Edmonton Community Adult Learning Association (ECALA)

Emotional Intelligence
2024-03-06 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Edmonton)
Emotional Intelligence
Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Facilitator(s): Nataliya Fladager, Family Educator, Norwood Child and Family Resource Centre
Registration: Click here
Would you like to get an understanding of emotional intelligence and learn a few practical ideas for managing emotions in your professional and personal life? Join us for this interactive session, full of ready-to-use practical ideas.
Nataliya Fladager, a family educator at Norwood Child and Family Resource Centre, is excited to share with you the passion and knowledge about emotional intelligence that she has gathered over her 20-year career in the education field

The Elders Speak
2024-03-15 10:00 - 12:00
The Elders Speak
Date: Friday, March 15, 2024
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Facilitator(s): Selestia Herrera-Ganton, Regional Advisor (North, East-West)
Registration: Click here
Promoting Indigenous Awareness: The Elders Speak
As part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call to action, this workshop supports ESL practitioners with content and strategies to teach newcomers about the country’s indigenous history and cultures.
This workshop will be held online.

Outcome, Measurement, Evaluation
2024-05-16 13:00 - 15:00
Outcome, Measurement, Evaluation
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2024
Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
We will review the ECALA Outcomes, Measurement and Evaluation (OME) table and review the different measurements that educators must collect and report on in accordance with the 2020 CALP Guidelines. This session is of interest to anyone involved with collecting data during sessions or filling out ECALA reports.
Please note this PD workshop is for ECALA-funded agencies only.

ECALA 2024 Spring Community Conversations
2024-05-31 08:30 - 11:30
ECALA 2024 Spring Community Conversations
Date: Friday, May 31, 2024
Time: 8:30 am – 9:00 am Networking; 9:00 am – 11:30 am Community Conversations
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
Join ECALA staff and CALP-funded agency leadership for a morning of timely and relevant conversations. This is an online event that will be hosted via Zoom. The tentative agenda includes:

Networking
CALP Grant Update
Community Conversation
Edmonton Literacy Coalition Update

Annual Report Writing
2024-06-07 10:00 - 12:00
Annual Report Writing
Date: Friday, June 7, 2024
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
We will review the ECALA 2023-2024 Annual Report, due July 5th. Come with questions and examples to share with other participants. As a reminder, this session will focus on the Microsoft Word and Excel documents to be saved in the ECALA Reporting shared folder.
Please note this PD workshop is for ECALA-funded agencies only.

Exploring the ATESL Resource Library Lunch n Learn
2024-06-11 12:00 - 13:00
Exploring the ATESL Resource Library Lunch n Learn
Date: Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
Are you looking for materials to use in your classes? Join us in this lunch n learn as we walk through how to use the ATESL Resource Library and explore the Initial Sounds resource as an example.

Facilitating with Intention
2024-06-25 09:30 - 16:00
Facilitating with Intention
Date: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Where: In-Person, ECALA Learning Space
Address: 4207 98 St NW #104, Edmonton, AB T6E 5M7
Registration: Click here. Maximum 12 participants
Join ECALA staff for a full-day PD workshop to enhance your facilitation skills. Whether you’ve been facilitating for years or are new to the field, the strategies and tools shared in your learning opportunity can easily be used. There’s something for everyone!
In this interactive workshop, we’ll look at different facilitation approaches with these topics in mind:

Setting the Stage
Planning for Facilitation
Tailoring to Your Learners
Enhancing Your Facilitation Skills
Understanding the Why and When to Use Different Strategies
And more!

Please note: Please note: Registration is limited to ECALA-funded staff. If you want to register more than two staff members, please contact Chelséa or Wendy.

