This plenary explores the work of the BCTF Provincial Specialist Associations and the many ways in which they support new teachers and teacher candidates throughout the province. Join a selection of PSA representatives as they discuss how they incorporate a range of cross-curricular and core competency elements into their practice and their learning communities. For more information on these specialist associations, click here.

Cultiver les Compétences en Littératie par l’Éducation en Plein Air

Integrating literacy into nature, participants will learn to incorporate literacy instruction (phonemic awareness, reading, vocabulary, writing) into outdoor settings using place-based pedagogy. They will discover how nature can serve as a dynamic classroom that enhances literacy skills and deepens connections with the environment. Practical, "Monday-Ready" strategies: Attendees will receive ready-to-implement literacy activities adaptable to various outdoor spaces, covering phonemic awareness, writing, and grammar, equipping educators with immediately applicable tools. Fostering creativity and critical thinking, participants will explore how outdoor settings stimulate creativity and critical thinking in literacy instruction. By using nature-inspired prompts and reflective writing, educators will promote analytical skills and imaginative thinking, helping students connect their nature experiences with literacy concepts for better engagement and learning outcomes.

Decolonization and Indigenous Rights

Join us for an enlightening workshop addressing the critical issues of systemic racism and the journey towards reconciliation in Canada. This session will feature insights from esteemed Indigenous scholars and activists, including Senator Murray Sinclair, Taiaiake Alfred, Pam Palmater, and Kanahus Manuel. This workshop is essential for leaders committed to fostering a more just and equitable society and for those seeking to deepen their understanding and support of Indigenous rights. Participants will explore the history of colonialism, current Indigenous activism, and the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples to their lands. Gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous Nationhood and the impact of colonialism. Learn from the perspectives and experiences of Indigenous leaders. Discover Actionable steps towards supporting decolonization and (rethinking) reconciliation efforts. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with transformative ideas and contribute to meaningful change.

Drama Games and More

Participants will explore several themes. First, they will learn about play and links to Curricular Competencies. We will try out several drama games and have the opportunity to experience these games and to have these ideas as takeaways right away back into the classroom. Second, they will explore simple ways in which a teacher can adapt things in the physical environment. This is through adding simple elements like props, music, and possible lighting within our classrooms as they play these games. Third, they will discover inclusive education and entry points for various games for students. Fourth, they will begin in circle and make direct links to Indigenous Education and through this the Indigenous students in the circle feel seen and lifted up.

Introduction to Graphic Design Using Any App

This cross-curricular workshop is for teachers with minimal or no experience creating and teaching graphic design. You will learn how to use and teach layout and typography to create visual assets like posters, presentations, social media assets, and more. The focus will be on how to effectively create visual assets and not about how to use a specific application. Digital literacy topics like copyright and fair use will also be discussed. Bring your laptop and use the graphic design application that you are most comfortable with like Canva, Google Slides, PowerPoint, or an Adobe product. Project ideas and resources will be shared.

Phonemic Awareness Instruction: From the "Why" to the "How"

Participants will learn that phonemic awareness and phonics are interdependent, and that phonemic awareness does not develop naturally and must be explicitly taught. They will also learn that phonemic awareness is a pre-requisite for successful reading and a skill that students need to develop from early Primary to early Intermediate. Additionally, participants will learn to develop students' phonemic awareness using just a few minutes of instructional time per day and materials they likely already have in their classrooms.

Teaching in a Time of Climate Grief

In the face of escalating climate crises, educators find themselves grappling not only with the responsibility of imparting knowledge about climate change but also with the obligation to ensure the emotional well-being of students, many of whom feel the fear and grief of climate crisis already. This workshop aims to empower educators to navigate the complexities of teaching about climate change with empathy, authenticity, and resilience. It is designed to provide a space for educators to explore the emotional landscape of climate grief drawing on the transformative frameworks. By acknowledging and processing the emotional aspects and impacts of the realities of this time, like grief, fear, hopelessness and rage, participants will develop the skills to be better equipped to support themselves and their students to move through these feelings to a place of hope and action. Participants will leave the workshop with activities they can do with their students around this issue.

