uLead2025 - The Summit of Educational Leadership: Full Schedule

This is the Sched site for the uLead 2025. The site for the Pre-Conference is available here.

Welcome to uLead 2025. We are thrilled you will be joining us at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel for our annual school leadership conference hosted by the Council for School Leadership of The Alberta Teachers’ Association.

If you have any questions during the event, we will have uLead team members throughout the venue wearing red and black plaid. The registration desk will also have our team available throughout the conference. This table can be found just outside of the Van Horne Ballroom where all of our keynote presentations are taking place.

If you need a digital map of the facilities, you can click here

In order for our team to best determine room allocations for breakout sessions would ask that delegates log in (top right corner of this page) and select sessions that they are interested in attending.

Finally, if you are interested in earning University credits for attending uLead, please visit the uLead website

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7:30am MDT

BREAKFAST

Tuesday April 8, 2025 7:30am - 9:00am MDT

Riverview Lounge (Main Building)

Tuesday April 8, 2025 7:30am - 9:00am MDT
Riverview Lounge (Main Building)

Meals and Breaks

9:00am MDT

School Leaders and the Alberta Teaching Profession Commission

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

Have you ever wondered about how you are expected to behave outside of school hours? Can you be held accountable if you make a bad decision while not on duty. What might happen if you find yourself on the wrong side of an Alberta Teaching Profession Commission complaint?

These are questions that we have answers for, along with a host of others. Join us for an interactive session where we will explore the history of Professional Discipline in Alberta, the new Code of Conduct, the Role of the Alberta Teaching Profession Commission, trends in regulatory cases and most importantly, how you can keep yourself out of the professional discipline process.

Speakers

Tim Jeffares

Associate Coordinator, Regulatory Affairs and Membership Support, The Alberta Teachers Association

Tim Jeffares is a passionate believer in education for the common good. His experience has included being a public school classroom teacher (grades 2-12), a school based administrator (elementary, junior high and high school), a classroom teacher in China, a board member for a private... Read More →

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

9:00am MDT

The Catholic Teacher and the Culture

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

TBA

This presentation explores how Catholic Social Teaching can guide educators in addressing sensitive topics within schools. By integrating principles such as human dignity, solidarity, and the common good, teachers can navigate complex issues with compassion and respect. These principles offer a framework for responding to challenges thoughtfully and ethically, promoting a supportive and inclusive environment for all students. Participants will learn practical strategies for applying these teachings in their daily interactions and curriculum, ensuring that every student feels valued and respected. This session aims to equip educators with the tools to handle difficult conversations and situations with grace and sensitivity.

Speakers

Stacey MacNeil-Ayeh

Religious and Moral Education Council (RMEC)

Stacey MacNeil-Ayeh originates from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. She credits her Cape Breton upbringing for her strong roots. Stacey has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from St. Mary's University in Halifax, a Bachelor of Education specializing in Indigenous Education, and a... Read More →

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
TBA

Catholic Education

9:00am MDT

Centering Human Rights in Your Leadership

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

Navigating competing human rights is a professional and moral challenge for all school leaders. What do you consider and how do you balance the needs of different identity groups in order to build a school culture that is welcoming and inclusive to all your students and families?

Speakers

Irfan Toor

Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Ontario Principals' Council

Irfan Toor (he/him) is currently the Social Justice and anti-Oppression Advisor for the Ontario Principals' Council. Irfan was previously a system and secondary school administrator and teacher in several different communities in Ontario and BC.

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

DEHR

9:00am MDT

Inspiring Equitable Leadership through Art

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

TBA

Research clearly shows the important role the school leader plays in advancing education priorities and bringing them to life. As such it is critical that school and system leaders engage in anti-racist education work. Through the use of art, this session will support school and system leaders to reflect on their learning and leading journeys in creating more equitable schooling experiences.

