Presenters / Vendors

Featured Vendor

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Presenters

Chris Adamson - Principal, Innisfail High School - Chinook's Edge School Division

Chris was born in Calgary but grew up in Ottawa, attending school from K-12 in French Immersion and receiving a B.Sc. at the University of Ottawa. Following graduation he moved to Fredericton, New Brunswick where he received his B.Ed. at the University of New Brunswick. He began his teaching career with the Fort Vermilion School Division where he later became a Vice-Principal, Principal, and completed his M.Ed. in Assessment and Instructional Leadership at the University of Calgary. Most recently he had the privilege of moving to Chinook’s Edge School Division where he is currently the Principal of Innisfail High School. Chris published his first paper in June, 2020 titled New Teacher Assessment Literacy: Determining and Narrowing the Gaps. Over the past seven years, he has been presenting and engaging with colleagues around western Canada to improve existing frameworks.

Sean Beaton - Assistant Superintendent of Support Services - Grasslands Public Schools

Sean is the Assistant Superintendent of Support Services with Grasslands Public Schools. With over 25 years of experience in K-12 education, Sean has served as a teacher, school-based administrator, Division Coordinator and Assistant Superintendent. Sean’s leadership is grounded in fostering a student focused, inclusive learning environment that embraces diversity and ensures all students can find success.


Grasslands District Collaborative Response: Multi-Layered Approach - Listen to this podcast featuring Sean!

John Braga - Teacher, F.G. Miller Jr/Sr High School - St. Paul Education

John Braga earned his B.Sc. (Hons.), Physics from the University of Alberta and B.Ed. from the University of Calgary. Afterwards, he returned to his hometown of Elk Point, Alberta, where he has taught junior high math at F.G. Miller Jr./Sr. High School for the last eleven years. For the last two years he has been on the school leadership team implementing Collaborative Response at F.G. Miller. Colleagues affectionately tease his ability to answer any question with a spreadsheet.


Unifying Purpose Through Collaborative Response at FG Miller Jr/Sr High with John Braga - Listen to this podcast featuring John!

Keri Card-Esau - Principal, H.W. Pickup Middle School - Wild Rose School Division
Kim Wedman - Learning Services Coordinator - Wild Rose School Division

Keri Esau is the principal of H.W. Pickup Middle School in Drayton Valley. She has been a school leader for nine years both within Wild Rose School Division and as principal of a local First Nation School. Keri earned her Master's degree from the University of Calgary with a focus on Instructional Leadership and Inclusive Practices. She believes that purposeful and planned collaboration is the key to unleashing potential for student success through teacher expertise and the power of the team.

Kim Wedman is the Learning Services Coordinator with Wild Rose School Division. She is an instructional specialist and has supported schools and districts with a wide range of experience in instruction and assessment through the lens of literacy, numeracy, English as Additional Language Learners, inclusive education, and curriculum. Kim has over 25 years experience with her masters in Leadership and Design Thinking. She is passionate about community connections and building collaborative learning environments for all stakeholders. Kim lives in Rocky Mountain House and has two amazing boys and husband who support her in all of her endeavors. Along with Kim’s passion for education, she loves to be outdoors hiking and camping with family.


Acknowledging the Messiness When Implementing Collaborative Response w/ Keri Card-Esau and Kim Wedman - Listen to this podcast featuring Keri and Kim!

Bev Cotton - Director of Learning Supports - Northern Gateway Public Schools

Bev Cotton is the Director of Learning Supports for Northern Gateway Public Schools. With over 30 years in the Division, she has been involved in supporting students in many roles, including teacher, department head, Inclusive Education Facilitator, and eleven years as a system leader. She has worked over the years to ensure students and have a continuum of support using the division's Quality Learning Environments and Collaborative Response framework.
Tanya Dann - Assistant Principal, Dr. Gordon Higgins School - Calgary Board of Education

Tanya Dann is an Assistant Principal at Dr. Gordon Higgins School and a former Learning Leader at Sir Wilfrid Laurier School, in the Calgary Board of Education. She is an experienced educator and advocate for collaborative response systems in schools. She has worked with diverse teams to create data-driven, inclusive approaches, and interventions that improve student outcomes. Tanya's passion lies in building teacher and system capacity to address students' learning and social-emotional needs by highlighting the strength of collective teacher efficacy. Tanya is committed to ensuring every student receives the support they need to thrive.


