2016-17
PROVINCIAL SPECIALIST ASSOCIATION CONFERENCES
Every teacher needs a PSA
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#PSAday
What are PSAs? What are the advantages? PSAs are sources of professional assistance within the BC Teachers’ Federation. Through PSAs, members exchange ideas on research, teaching strategies, curriculum development, and other shared interests. The BCTF’s PSAs are an integral part of the organization. They carry out their operations and activities in accordance with their constitutions and the BCTF’s policies and procedures. Individual PSAs are represented on the PSA Council through their presidents.
The PSA Council advises the BCTF Executive Committee on matters of particular concern to PSAs and on educational policy and professional development. By joining one or more PSAs, you gain an opportunity to share expertise and to obtain information and experience. Every year at PSA annual conferences, hundreds of PSA members enhance their skills and renew their dedication. PSA officers
The BCTF supports the following 32 PSAs: Aboriginal Education Association Association for Educators of Gifted, Talented and Creative Children in BC Association of BC Drama Educators Association provinciale des professeurs de l‘immersion et du programme francophone BC Alternate Education Association BC Art Teachers’ Association BC Association of Mathematics Teachers BC Association of Teachers of Modern Languages BC Business Education Association BC Co-operative Learning Provincial Specialist Association BC Culinary Arts Specialist Association BC Dance Educators’ Association BC Early Career Teachers’ Association BC Educators for Distributed Learning Provincial Specialist Association BC Music Educators’ Association BC Primary Teachers’ Association BC Rural and Multi-grade Teachers’ Association BC School Counsellors’ Association BC Science Teachers’ Association BC Social Studies Teachers’ Association BC Teacher-Librarians’ Association BC Teachers for Peace and Global Education BC Teachers of English Language Arts BC Technology Education Association Computer-Using Educators of BC BC Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Environmental Educators’ Provincial Specialist Association Learning Assistance Teachers’ Association Physical Education—British Columbia Provincial Intermediate and Middle Years Teachers Association (myPITA) Teachers of Inclusive Education British Columbia Teachers of Home Economics Specialist Association
meet for scores of hours, produce publications, and respond to issues and needs, to improve services to colleagues and students. You can make a contribution simply by joining a PSA. The PSA fee and a BCTF per-capita grant provide the means by which PSAs operate. By giving of yourself as a writer, a reporter, a speaker, an organizer, a chapter leader, a resource person, or an officer, you strengthen your PSA. Each PSA is unique—its strength determined by its members.
PSAs give members: • • • • • • • •
updates on curriculum information on new methods networks via local chapters specialty publications support for exemplary practice support for new teachers teacher awards teaching and learning materials.
PSAs host for members: • annual conferences • annual general meetings • local or regional conferences. PSAs provide a collective voice to: • help develop BCTF directions • influence curriculum and assessment policies • provide advice to the BCTF Executive Committee in order to influence the Ministry of Education. PSA conferences The Professional Development day in October is especially for, and organized by, PSAs. The PSA conferences are highlighted on the BCTF’s PD Calendar: bctf.ca/uploadedFiles/Public/ProD/ PD-Calendar.cfm. PSA websites Many PSAs maintain web pages and email lists on the BCTF website: bctf.ca/psawebsites.aspx. PSA publications Volunteers, who are teachers themselves, produce publications. For titles and editors, see bctf.ca/contacts.cfm?page=psapubs. Join a PSA to share your expertise and obtain information. BCTF members may join any of the Federation’s PSAs. Subscriptions to PSAs are available to non-BCTF members or institutions. A copy of the PSA application is included in this brochure. Complete the form and mail (address on form) with the appropriate fees, or fax 604-871-2286 or scan it and send it to msteele@bctf.ca with your credit card information. PSA membership now online For the first time, you can register or renew your membership online. To access PSA online membership, go to bctf.ca, click on PSAs online bctf.ca/psa/join.aspx, and follow the appropriate options. Check with your local teachers’ union to see if you can use the local’s professional development funds to cover a PSA membership fee.