Speakers

Jordan Raymond

Dr. Jordan Raymond is a cis-gendered male who identifies as queer, neurodivergent, and has Metis ancestry. His unique perspective adds a fresh dimension to his work as an anti-racist and anti-oppressive educator. Jordan has a wealth of experience in public education, and he is currently... Read More →

Manuela Facci

Dr. Manuela Facci has been an educator for 18 years in rural, urban, and northern settings. She has worked as an in-school administrator in a provincial system and also as a Superintendent of Education for a First Nations organization. She recently completed her PhD at the University... Read More →

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
TBA

Indigenous Learning

9:00am MDT

"From Collaborative Team Meeting to Intentional Classroom Instruction: Building Our Instructional Playbook Together"

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

TBA

In many cases we come out of a Collaborative Team Meeting in which effective teacher generated strategies are shared, however those strategies may be shared within a grade group or maybe a division. In this session we will take you through a journey whereby collectively the staff of Joan Carr Catholic Elementary/Junior High school are creating an Instructional Playbook that takes the many effective instructional strategies teachers are already using in the building and through a simple, common framework, we are creating a site specific Instructional Playbook that meets the learning needs of the students in our school community. Our staff work from a mindset and culture of Collective and Self-Efficacy and we are ready to take our Collaborative Team Meetings to the next level.

Speakers

Kurtis Hewson

Lead Learner/Co-Founder, Jigsaw Learning

Kurtis Hewson has been an award-winning teacher, vice-principal, and principal, as well as taught at the post-secondary level. With over a decade of experience as an administrator, Kurtis has championed the call for collaborative structures in schools to ensure success for all students... Read More →

Darrin Deforge

Principal, Edmonton Catholic Schools

Darrin DeForge, has been a principal with Edmonton Catholic Schools for 18 years and has opened three new schools, in 2017, 2020 (Genesis online school) and 2022 where he is currently the principal of Joan Carr Catholic Elementary/Junior High. He has been Director of Inclusive Education... Read More →

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
TBA

Instructional Leadership

9:00am MDT

Nice Words…How Do You Do It? Re-imagining Leadership for Flourishing

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

TBA

As servant leaders, the needs of our students and our staff are paramount. Nice words…what do they mean? What are the characteristics, techniques, inter- and intra-personal skills that successful teacher leaders utilize to create a school culture where collective efficacy is high, and collaboration is a best practice? This session is designed to address these questions and to embrace an interrelated model of leadership that allows the needs of the students, staff, and community to guide our work in schools. Many of the strategies had their genesis in the principalship yet are easily adapted to leadership opportunities and challenges at all levels of our professional work.

Speakers

Randy Hetherington

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
TBA

Instructional Leadership

9:00am MDT

It's About Time

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

TBA

This workshop will equip and motivate delegates with free, practical, ready-to-use strategies that ensure students will succeed faster and teachers will be less stressed. This is achieved with radically different ways of teaching, coupled with the smart use of smart tools (including AI). Delegates may quickly realise that they are also achieving many of the goals from other PLD initiatives. You will leave this workshop with strategies, resources and exemplars that can be used immediately in your school. You will leave this workshop feeling energised, optimistic and even more ambitious for our students and teachers.

Speakers

Martin Hughes

Martin Hughes has been working with schools for 20 years. He relentlessly focuses on making the most educationally effective behaviours, the easiest to achieve. So that within busy schools, we have 100% uptake amongst teachers, leaders and students. He delivers professional learning... Read More →

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
TBA

International Perspectives, School Culture

9:00am MDT

Making School Fun Again!

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

TBA

Using the latest PBIS research and strategies the staff of Donald Fraser Memorial School strive to create a safe, respectful and fun learning environment. This session will introduce attendees to the schoolwide strategies we use to not only have high academic achievement goals but also low behavioural incidents. Attendees will learn about our family engagement strategies, PBIS schoolwide behaviour matrix, and celebrating student success. The session will also give tips on how to make your school a fun place for students to learn and staff to work!

