Understanding the Middle 2023: Full Schedule

April 27, 28, and 29 - 2023

5:00pm MDT

Registration Desk

Grab your lanyard, and your MYC swag at the front desk when you get to Banff!!

Thursday April 27, 2023 5:00pm - 9:00pm MDT
Front Desk Hallway

Delegate Registration

8:00pm MDT

Sawback Brewery Speed Sessions

Limited Capacity full

The Sawback Brewery Speed Sessions are back! Why not come for a $5 beer/beverage, meet other delegates, and "talk shop" with other teachers and delegates? Whether you're here by yourself, or with a group, this is a great way to start your conference, and get busy learning and interacting with your colleagues at MYC 2023!! Teachers will be seated at tables and given topics to discuss on a rotational basis. This session was extremely popular last year, so we hope you'll stop by, meet some teachers from other places in Alberta, and Canada, and discuss some important issues in education.

Speakers

Chris Andrew

Principal, Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division #39

Kristie McCullough

Thursday April 27, 2023 8:00pm - 9:30pm MDT
Black Bear

Sawback Speed Session

7:00am MDT

Sunrise Yoga Session

Start your day off with a Sunrise Yoga session!

Friday April 28, 2023 7:00am - 8:00am MDT
Black Bear

Session, Wellness

7:00am MDT

Breakfast

Friday April 28, 2023 7:00am - 8:30am MDT
Glacier Salon

7:30am MDT

Registration Desk

Friday April 28, 2023 7:30am - 9:00am MDT
Front Desk Hallway

Delegate Registration

8:45am MDT

Conference Opening Remarks

Speakers

Tom Stones

Chinook’s Edge School Division

Grade 8 teacher at Innisfail Middle School in Innisfail, Alberta

Chris McCullough

VP, MYC Conference Co-Chair

In September 2019, we noted that we had many students who were dysregulated and it became very clear to our admin team that we did not have a clear process of how to deal with the high levels of discipline and regulation concerns. Working with our own Central Office Team, as well... Read More →

Friday April 28, 2023 8:45am - 9:00am MDT
Summit Ballroom

9:00am MDT

Keynote Session 1 (Dr. Bruce Perry). Introduction to the Neurosequential Model: Applications for Education

Description: The development of a young child is profoundly influenced by experience. Experiences shape the organization of the brain, which, in turn, influences the emotional, social, cognitive and physiological activities. Insights into this process come from understanding brain development. This session will provide an overview of key principles of neurodevelopment crucial for understanding the role of experience in defining functional and physical organization of the brain. This information will inform further discussion of the educational implications related to a neurodevelopmental approach to child maltreatment and suggest new directions for educational approaches.

Friday April 28, 2023 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Summit Ballroom

Keynote

10:00am MDT

Banff Wellness Practice

Need a massage? Head on over to the Banff Wellness Practice / Yoga Centre across the street for a massage. The Middle Years Council has partnered with Banff Wellness Practice to offer discounted ½ hour massage treatments ($58.75/half-hour massage) on Friday, April 28th.
The session times are as follows:
10:00am -10:30am; 10:45am-11:15am; 11:30am -12:00pm; 12:15pm -12:45pm; 1:00pm-1:30pm; 1:45pm - 2:15pm; 2:30-3:00pm; 3:15pm - 3:45pm; 4:00pm - 4:30pm; 4:45pm - 5:15pm; 5:30pm - 6:00pm; 6:15pm - 6:45pm; 7:00pm - 7:30pm; 7:45pm - 8:15pm; 8:30pm-9:00pm
The Banff Wellness Practice is very conveniently located just steps away from the Banff Park Lodge. To book one of the massage sessions, contact the Banff Wellness Practice @ (403) 985 - 0402.
You’ll need to secure your massage with a credit card, and upon payment, you’ll receive a receipt that you can submit to your insurance provider. If you're interested in your wellness, this may be a session for you. Call the Banff Wellness Centre at (403) 985 - 0402 to reserve your massage now.

Speakers

Banff Wellness Practice

Banff Wellness Practices

Friday April 28, 2023 10:00am - 9:00pm MDT
Banff Wellness Centre 111 Banff Ave.

Session, Wellness

10:15am MDT

Break

Friday April 28, 2023 10:15am - 10:30am MDT

10:30am MDT

Achieve? Engage? Empower? Choose D...All of the Above

As middle years educators we are challenged to not only help our students achieve the learning outcomes, but to also help them become engaged and empowered learners. "This We Believe" states that middle school curriculum should be challenging, exploratory, integrative, and diverse, and that our instruction should foster learning that is active, purposeful, and democratic. The current Ministerial Order on Student Learning also states that "Students will gain the knowledge and skills to form the foundations for successful and fulfilling lives, and make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world". In this session, participants will learn the IDEAL way to bring all of these aspects together through an examination of current research delivered in an interactive, purposeful and fun manner. Choose "D"....all of the above!

