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

2:45pm MDT

Building a Culture of Belonging

Sunday April 6, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

TBA

Research highlights the crucial role of cultivating a culture of belonging in schools, particularly for BIPOC students. It speaks to the significance of the role of school leaders to intentionally nurture and create inclusive environments, which can positively impact attendance, student well-being, and achievement. How do we measure belonging? What data do we need to look at? And how do we know that we are making a difference for all students in our buildings? This presentation will look at the research, give suggestions for practices that leaders can implement to build a culture of belonging, and tell the story of one school - their successes and learnings.

Speakers

Cori Fraser

Principal, EPSB

Cori Fraser has been a principal with Edmonton Public Schools for the past nine years. Since September 2020, she has been the principal at Westmount Jr High, where she leads a diverse learning community.

Sunday April 6, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
TBA

DEHR

4:00pm MDT

"Invisible Children": Exploring Foster Child Relationships with Leaders in a School Context

Sunday April 6, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

TBA

Every teacher and administrator in Alberta will most likely encounter students in schools who are in Government Care. Many children/youths in foster care have not been able to form proper attachments in schools in order to engage them appropriately in their education. This has caused emotional struggles and social behaviours that lead to stigmatization and lack of success in mainstream classrooms. Through sharing his personal story and experience along with research this session will discuss with school leaders the hurdles and issues involved with Foster Children and the trust and attachment that foster youth in Alberta need with leaders in their school.

Speakers

Darby Murphy

Teacher, Elk Island Catholic

Darby Murphy has been a teacher and administrator with Elk Island Catholic School Division for the past several years and is currently the Principal of St. Martin's Catholic in Vegreville Alberta. Growing up in, and aging out of Foster Care gave Darby his passion for children who... Read More →

Sunday April 6, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
TBA

DEHR

10:45am MDT

Empowering success through a culturally centred framework

Monday April 7, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am MDT

TBA

A culturally centred, strength-based model for wellbeing and positive behaviour change empowers individuals by leveraging their strengths and cultural identity. Grounded in diverse cultural values and narratives, it integrates New Zealand's indigenous conceptual understanding, drawing on Māori principles to guide its approach. The model emphasises the connection between personal identity, community belonging, and holistic development. By fostering self-awareness, resilience, and positive relationships, it supports individuals in navigating challenges and enhancing wellbeing. Through restorative practices, cultural metaphors, and collective support, it creates pathways for sustainable and inclusive growth.

Speakers

Gene Bartlett

Principal, Masterton Primary School

Gene Bartlett is the Principal of Masterton Primary School and Lead Principal of the (RTLB) Remutaka Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour service, which provides specialised support to enhance learning and behaviour outcomes for students across 54 schools and 4,500 students... Read More →

Joanna Lennox

Joanna Lennox is the Deputy Principal at Masterton Primary School, renowned for her expertise in play-based education, restorative practices, new entrant pedagogy, and curriculum leadership. She is a strong advocate for inclusive practices, with a solid background in special education... Read More →

Monday April 7, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
TBA

DEHR, International Perspectives

10:45am MDT

Equity Theory of Change: Transforming Education for All

Monday April 7, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am MDT

TBA

Join us for an engaging session on the Equity Theory of Change, a framework that prioritizes fairness and inclusivity in educational reform. This presentation will explore how adopting an equity lens can address systemic barriers in education, ensuring that all students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, receive the support they need to thrive.

Speakers

Shannon Behan

Dr. Shannon Behan, President of the British Columbia Principals' and Vice-Principals' Association (BCPVPA), brings a deep commitment to educational equity and transformative change in her work with school leaders across British Columbia. With a strong focus on the Equity Theory of... Read More →

Monday April 7, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
TBA

DEHR

2:45pm MDT

What do K-12 schools need to address child abuse?

Monday April 7, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

TBA

In Alberta, Child Advocacy Centres (CAC's) are strategic partners in how school districts approach child abuse policy and prevention. During this session participants will be presented with evidence-based resources that can be implemented at the district or school level. We invite participants to bring their questions and join with us to create communities where all children and youth are safe. The opportunity for individual consultation with representatives from Zebra, Central Alberta and the Luna CAC will be made available immediately after this session.

Speakers

Lee Caine

Education Program Coordinator, Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre

Dean Pasiuk and Lee Caine have over 60 years educational experience working in Central Alberta Schools. During Dean's 30 years as an educator, he has gone from classroom teacher to administrator with the Chinooks Edge School Division and the Red Deer Public School Division. Dean has... Read More →

Brenda Straw

Education Liaison, Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre

Brenda Straw is a teacher on secondment to Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) from the Calgary Catholic School District (CSSD). As a certified teacher stationed at a Child and Youth Advocacy Center in Alberta, Brenda collaborates with district leadership in Southern Alberta... Read More →

Samantha McLennan

Hi I'm Sam! I've been a teacher for the past 7 years, and I jumped at the opportunity to work with the Zebra centre as their Community Education Lead this year. I've had the unfortunate pleasure of working with Zebra in the past as a teacher, and I have always admired the work they... Read More →

Dean Pasiuk

Monday April 7, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
TBA

DEHR

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

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