Speakers

Katie Cooper

Katie Cooper is the Vice-Principal of Donald Fraser Memorial School, where she also teaches literacy to Grade 4 students. A lifelong member of the community she now serves, Katie is deeply committed to both her school and the families she works with. As a mother of three young children... Read More →

Rebecca Harding

Rebecca Harding brings 19 years of experience as a school administrator, having served in a variety of educational settings, including high schools, middle schools, K-12 schools, and currently, a K-5 school. Throughout her career, Rebecca has lived and worked in the rural north-western... Read More →

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
TBA

School Culture

9:00am MDT

The Role of Leaders in the Creation of Environments of Belonging

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

TBA

How do we ensure that all learners have the opportunity to participate in learning experiences? Central to Apple's educational vision is the conviction that fostering inclusive learning environments grounded in diversity cultivates a sense of belonging. Join us for this engaging experience where you will connect with educators from across Canada who are dedicated to utilizing iPad to promote inclusivity and adaptability. We will empower leaders and educators to establish a personalized and fair learning atmosphere for all students. Through the lens of Universal Design for Learning, participants will engage in hands-on experiences that showcase how to harness iPad to reach every learner and share insights with educators from varied backgrounds based on their experiences.

Speakers

Herman Erdogmus

Will send to Chris

Jesse Heffring

Will send to Chris

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
TBA

Technology

9:00am MDT

Zombification and the Principalship

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

TBA

What the heck! Why is it so difficult to keep learning at the forefront of education, educational leadership, and professional practice? Why is it that we understand what is meant by the "good fight in education" but that fight can seem like a losing battle. Attend as we explore the tongue in cheek and strangely hopeful metaphor of zombification. The session will illuminate the solutions to work with and lead for learning mindsets in schools.

Speakers

Kevin Wood

Dr. Kevin Wood works and lives under the shadow of the Rocky Mountains on Siksikaitsitapi Confederacy Land. He is an educational leadership presenter and researcher grounded in his experiences as a former public-school teacher and principal. Kevin works as an assistant professor in... Read More →

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
TBA

Wellness

9:00am MDT

Do Gender Norms Impact Your Emotional Labor While Leading Schools?

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

TBA

School leaders, as a regular part of their work, care for students, staff, and others in their school community. In fact, this relational approach to school leadership can be extremely rewarding or extremely challenging depending on the context of the school at any given time! Effective school leaders know the emotional labour that goes into caring for others is a critical component of building a thriving school environment. This presentation will explore what our research team, from the University of Calgary, the University of Ottawa and the Alberta Teachers Association learned when school leaders of all genders were asked about their experiences with emotional labour. This presentation will probe the question of whether emotional labour is different depending on gender. It will also consider the impact and mental cost of providing emotional labour on a regular basis. Finally, this session will explore methods that can be used to help school leaders care for their own mental emotional well-being.

Speakers

Lisa Everitt

Executive Staff Officer, Government

Dr. Lisa Everitt has dedicated her career to the field of education, commencing with working as a teacher in both the North West Territories and in Parkland School Division. Since 2006, she has served as an executive staff officer with the Alberta Teachers Association. Throughout... Read More →

Astrid Kendrick

Director of Field Experience (Community-Based Pathway) Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, University of Calgary

Before taking on her current role of Director, Field Experience (Community-Based Pathway), at the Werklund School of Education, Dr. Astrid Kendrick was a K-12 classroom teacher for nineteen years specializing in Physical Education and English/Language Arts. Dr. Kendrick has two main... Read More →

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
TBA

Women in Leadership, Alberta Teachers' Association

10:00am MDT

TRANSITION

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:00am - 10:15am MDT

TBA

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:00am - 10:15am MDT
TBA

Transition

10:15am MDT

Multi-Faith Space (open and available to all)

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MDT

David Obrien Room (Conference Center)

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
David Obrien Room (Conference Center)

Accessible Quiet Space - No program

10:15am MDT

Quiet Work Space

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MDT

Robert Ritchie Room (Conference Centre)

This space is set aside for school leaders who may need to make a phone call, send an email, or sit an think. No programing is in the room.

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Robert Ritchie Room (Conference Centre)

Accessible Quiet Space - No program

10:20am MDT

Lead Without Limits: Reimagining Equitable Leadership in Schools

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 10:20am MDT

Great leaders are more than administrators—they're lead learners, shaping inclusive cultures. Yet, hidden biases like
affinity bias, confirmation bias, interview bias, and process bias, among others, can limit who gets hired, mentored, or
developed.
In this session, we'll explore how these biases impact decision-making and professional growth, keeping potential
leaders on the sidelines. Engage in bold discussions, discover real-world examples, and gain practical strategies to
break down these barriers, fostering leadership that is truly grounded in equity and learning.

