ATA Council for Inclusive Education

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Edmonton, AB
ATA Council for Inclusive Education

We are a specialist council of the Alberta Teacher's Association.

The ATA Council for Inclusive Education (CIE) provides its members with increased knowledge and understanding of students with exceptional and diverse needs through professional development, communication and policy.

10/05/2026

Congratulations to our BTC winner! We are excited to see you at our 2027 Inclusion by Design conference!

10/02/2026

🎉 CIE 2027 REGISTRATION IS OPEN! 🎉

Join us for Inclusion by Design: Entry Points for Everyone — two days of learning, connection, and practical strategies for creating meaningful entry points for every learner.

📅 May 28–29, 2027
📍 River Cree Resort & Casino | Enoch, Alberta

We’re excited to welcome:

🎤 Dr. Angela Burke | Novak Education
🎤 Kara Dymond, Ph.D. | The Autism Lens

PLUS a growing lineup of passionate educators and professionals sharing practical approaches to inclusive education!

💫 CIE Member Registration
🐦 Super Early Bird — $375 until October 30, 2026
⭐ Early Bird — $400 until January 30, 2027
🎟️ Regular — $425 after January 30, 2027
🎓 Student Registration — $75

Special Super Early Bird pricing is also available for non-members and individuals not eligible for Specialist Council membership.

Additional presenters and sessions will be announced soon!

✨ More ways to access. More ways to participate. More ways to belong.
More entry points for everyone.

👉 Register today and view full registration options: 2027CIEConference

09/30/2026

The Council for Inclusive Education recognizes and honours the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The Council remembers the children, stands with survivors and Indigenous communities, and renews its commitment to education and reconciliation.

09/25/2026

CIE does BTC Edmonton!

Learn more about our amazing council! Even President Schilling Jason Schilling stop by to talk with our executive team!

Jay Procktor

09/23/2026

Meet our Keynote Speakers:

Kara Dymond, OCT, PhD, is a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD advocate, teacher, teacher educator, researcher, keynote speaker, and award-winning university lecturer. Kara teaches autistic elementary students who inspired her practitioner-focused books, Creating a Neurodiversity-Affirming Classroom (2025) and The Autism Lens (2020). She also teaches graduate courses in accessible education, neurodiversity, and mental health at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto. She was awarded the 2024 Award for Excellence in Initial Teacher Education, after being nominated by colleagues and 21 graduate students. Kara was recently presented with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, a Governor General Award for service for her dedication to improving the lives of autistic people and their communities across Canada. In 2026, Kara began serving on the National Autism Network Strategic Priority 5 Standing Committee, which advises on Canada’s Autism Strategy. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Learning Disabilities Association of York-Simcoe.

09/22/2026

Meet our Keynote Speakers

Dr. Angela Burke is a powerhouse educator and leader with over twenty years of experience inspiring change at every level of the educational system. Known for her contagious energy, practical expertise, and authentic passion, Dr. Burke consistently receives glowing feedback for her ability to connect with educators and move work forward with clarity and purpose. She has worked across diverse school settings, including charter, inter-district magnet, pilot, and traditional public schools, serving in roles from classroom teacher (K–6) to Assistant Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer and Director of Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Technology.

09/21/2026

✨ Meet Your ATA Liaisons for 2026–2027! ✨

We are honored to introduce the key representatives connecting our council directly with the provincial Alberta Teachers' Association. Their expertise in governance, policy, research, and transition planning helps ensure our work directly serves the needs of Alberta educators and students! Show them some love in the comments below:

ATA District Representative | Jay Procktor
A Division One educator for the majority of his 17-year career with Edmonton Public Schools, Jay brings deep classroom insight and a passion for student success to the council. He is currently working across four elementary schools to develop an elementary-to-junior-high transition program designed to enhance support for vulnerable students. As an ATA District Representative for Edmonton McMurray, Jay is thrilled to partner with CIE to advocate for inclusive practices across the province.