New Agencies ECALA Grant Application Information Session
2024-10-17 13:00 - 15:00
New Agencies ECALA Grant Application Information Session
Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024
Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
This session is for agencies applying to ECALA for the first time or for agencies who did not receive funding from ECALA during the 2022-2025 funding cycle. We will review the 2025-2027 application forms and answer general questions regarding the application or the application process. Please download a copy of the 2024 CALP Policy Manual to see if your proposed course/program fits within the funding mandate.
Link to the 2024 CALP Policy Manual: https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/8e5803a0-8d3b-49d5-a027-31373ccc144e/resource/f2a23451-6dfe-44ed-9c75-fea0913858ba/download/ae-community-adult-learning-program-policy-manual-2024.pdf

Returning Agencies ECALA Grant Application Information Session
2024-10-30 13:00 - 15:00
Returning Agencies ECALA Grant Application Information Session
Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
This session is for agencies who received funding from ECALA during the 2022-2025 funding cycle. We will review the 2024-2027 application forms and answer general questions regarding the application or the application process.
Link to the 2024 CALP Policy Manual: https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/8e5803a0-8d3b-49d5-a027-31373ccc144e/resource/f2a23451-6dfe-44ed-9c75-fea0913858ba/download/ae-community-adult-learning-program-policy-manual-2024.pdf

2024 Fall ECALA Community Conversation
2024-11-22 08:30 - 11:30
Returning Agencies ECALA Grant Application Information Session
Date: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 8:30 am to 9:00 am Networking; 9:00 am to 11:30 am Fall Community Conversation
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
Facilitator: Debbie Clark, Executive Director, ECALA
Description: Join new and experienced agency staff in networking and conversations on the following topics:

Networking
Advanced Education CALP Grant Update
Professional Development Update
Community Conversation, Edmonton Adult Literacy Priorities

Leveraging Technology: Canva and AI for Clear Communication in Literacy & Settlement Services
2024-12-04 12:00 - 13:00
Leveraging Technology: Canva and AI for Clear Communication in Literacy & Settlement Services
Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
In this session, participants will explore practical strategies to enhance communication through Canva. We will look at Canva’s feature for non-profits, and the expansive AI features in the program. By the end of the session, attendees will have actionable insights to support clear, inclusive communication through Canva.

Teaching Smarter: AI and Digital Resources for Language Educators
2024-12-11 12:00 - 13:00
Teaching Smarter: AI and Digital Resources for Language Educators
Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
In this session designed specifically for language instructors, we will explore a range of AI-powered and digital tools to enhance classroom teaching. Participants will discover how to integrate Generative Chats (ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Co-pilot) into language instruction, use Canva to create engaging educational materials and apply tools for linguistic inclusivity to support diverse learners. By the end of the session, educators will have practical insights into incorporating these tools to elevate language learning experiences.

Exploring e-Learnings with the CLN
2024-12-12 12:00 - 13:00
Exploring e-Learnings with the CLN
Date: Thursday, December 12, 2024
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
Microlearnings can provide BIG impact to your role in a CALP-funded organization. Microlearnings are:

Self-paced learning opportunities
Accessible anytime, anywhere (you have wifi)
Organized into bite-sized pieces
Designed for real-world application

Join CLN to explore our vast collection of e-Learnings over the lunch hour. Each of these microlearnings has been designed to support the Community Adult Learning Program and are filled with tools, tips and resources.
You will discover that you can pick and choose topics from the e-Learnings that are relevant to your work and customize your own professional development. Choose from topics such as instruction, Indigenous learning, volunteers, assessment, evaluation and more.
Please note, that a CALP portal account is required to access the full collection of e-Learnings. To request a CALP Portal profile, please complete the online form at https://calp.ca/user/request.

Wellness Lunch and Learn Series: Coping Tools for Educators and Adult Learners
2025-02-07 11:45 - 13:15
Wellness Lunch and Learn Series: Coping Tools for Educators and Adult Learners
Date: Friday, February 7, 2025
Time: 11:45 am to 1:15 pm

11:45 am to 12:00 pm, Check-in
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, Workshop
1:00 pm to 1:15 pm, Check-out

Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
Facilitator: Laura Gall, BPE, MACP, Registered Psychologist, with extensive experience in health and well-being supports.
In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, well-being is more important than ever. This workshop is designed to equip educators and adult learners with practical coping tools to manage stress, anxiety, and burnout. Participants will explore tools to enhance their well-being, build resilience, and how to share the tools with adult learners to create a supportive learning environment.