Speakers

Youssra Badr

Youssra is a passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism, rooted in her Arab African Muslim Canadianheritage. With over 15 years in education, she has contributed to front-line mental health services, youth support innon-profits, and currently works as a diversity... Read More →

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 10:20am MDT

DEHR

10:20am MDT

Listen to Understand: A Catholic Approach to Resolving Conflict

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MDT

TBA

Tuesday, April 8- 10:20-11:25 This session addresses real-world challenges educators face, focusing on case studies in educational settings. Emphasizing strong listening skills and empathy, participants will learn a three-step approach to conflict resolution. Rooted in Catholic values, the session aligns with the vision of an excellent Catholic leader, fostering communal understanding and unity. It equips attendees with tools to navigate difficult conversations sensitively, such as addressing parental pressures conflicting with Catholic teachings. By prioritizing reconciliation without compromising values, educators strengthen their role as agents of God's presence in their community, ensuring actions resonate with Catholic teachings and values.

Speakers

Michelle Nevil

Michelle Nevil is an experienced educator who has been appointed Principal of St. Mary's School in Taber. She holds joint Bachelor's Degrees in Science and Education from the University of Lethbridge (1999) and completed a Master's in Educational Leadership. Nevil began her teaching... Read More →

Anthea Boras

Athea Boras is the Deputy Superintendent of Holy Spirit Catholic School Division in Lethbridge, Alberta, beginning her tenure on January 8, 2024. With a background in Catholic education, Boras views her return to the division as a homecoming and is eager to reconnect with her former... Read More →

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MDT
TBA

Catholic Education

10:20am MDT

I am the Leader, Now What?

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MDT

TBA

Becoming a school leader is a major career milestone, but it also comes with unique challenges and responsibilities that extend beyond the classroom. As the instructional leader and administrative head of your school, you are now responsible for fostering a positive learning environment, supporting teachers and staff, managing day-to-day operations, and ensuring academic success for all students. This session focuses on the five critical areas new leaders need to master to lead with confidence and drive success.

Speakers

Konsctancija deGoeij

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MDT
TBA

Instructional Leadership, School Culture

10:20am MDT

Leading from the Classroom Out!

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MDT

TBA

Given the growing complexity of education today, principals must support the development of strong leaders throughout their building. Often leadership is only thought of as a position rather than on the impact of influence. Developing leadership capacity is often an underutilized competency in the Leadership Quality Standard. This session will focus on the importance of developing future leaders (formally and informally) and practical tips for school and system leaders to do this by valuing professionalism and autonomy.

Speakers

Chris Smeaton

CDSmeaton Consulting

Chris Smeaton retired as Superintendent of Schools from Holy Spirit Catholic School Division in January 2020. In an almost 35-year education career, he spent 19 years in senior leadership with the last 11 being in the role of superintendent. He has K-12 experience in both the classroom... Read More →

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MDT
TBA

Instructional Leadership

10:20am MDT

Leading Neurodiverse Teachers in a Neurodiverse School

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MDT

TBA

We know that schools consist of neurodiverse students, and with that knowledge we think about how we plan, teach and work with our students to ensure that they thrive. We also know that schools are taught and led by neurodiverse teachers, paraprofessionals and administrators, and with that knowledge we can reimagine a leadership approach that contributes to a school culture that helps everyone thrive and lead with competence and efficacy. What we know determines what we see (Kirschner & Hendrick, 2020). Knowing more about the neurodiverse profiles and characteristics of teachers, paraprofessionals and leaders in our schools helps us understand how individuals think, contribute and engage with the whole school culture. Leaders holding this knowledge about their teams are better equipped to see and plan a strengths-based way forward that helps the entire community thrive and feel part of the school.