2016–17 Conferences OCTOBER 2016 Octobre 20–21, Richmond, BC. Association provinciale de professeurs d’immersion et du programme francophone (APPIPC), La réussite en français, pour toutes et pour tous! Conférencier: Égide Royer, Université Laval L’ Association provinciale des professeurs d’immersion et du programme francophone (APPIPC) vous invite à son congrès annuel où vous trouverez une trentaine d’ateliers pour tous les niveaux autour des thèmes de l’inclusion et de la réussite scolaire. Lieu: Sheraton Vancouver Airport, 7551 Westminster Hwy, Richmond, BC Inscriptions: www.congresappipc.ca Pour information: Sophie Bergeron sbergeron@sd43.bc.ca October 21, Richmond, BC. BC Business Education Association (BCBEA), BizTech 2016 Join us for a day of breakout sessions that will work with the K–12 Applied Skills and Career Curriculum areas. Topics, exhibits, and handouts will include: social entrepreneurship, marketing, coding, economics, accounting, educational strategies, building business skills from K–9, passion projects, genius hours, differentiated instruction, project based assignments, and more. The conference fee ($135) includes a day of professional development, BCBEA membership, prize opportunities, and more! Location: Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), Richmond Campus, 8771 Lansdowne Rd, Richmond, BC For more information: www.bcbea.ca/ October 20–21, Richmond, BC. BC School Counsellors’ Association (BCSCA), Change our Story Keynote speaker, Silken Laumann, and workshops featuring a variety of topics related to mental health and school counselling in BC. Location: Pacific Gateway Hotel, 3500 Cessna Drive, Richmond, BC Online Registration: www.bcscaconference.ca or email info@bcscaconference.ca October 21–22, Vancouver, BC. Environmental Educators’ Provincial Specialist Association (EEPSA), Confluence Experiential Learning Symposium To draw together practitioners from a broad array of experientiallyfocused disciplines to share ideas, expand professional networks, build expertise, and advocate for the expansion of experiential learning opportunities. As advocates for Experiential Learning (EL), our partners and attendees will join together to mix our ideas and deepen our understanding of EL in, and for the 21st-century. Through inspired curricula development, BC has exhibited strong leadership in the 21st-century education movement. Confluence is an opportunity to nurture collaborations between innovative organizations, all of whom seek to enhance the future-relevant learning opportunities for our students. For more information and registration: www.iterated.ca/confluence-2016 Facebook: www.facebook.com/ ConfluenceExperientialLearningSymposium Contact: W. Bradley Gooderham wbgooderham@iterated.ca October 21, Vancouver, BC. BC Association of Mathematics Teachers (BCAMT), Math is Social The theme of the conference is “Math is Social.” We decided upon this theme because there has been increasing attention paid to the social nature of learning (and teaching) in recent years, and a move away from teacher-centered and individual learning. This is reflected by the fact that “Communication” and “Personal and Social” competency are two of the core competencies in BC’s revised curricula. Location: Gladstone Secondary School, 4105 Gladstone St, Vancouver, BC For more information and registration: www.bcamt.ca/fall2016 Contact: Colin McLellan colin.mclellan@gmail.com
October 21, Burnaby, BC. BC Association of Teachers of Modern Languages (BCATML), Celebrating Languages BCATML is delighted to announce Kaleb Child as this year’s keynote speaker! Come explore a wide range of engaging and relevant workshops for teachers of French, German, Japanese, Mandarin, Punjabi, and Spanish, as well as general workshops for all languages and levels. The conference includes a strong focus on practical, hands-on lessons as well as information, techniques, resources, and lessons that can be implemented immediately in classrooms. Several workshops will be geared towards implementing BC’s redesigned curricula and imbuing Aboriginal perspectives and ways of knowing into the classroom. Location: Burnaby South Secondary School, 5455 Rumble St and Michael J. Fox Theatre, 7373 MacPherson Ave. Registration: http://www.bcatml.org Contact: Rome Lavrencic rlavrenc@sd40.bc.ca or Stacey Sveistrup spicedropss@gmail.com October 21–22, North Delta, BC. The Provincial Intermediate and Middle Years Teachers Association (myPITA) Annual Fall Conference Adrienne Gear (Language Arts), Carole Fullerton (Math), and Diana Cruchley (Writing) are featured presenters. Altogether there are over 50 speakers presenting 80 workshops in all grade 4–9 subject areas. Location: North Delta Secondary, 11447 82 Ave, Delta, BC For more information and registration, visit www.mypita.ca October 21, Richmond, BC. Teachers