Professional Development and PSBC
November 15 - 16, 2024
Friday Professional Development - November 15
'The Strength of Collaboration: Governance and Administration'
The presentation will highlight three initiatives, one from each of the three priority areas of the Strategic Plan:
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- The Equity Achievement Project - an evidence-based initiative responsive to achievement results representing the Division’s most socially complex school communities.
- The Anti-racism, Reconciliation and Equity Action Plan - a Division wide plan intended to address racism and promote a stronger sense of belonging and inclusion for staff and students across the Division’s 214 schools. The frame for this plan was informed and developed by listening to the voices of staff, students, families and members of the community.
- Mental Health Supports - a systemic approach to supporting students’ mental health and well-being framed around universal strategies, targeted supports and interventions. The approach reflects the collaboration between the Division and health partners and has been responsive to the continuum needs related to well-being and experiencing success in school post COVID.
Nancy Petersen, Managing Director, Strategic Division Supports | Edmonton Public Schools
Nancy has been with Edmonton Public Schools for over 35 years, beginning as a classroom teacher and leading to her current position of Managing Director of Strategic Division Supports. The work of Strategic Division Supports is focused around supporting the strategic direction of the Division, as set out in the Division's Strategic Plan and informed through evidence-based decision-making and engaging with staff, students and families. Through this work, there is the opportunity to hear directly from students around what they need to experience success, walk alongside school leaders in their work as instructional leaders, provide support to system-level initiatives focused on student success and well-being and report back to senior leadership and the Board of Trustees around the progress and opportunities for ongoing improvement
Danette Anderson, Principal - Hospital School Campuses | Edmonton Public Schools
With over 35 years of dedicated service to Edmonton Public Schools, Danette has cultivated a diverse career that began as a classroom teacher and evolved through roles as a Behaviour Consultant and Supervisor in the Central Office. Currently, she serves as the Principal of Hospital School Campuses, where she plays a pivotal dual role as an instruction leader for students in hospital settings and is the leader of the Division’s Mental Health Team. In this capacity over 4,000 students are served annually. Danette participates in the strategic planning, coordination, and implementation of mental health initiatives across the Division. Her commitment to mental health advocacy has been instrumental in developing a cohesive school-based mental health system for students in the Division. Through her efforts, extensive experience and passion, she has fostered strong partnerships with external organizations, enhancing the resources available to support student well-being.
Friday Professional Development - November 15
'Collaborative Partnership Supports Student Engagement in Career Learning'
CAREERS and The Wolf Creek School Division have been partners in Career Education for 20+ years. The model has developed over time to be a best practice approach to offering what students need to explore, engage and experience opportunities in a career path of their interest. The partnership supports the division, including individual schools and career education staff as well as, of course, students. School Divisions such as Wolf Creek are able to leverage the industry connections of CAREERS as well as the student support post-high school to make sure their students achieve success in their career goals.
Sean Lougheed, Director of Education Services, Curriculum and Instruction | Wolf Creek Public Schools
Sean is a Director of Education Services, Curriculum and Instruction, with Wolf Creek Public Schools. He taught in Fort McMurray for 2 years and has spent the last 24 years in Wolf Creek as a teacher, administrator and as a Director for the last 13 of those years. He is a passionate educator with a focus on developing excellent learning environments and creating new opportunities for students to flourish.
Holly Bilton, Provincial Manager of School Engagement | Careers the Next Generation
Holly is dedicated to supporting young individuals in exploring career development opportunities. Her journey with CAREERS began in 2002 as a Program Coordinator. Over the years, she progressed through various positions on her way to her current role as Provincial Manager of School Engagement. In this capacity, she engages with representatives at all levels of the education system to find ways to empower youth on their career journeys.
Additionally, since 2013, Holly has served as a trustee with Chinook's Edge School Division, offering valuable insights as she works to enhance educational pathways for students. With a rich background in education and community involvement, Holly is actively engaged in various committees to forge partnerships that enrich the learning experiences of young Albertans.
Driven by her passion for community service and a belief in the transformative power of quality education, Holly is motivated to make a positive impact on her community and empower youth to succeed. Living alongside her husband, three Labrador retrievers, and a multitude of horses on their historic family farm east of Innisfail. Holly actively participates in fostering agricultural education by hosting interns from local schools through CAREERS each year.
Friday Professional Development - November 15
'Vaping in Schools & Healthier Together Initiative'
Brent T Friesen MD FRCPC, Medical Officer of Health | Alberta Health Services
Dr. Brent Friesen is a Medical Officer of Health (MOH) with Alberta Health Services (AHS) Provincial Population and Public Health and a Clinical Associate Professor with Cummings School of Medicine, University of Calgary. He is the lead MOH supporting AHS’s Chronic Disease Prevention and Harm Reduction within Promoting Health. Dr Friesen’s interest in tobacco, vaping, nicotine, and cannabis includes both prevention and cessation. Dr. Friesen received his fellowship in Public Health and Preventive Medicine from the University of Manitoba. He is involved with health services accreditation nationally and internationally as a surveyor with Accreditation Canada.
Kaitlyn Hill, Manager with Promoting Health | Alberta Health Services
Kaitlyn Hill is the Manager of the Healthy Schools team with Alberta Health Services, Provincial Population and Public Health (PPPH). She holds a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Promotion. In addition to school health promotion, Kaitlyn has worked in the area of sexual and reproductive health, early childhood, and healthy built environment.
Friday Professional Development - November 15
'Generative AI: Implications for Policy and Practice'
Charmaine Brooks Ph.D. - PSBAA Consultant
Charmaine brings over 25 years of expertise from diverse roles in teaching and leadership across school divisions, post-secondary institutions, and Alberta Education. She holds a PhD in technology and education policy from the University of Alberta, along with a B.Ed and M.Ed from the University of Lethbridge.
Charmaine’s most recent consulting work centers on engaging clients, data gathering and analysis, report creation, facilitation, and organizational review. She advises on the innovative and ethical use of generative AI in school leadership, technology governance, and policy. In her role as an educator at the University of Alberta, she integrates AI into the Masters of Education program, emphasizing both its application and critical evaluation.
Janet Brown, Political Analyst | Janet Brown Opinion Research
Friday Dinner Guest Speaker - November 15
Based in Calgary, Janet Brown is one of Alberta’s most recognized pollsters and political analysts. With over 30 years of experience in polling and marketing research, Janet has developed a knack for asking the right people the right questions. Janet sees beyond the headlines and talk radio chatter to assess and interpret what’s happening beneath the surface in Alberta politics.
Together with Trend Research, Janet Brown conducted the only poll during the 2019 Alberta provincial election with results that were within the margin of error for all political parties at both a provincial and regional level.
In partnership with journalist Paul McLoughlin, Janet publishes the Wild Ride Update, a quarterly report that weaves political insight with proprietary polling. Over the past five years, she has also led several large-scale public opinion research project for CBC Alberta, as part of their “Road Ahead“ series.
Janet is often invited to comment on political and social trends. She is a regular commentator on the CBC Calgary News at Six, Alberta Primetime on CTV2, and the West of Centre Podcast.