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

Navigating AI: Empowering School Leaders for an AI-Enabled Future

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

TBA

This interactive session will equip administrators and school leaders with the knowledge and strategies to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. We'll cover key concepts like machine learning, deep learning, and large language models (LLMs), emphasizing tools that protect student data and privacy. Through real-world examples, we'll demonstrate how to integrate AI effectively and ethically into school settings. Additionally, we'll explore the dynamic relationship between AI technology, professional development, classroom implementation and research, offering practical strategies to cultivate AI literacy and fluency among staff and students.

Speakers

Thomas Rogers

Assistant Principal, Edmonton Public Schools

Thomas Rogers has been teaching for 10 years and has experience as a Teacher, Diploma Exam Marker, Curriculum Coordinator and is currently an Assistant Principal at S. Bruce Smith Junior High. Thomas has worked on several technology, assessment and collaborative response initiatives... Read More →

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

Technology

10:45am MDT

Leadership Strategies that Drive Innovation and Change

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

TBA

Leaders play a crucial role in creating the environment needed for a transformative educational vision. Implicit leadership behaviours, more than explicit instructions, frequently shape organizational culture. This interactive discussion will explore tangible, specific, and evidence-driven strategies to foster a technology-enhanced learning vision that encourages innovation. We will discuss school organizational structures, the importance of psychology in facilitating change within a community, and provide resources to assist leaders.

Speakers

Chad Mowbray

Distinguished Educator/ Create and Share Presentations, Apple Education

Will send to Chris

Lesleigh Dye

Will send to Chris

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

Technology

2:45pm MDT

Storytelling with Data: Transforming Evidence into Action

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

TBA

Schools are environments rich in data. Educators and educational leaders face the unique challenge of navigating the immense amount of data to make sense of organizational culture. Join us for this hands-on exploration of how technology can help leaders capture authentic and meaningful evidence that is inclusive and informs decision-making. Participants will examine tools and techniques around equitable data capture and learning analytics, as well as explore storytelling for knowledge mobilization to ensure that communities avoid being "data rich and knowledge poor."

Speakers

Chad Mowbray

Distinguished Educator/ Create and Share Presentations, Apple Education

Will send to Chris

Lesleigh Dye

Will send to Chris

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

Technology

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

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