Speakers

Brent Galloway

Professor, Red Deer Polytechnic

Friday April 28, 2023 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Birch

Session

10:30am MDT

ADHD and the Middle Years

What is ADHD? Understanding, making connections, and practical strategies for students and staff in the middle years and beyond. Sharing research, humour, and neurodiversity affirming practice - Including Top 10 practical tips for supporting these beautiful brains in the teen years + bonus resources.

Speakers

Michelle Gilbert

Alternative Learning Team, Medicine Hat Public School Division

Friday April 28, 2023 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Assiniboine

Session

10:30am MDT

Cultivating Readers for Life

At the core of powerful reading communities is habitual readers with strong reading identities. With click-and-go reading on the rise, protecting instructional time for deep reading in our classrooms is more important than ever. In this session we will explore approaches to cultivate joyful reading practices, discover opportunities for students to develop positive reading identities, and consider instructional decisions required to develop depth, stamina, and passion in adolescent readers.

Speakers

Jane Roberts

Learning Specialist - Literacy/ELL, Rocky View Schools

Friday April 28, 2023 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Cedar

Session

10:30am MDT

Immersive Wildlife Education for Your Classroom!

Immerse yourself in the world of teaching wildlife, ecosystems, and land use with Inside Education! This interactive session will guide you through hands-on activities to engage students in meaningful learning about Alberta’s wildlife species, habitats, species at risk, and human interactions, while inspiring an environmental stewardship mentality.
This session not only leaves you with inspiration and new ideas to use in your classroom, but you will also gain access to newly developed interactive games that allow students to experience ecosystems by traveling through the Westcastle and Boreal regions of Alberta. Through the eyes of different organisms in the games, students immerse themselves in the wilderness and complete quests to experience life cycles, habitats, interspecific relationships, and human interactions firsthand.
Come along for the wild ride!

Speakers

Braeden Elenko

Inside Education

Inside Education is an Alberta-based, environment and natural resource education charity. We have been supporting teachers and students to think critically about environmental topics since 1985! With our no-cost teaching resources, youth summits, in-class and field programs, and professional... Read More →

Friday April 28, 2023 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Castle

Session

10:30am MDT

Innovative Assessment for Middle School

Provide your students, parents and colleagues with engaging, informative and motivating assessment practices that move beyond percentages and into an innovative way to formatively and summatively provide students and parents with easy to understand assessment that displays continuity between courses and grade levels. Successful assessment examples, rubrics and parent communications methods will be shared.

Speakers

Paul Bohnert, Karly Lewis, Janel Heth & Deryk Hamilton

Lead Teachers -, The Faculty

The Faculty is a collection of practicing Alberta teachers that create professional learning opportunities for teachers across North America.Paul (Bohnert) is a practicing middle school teacher and researcher in Alberta. He has created an innovative learning environment that has transformed... Read More →

Friday April 28, 2023 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Den Boardroom

Session

10:30am MDT

Students as Change Makers for Healthy Schools

Student leadership and voice is an essential part of a healthy school community. In this session explore ways that leadership opportunities can be embedded in school culture and encouraged for all students, not just the ones who are already demonstrating strong leadership qualities. Let’s move beyond our assumptions of “what makes a good leader” and create space for all students to show their unique strengths! Learn from a variety of student leadership strategies and success stories from schools across the province, and find opportunities to amplify student voices in your school community.

Speakers

Adam Pratt

Health and Wellness Consultant, Ever Active Schools

Adam joined Ever Active Schools in August 2022 after spending seven years as a teacher. During this time, he worked primarily as a Physical Education Specialist. This role allowed him to work with 500+ students and 40+ staff each year. As a certified "people person," he embraces his... Read More →

Friday April 28, 2023 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Aspen

Session

10:30am MDT

The Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre and Child Abuse: Signs/Symptoms and Reporting

This session will discuss what a child advocacy centre is?, the role it plays in a case of abuse and the support it offers to a child and their family during this difficult time. Additionally: the types of child abuse, the signs of child abuse, reporting disclosure and child abuse suspicion and the processes our kids go through once child abuse is reported.