Skip the Google Search - Classroom Resource Favourites
2025-02-21 12:00 - 13:00
Skip the Google Search – Classroom Resource Favourites
Date: Friday, February 21, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
Facilitators:

Della Massey (CLN) (she/her),
Marnie Rempel Friesen (she/her),
Chelséa Legg-St.Pierre (they/she)
Debbie Clark (she/her)

Are you looking for relevant and authentic resources to use in the classroom or your tutoring sessions? Are you interested in knowing the resources other educators use? Join ECALA and Community Learning Network staff to learn about their favourite resources.
During the session, participants will have time to share their favourite resources. Registrants can include any resource questions they have on their registration form. Participants will want to set up a profile on calp.ca before the session if they want to follow along or access CALP Portal resources

Building Foundations: Introductory Techniques for Facilitators
2025-03-05 12:00 - 13:00
Building Foundations: Introductory Techniques for Facilitators
Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
Facilitators:

Ella Ruth Bilodeau (she/her)
Chelséa Legg-St.Pierre (they/she)

We’ll focus on key elements for creating an engaging and inclusive environment, including effective introductions, energizing icebreakers, and setting clear group expectations. Participants will learn practical strategies to foster connection and set the tone for successful group interactions, whether for small teams or large gatherings. Perfect for those looking to refresh their skills or dive deeper into intentional facilitation techniques.

Desk Yoga for Adult Educators: Mindfulness and Balance in the Workspace
2025-03-07 12:00 - 13:00
Desk Yoga for Adult Educators: Mindfulness and Balance in the Workspace
Date: Friday, March 7, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
Facilitator: Ella Ruth Bilodeau (she/her), 200 YRS
In this interactive workshop, adult educators will explore simple and effective desk yoga techniques designed to promote mindfulness, reduce stress, and improve physical well-being while working in classrooms and office environments. With an emphasis on balance, relaxation, and self-care, this session will teach participants yoga postures and breathing exercises that can be seamlessly incorporated into their daily routines.
Through a series of easy-to-follow practices, educators will discover ways to release tension, improve posture, and stay focused during long hours of teaching or administrative work. Whether you’re standing, sitting, or typing, this workshop will offer practical tools to maintain mental clarity and physical comfort throughout the workday.
What You Will Learn:

Gentle, chair-based yoga postures for relieving tension
Breathing techniques to manage stress, increase energy, and enhance focus
How to incorporate mindfulness into your classroom or workspace to promote balance
Quick and accessible practices you can do between lessons, during breaks, or in any setting
Tips for integrating yoga and mindfulness into your daily routine

Creating an Engaging Learning Environment
2025-03-11 13:00 - 15:00
Creating an Engaging Learning Environment
Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
Facilitators:

Marnie Rempel Friesen (she/her)
Chelséa Legg-St.Pierre (they/she)

This workshop focuses on the 6 P’s: Prepare, Present, Practice, Perform, Ponder, and Propose. Designed for those who have previously taken our workshop or are interested in exploring it, this session will guide you through a structured approach to effective facilitation. You’ll learn how to prepare with purpose, present clearly, practice key techniques, perform with confidence, ponder thoughtfully, and propose actionable outcomes. Perfect for facilitators looking to refine their approach and deepen their impact in any group setting.

Creating a Welcoming Space
2025-03-17 12:00 - 13:00
Creating a Welcoming Space
Date: Monday, March 17, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
Facilitators:

Marnie Rempel Friesen (she/her)
Ella Ruth Bilodeau (she/her)

This workshop is focused on creating welcoming spaces for learners. We’ll explore both the emotional and physical aspects of a learning environment. You’ll gain strategies for fostering inclusion, trust, and engagement while also learning how to design physical spaces that encourage interaction, comfort, and focus. Whether virtual or in-person, you’ll leave with tools to create a space where every learner feels welcomed, supported, and ready to engage.

