2025 Annual Learning Conference

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Call for Presentation Proposals

We are committed to providing valuable professional learning opportunities to our members. Presenting at the conference gives you the chance to share your Alberta Story of Practice with other members.

Please submit your proposal, for sharing your story of practice, and/or research, by Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Sessions will be confirmed by mid-January with plans for registration opening shortly after. Session proposals should include, at minimum, one system education leader as a facilitator.

Online registration coming in the new year.

WHEN

March 19-21, 2025
Wednesday – Friday

WHERE

Fantasyland Hotel
17700 87 Ave NW, Edmonton
Treaty 6 Territory

Hotel Floor Plan

COST

Early Bird $560 + GST
Non-member rate: $700 + GST

The standard room block at the FLH is now full. Additional superior theme rooms are available for a discounted rate of $189+ applicable taxes. Online reservations should be made by February 27, 2025, using the Group Code 3272300. An overflow block was created at WEM Inn. Online reservations can be made until February 18, 2025, using Group Code 1822231. Reservations can also be made for both hotels by calling (780) 444-3000 or toll-free at 1-800-737-3783 and must mention CASS 2025.

PRE-CONFERENCE: CEP COURSES

These pre-conference CEP courses are open to CASS members and non-CASS members. Regulated members will earn 10 CEP credits upon course completion. Registration cost is $400+GST for the Member Rate and $500+GST for Non-member Rate.

Wednesday, March 19, 2024 (10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) Please take note of the dates for the upcoming follow-up online sessions.

Visionary Leadership in Action: Implementing a Continuum of Supports and Services

Facilitator(s):

(Hybrid – 5 hours of in-person learning at the CASS pre-conference, followed by 2 online sessions (2 ½ hours each) for a total of 10 hours.)

In-person – Wednesday, March 19, 2025 (10:00 am – 4:00 pm)
Online – March 26, 2025 (3:00 – 5:30 pm)
Online – April 2, 2025 (3:00 – 5:30 pm)

This course is designed to provide information and support to school superintendents and the system education leadership team to effectively implement a continuum of support and services model within their school authority. The participants will be involved in several interactive activities to understand their beliefs about education and educational practices. Participants will learn about the necessary attributes in the design of a continuum of supports and services, the essential elements, and the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and actions they will need to lead this work.

As a result of attending this course, participants will:

learn how to engage with community in implementing a vision for optimal learning for all students that is supported by a continuum of supports and services.
challenge potential bias and reflect on their own beliefs and practices to be able to implement a continuum of supports and services.
familiarize themselves with the seven elements in the design of a continuum of supports and services and demonstrate how these elements are reflective in showing progress of the continuum of supports and services within the system.
identify the evidence to collect that provides assurance their continuum of supports and services is responsive to their learners.

This course will be facilitated by: TBD

Host: TBD

Leading to Support Effective Governance

Facilitator(s): Dr. Edgar Schmidt

(Hybrid – 5 hours of in-person learning at the CASS pre-conference, followed by 2 online sessions (2 ½ hours each) for a total of 10 hours.)

In-person – Wednesday, March 19, 2025 (10:00 am – 4:00 pm)
Online – Wednesday, April 2, 2025 (8:00 – 10:30 am)
Online – Wednesday, April 9, 2025 (8:00 – 10:30 am)

This course is designed to lead participants through readings, discussion, and reflection on their roles and responsibilities to support effective governance. Supporting effective governance is a critical competency for superintendents and those who aspire to take on that role. Concrete and applied actions will be developed using scenarios and practical activities.

As a result of attending this course, participants will:

concretely state their role in effective governance within the school jurisdiction and identify actions in effective governance within the school jurisdiction.
take away tactics for developing trustee understanding of governance.
take away communication skills needed to help them achieve the learning outcomes.
create their own “roadmap” of working productively with a Board.

This course will be facilitated by:

Dr. Edgar Schmidt is an independent leadership consultant with CASS. He has a long career history in public education in Alberta. He has been a teacher, principal, supervisor, and superintendent. He is a retired associate professor, researcher, and dean of the Faculty of Education at Concordia University of Edmonton. Most recently he is interested in supporting educational leadership development, mentorship, governance, and applied educational research.

Host: TBD

CONFERENCE: WEDNESDAY EVENING

March 19, 2024 (2 CEP Credits)

7:00 p.m. - Welcome Remarks, Land Acknowledgement, and Elder Blessing

7:30 p.m. - Communities of Practice (For CASS Members Only)

This session will provide a facilitated opportunity for Communities of Practice to connect in person, revisit their purpose statements, and engage in reflective practice. Participants will be able to leverage this time to solidify and activate their Community of Practice’s collaborative plan.

As a result of participating in this session, participants will have the opportunity to to activate their CoP network and become reflective on their collaborative work.

RESOURCES