Speakers

Lee Caine

Education Program Coordinator, 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... Read More →

Friday April 28, 2023 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Summit Ballroom

Session

10:30am MDT

The Future is Now! Beginning with the End in Mind

Two friends, colleagues, and teachers with 50 years combined teaching and learning experience, who have had to "Begin with the End in Mind" as they tackle new courses! A presentation designed for all teachers - those who are just starting out or beginning again or who are just looking for fresh ideas - including: examples & ideas for collaborative planning & organisation, and developing projects & presentations that can be used in many subject areas, but especially for Social, Math & ELA, with a strong focus on using technology and collaboration to allow students to demonstrate their understanding in unique and engaging formats.
Also included - an Introduction to our new boyfriend: ChatGPT !!!

Speakers

Vicki Leong

Middle Years Council

Vicki is a longtime teacher and is passionate about what is in the best interest of students. She is passionate about fair and meaningful assessment and ensuring her students enjoy the content and leave her class with meaningful and practical learning. As a lifelong athlete, she... Read More →

Kelly Drury Laffin

Aurora. #MYC2023 #CAfLN

teacher most of the day. plus coordinator of assessment & instructional design. life-long learner. change-maker. mom. dreamer. wanderer. t1D advocate. assessment nerd.@kelly's_verse#MYC2023 #CAfLN

Friday April 28, 2023 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Lynx Salon

Session

10:30am MDT

The Integration of Science Fiction with Middle School Science

Limited Capacity seats available

Throughout his years teaching middle school science, Nate often enjoyed using science fiction as a means to really draw engagement in the topics of science that were being studied. This session will not only give a myriad of examples of science fiction that can be integrated into the various units of science in grades 5-9, but will also talk about how you can take any science fiction that you enjoy, and find ways to integrate it in the right way to your science classes.

Speakers

Nate Siler

RDPSD

Friday April 28, 2023 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Willow

Session

10:30am MDT

TiKTok TikTok- Time to Engage

TikTok, TikTok. Are you ready to engage middle school learners? Up your game Monday morning by integrating ready-to-go ideas and activities that will excite and motivate your students, support the achievement of instructional objectives, and deepen their learning. In this hands-on session, I will share my top 10 ideas to motivate and engage middle school learners and take your teaching to the next level. Using these ideas has changed the way I teach because my students and I are excited to learn together and have fun. I highly recommend this session for new teachers or any teacher wanting to learn some new tricks. Join me and bring your computer. If you can open google, you can do it!

Speakers

Cheryl Taylor

Teacher/ Aspiring Leader, Wolf Creek Public Schools

Teachnology 2024Are you ready to engage your middle school students? Arm yourself with strategies to not only manage the madness, but also excite your students. In this hands-on engaging session, I will share my top 10 secrets to motivating middle school learners. Up your game Monday... Read More →

Friday April 28, 2023 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Black Bear

Session

11:45am MDT

Lunch

Friday April 28, 2023 11:45am - 1:00pm MDT
Glacier Salon

1:00pm MDT

Keynote Session 2 (Dr. Bruce Perry) Cont'd - Introduction to the Neurosequential Model: Applications for Education

Friday April 28, 2023 1:00pm - 2:15pm MDT
Summit Ballroom

Keynote

2:15pm MDT

Break

Friday April 28, 2023 2:15pm - 2:30pm MDT

2:30pm MDT

Admin. Roundtable

Limited Capacity filling up

Speakers

Shawn Wagar

VP, Ecole Lacombe Junior High School

Middle Years Admin. Roundtable I have been a school administrator for over 25 years and look forward to having a discussion around the most complex and dynamic issues that we face today in our schools.

Friday April 28, 2023 2:30pm - 3:45pm MDT
Hospitality Room

Session, Middle School Leadership

2:30pm MDT

Grades 6-9 by using PBL-UDL

Design a new environmental sustainable tourist destination, that engages public involvement, considers water and energy consumption, land use, and waste production, while covering content from grade 6-9 science and social studies curriculum. This is just one example of how to create new and engaging lessons that cross multiple concepts within grade 6 - 9 classes that reinforce skill, knowledge and abilities through practical, meaningful projects. The projects are designed to draw from past experiences and knowledge, and ignite creative and practical approaches to connecting to curricular topics.

Speakers

Paul Bohnert, Karly Lewis, Janel Heth & Deryk Hamilton

Lead Teachers -, The Faculty

Friday April 28, 2023 2:30pm - 3:45pm MDT
Den Boardroom

Session

2:30pm MDT

Redefining Recovery

Redefining Recovery - It’s been a long 3 years and moving forward everyone needs to focus on recovery. As educators you need to recover and focus on self-care so you can support your students and colleagues. What does that look like? During this session there will be guided conversations, self reflection, and activities on how individuals can improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.

