Session Description: In this session, teachers will learn about the Black Canadian experience, and how to integrate it into daily lesson plans. Teachers will leave with a number of resources to help support their learning. Key topics include Early Black Canadian History, Cultural Contributions and Heritage, Community Resilience and Empowerment.

Session Description: During this learning session participants will have an opportunity to explore the Kindergarten Program with a focus on supporting mathematics. Participants will engage in learning about pedagogical documentation to inform assessment for and as learning, take back ready-to-use ideas to support math learning through culturally relevant learning opportunities throughout the day, share resources and activities to use in the classroom and connect and learn with other educators in Catholic boards across the province.

Session Description: When it comes to preparing students for the future, what is the most important thing? This presentation suggests that intentional teaching of good character may be the most important skill to develop and should be intentionally taught. This session will explore the challenges of explicitly teaching ideas such as grit or perseverance, and how effectively teaching these skills can have an incredible impact on student success. This session will provide participants with techniques and strategies to facilitate character growth in students.

Session Description: Faith and Wellness: A Daily Mental Health Resource was developed in a partnership between OECTA and School Mental Health Ontario. Faith and Wellness offers a collection of high-quality, everyday mental health practices to enhance the social-emotional learning skills and well-being of students. These practices are rooted in research based studies and our faith.  Faith and Wellness aligns with Ontario’s Health and Physical Education Curriculum, the Ontario Catholic School Graduation Expectations, and the Kindergarten Frames.
Educators are welcome to join this session to learn more about how to help students develop the skills necessary to care for their mental health. The session will explore how this free, easy to implement resource can be incorporated as part of your daily practice to support your students and your learning environment. 

Session Description: Step into the academic year with new insight and confidence!  This session will provide a cross-curricular overview, as well as practical tools and strategies, for K-12 student assessment and evaluation.  Through the triangulation of data, gain a deeper understanding of assessment for, as and of learning to ensure equity and excellence in learning.  Whether it’s choosing a diagnostic tool, applying responsive and differentiated strategies, engaging in formative assessment, or evaluating a culminating task, learn how to harness student voice and exercise your professional judgment to maximize success for all students.

Session Description: Many of the strains evident in society are reflected in our schools.  Teachers are witnessing changes in the nature of our work and in our students, and we are asked to address an ever-growing list of concerns and challenges.  
In this interactive online workshop, a consideration of a range of topics that can help create the conditions for an effective learning environment will be examined.  We will explore strategies that prevent and deal with challenges, and further, we will contemplate ways to restore the classroom community following such challenges. 
To ensure panel specific concerns are addressed, breakout rooms for secondary and elementary panel participants will be opened.

Session Description: The learning in this session is based on Zaretta L. Hammond's framework for understanding the multifaceted nature of culture adapted from her 2014 book, "Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain." The session will explore the multiple layers of culture: surface, shallow, and deep, and contextualize the various ways that culture presents in our classrooms, school communities, and system levels. By exploring concepts like Individualism and Collectivism, participants gain a greater understanding of how culture can shape the identities of the students and families they interact and engage with. The session also examines the culture of oppression that exists within the system of education and asks participants to reflect on and identify the ways in which educators uphold systems of domination such as white supremacy, colonialism and patriarchy through policies, procedures, and pedagogy. Participants will be challenged to disrupt their own cultural understandings in efforts to decolonize the system of education.