PSTA General Assembly Special Interest Sessions

Please pre-register for your sessions before Monday to allow presenters time to create their session meeting and invite all pre-registers team members.

Joining a MS Teams group with a Team Code:

  • Open Teams Select Teams on the left side of the app
  • Click “Join or create a team” at the bottom of your teams list
  • In Join a team with a code, paste the code in the Enter code box and then select Join.

The STF sessions are hosted on Zoom and the links can be used at the time of the session to launch the zoom meeting.

Elementary

Session: Engaging Children in Meaningful Conversation
Presenter: Jennifer Mason
Time: 2:10-3:10
Pre-Registration Teams Code: x33aevy
Description: When we are thoughtful about our response to children, as well as they way we facilitate conversations, students can stretch their thinking and engagement on any given topic. Reflective practices, as well as specific strategies, will be shared to utilize within your learning environment.

Session: Nurturing Emergent Literacy in Play-Based Outdoor Education: Research Findings From Forest School
Presenters: Denise Heppner & Tirzah Reilkoff
Time: 1:00-2:00
Pre-Registration Teams Code: 7jeaxrn
Description: This presentation will share findings from our action research project (funded by the McDowell Foundation): Nurturing Emergent Literacy in Play-Based Outdoor Education: An Exploration of the Learning Journey of a Kindergarten/ Grade 1 Forest School. We will share what we have learned about facilitating the learning context of Forest School and examples of the teacher’s role in supporting primary students’ emergent literacy skills.

Session: Create Memorable Learning Experiences with AITC-SK
Presenters: Chandra Gusikoski & Paige Pister
Time: 1:00-2:00
Zoom: link
Description: Food connects us all to agriculture. Join Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan (AITC-SK) in this session to discover how to engage students in learning by encouraging them to explore their personal connection to food. You’ll gain access to tools to meet curriculum outcomes in a fun, engaging way! AITC-SK will also share innovative, experiential, and curriculum-based programs and resources in your area that will help create memorable learning experiences for your elementary students.

Session: Planning for Inquiry in Primary (STFPL Session)
Presenter: Christine Danyluk
Time: 1:00-3:10
Zoom: link
Description: Engaging in Inquiry Projects allows students to wonder, to question, to research and to own their learning. In this workshop, participants will explore this inquiry process through active exploration of cross-curricular connections, assessment plans and project-based resources and technology, all within an inquiry model.
Participants will:
• Experience and explore a variety of inquiry processes and models.
• Clarify the roles of children and adults as learners.
• Plan and implement a classroom inquiry in an active, hands-on learning environment.
• Have the opportunity to make curricular connections, plan for assessment and explore resources and technology.
Resources: Google Drive

Middle Years

Session: Innovative Learning Opportunities for Middle Years & High School with AITC-SK
Presenter: Chandra Gusikoski & Paige Pister
Time: 2:10-3:10
Zoom: Link
Description: Food connects us all to agriculture. Join Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan (AITC-SK) in this session to discover the innovative and exciting ways we are engaging Middle Years and High School students in learning. You’ll gain access to tools to meet Careers, Science, Social Studies, Health, and more curriculum outcomes in a fun way! AITC-SK will also share experiential, and curriculum-based programs and resources that will help create memorable learning experiences for your students.

Session: SIEC Programming for Middle Years
Presenter: The Saskatoon Industry Education Council
Time: 1:00-2:00
Zoom: Link
Description: The Saskatoon Industry Education Council is a non-profit organization providing experiential learning opportunities for students from K-12. Join the SIEC Team as they discuss their programs designed for middle-years classrooms including SaskCode, SaskMoney, Mind Over Matters, Kills Sets and the Cardboard Boat Race Challenge. Participants will hear about the programs, see the resources and project kits, and learn about opportunities to engage further with the SIEC.

Edsby Training

Session: Starting the Year with Edsby (Elementary)
Presenter: Kevin Cumming
Time: 2:10-3:10
Pre-Registration Teams Code: pn8cew0 (elementary)
Description: A walk through on all the important aspects of Edsby to help get your year started right!

Session: Starting the Year with Edsby (High School)
Presenter: Kevin Cumming
Time: 1:00-2:00
Pre-Registration Teams Code: 6a0h875 (high school)
Description: A walk through on all the important aspects of Edsby to help get your year started right!