of Home Economics Specialist Association (THESA), Home Economics: The PULSE of Everyday Living Keynote and workshops featuring a variety of topics related to foods, nutrition, textiles, and family studies. Location: Richmond High School, 7171 Minoru Blvd, Richmond, BC For more information: www.thesaconference.ca Contact: Catherine Hay chay@sd38.bc.ca or Aarthi Naidu anaidu@sd38.bc.ca October 20–22, Victoria, BC. BC Art Teachers’ Association (BCATA), Intersections 2016 You are invited to beautiful Victoria, BC, for “Intersections 2016” an art education conference jointly planned by BCATA and Canadian Society for Education through Art (CSEA). This year’s keynote speaker, Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, is an awardwinning visual contemporary artist, author, and professional speaker. Join us for a wide variety of sessions including, hands-on studio, best practices for the classroom, art educators from across Canada, artist talks, and much more. Location: University of Victoria For more information and to register: www.intersections2016.ca/ Contact: Regan Rasmussen rrasmussen@shaw.ca October 21, Victoria, BC. BC Teachers of English Language Arts (BCTELA), Empowering Learners: Renewing our Practice Join teachers from across BC to ignite your passion for English Language Arts and beyond. Featuring Harvey Daniels as this year’s keynote speaker, the BCTELA conference is hosting dynamic breakout sessions on topics including the redesigned curriculum, inquiry, diversity, and collaboration. Inspiring TelaTalks will also highlight international speakers, provincial teachers, and student authors from across BC. Location: Royal Bay Secondary, 3500 Ryder Hesjedal Way, Victoria, BC For more information and to register: www.bctela.ca Contact: Laura Lancaster llancaster@sd62.bc.ca or Kate Campbell katcampbell@sd38.bc.ca
October 21, Richmond, BC. BC Science Teachers’ Association (BCScTA) Catalyst 2016 Annual Conference Quality Science Teaching Join the BCScTA for an exciting day featuring an ignite panel, hands on workshops, science teacher networking, and an opportunity to visit with vendors in the exhibit hall. Location: Henry James Cambie Secondary School, 4151 Jacombs Rd, Richmond, BC For more information: www.bcscta.ca October 21–22, Kelowna, BC. Association of BC Drama Educators (ABCDE) Conference This wonderful annual fall conference will inspire and refresh with workshops in a variety of dramatic arts, including acting and musical theatre, stagecraft and tech theatre, and using drama as a tool for social justice conversations in the drama and nondrama classroom. Come and partake in workshops for elementary, middle, secondary, and TTOCs. Conference package includes an incredible dinner, wine tour, and fabulous entertainment where delegates can mix, mingle, share, and network with each other. We will also be bringing back our highly successful (and slightly infamous) party bus from the Vancouver area. Location: Okanagan Mission Secondary, 4544 Gordon Dr, Kelowna, BC, V1W 1T4 www.bcdramateachers.com Contact: Gordon Hamilton ghamilton@sd35.bc.ca October 21, Burnaby, BC. BC Dance Educators’ Association (BCDEA), Spirit of Movement 2016 An invitation to all elementary and secondary teachers of dance, drama, music, physical education, and classroom teachers. Classes in Aboriginal Dance, Hip Hop, Contemporary Ballet, Creative Dance, and more! For more information: www.bcdea.ca Location: Burnaby Mountain Secondary, 8800 Eastlake Drive, Burnaby, BC Contact: psac73@bctf.ca October 21–22, Richmond, BC. BC Music Educators’ Association (BCMEA) Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting Keynote to be presented by Dr. J. Mike Bankhead, U.S.A.F. Lt. Col., Ret. Over 60 workshops will be presented on a variety of music topics (elementary, middle years, secondary, jazz, choral, band, strings, technology, aboriginal nations, and more). Students from all around BC will also comprise five Honour Ensembles (Wind Band, Jazz Band, Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz, and String Orchestra) performing in two concerts. Location: River Rock Resort, 8811 River Road, Richmond, BC. Honour Ensemble concerts at Fraserview Church, 11295 Mellis Drive, Richmond, BC For more information: www.bcmeaconference.com Contact: Matthew Martin mmartinbcmea@gmail.com October 21–22, Kamloops, BC. British Columbia Culinary Arts Specialists Association (BCCASA), Old Traditions and New Tastes in Culinary Education The conference will be hosted by Chef Scott Roberts, chef instructor at NorKam Secondary School in beautiful Kamloops, BC. Join us as we learn (and taste) how this city and its culinary arts education has embraced local traditions while adopting new techniques. The two-day conference will include a number of local culinary tours, guest speakers from the Okanagan college’s culinary arts program, our AGM, and plenty of professional collaboration. For more information and registration: www.bccasa.ca October 21, Vancouver, BC. Learning Assistance Teachers’ Association (LATA), The Power of Memory This year’s keynote speaker is Michelle Berg, Ph.D., addressing the strong relationships between working memory performance and reading skill at all levels. Students with dyslexia are vulnerable to weakness in working memory. This presentation will explore the relationship between memory functions and basic reading