Speakers

Leanne Watson

Principal, Livingstone Range School Division

Leanne Olesen-Watson is an educator, administrator, and school-improvement coach hoping to inform education through empowerment and innovation. Leanne holds a BSc majoring in Chemistry, BEd, and a Masters in Curriculum and Assessment. Leanne's roles include teacher, Principal of Stavely... Read More →

Chris Mattatall

Associate Professor of Educational Psychology and Inclusion, University of Lethbridge

Dr. Chris Mattatall is the current University of Lethbridge Board of Governors Teaching Chair (2023-2025). He is also an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology and Inclusion in the Faculty of Education at the University of Lethbridge, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses... Read More →

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MDT
TBA

Instructional Leadership, DEHR

10:20am MDT

How Teachers and School Leaders use their time - findings from QTU supported research - Leah Mertens, Greg Thompson and Sarah Holcombe

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MDT

TBA

The QTU has sponsored academic research into the time use of teachers and school leaders. Our research partner, Professor Greg Thompson, will outline the findings. Sara Holcombe, small school principal, will share her lived experience of multi-tasking the multi-tasks.

Speakers

Greg Thompson

Professor of Education Research at Queensland University of Technology. After working as a high school English, History and HPE teacher for 13 years in Western Australia, Professor Thompson completed his PhD at Murdoch University in 2009. From 2009 he worked as a Lecturer and Senior... Read More →

Sara Holcombe

As a school leader, Sarah has a wealth of experience as a Small School Principal, Head of Department (Curriculum & Inclusion) and a Regional Curriculum Advisor. She is a passionate member of the Queensland Teachers' Union and engages actively in various roles including Area Council... Read More →

Leah Michelle Mertens

Deputy General Secretary (Member Services) at Queensland Teachers' Union. A former French language teacher in state primary and secondary schools, Leah's QTU career began in 1994 with her appointment as Women's Coordinator. In 2011, she took up the role of Strategy and Policy Officer... Read More →

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MDT
TBA

International Perspectives

10:20am MDT

From Rapport to Results: unlocking Strengths and Creating Connection

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MDT

TBA

The number one LQS, SLQS and TQS is Fostering and building Effective Relationships. Yes, but how? Is it hard to foster effective relationships sometimes? Why? In this session, Leaders of learning will unpack practical and immediate applicable skills and strategies that will positively impact our relationships, and instantly create rapport with our colleagues. It is important to remember that people have different behaviour styles, but within these differences, we all have strengths. Therefore, we need to capitalize on these strengths, and adjust our message to increase our daily effectiveness. In this session, based on the platinum rule (treat people the way they want to be treated), leaders of learning with explore how to create a quicker, deeper, and longer lasting rapport with others.

Speakers

Rania Eshak

Rania is an award winning High School Teacher, she received the excellence in teaching award 2016. Rania is a passionate educator who taught for over 15 years with ECSD. She has a bachelor of Secondary Education, and a master's degree both from University of Alberta.

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MDT
TBA

School Culture

10:20am MDT

Leaders Bring the Weather

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MDT

TBA

"No organisation can function beyond the capacity of its leadership team" – a challenge that drives me every day. This session explores how leadership unleashes potential and outlines actions school leaders can take to grow confidence and capacity in both new and existing leaders. Drawing on over two decades of experience, I share practical strategies to create the conditions that build leadership capability and shift the dial within schools. A key component includes culturally responsive approaches to meaningfully connect with Indigenous communities, ensuring leadership practices honour and integrate Indigenous perspectives. Mixed with a good dose of humour, this session equips leaders with tools to build cultures of collaboration, confidence, and continuous improvement, inspiring inclusive and culturally grounded leadership.

Speakers

Mike Malcolm

Mike has been a principal in New Zealand since 2005, with a deep passion for leadership that empowers others to realise and express their potential. He focuses on practical, explicit actions that enable leaders to build confidence, capability, and sustainable growth within their schools... Read More →

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MDT
TBA

School Culture

10:20am MDT

AI for Teachers, By Teachers: How Leaders Can Design and Build Custom AI Solutions for their Schools

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MDT

TBA

Generic Artificial Intelligence tools can fall short when solving the unique challenges faced by schools and jurisdictions. This session showcases the innovative work at Connect Charter School, where collaboration between teachers, leaders and post-secondary led to the development of GenAI-powered tools like a unit planner and report card assistant, customized to their specific context. Discover how any school board can design and implement custom generative AI tools to meet their unique needs. Gain practical insights into this attainable process that empowers educators, fosters AI literacy, and drives innovation. Leave with the knowledge to create localized, meaningful solutions that truly transform teaching, learning, and efficiency in your schools.

