ECEC 2025 CONFERENCE: Full Schedule

ECEC 2025 CONFERENCE • Fantasyland Hotel • April 25-26, 2025

7:00pm MDT

Opening Address & Social Event: Make & Take and Meet your ECEC Executive and Colleagues!

Thursday April 24, 2025 7:00pm - 9:00pm MDT

Join us for a hands-on professional development session where creativity meets curriculum! Inspired by the work of Barbara Reid, this Make & Take session invites educators to explore mentor text connections and plasticine art with young learners.
Engage in a creative process that blends literacy, art, and cross-curricular connections while collaborating with fellow educators. Discover how this approach fosters creative expression and encourages exploration of different mediums in the classroom.
Come ready to create, connect, and take away inspiring ideas for your classroom!

Speakers

Michelle Bezubiak

Edmonton Regional President, ECEC

With 27 years of experience in education, I am a dedicated educator who has worked with Kindergarten through Grade 3 students. Over the years, I have seen the power of connection in supporting children's growth and development. My goal is to create a positive, inclusive, and engaging... Read More →

Thursday April 24, 2025 7:00pm - 9:00pm MDT
Ballroom

8:00am MDT

Breakfast

Friday April 25, 2025 8:00am - 8:45am MDT

Ballroom

Friday April 25, 2025 8:00am - 8:45am MDT
Ballroom

8:45am MDT

Opening Remarks and Award Presentations

Friday April 25, 2025 8:45am - 9:15am MDT

Ballroom

Friday April 25, 2025 8:45am - 9:15am MDT
Ballroom

9:15am MDT

Postponed due to Illness - Melanie Watt In A Nutshell

Friday April 25, 2025 9:15am - 10:30am MDT

Ballroom

Melanie shares how she dove into the unknown world of children’s books while studying graphic design at university in 2000. She discusses inspirations, ideas and sketches that lead to some of her best-known book characters like Scaredy Squirrel and Chester and many more!

Speakers

Melanie Watt

Author and Illustrator

Melanie Watt is the bestselling author and illustrator of many beloved picture books for children, including the Scaredy Squirrel series, the Chester series, You’re Finally Here! Leon the chameleon, Augustine, Have I got a book for you! and Bug in a Vacuum. Melanie’s books have... Read More →

Friday April 25, 2025 9:15am - 10:30am MDT
Ballroom

Keynote

9:15am MDT

What We'll Build: Plans For Teachers In The Coming Days Together

Friday April 25, 2025 9:15am - 10:30am MDT

Ballroom

Based on the book of the same name by Oliver Jeffers, we will reflect on key questions relating to how we can continue to affirm, celebrate and challenge one another to continue to build early education up as a community so no one is left alone. Our own stories and journeys of triumph and trauma affect all we do and how we show up in our classrooms. This session will focus on the need to acknowledge our real and valid feelings in this "heart work". From loss to trauma to relationships, we will look at how it all comes together in our identity as an educator and how YOU are more than enough.

Speakers

Laurie McIntosh

Kindergarten Teacher and Author

Some of the best lessons are taught in the moments between literacy and numeracy. These golden moments based on kindness, connection and community are the moments this kindergarten teacher and author lives for. With compassion and thoughtfulness, Laurie has an incredible way of acknowledging... Read More →

Friday April 25, 2025 9:15am - 10:30am MDT
Ballroom

Keynote

12:15pm MDT

AGM *Preregister for lunch through conference registration*

Friday April 25, 2025 12:15pm - 1:45pm MDT

Ballroom

Come and meet your colleagues from around the province. Sign up for the AGM while registering to receive lunch.

Lunch is only provided to delegates that signed up to attend the Annual General Meeting during their conference registration. All members are welcome to attend the Annual General Meeting however no lunch is provided without previous sign up. You are able to update your conference registration to change your AGM attendance status. Follow the links provided in your confirmation email.

Friday April 25, 2025 12:15pm - 1:45pm MDT
Ballroom

7:00pm MDT

PJ Party and Story Time with Laurie McIntosh

Friday April 25, 2025 7:00pm - 11:30pm MDT

Ballroom

Join us in your PJ's for snacks and stories with Laurie McIntosh!

Speakers

Laurie McIntosh

Kindergarten Teacher and Author

Friday April 25, 2025 7:00pm - 11:30pm MDT
Ballroom

7:15am MDT

Breakfast and Award Presentations

Saturday April 26, 2025 7:15am - 8:15am MDT

Ballroom

Saturday April 26, 2025 7:15am - 8:15am MDT
Ballroom

11:00am MDT

Thank You's, Conference Draws & 2026 Conference Introduction

Saturday April 26, 2025 11:00am - 11:15am MDT

Ballroom

Saturday April 26, 2025 11:00am - 11:15am MDT
Ballroom

11:15am MDT

Living the Land Acknowledgement

Saturday April 26, 2025 11:15am - 12:30pm MDT

Ballroom

We are all born sacred and complete. We are given tools to help guide us through our journey of learning. The tools we use will help our mind, body, and spirit.

Speakers

Christina Fox

Author

Dr. Christina Fox Iitsisaanoowa (Vision Beyond) is a proud Blackfoot woman. Christina is a mother of four, grandmother of eighteen, and great grandmother of fifteen. Despite Christina’s experience as a Residential School Survivor, she has shown her resilience and turned a negative... Read More →

Saturday April 26, 2025 11:15am - 12:30pm MDT
Ballroom

Keynote