
All of our committee members are full-time educators, so please be patience as it may take some time to get back to you.