Literacy

Session: Putting Pillars in Practice
Presenter: Chad Williams
Time: 1:00-2:00
Pre-Registration Teams Code: ivciux5
Description: Where do we start? In this session we will look at how we incorporate phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension and vocabulary into our school day. We will look at teachings, activities, assessments and routines that will improve students reading ad their love of literacy.

Session: Building Community with #classroombookaday
Presenter: Hali Hamel
Time: 1:00-2:00
Pre-Registration Teams Code: bur0mlq
Description: This workshop will introduce how grade 4-8 teachers can use picture books everyday to build community, develop empathy and foster joy!

Session: Read Like a Writer: Grades 6-12
Presenter: Hali Hamel
Time: 2:10-3:10
Pre-Registration Teams Code: c388qwo
Description: PSSD’s aspirational learning goals include developing students who can “read like a writer and write for a reader”. We will examine what this actually looks like and how we can teach these skills.

Math

Session: Conversations about Thinking Classrooms in PSSD
Presenter: Kirsten Dyck & Davin Fischer
Time: 1:00-2:00
Pre-Registration Teams Code: cbvob69
Description: Many teachers have been experimenting, adapting and implementing aspects of the Thinking Classroom framework, especially in mathematics. Along with experimenting a virtual task, this will be an opportunity for teachers to network, share and ask questions of each other. Whether you are brand new or well experienced with the framework, we hope to provide an open forum for conversation.

Session: Creating Rich Math Tasks
Presenter: Chad Williams
Time: 2:10-3:10
Pre-Registration Teams Code: 69vdnd4
Description: What do I ask? In this session we will look at how we can pose one question to our class with constraints in mind to engage our students in rich tasks. We will look at how constraints can be used to nudge, challenge and support student thinking.

Mental Health & Well Being

Session: Stress, Trauma and the Brain: Staff Meeting PD
Presenters: Diane Clark, Heather Wegren
Time: 2:10-3:10
Pre-Registration Teams Code: 1bs21mo
Description: This workshop is for Administrators or LFs who plan staff meeting PD. Participants will engage with a series of short video clips by Dr. Bruce Perry, internationally renowned neuroscientist, designed to build knowledge and understanding of stress, trauma and the brain. Activities follow each video to engage staff and deepen understanding of core concepts of safety and belonging, the need for connection and the importance of teacher/student regulation.

Teacher Efficacy & Specialization

Session: Unique Needs in French Immersion
Presenter: Danielle Olson
Time: 2:10-3:10
Pre-Registration Teams Code: lj1hrpf
Description: French immersion students and families have unique needs. Come together with colleagues teaching French as a second language in an immersion setting to share resources, strategies, ideas and pursue resources to support French immersion staff and families. If time permits, we will explore and build on elementary French immersion scope and sequence in literacy instruction.

Session: Rethinking Challenging Behaviour
Presenter: Mary Battersby
Time: 2:10-3:10
Pre-Registration Teams Code: t96jqyh
Description: An overview of the foundational beliefs of Collaborative Problem Solving and how we can rethink our approach to working with challenging students. Collaborative Problem Solving has been endorsed by Dr. Bruce Perry as a trauma informed approach to working with children and adults.

Session: Treaty Education
Presenter: OTC: Charlotte Ross
Time: 1:00-2:00
Pre-Registration Teams Code:d2mpmri
Description: A workshop that focusses on how to integrate Treaty Education in our diverse classrooms and teaching areas and using strategies to engage in reconciliation with our students and school communities.

Session: Supporting Students Emotional Needs in the Classroom
Presenter: Rachel Subchyshyn
Time: 1:00-2:00
Pre-Registration Teams Code: ig48py2
Description: As a teacher in the classroom you may have noticed that many students are demonstrating intense emotional and behavioural regulation needs that interfere with their accessibility for learning more than ever before. The presentation will review the needs being expressed, the underlying causes related to these behaviours, as well as interventions to help address the roots of the problem.

Session: Queer 101: Education & School Administrators
Presenter: Out Saskatoon
Time: 1:00-3:10
Zoom: Link
Description: This presentation is for professional development training for all school-based staff. Participants will be introduced to the foundations of identity, terminology, inclusive language, and affirming practices to implement within the classroom. Participants will also be led through group discussions that center around school systems, policy, and 2SLGBTQ safety. Resources will also be provided.