skills and reading comprehension. The link between executive functions and working memory will be explained. Strategies to support short-term, long-term, and working memory deficits in the struggling reader will be discussed. As well, there will be numerous workshops offered featuring a variety of topics related to supporting struggling students. Contact: Linda Harris lgh354@hotmail.com October 21, Burnaby, BC. BC Teacher-Librarians’ Association (BCTLA), Heroic Efforts This conference will feature 30+ sessions (e.g. inquiry, new/revised curriculum, learning commons, makerspaces, technology, learning resources, etc.), a takeaway vendor display, and keynote Gwyneth Jones, The Daring Librarian! Location: Byrne Creek Secondary School, 7777 18th Street, Burnaby, BC For more information and registration: http://bctlaconference.ca Contact: Heather Daly daly_heather@hotmail.com October 21, Nanaimo, BC. BC Primary Teacher’s Association (BCPTA), Inspiring Stories This year’s keynote speaker is Faye Brownlie. The presentation at our conference will inspire teachers to continue to learn and develop as professionals, as well as increase their understanding of the shifts in the new curriculum, such as how to teach content through the competencies in integrated, meaningful, and connected ways. Location: Vancouver Island Conference Centre, 101 Gordon St, Nanaimo, BC For more information and registration: www.bcpta.ca October 21, Vancouver, BC. Association of Educators of Gifted Talented and Creative Children in British Columbia (AEGTCCBC), Delighting Gifted Students with Complexity To differentiate for our gifted students, we cannot just give more work, and we have to think beyond “harder” work. To motivate our advanced students, we have to balance the complexity of a task with their skill. We will look at how complexity (in the right dose) delights and motivates, we’ll explore examples of complex tasks and simple ways to spice lessons up with complexity. Location: Holiday Inn Vancouver Centre (Broadway), 711 W. Broadway, Vancouver, BC Contact: Elizabeth Ensing ebbensing@gmail.com October 21, Vancouver, BC. BC Social Studies Teacher’s Association (BCSSTA), Media and Truth in the 21ST Century Join us for two keynote speakers, Mohamed Fahmy and Althia Raj, and an interactive panel discussion at this year’s BCSSTA annual fall conference. There will also be a wide variety of workshops, hot buffet style lunch (included), host of vendors and organizations offering information, free samples, and draw prizes. We also encourage you to take part in the association’s AGM, which will be held in the cafeteria during the conference. Location: Vancouver Technical Secondary, 2600 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC BCSSTA website: http://bcssta.wordpress.com Registration and contact information: www.bcsstaconference.ca/ or bcssta@gmail.com October 21, West Kelowna, BC. British Columbia Technology Education Association (BCTEA) Conference Lots of workshops with project ideas to teach the new Applied Design Skills, and Technology (ADST) curriculum. There will also be several workshops for Career Co-ordinators based around ACE IT, Work Experience, and Secondary School Apprenticeship. If you are a district rep, plan on coming a day early to attend the district reps meeting. Conference fee: $100 Location: Mount Boucherie Secondary School, 2751 Cameron Road, West Kelowna, V1Z 2T6 For more information: www.bctea.org
October 21, Port Coquitlam, BC. Computer Using Educators of BC (CUEBC), Technology and the New Curriculum Keynote speaker and over 30 workshops featuring a variety of topics related to educational technology. Vendor area, lunch, and door prizes. Location: Riverside Secondary School, 2215 Reeve Street, Port Coquitlam, BC Registration: http://cuebc.ca Contact: Mike Silverton msilverton@cuebc.ca October 21, Langley, BC. Aboriginal Education Association Provincial Specialist Association (AEAPSA), Reconciliation through Education Keynote and workshops relating to new BC curriculum including new Residential School curriculum, incorporating Aboriginal content into curriculum, Deconstructing Myths, Shannen’s Dream, cultural activities, and more. Location: Fort Langley Elementary School, 8877 Bartlett Street, Langley, BC Contact: Bertha Lansdowne