Speakers

Shannon Bennett

As Principal of Connect Charter School, Shannon Bennett brings experience from roles as a teacher, Inclusive Practices Lead, and leader at the Calgary Girls School, coupled with international teaching. Passionate about fostering professional learning and teacher engagement, Shannon... Read More →

Chris Gilmour

Chris Gilmour is the Superintendent of Connect Charter School, where he has led initiatives focused on technology integration and student-centered learning, earning the school recognition as Alberta's only Apple Distinguished School. Previously, he was Superintendent of Schools for... Read More →

Soroush Sabbaghan

Dr. Soroush Sabbaghan is an educator and researcher specializing in generative AI literacy in academic contexts. As Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Werklund School of Education, he develops AI-powered tools like SMARTIE to support inclusive education. His research... Read More →

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MDT
TBA

Technology

10:20am MDT

Leadership as a Subversive Activity

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MDT

TBA

This session invites educational leaders to explore the hidden structures and systems that subtly shape school culture and impact learning outcomes. By applying a systems thinking lens, participants will uncover the implicit patterns and physical structures that influence decision-making, communication, and social physics within learning environments. Together, we'll examine how leaders can raise awareness of and shape these underlying elements to foster a resilient, adaptive culture that reflects principles of innovation and creativity.

Speakers

Shawn Lennie

Apple

Apple Education Some of the most powerful opportunities for technology are realized in the hands of students and teachers. Apple designs technology that empowers every individual, no matter how they learn and what they love to do. And Apple Education is dedicated to helping schools... Read More →

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MDT
TBA

Technology

10:20am MDT

Recognizing and Overcoming School Leadership "Mindtraps"

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MDT

TBA

As the K-12 educational landscape grows increasingly complex, principals often face overwhelming pressures that can lead to burnout and early departures. Many fall into negative "mindtraps"—unproductive thoughts that distort reality and limit effective leadership. This interactive workshop, a popular offering from BTS Spark, will address common mindtraps such as pessimism, worry, negativity, and judgment that hinder leadership effectiveness. Participants will: • Identify personal mindtraps • Understand the impact of self-talk on leadership effectiveness • Explore how these patterns affect their leadership and relationships • Discover strategies to enhance confidence and decision-making, leading to a more positive school climate By focusing on mindtraps in professional development, principals can develop as lead learners and community builders, reducing stress and moving beyond managing time-sapping relationships, freeing time for instructional leadership. Both new and experienced principals will gain valuable insights to elevate their leadership practice.

Speakers

Max Cooke

Max Cooke is K-12 systems change advocate who empowers education professionals to excel in their school and school district leadership roles. As the Head of BTS Spark in Canada, Max is working to ensure that more Canadian school and district leaders are aware of the benefits and impact... Read More →

Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:20am - 11:20am MDT
TBA

Wellness, Instructional Leadership

11:15am MDT

BREAK (COFFEE AND REFRESHMENTS)

Tuesday April 8, 2025 11:15am - 11:45am MDT

Van Horne Foyer (Conference Centre)

Tuesday April 8, 2025 11:15am - 11:45am MDT
Van Horne Foyer (Conference Centre)

Meals and Breaks

11:45am MDT

The Medicine is You

Tuesday April 8, 2025 11:45am - 1:00pm MDT

Van Horne Ballroom (Conference Centre)

The heart shaped berry (strawberry) reminds us to move out of love, compassion and forgiveness for this is our medicine, our power and our strength. Through story-telling and teaching, this workshop will inspire you to rediscover your own inner resource of the mind, heart, body and spirit. Fill your cup as we talk about self empowerment, emotional wellbeing & coping skills, the power of letting go and cultivating an abundant mindset!

Speakers

Michelle Nieviadomy

Tan’si!Michelle Nieviadomy is the iskwew (iskwew means woman in Cree) behind Iskwew Health.She has been in the wellness industry for over 15 years.Fitness has been her passion.Iskwew Health has been her dream.Community has always been her vision.Michelle is a goal getter... Read More →

Tuesday April 8, 2025 11:45am - 1:00pm MDT
Van Horne Ballroom (Conference Centre)

Keynote Speaker