MPTCA 2025: Full Schedule

Greetings and a warm welcome to the 2025 Mighty Peace Teachers’ Convention!

Convention will be held at Charles Spencer High School (CS) and St. Joseph Catholic High School (SJ), with some off-site sessions as well.

MPTC Wifi password: Mighty2025

Here are a few key points to get you started:

Keeping informed about MPTC 2025- The most up to date information is posted on our website and in our Facebook Group. Keep an eye on our posts and emails for upcoming social events, speakers, and contests. These opportunities will provide valuable insights, resources, and networking possibilities.
Read the February Newsletter.
Build your schedule - Be sure to read the descriptions!: Please note that adding a session to your schedule DOES NOT guarantee you a seat in the room. We allow attendees to select multiple sessions per time slot when creating their schedule to allow for maximum flexibility on the day of Convention. All sessions are first come, first served, unless otherwise stated in the session description. Some sessions are double sessions and some require pre-registration and may have a fee to cover costs of materials. Please read and follow the instructions in the descriptions. We are excited to include several off-site sessions this year, so be sure to check the location as well.

3. New schedule - There are four time slots when sessions are held on each day. Sessions are 70 minutes long and there is 20 minutes between sessions to allow time to get to the other venue(s) if necessary.
Session 1: 9am-10:10am
Session 2: 10:30am-11:40am
Lunch 11:40am-12:40pm
Session 3: 12:40pm-1:50pm
Session 4: 2:10pm-3:20pm

Teachers’ Conventions are organized by volunteer teachers from each of the participating locals.
If you are interested in joining the MPTCA Board, please contact your local president.

10:30am MST

Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms (K-12)

Thursday March 6, 2025 10:30am - 11:40am MST

SJ 143

Post-Convention Survey

Algorithms might be powerful general tools, but they can trap students in limited, less-
sophisticated reasoning. In this session, learn how students can take advantage of the power of
generalizing without getting trapped and how we can develop mathematical reasoning, get
better results, and reach more students.

Speakers

Pam Harris

CEO, Math is Figureoutable

Pamela Weber Harris is changing the way we view and teach mathematics. She is the author of several books, including Numeracy Problems Strings K-5, Developing Mathematical Reasoning, and Building Powerful Numeracy. As a mom, a former high school math teacher, university lecturer... Read More →

Thursday March 6, 2025 10:30am - 11:40am MST
SJ 143 10520 68 Ave, Grande Prairie, AB

Division 1/ Grades 1-3, Mathematics, Curriculum & Pedagogy | Division 2/ Grades 4-6, Mathematics, Curriculum & Pedagogy | Division 3/ Grades 7-9, Mathematics, Curriculum & Pedagogy | Division 4/ Grades 10-12, Mathematics, Curriculum & Pedagogy | Pre-K/ K, Mathematics, Curriculum & Pedagogy

12:40pm MST

Teaching with Problem Strings (K-12)

Thursday March 6, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm MST

SJ 143

Post-Convention Survey

In this session, you'll learn the similarities and differences between the instructional routines
called Problem Strings and Number Talks, and Thin Slicing problems. You'll learn which to use
when and how often so you can maximize student engagement and learning.

Speakers

Pam Harris

CEO, Math is Figureoutable

Thursday March 6, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm MST
SJ 143 10520 68 Ave, Grande Prairie, AB

2:10pm MST

Foundations for Math Strategies

Thursday March 6, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm MST

SJ 143

Post-Convention Survey

You're on a mission to teach math better and reach more students. With concept-grounded fluency strategies, students will achieve better results by shifting their focus from memorizing and mimicking to reasoning and math-ing. This session will provide tasks, strategies, and models to enhance your math instruction. Math is Figure-out-able!

Speakers

Pam Harris

CEO, Math is Figureoutable

Thursday March 6, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm MST
SJ 143 10520 68 Ave, Grande Prairie, AB

10:30am MST

Beyond 20/20-Visual Acuity is not enough

Friday March 7, 2025 10:30am - 11:40am MST

SJ 143

Post-Convention Survey

Many people associate 20/20 with perfect vision. However, vision is much more complex than how we can see. We use many visual skills daily, over 17 different visual skills. Deficits in visual skills are often overlooked, but they can significantly disrupt reading and learning. In this session, we will dive deep into all the visual skills. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the visual system and be able to recognize when a vision problem may be holding a child back.

Session Objectives:
1. Understand the main categories of visual skills and their functions
2. Understand the symptoms that will surface from each type of visual skills deficit
3. Ability to recognize the signs of a vision problem in a student

Speakers

Chantelle Duinker

Friday March 7, 2025 10:30am - 11:40am MST
SJ 143 10520 68 Ave, Grande Prairie, AB

Administration, Inclusive Education, Health & Wellness | Division 1/ Grades 1-3, Inclusive Education, Health & Wellness | Division 2/ Grades 4-6, Inclusive Education, Health & Wellness | Division 3/ Grades 7-9, Inclusive Education, Health & Wellness | Division 4/ Grades 10-12, Inclusive Education, Health & Wellness | Pre-K/ K, Inclusive Education, Health & Wellness

12:40pm MST

Celebrating Intercultural Connection and Inclusion in Physical Education

Friday March 7, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm MST

SJ 143

Post-Convention Survey

Join Ever Active Schools as we explore ways to foster inclusivity, enrich learning, and promote a global perspective within your physical education program. This session samples activities from International Games, a resource featuring lesson plans from 9 countries. Learn the process used to develop the student-led resource, and spark ideas for how to celebrate the unique cultures of your school community.

Session Objectives:
1. explore ways to foster inclusivity, enrich learning, and promote a global perspective within your physical education program
2. samples activities from International Games, a resource featuring lesson plans from 9 countries
3. Learn the process used to develop the student-led resource, and spark ideas for how to celebrate the unique cultures of your school community

Speakers

Cassandra Anastacio

Health & Wellness Consultant, Ever Active Schools

Ever Active Schools is a registered national charity designed to create and support healthy school communities. We engage and support schools through a Comprehensive School Health framework, which addresses health and education goals to improve the social outcomes of children and... Read More →

Friday March 7, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm MST
SJ 143 10520 68 Ave, Grande Prairie, AB

Division 1/ Grades 1-3, Diversity Equity & Human Rights, Physical Education | Division 2/ Grades 4-6, Diversity Equity & Human Rights, Physical Education | Division 3/ Grades 7-9, Diversity Equity & Human Rights, Physical Education | Division 4/ Grades 10-12, Diversity Equity & Human Rights, Physical Education