blansdow@sd40.bc.ca October 21, Burnaby, BC. BC Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (BCTESOL, formerly ESLPSA), ELL Across the Curriculum Keynote Dr. Hetty Roessingh from the University of Calgary. Many workshops will be offered with great teaching ideas and strategies to ensure success for all learners! Catered snacks and lunch will be provided for the same great registration price as last year. Online registration begins in September. Location: Brentwood Park Elementary School, 1455 Delta Avenue, Burnaby For more information: www.bctesol.ca Contact: Sandy Krishna sandhya.krishna@sd41.bc.ca October 21, Surrey, BC. Peace and Global Education (PAGE), A Dialogue on Social Justice and Curriculum Come join the PAGE PSA in an exciting and thought provoking discussion on curriculum, and how we can incorporate a social justice worldview into our classrooms. This discussion will be lead by Kau’i Keliipio, former director of Simon Fraser University Professional Linking Program, and former Director of the Indigenous Perspective Cohort for PDP. This keynote is meant to be a participatory dialogue, in which all attendees can share their experiences and learn from one another. Questions to be considered in our opening session (but not limited to) are how to address and incorporate Aboriginal content/worldview in the new curriculum, equity and equality in our classrooms, and how educators can incorporate anti-oppression strategies into their school communities. These questions are just a starting ground for what is sure to be a vibrant and dynamic discussion! Keynote will be followed by a series of social justice workshops. Titles, descriptions and organization of the conference are on our PAGE PSA website: www.pagebc.ca. Location: Fraser Heights Secondary School 16060 108 Ave, Surrey, BC
The following PSAs did not have conference information at the time of printing: • EDL (Distributed Learning) • BCRMTA (BC Rural and Multi-grade) • BCCL (Co-operative Learning)
October 21, Port Coquitlam, BC. BC Early Career Teachers’ Association (BCECTA), Technology and the New Curriculum Join BCECTA for our First Ever fall conference! In partnership with CUEBC, Computer-Using Educators of BC, we are presenting a “pop up conference” at the “Technology and the New Curriculum” Conference. BCECTA will be offering workshops specifically designed to support early career teachers and TTOCs. You’ll also be eligible for prizes and some great swag. Be sure to select BCECTA as your preferred PSA when registering, and you’ll gain access to a wonderful world of resources and support well beyond the conference as a member of BCECTA! Special rate for TTOCs and student teachers. Location: Riverside Secondary School, 2215 Reeve St, Port Coquitlam, V3C 6K8. Contact: psac77@bctf.ca or www.facebook.com/BCECTA October 21, New Westminster, BC. Physical Education– British Columbia (PE–BC) 30th Annual QDPE Pro-D Conference With the changing curriculum it is important that physical educators and generalist teachers are informed and understand the changes to the new PHE curriculum. Come, be inspired, meet and collaborate with like minded people. Learn about physical literacy and moving with purpose in our ever changing world. Location: Douglas College, New Westminster Campus, 700 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, BC For more information or to register: www.douglascollege.ca/ce/sport Website: www.bctf.ca/pebc Contact: David Munro munrod@douglascollege.ca or Lisa Manzini lmanzini@sd48.bc.ca
FEBRUARY 2017 February 16–17, Vancouver, BC. BC Alternate Education Association (BCAEA) 30th Annual “Challenge and Change” Conference Will Richardson (http://willrichardson.com/) will be the keynote with workshops featuring well known presenters like Dr. Gordon Neufeld. Over 35 sessions will be offered, covering a myriad of topics helping those who work with at-risk youth in alternate education learning environments. Location: Vancouver Sheraton Wall Centre, 1088 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC For more information: http://bcaea.com/conference.html February 23–24, 2017, Richmond, BC. Teachers of Inclusive Education (TIE-BC); formerly Special Education Association of British Columbia (SEA) Annual “Crosscurrents” Conference Crosscurrents features an impressive roster of speakers including Faye Brownlie, Shelley Moore, Leyton Schnellert, Colleen Politano, Colleen DeVerak, Dawn Reithaug, and Maureen Dockendorf. Sessions cover a range of topics related to inclusive education, such as self-regulation, literacy, numeracy, social-emotional learning, brain research, ASD, FASD, ADHD, Indigenous approaches, behaviour, anxiety, and mental health issues. Location: Sheraton Richmond Airport Hotel, 7551 Westminster Highway, Richmond, BC Program will be released mid October. Website: www.seaofbc.ca