Outcome, Measurement and Evaluation
2025-04-03 13:30 - 15:00
Outcome, Measurement and Evaluation
Date: Thursday, April 3, 2025
Time: 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
Facilitators: Debbie Clark, Marnie Rempel Friesen
Walk through the ECALA Outcomes, Measurement, and Evaluation (OME) table and review the different measurements that educators must collect and report on in accordance with the Community Adult Learning Programs (CALP) Policy. This session is of interest to anyone who interacts with learners, collects data during sessions, or fills out ECALA reports.
This session is only for ECALA-funded agencies.

A Guide to Yogic Wellbeing for Educators: Taking Care of Yourself
2025-04-04 12:00 - 13:00
A Guide to Yogic Wellbeing for Educators: Taking Care of Yourself
Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
Facilitator:

Ella Ruth Bilodeau (she/her), 200 YRS

Teaching is a deeply fulfilling yet demanding profession that requires balance, resilience, and inner harmony. This workshop offers educators a transformative approach to wellbeing through the wisdom of yoga’s ethical foundations—the Yamas (social disciplines) and Niyamas (personal observances).
No prior yoga experience is needed—just an open heart and a willingness to grow! Participants will explore how these timeless principles can support emotional resilience, enhance self-awareness, and create a more mindful, compassionate classroom environment. Through reflection, discussions, and simple mindfulness practices, educators will learn practical ways to integrate yogic philosophy into their daily lives—both personally and professionally.
Join us for this insightful session to cultivate inner peace, reduce stress, and foster a more balanced and joyful teaching experience.

The Can Do Statements and You!
2025-04-09 12:00 - 13:00
The Can Do Statements and You!
Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
Facilitator:

Marnie Rempel Friesen (she/her)

Join us for this one-hour presentation on how you can use the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks (CCLB)’s Can Do Statements to support your work with English language learners. In this session, we will take a look at the Can Do statements and explore ways to use them for assessing learners’ language levels, planning units and lessons, and reviewing and reflecting on learning.

Teaching Strategies for a Multi-Level English as Another Language Classroom
2025-04-14 10:00 - 12:00
Teaching Strategies for a Multi-Level English as Another Language Classroom
Date: Monday, April 14, 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
Facilitator: Emily Albertsen
Many English as Another Language (EAL) instructors in Canada teach multiple levels in the same class. It can be challenging to meet the diverse needs of multi-level learners. In this virtual, interactive presentation, we will explore strategies for effective teaching in a multi-level classroom while maintaining your sanity as an instructor. We will discuss:

Diverse learning needs: reading, writing, listening, speaking, learning styles, literacy needs
How to manage: planning and tracking
How to make your life a little easier: strategies for differentiating learning with the same lesson plan
Working together: teaching strategies and learning activities for cross-level groupings
Working separately: teaching strategies and learning activities for same-level groupings
Supporting outliers: learners who need extra help or extra challenge
Advocacy: supporting instructors so that we can support learners

The presentation will focus on teaching and will give practical, immediate strategies for working in multi-level classes. There will be time for discussion and questions.

Annual Report Writing
2025-05-08 13:00 - 15:00
Annual Report Writing
Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025
Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
Facilitators: Debbie Clark, Marnie Rempel Friesen
This session will walk through ECALA’s 2024-2025 Annual Report, which is due July 11, 2025. Come with questions and examples to share with other participants. As a reminder, this session will focus on the Microsoft Word & Excel documents to be submitted and review the SharePoint File process.
This session is only for ECALA-funded agencies.

ECALA Spring Community Conversation
2025-05-23 08:30 - 23:30
ECALA Spring Community Conversation
Date: Friday, May 23, 2025
Time: Networking 8:30 am to 9:00 am, Community Conversation 9:00 am to 11:30 am
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
Facilitators: Debbie Clark
Join new and experienced agency staff in conversations and updates on the following topics:

Advanced Education Update
Professional Development Update
Grant Update and Grant Expectations
Community Conversation – No Vacancy

This session is only for ECALA-funded agencies.