Speakers

Char Andrew

Health & Wellness Coordinator, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools

Char has been the Health & Wellness Coordinator for the Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division for the past 11 years and is a Certified Wellness Coach. She has been in the fitness industry for over 34 years and teaches a variety of fitness classes at Studio Pilates in Red Deer... Read More →

Friday April 28, 2023 2:30pm - 3:45pm MDT
Lynx Salon

Session, Wellness

2:30pm MDT

Restorative Practices Change School Culture

Research has shown that restorative practices are instrumental in the reduction of suspensions, excessive disciplinary measures, and conflicts in schools. However, the maintenance of restorative practices is difficult when the response to challenging behavior occurs in a situation by situation basis. To sustain the impact of restorative practices over time, RP needs to be integrated into the school culture so that the foundation is intentional and proactive. This creates safe spaces for constructive learning, for the development of social and emotional skills, and for strong relationships between peers and adults. As a result classrooms can become calmer, more focused, and the discipline can be integrated more seamlessly into daily school life.

Speakers

Agnes Struik

Rural Red Deer Restorative Justice

Friday April 28, 2023 2:30pm - 3:45pm MDT
Black Bear

Session

2:30pm MDT

S.O.S - Sharing Our Successes

Wondering how others build culture and community in their middle school? Curious about successful pedagogy for young adolescent learners? Interested in practices that promote purposeful relationships? This café-style session provides opportunities to interact with other teachers and leaders and share successful middle school practices that align with The Successful Middle School: This We Believe (Bishop & Harrison, 2021). Participant insights may be included in a Guide to Middle Level Education that is being developed by the Middle Years Council for Alberta. Come share your Middle School success stories and gather ideas from others!

Speakers

Julia Rheaume

Chair, Bachelor of Education Program, Red Deer Polytechnic

Kelly Drury Laffin

Aurora. #MYC2023 #CAfLN

teacher most of the day. plus coordinator of assessment & instructional design. life-long learner. change-maker. mom. dreamer. wanderer. t1D advocate. assessment nerd.@kelly's_verse#MYC2023 #CAfLN

Brent Galloway

Professor, Red Deer Polytechnic

Friday April 28, 2023 2:30pm - 3:45pm MDT
Summit Ballroom

Session

2:30pm MDT

Sex Ed in the Middle Years

Whether this is your first or twentieth year of teaching, this session will increase your confidence and ease some of your anxiety around teaching the human sexuality outcomes in middle school. Come to this interactive session and discuss innovative activities, strategies to engage students in the classroom, and best practices in teaching sexual health. Test drive updated lesson plans for Grade 5-6 that align with the new PE&W curriculum, and how to bridge the new content to grades 7-8. Perfect your Question Box plan and expand your knowledge of the free resources available at TeachingSexualHealth.ca, an authorized Alberta Education resource.

Speakers

Nicole Inglis

Health Promotion Facilitator, Alberta Health Services: Teaching Sexual Health

Nicole Inglis (she/her) has taught everything from grade 1 PE to Bio 30 and has taught in both public and Catholic Schools. She has an MEd in Adult Education and works on the Sexual and Reproductive Health Promotion team at Alberta Health Services. Nicole lives in Calgary with her... Read More →

2023 MYC SexEd for the Middle Years pdf

Friday April 28, 2023 2:30pm - 3:45pm MDT
Assiniboine

Session

2:30pm MDT

Teaching Hopefully

How do you foster student hope while maintaining your own hope? Do you see your students struggling after COVID-19? Do you find yourself struggling to find your passion? Are you tired of having just “one more thing” added to your plate? Join us to get a brief overview of the research surrounding hope, the importance of hope to student success and to learn about hope as a teachable skill that can be practiced with students from Kindergarten through Grade 12. Attendees will gain an understanding of the free resources included on the SHARP-SMH website for use in your class on Monday or to weave through the curriculum you are already teaching. You will walk away with strategies to build your hope, your students’ hope and the hope of your school community.

Speakers

Dr. Denise Larsen

University of Alberta

Dr. Denise Larsen, is a Professor of Counselling Psychology in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta. She is Fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association. She is Co-Director of Hope Studies Central, a 31 year research unit at the University of Alberta dedicated... Read More →

Amy Badger

Teacher, Edmonton Public Schools

Amy Badger is an educator with over 20 years of classroom teaching experience. Her experience includes Kindergarten to Grade 9 public schooling, with a focus in Grades 5 and 6. She has worked in schools across Edmonton, including Argyll Centre, McCauley School, and Elmwood School... Read More →

Friday April 28, 2023 2:30pm - 3:45pm MDT
Cedar

Session, Wellness

2:30pm MDT

Think Outside the Box

This session will focus on integrated curriculum planning and projects with a focus on grade 7-9 math, science, language arts, and social studies. I will also speak to flex groupings and team teaching in grade 7-9 math. This session is for the brave! Step outside your comfort zone, build school culture and plans some awesome integrated curriculum projects with your fellow teachers!

