A specialist council of the Alberta Teacher's Association
PRE-CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Pre-Conference Workshops
Thursday, October 17 | 8:30am - 4:00pm
Choose from 5 Full-Day Workshops
Pre-Conference Rates Include:
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Registration & Delegate's Package
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Breakfast
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Buffet Lunch
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Refreshments During Break
Rates do NOT include the Conference on Friday and Saturday
Pre-Conference Rates
(CIE Member - Regular or Subscription)
Super Early Bird until June 30, 2019 $125
Early Bird from July 1 - September 27, 2019 $140
Regular Rate after September 27, 2019 $150
Individual Ineligible for Council Membership $400
Student (with valid ID) $140
All prices shown are per person
Children with ASD at School: Inclusion, Integration, and Improvement
Hosted by: Connie Kasari, Ph.D.
University of California, Los Angeles, Professor of Human Development and Psychiatry
Behavioral interventions have been critical for improving the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Notable achievements include the improved numbers of children with optimal outcomes, and the larger number of children accessing the regular curriculum. Despite these gains, our school programs often fall short of achieving complete social integration and optimal outcomes of many children with ASD. In part this is due to the vast heterogeneity of children with ASD. Some children enter school still learning language, while others are very verbal but have difficulties fitting into the social structures of school. School staff must effectively address the needs of all children. This talk will focus on two strands of new research: one suggests ways in which language learning children can improve social communication outcomes; the other focuses on school based social integration strategies and the social skills of students with ASD. The day will be broken into discussion of how students who are minimally verbal can have their social and communication needs met within classroom settings (here the presentation will focus on an evidence based early intervention, JASPER with added benefit from an alternative and augmentative communication system), and secondly on integrating verbal children with ASD into the general education classroom by focusing on their social engagement (with discussion of the Remaking Recess intervention). Studies will be discussed highlighting what teachers and paraprofessionals can do to improve child outcomes.
We Have the Technology! Now What? Supporting Students with Technology in Practical and Realistic Ways
Hosted By: Ross Ehalt, Kathy Howery, and Toby Scott
This pre-conference workshop focuses on assistive technology implementation and best practices.
Join Ross Ehalt, Kathy Howery, Toby Scott and other specialists in the area of AT and AAC to deepen assistive technology knowledge and strengthen implementation strategies This day is intended for both the experienced and the newcomers to share and network through formal and informal sessions.
Ross Ehalt will provide an opening address. Delegates will have two sessions to choose from which will start with a presentation then time for group discussion and questions.
The day will end with a panel discussion guided by Kathy Howery. Detailed session information will be shared as it becomes available.
Educators, Speech Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists and other support staff are welcome to attend by becoming an associate member of the Council for Inclusive Education.
Ross Ehalt, M.Ed is an Occupational Therapist and Assistive Technology for Learning Consultant with Edmonton Public Schools. Ross has worked with Alberta Education as an Assistive Technology Specialist.
Dr. Kathy Howery is an educational consultant. She provides ongoing consultation to several Alberta school jurisdictions. Most recently, Kathy is working with the Provincial RCSD team.
Toby Scott, M.Ed is an educator and Assistive Technology Specialist supporting students with significant disabilities from preschool through high school. Toby works with Edmonton Catholic Schools and the Kids with Cancer Society.
UDL and the 3 Block Model of Curriculum Design: Making the New Curriculum Work for Everyone - Including the Teacher!
Hosted By: Dr. Jennifer Katz
Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia
The Three Block Model of UDL is the "how to" piece we need for creating socially and academically inclusive classrooms.
Today’s classrooms reflect the diversity of a global world. This diversity means that students vary in what they already know, what they are ready to learn, the pace at which they are able to proceed through curriculum, and the level of adult support they require for success. Building inclusive learning communities requires that students see school as a place where they belong, are valued, and have something to contribute. The Three Block Model of Universal Design for Learning is an effective approach to classroom management, planning, instruction, and assessment that creates a compassionate learning community from K-12. Developed by Dr. Jennifer Katz, The Three Block Model of UDL has been implemented in elementary and high schools across multiple provinces and states, and has been shown to increase academic achievement, student engagement, self-concept, respect for diverse others, and prosocial behavior, and teacher satisfaction and self-efficacy.
Dr. Katz received her PhD in 2008 from the University of British Columbia in inclusive education. She is the author of “Teaching to Diversity: The Three Block Model of Universal Design for Learning” and "Resource Teacher: A Changing Role in the Three-Block Model of UDL". Her third book "Ensouling Our Schools", written with Indigenous educator Kevin Lamoureux, has just been released. Dr. Katz has been a successful sessional lecturer, educational consultant, classroom teacher, resource teacher, special educator, editor, and guidance counselor. She taught in diverse classrooms from K-12 in Winnipeg and Vancouver for 16 years where she developed the Three-Block Model, including special education classrooms, inclusive classrooms, youth centres, and alternative high school programs. Her work as an advocate of inclusive education and universal design for learning (UDL) has spanned several countries, provinces and territories, and multiple audiences, including university courses, academic conferences, parent advocacy groups, educational conferences, school and division based professional development workshops, and most importantly, direct work with children and youth in schools and alternative settings. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia where she teaches courses and conducts research related to inclusion and the Three-Block Model of UDL.
Beyond the Hurt: Preventing Bullying & Harassment
This course is developed and presented by the Canadian Red Cross
Beyond the Hurt (BTH) supports a school-wide approach to build empathy and respect and prevent bullying, harassment, and discrimination. It gives youth and adults tools to develop and maintain positive, healthy peer relationships and take action to prevent bullying and harassment in their schools and communities.
BTH resources are classroom-ready and based on current research.
BTH program lessons are divided according to grade, with packages for Grades 5–6, 7–8, and 9–10
The lessons provide educators with resources to assist students in creating environments free of harassment, discrimination, and bullying. Lesson plans include interactive, critical thinking activities on topics such as human rights, diversity, empathy, conflict resolution, gender and sexual orientation, and cyberbullying.
Youth Facilitators: Peer-to-Peer
Students can be trained and certified as Youth Facilitators, who deliver activities to peers and younger students with educator support. This increases peer participation and learning and develops leadership, communication, and facilitation skills
There are two options for this preconference workshop:
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1-day training for Adults, where they would receive content and training to deliver workshops to youth in their schools in grades 5-10.
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1-day training for adults and youth combined (adult, free/youth) where the adult and youth learn how to deliver workshops to youth in their schools and additionally the adult receives the materials for training youth leaders in their school
For both selections, please register the adult only. Prior to the conference, you will be contacted by the Conference Director to determine which option you would like (A or B). For selection B, The Red Cross requires a minimum number of adult/youth teams. If we are not able to meet that requirement, then Option A will automatically be applied
Support Site - Bus Tour
This preconference workshop is intended for school counselors and educators who would like to have the opportunity to tour and learn more about the facilities available in Edmonton to support our students and families.
The tour will begin by gathering at the conference registration desk. We will spend the day visiting locations such as the Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton (CASE), the Glenrose Hospital, CASA: Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health and more!
Along the way, we will stop to eat our picnic lunch prepared by the Fantasyland Hotel and be joined on the bus by special guest speakers.
At each location we will have a short tour and information session…then we’re off to the next location! We will be returning to Fantasyland Hotel at approximately 4 p.m.
Register as soon as possible, as availability is limited (due to bus seating).