One Step at a Time – How to improve mental health through exercise
2025-05-30 11:45 - 13:00
One Step at a Time – How to improve mental health through exercise
Date: Friday, May 30, 2025
Time:

11:45 am to 12:00 pm Check-In
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Workshop
1:00 pm to 1:15 pm Check-Out

Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
Facilitator: Laura Gall, BPE, MACP, Registered Psychologist with extensive experience in health and well-being support.
ECALA is wrapping up our Wellness series by welcoming back Laura Gall. Laura’s session in Coping Tools for Educators and Adult Learners was so well-received that we felt compelled to honour the requests to bring her back to close our Wellness series. Other presenters in our wellness series will also attend, so we can close the session by celebrating the important milestone of making our wellness a priority.
We know there is a psychological component to exercise that makes us feel good. So why do some of us find it challenging to set exercise or fitness goals? Laura will share information on:

How is exercise connected to our overall well-being?
Strategies to incorporate exercise into achievable goals.
Strategies you can incorporate into your adult learning classes.

Participants will have an opportunity to share the exercise strategies that work well for them. For those who have attended all of the wellness series sessions, you will move one step closer to meeting your wellness goals.

Understanding the Medicine Wheel
2025-06-04 11:30 - 15:30
Understanding the Medicine Wheel
Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Time:

Lunch 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Workshop 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Where: The Center for Family Literacy, 14535 118 Ave NW #202, Edmonton, AB T5L 2M7, Canada
Registration: Click here
Facilitators: Elder Leona Carter
The Medicine Wheel teaches us about Indigenous philosophies to live in balance and harmony. Elder Leona Carter will share with us the Medicine Wheel Teaching, which includes the:

four directions,
cycles of life,
seasons,
main medicines,
elements and more.

The Medicine Wheel is a foundation to health and well-being
Please note that space is limited. If you’re interested in registering, and the registration is closed, please email Chelséa at pdcoordinator@ecala.org, and they will add you to the waitlist.

Blanket Exercise
2025-06-26 12:30 - 15:00
Blanket Exercise
Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Time: 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm

12:30 pm to 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Blanket Exercise

Where: The Center for Family Literacy,
14535 118 Ave NW #202, Edmonton, AB T5L 2M7, Canada
Registration: Click here
Facilitators: Michelle Nieviadomy, REACH Edmonton
The KAIROS Blanket Exercise is a workshop that explores the nation-to-nation relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. Blankets arranged on the floor represent land and participants are invited to step into the roles of First Nations, Inuit and later Métis peoples. The workshop helps people to understand how the colonization of this land impacts those who were here long before settlers arrived. It engages people’s minds and hearts in understanding why the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples is often broken and how we can take an action together.
Please note that space is limited. If you’re interested in registering, and the registration is closed, please email Chelséa at pdcoordinator@ecala.org, and they will add you to the waitlist.

ECALA AGM
2025-09-17 18:00 - 19:00
ECALA AGM
Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
Join ECALA-funded agencies and participate in our Annual General Meeting.

The Agenda and meeting materials outlined in the ECALA Bylaws will be sent to registrants at the end of August.

Bridging Learners to the Workplace Using Authentic Materials Series
2025-10-23 12:00 - 13:00
Bridging Learners to the Workplace Using Authentic Materials Series
Date:

Part 1: Thursday, October 23, 2025
Part 2: Thursday, October 30, 2025

Time: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Registration: Click here
Facilitator: Sue Oguchi
Getting a job is often high on the priority list for our English Language Learners, and our goal is to prepare them for that as best as we can. This two-part workshop will make the case for using authentic documents in the classroom and demonstrate how it can be successfully done. The facilitator will also share some of the best materials that combine language learning, skill building and Canadian workplace cultural tips that are available to use in your classes.
