About the EditorKim Wrathall is a Kindergarten Teacher from the Calgary Area working in a High Needs school for 19 years. She has a Masters in Educational Research-Interdisciplinary Studies (Design Thinking and Creative Collaboration, Socially Just Schools and Educational Research) with her final paper focusing on Mindful Practice in K-3 Classrooms.
Kim Wrathall IEI Newsletter Editor [email protected] |
|
|
The Conference Issue |
|
April 2024 in Banff, who could have asked for more than to be in a beautiful place to fully lean into the idea of rejuvenating. The conference was a chance to truly immerse yourself in fresh mountain air, grounding of oneself and being around amazing like minded educators. To arrive to sunshine and the spectacle of the mountains and trees as your playground was nothing short of spectacular. The conference started with an invitation to partake in outdoor activities such as a walk along the river valley, yoga or even just drinking a beverage while breathing. This opportunity truly set the stage for the day that started with a beautiful buffet breakfast. |
|
Our first keynote, kicking off the conference on Friday, was Tara Miller a Psychotherapist focusing on brain research and the connection to our environment. Her funny nature and honesty about life, our being educators and the toll it can take left the room more light-hearted and open about ways in which to support ourselves and our students. In a profession that demands many things from us all, it was great to have someone who both honoured that and also spoke about how to create balance in our lives. The openness and honesty of her meshing of research-backed neurological studies and laughter was incredibly refreshing. Weaving in videos, analogies, and involving the entire crowd was a beautiful integration for all. Such a great start to what was about to be an incredible conference for sure!
As the day continued there were many sessions on numerous topics. Discussions on the use of loose parts, math games, art-making resilience, literacy and writing in nature filled the hallways and the outdoor spaces.
As the day continued there were many sessions on numerous topics. Discussions on the use of loose parts, math games, art-making resilience, literacy and writing in nature filled the hallways and the outdoor spaces.
Our good friend and colleague Laurie McIntosh joined us again this year and started with a beautiful session on using books to build community, compassion, interest and more into the classroom each and everyday.
After attending this session I am pretty sure my credit card had a work out, but my heart was full and the ideas of how to build community through projects and student led work was well worth it.
So many ideas, beautiful books and learning tasks that made children the center of the learning and community the beneficiary of fund-raising, kindness and love.
Later in the day sessions expanded to the use of humor, storytelling, guided play, more mathematics, reading skills, wellness and writing.
After attending this session I am pretty sure my credit card had a work out, but my heart was full and the ideas of how to build community through projects and student led work was well worth it.
So many ideas, beautiful books and learning tasks that made children the center of the learning and community the beneficiary of fund-raising, kindness and love.
Later in the day sessions expanded to the use of humor, storytelling, guided play, more mathematics, reading skills, wellness and writing.
|
In one session presented by Meghan Clark, Jen Copot, and Sarah Ketcheson focused on our new Science Curriculum and how to weave it into the classroom created a lot of buzz. So many great resources, connections and ideas were provided as well as time to discuss with others about how to further extend this learning in all grades from K-3. Delegates left this session with links to ideas, curriculum connections as well as opportunities to connect to others in their grade teams that could support this work going forward.
Many sessions focused on the theme of the conference of Rejuvenating. Session breakouts in these areas were around mental health and wellness not just for students but for educators as balance often is hard to do when work and life mesh together, at times into survival mode. The opportunities to take the time to reset was incredibly valuable to all in attendance. Again and again I could hear in the hallways how important it was to just take some time to be. This truly was the gift of this conference. |
|
As the conference came to a close we had the good fortune of hearing two last keynotes.
In the first was a focus on Literacy and the magic of creating the perfect play. Michelle Bence and Miriam Ramzy brought us down a journey of building literacy skills like that of a baseball game. When all the pieces are brought together the opportunities to continue to create a triple play are abundant. Their literacy site (www.layersofliteracy.com) is full of incredible information connections to building on the importance of literacy in the classroom and finding ways to reach all learners. The weaving of research and everyday activities and connections were brought to light throughout this 75 minute discussion. So many great ideas were given and the amount of photos I took was astounding. Definitely worth checking out.
In the first was a focus on Literacy and the magic of creating the perfect play. Michelle Bence and Miriam Ramzy brought us down a journey of building literacy skills like that of a baseball game. When all the pieces are brought together the opportunities to continue to create a triple play are abundant. Their literacy site (www.layersofliteracy.com) is full of incredible information connections to building on the importance of literacy in the classroom and finding ways to reach all learners. The weaving of research and everyday activities and connections were brought to light throughout this 75 minute discussion. So many great ideas were given and the amount of photos I took was astounding. Definitely worth checking out.
|
To end the conference Amy Webster wow’ed the crowd with some hard but necessary conversations around our own wellness. She spoke first of her own journey and how she changed this for herself. This interactive session truly made you think about how you as an individual take care of your wellbeing. What are you doing to be your best self? We were asked to think about what were our top 5 priorities in life. When asked to reveal what they were all mentioned things like family, work, etc. When asked where we put ourselves on that list the majority of the crowd, including myself, had ourselves nowhere on that list. Amy reminded us that this was definitely a problem both short and long term as the impact it creates on how our body relates both physically and mentally takes a toll that is compounding. This truly was the wake-up call that so many of us needed. This profession is hard and if we don’t take the time for ourselves it will force us to slow down when our health is not okay.
|
|
Outside of conference sessions there was a wonderful area with a variety of vendors that supported our conference in many ways:
We wanted to take this time to thank our Silver Sponsor this year- Carnegie Learning
Many other vendors with handmade goods, educational items and well-being merchandise also attended the event.
Thanks to all of our Conference Committee for the hard work and wonderful hospitality as well as the Banff Park Lodge and the PEAKS Hotel for the amazing food and accommodations. Also thanks to the ECEC members who attended and all the Executive that worked to support this conference along the way. Until next year in Edmonton, where we hope to see you all again!
We wanted to take this time to thank our Silver Sponsor this year- Carnegie Learning
Many other vendors with handmade goods, educational items and well-being merchandise also attended the event.
Thanks to all of our Conference Committee for the hard work and wonderful hospitality as well as the Banff Park Lodge and the PEAKS Hotel for the amazing food and accommodations. Also thanks to the ECEC members who attended and all the Executive that worked to support this conference along the way. Until next year in Edmonton, where we hope to see you all again!
Honoring our Educators
At our conference in March we had the pleasure of honoring two wonderful examples of our profession.
Advocate for Young Children 2024 Award Winner |
ECEC
|
Diane Kashin
Diane has been part of our ECEC Community for many years and devoted her life to the education and advocacy of young children. During our April conference we had the opportunity to honor our late friend for all she provided to the profession. With her sudden passing earlier this year the loss has been felt within our country and around the world for her passion. During the conference we had the opportunity to celebrate her contributions and share them with her family. As part of our conference her latest book was given to all delegates and is also being used in a book study throughout the year. Thank you Diane for all you gave to the early childhood community you will be dearly missed.
|
Twyla ArmagostTwyla was acknowledged at our conference for her time, dedication and love of our youngest learners. She has worked tirelessly over the years to be a voice for all in the Early Childhood profession and continues to share her knowledge and support in her administrative role as well as in her many years in the classroom. She has also shared her work through conference sessions over the years and within the Edmonton District. Congratulations Twyla on your well-deserved award and all you continue to do for this profession.
|