Session: Successful Outcomes for All: Navigating Challenging Conversations (STFPL Session)
Presenter: Michelle Naidu
Time: 1:00-3:10
Zoom: Link
Description: In this session participants will examine their own foundational beliefs for holding growth producing conversations and explore multiple frameworks for planning and holding challenging conversations.
Participants will:
•Reflect on their own stance and role in a challenging conversation
•Analyze multiple planning frameworks for hard conversations
•Practice scripting potential questions to support better conversations
Resources: Google Drive

Session: Female Educational Leadership: What Can We Learn From Nine Women’s Stories
Presenter: Amy Korver & Amy Orth
Time: 2:10-3:10
Pre-Registration Teams Code: vtbccpr
Description: Our session will highlight the research that came out of our 2020 McDowell Research Project, Female Leaders and their Impact on School Culture in Saskatchewan (pdf link). Participants will have the chance to engage in discussions that will allow them to reflect on their current and anticipated paths to leadership and how they can “build the mountain taller” to support others. All genders are encouraged to attend the session!

Subject Specific

Session: PAA (Industrial Arts) Outcome Discussion & Planning
Presenter: Patrick Wills & Jonathon Forbes
Time: 1:00-2:00
Pre-Registration Teams Code: jvzvmao
Description: To facilitate the planning of PAA (IA) courses around the given outcomes in middle years and high school classes. Discuss project ideas to meet outcome needs and opportunities for possible PD collaboration.

Session: Help! I Have to Teach My Own Phys. Ed!
Presenter: Mat Vedress
Time: 2:10-3:10
Pre-Registration Teams Code: hzvk21m
Description: As an elementary/ middle years teacher, going into the gym for the first time can be intimidating. The goal of this session is to provide tools and troubleshooting for teachers new to P.E. We will focus on how to set routines and procedures early on so that kids can make the most of their time in the gym and get set up for growth. Topics include: starting the class, transitions, grouping, structuring games for skill development, and avoiding common traps.

STF

Session: In Hindsight….Pension and Benefit Insights You Should Have Now!
Presenter: Troy Milnthorp (troy.milnthorp@stf.sk.ca)
Time: 1:00-2:00
Zoom: Link
Description: Hindsight is 20/20. Especially when it comes to pension and benefit decisions. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Get some tips now to make the most of your STF pension and benefits programs.

Session: STF 101
Presenter: Helen Vangool (helen.vangool@stf.sk.ca)
Time: 1:00-2:00
Zoom: Link
Description: This session will provide a brief overview of the Federation as a teacher organization. The presentation will include a look at the Federation’s website, teacher benefits and Federation services. There is an opportunity to ask questions of senior administrative staff. New and experienced teachers are encouraged to attend. (Connects with The Teachers’ Federation Act, 2006.)

Session: Supporting the Wellness of Teachers: Benefits of Membership
Presenter: Trish Hastings (trish.hastings@stf.sk.ca)
Time: 1:00-2:00
Zoom: Link
Description: This session will explore the benefits and plans that teachers are entitled to by virtue of their contract with a board of education. An overview will be provided of the benefits that have been negotiated, the benefits that have been developed by the Federation, as well as the member supports available.

Session: Focus on Finance- Improving Your Financial Wellbeing
Presenter: Troy Milnthorp (troy.milnthorp@stf.sk.ca)
Time: 2:10-3:10
Zoom: Link
Description: We are all busy people, and one of the last things on our minds is finance! The reality is, finance is like medicine, we sometimes need some to feel better. This session will focus on a day to day financial topics (e.g. debt, credit, mortgages, insurance, budgeting) and provide some valuable tips to help improve your financial well-being.

Session: How to Have Difficult Conversations as a Professional
Presenter: Mark Eggleston (mark.eggleston@stf.sk.ca)
Time: 2:10-3:10
Zoom: Link
Description: How do we engage in difficult conversations? Often the difficulty comes from the context. We may become accustomed to working within our classroom and not engaging with our colleagues. We sometimes only interact with others in the staffroom. When a serious or critical situation arises that needs to be addressed, one that may cause conflict, we might find it easier to sidestep it, keep our head down and retreat to the sanctuary of our classroom. This presentation will review types of conversations and strategies to support collegial conversations in difficult situations.