Where Did That Come from?! Challenging Behavior in the Classroom

Behavior is communication. Considerations for creating an inclusive space and effective classroom management strategies will be explored. Strategies will also be discussed to support relationship building and thus working to reduce challenging behavior in the classroom.

Workplace Occupational Health & Safety: What Every New Teacher Needs to Know

Participants will explore: 1. understanding WorkSafe BC OH&S Regulations within a classroom environment, 2. knowing what their safety rights are as a worker in a school setting, and 3. becoming prepared with health and safety knowledge when stepping foot into a school each day.

Classroom Management

This workshop provides a framework for creating a classroom management plan that includes preventing problems, taking action when problems arise and intervening with individual students. This framework allows teachers to create a management plan that is based on positive behaviour support but is flexible to accommodate many strategies and teaching styles. Included is the opportunity to re-examine personal practice and beliefs, explore respectful discipline approaches and expand classroom management strategies.

Diversity in Core French: How to Make Everyone Feel Safe and Included

Participants will explore ways to make all students feel safe and welcome in a classroom. Lesson examples that include an Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, different religions, cultures, races, and body types will be explained. Additionally, lesson examples and resources suggestions will be shared.

Getting to Know "Learning in the Primary Years"

This workshop will give attendees the opportunity to learn more about the new Ministry document "Learning in the Primary Years". Topics covered are play-based learning, social and emotional learning, outdoor learning, literacy, numeracy, and more.

Integrating Digital Citizenship and ADST through Blended Learning: A New Teacher’s Guide

Participants will explore the ability to incorporate digital citizenship and ADST curriculum through a blended learning approach into all subject areas in this workshop. Blended learning approaches will be explored as a vehicle to allow cross-curricular learning, programs, and assessments. As newer educators, we will explore ways that digital citizenship curriculum can be woven into all subject areas and grade levels including relevant Artificial Intelligence topics and Freedom of Information and Privacy (FIPPA) implementations. Digital literacy for both elementary and secondary students as directed by BC’s Ministry of Education will be the focus through numerous examples of student-centered learning activities. Practical techniques and strategies will be given to allow newer teachers the confidence to use technology as a tool to foster a culture of cross-curricular learning and responsible digital citizenship that meet the needs of today’s learners.

Looking Back, Moving Forward: Holocaust Education in BC

Participants for this workshop will:

• understand the uniqueness of the Holocaust genocide and its components (victims—the Jewish people and antisemitism; perpetrators—Nazi ideology and propaganda, and extermination methods; Nazi Collaborators; and non-Jewish Rescuers).
• discover the Holocaust’s unit framework (key terms and timeline events from 1933 to 1946).
• learn how to approach and teach complex and sensitive topics such as the Holocaust and antisemitism.
• explore available materials curated by the HAEA (Holocaust and Antisemitism Educators Association) to help in teaching the Holocaust and antisemitism, and solicit feedback from the K–12 new teachers about the various teaching needs and challenges of these topics.

PE is for Everyone! Activities that Include all Students and Build Social Emotional Learning in PE

Participants will 1. develop awareness of the importance of teaching and modelling SEL skills in Physical Education for the success of students inside and outside the classroom, 2. explore activities that focus on inclusion of all students, regardless of skill level, experience, social skills, and learning needs, and increase students’ sense of belonging, and 3. be able to implement activities that will have a positive impact on all students’ Social Emotional Learning.

Place-based Education in the BC Curriculum

An interactive discussion will be offered on the role of experiential and place-based learning in the BC Curriculum, including its connection to the Aboriginal Ways of Knowing and Being and First People’s Principles of learning. How can we facilitate more experiential, inquiry-based, environmental and place-based education in all subject areas and grade levels? We will also explore rich classroom-ready resources from across BC and Canada.

Planting Seeds: The Library Learning Commons and Cross-Curricular Learning

Collaboration with classroom teachers (from your own school and possibly another school in your district). What your TL can teach (and take off your plate) and resources (other than books).