Speakers

Tia Vandermeer

Teacher, Wolf Creek School Division

My teaching philosophy is based heavily around delivering a classroom environment that reaches every single learner in a 21st-century teaching style. We work heavily together figuring out our learning styles. Once we find our strengths we continue to grow in these areas. Next, we... Read More →

Friday April 28, 2023 2:30pm - 3:45pm MDT
Birch

Session, Math / Numeracy

2:30pm MDT

Understanding the Context of FASD in the School Environment

As educators, we know, particularly for our students with complex needs, behavior can become their primary means of communication. To implement interventions effectively, we are often challenged to shift our mindset around behaviour. This session is designed to center us on a shared understanding and help us shift our thinking towards a ‘brain not blame’ mindset. Together, we will discover teaching strategies that educators can use to support learners to succeed in the school environment. These strategies are applicable to all neuro-diverse learners and classrooms, but are evidence-informed to children, youth and adolescents with (or possibly with) FASD. These include synergistic discussions on target specific areas of sensory processing such as body position and movement, tactile, auditory, and visual stimulation. We will also provide an overview the WRaP 2.0 project highlighting intentional practice, reflection, and assimilation that are incorporated in the 4 modules we offer as well as the at-the-elbow support we provide for educators and schools.

Speakers

Danna Ormstrup

Executive Director, Foothills Fetal Alcohol Society

Danna currently holds two very exciting roles. She is the Executive Director of theFoothills Fetal Alcohol Society, a non-profit Society that provides services to ruralcommunities in Southern Alberta, as well as being one of 10 Instructional Coaches in theprovince of Alberta with... Read More →

Tsion Demeke Abate

FASD Instructional Coach, Northwest Central FASD Network

Angela Kemble has been the Executive Director of the Northwest Central Alberta Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Network for 6 years. Prior to that she was an FASD Success Coach in the Aspenview School Division. She holds a Masters in Business Administration and a Human and Social Development... Read More →

Friday April 28, 2023 2:30pm - 3:45pm MDT
Willow

Session

2:30pm MDT

Using Video to Promote School, Engage Learners, and Empower Students

Using simple video apps on your phone, iPad, Chromebook, or computer, you can unlock your own creativity and the creativity of your students in a variety of ways. You can help promote your school on platforms like Instagram or TikTok, you can help engage students in your class by showing them material in new ways, and you can help guide students to do these things on their own as well! Come and learn some tips and ideas on how to take your videos to the next level.

Speakers

Josh Luukkonen

Edmonton Catholic Schools

Friday April 28, 2023 2:30pm - 3:45pm MDT
Castle

Session

3:45pm MDT

MYC Annual General Meeting

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Chris McCullough

VP, MYC Conference Co-Chair

Friday April 28, 2023 3:45pm - 4:15pm MDT
Den Boardroom

8:00pm MDT

MYC Annual Social

Limited Capacity seats available

Annual MYC Social - featuring the band, TEN02 (Ten - Oh - Two). Be there, or be square!

Friday April 28, 2023 8:00pm - Saturday April 29, 2023 12:30am MDT
Summit Ballroom

MYC Social

7:30am MDT

Breakfast

Saturday April 29, 2023 7:30am - 8:45am MDT
Glacier Salon

9:30am MDT

Closing Keynote

Closing Keynote - Funny

Speakers

Ken Valgardson

Ken was born in Edmonton in November 1956 to a normal family that had good values. Ken got a degree in Education and has taught school for 35 years and has now retired.So why did this normal kid dabble in the standup arts over 30 years ago to become a full time comedian and a full... Read More →

Saturday April 29, 2023 9:30am - 10:15am MDT
Summit Ballroom

Keynote

10:15am MDT

Break

Saturday April 29, 2023 10:15am - 10:30am MDT
Alpine Meadows

10:15am MDT

Checkout Time

Based on survey feedback, delegates wanted time to checkout of their hotel room - this block of time is intended to allow time for that.

Saturday April 29, 2023 10:15am - 11:00am MDT
Summit Ballroom

11:00am MDT

Closing Panel Conversation

This discussion will focus on the three characteristics of successful middle schools:
1. Culture and Community
2. Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
3. Leadership and Organization

Speakers

Panel Conversation