ATA Staff Officer | Leanne Watson
Leanne serves as an Executive Staff Officer for Professional Development with the Alberta Teachers' Association. A former K–12 administrator and classroom teacher, she holds a BSc in Chemistry, a BEd, an MEd in Curriculum and Assessment, and is currently pursuing her PhD. Guided by a commitment to research-informed practice, assessment, and curriculum innovation, Leanne’s current research focuses on neurodiversity in children and adults and how it shapes instructional leadership.

🤝 Bridging Policy & Practice:Having strong links between our council and provincial ATA leadership keeps our professional development responsive, research-informed, and grounded in real classroom needs. How can the ATA and CIE best support your inclusive teaching goals this year? Drop your thoughts below!

09/20/2026

✨ Meet Your University Liaison & Member at Large for 2026–2027! ✨

We are thrilled to introduce two incredible leaders bridging research, teacher preparation, and frontline classroom experience for our council. Together, they bring a powerful mix of academic scholarship, classroom wisdom, and personal advocacy to the Council for Inclusive Education! Drop a comment below to welcome them:

University Liaison | Joy Chadwick
Joy brings a rich background as a K–12 teacher, resource teacher, curriculum leader, and school administrator to her role as a faculty member in the Department of Education. Her instruction and research center on exceptional learners, inclusive pedagogy, threshold concepts in teaching, and preservice teacher wellness. Published in scholarship on reading instruction and teacher resilience, Joy strengthens our connection between university research, teacher preparation, and real-world inclusive practice across Alberta.

Member at Large | Jessica Cu***ng
A passionate educator with 12 years of experience teaching Grades 1 and 2 with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, Jessica currently teaches Grade 1 in a rural school setting. As the proud mother of a 6-year-old autistic son, Jessica brings a deeply personal lens to her advocacy, driving her mission to foster acceptance, understanding, and compassion in every classroom. As our Member at Large, she is excited to advocate for inclusive practices and support educators across the province.

🎓 Connecting Theory & Practice:From pre-service teacher training to early elementary classrooms, fostering inclusion takes a village. What is one piece of advice or strategy that has helped you build an accepting, inclusive culture in your school or classroom? Let us know in the comments below!

09/18/2026

✨ Meet Your Communications & Conference Team for 2026–2027!✨

We are thrilled to highlight three exceptional leaders behind our council’s outreach, events, and annual conference. These experienced educators work tirelessly to bring world-class professional learning and fresh ideas directly to Alberta teachers! Leave a note in the comments to welcome them:

Communications | Kelsey Bagnall
Bringing 19 years of K–12 teaching experience and a Master of Education in Special Education from the University of Alberta, Kelsey currently sparks curiosity and joy as a Grade 1 teacher with Rocky View Schools. Her extensive background enables her to share practical, high-impact classroom strategies, ensuring CIE members stay connected, informed, and inspired throughout the school year.

Co-Conference Director | Cathy Wiederick
Cathy brings nearly 30 years of rich teaching experience to the council following a distinguished career with the Calgary Board of Education. Having served as a GATE learning leader, instructional coach, and system specialist for gifted learners, Cathy is a strong advocate for removing learning barriers and meeting students where they are. She is excited to bring her deep expertise to crafting powerful conference experiences for Alberta educators.

Co-Conference Director | Arlene Foley
A long-time leader within CIE, Arlene has served as Northwest Regional President, Council President, and Past President. Currently a Vice Principal with the Grande Prairie Public School Division, she holds a graduate degree in Inclusive Education with a focus on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and a Graduate Certificate in School Leadership. Arlene is grounded in the belief that presuming competence and celebrating diversity create environments where every learner and teacher can thrive.

🎟️ Save the Date: Our conference team is already hard at work planning incredible learning opportunities for this year! What key topics or keynote themes are you hoping to see at our next CIE conference? Share your ideas below!

Address

Edmonton, AB

Website

http://www.cieducation.ca/

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