Establishing Collaborative Response for Middle School Success at Sir Wilfrid Laurier School - Listen to this podcast featuring Tanya!

Darrin DeForge - Principal, Joan Carr Catholic Elementary/Junior High - Edmonton Catholic School Division

Darrin DeForge has been a principal with Edmonton Catholic Schools for 17 years and has opened three new schools, in 2017, 2020 (Genesis online school) and 2023 where he is currently the principal of Joan Carr Catholic Elementary/Junior High. He has been Director of Inclusive Education and co-lead division projects in Assessment and Reporting as well as developing interview questions and scoring tools for teachers new to the division in conjunction with Human Resource Services. He is research focused when developing school priorities and culture and is a strong proponent of Visible Learning, the Collaborative Response Approach and the importance of Self and Collective Efficacy.


Deepening Instructional Clarity and Support for All Through Collaborative Response with Darrin DeForge - Listen to this podcast featuring Darrin!

David Dyck - Education Director - School Improvement - Calgary Board of Education

In addition to supporting schools in Area 7, David Dyck leads the system portfolio of Well-Being. David values opportunities to work closely with principals and assistant principals both in the Area and system contexts centered on developing effective teams and partnerships to improve both practice and student achievement. The Well-Being portfolio includes providing system leadership to: student well-being; the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) team, and related curriculum areas.

Chris Good - Principal, Lindsay Thurber High School - Red Deer Public Schools

Chris Good is the Principal at Lindsay Thurber High School, a 9-12 school in Red Deer with 2000 students. Chris has been a Principal from K-12 in three different schools and has implemented Collaborative Response at both high school and elementary.


Impacting School-Wide Culture Through Collaborative Response at a High School with Chris Good - Listen to this podcast featuring Chris!

Helene Hewitt - Principal, Davidson Creek Elementary - Elk Island Public Schools

With 22 years in education, Helene is passionate about ensuring student success in learning, particularly in reading! She believes that a regular review of educational research is key in aligning theory and practice. She values working in collaborative teams where collective knowledge spurs innovation. Helene believes that relationships are at the core of our work to nurture children in partnership with families. To do our best work, we must invest in our own health, passions and emotional well-being. While being a teacher is one of her passions, her other areas of interest include singing, crochet Amigurumi, and little dogs named Mochi.

Jaret Hofer - Principal, Brooks Junior High School - Grasslands Public Schools

With a 27 year career in education, a BPE, BEd., & MEd. from the University of Calgary, Jaret has cultivated a deep commitment to teaching and leadership. His journey spans diverse roles across elementary, junior and senior high levels.

Currently serving in his fifth year as Principal of BJHS, Jarets' leadership journey began with two years as Vice Principal at BJHS, and two years at Griffin Park School. His extensive background as a Physical Education teacher, and coach have provided him with expertise in scheduling, planning, organizing events and working collaboratively within a team to reach collective goals.

Robyn Jensen - Vice Principal, Brooks Junior High School - Grasslands Public Schools

Robyn Jensen was born and raised in Brooks, Alberta. She earned her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta and later completed her Master’s in Inclusive Education and Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge. With a passion for fostering student success, she began her career as a Grade 6 teacher before transitioning into a Learning Support role. Currently, she serves as the vice principal at Brooks Junior High School, where she is dedicated to creating inclusive and engaging learning environments. Robyn brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to empowering both students and educators.

Michelle Micklich - Vice Principal, Griffiths-Scott School - Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools

Michelle Micklich has been an Administrator with WRPS for over 20 years from K - 12 and has also been seconded to Alberta Education to work in the Curriculum department. Michelle is a strong communicator who is skilled in inclusive learning and supporting vulnerable learners to be successful in school.

Kacey Oehlerking - Assistant Principal, École James S. McCormick School - Wolf Creek Public Schools

Kacey Oehlerking is the Assistant Principal at École James S. McCormick School in Lacombe, Alberta, with 26 years of experience in education. Her career has focused on primary grades, including roles as an Elementary Music Specialist and French Immersion teacher. She currently also teaches Kindergarten in a French Immersion classroom. Kacey has served as a division-level coordinator with Wolf Creek Public Schools, supporting Elementary Literacy, English as an Additional Language, Pre-Kindergarten Programming, and French Immersion initiatives, along with new curriculum implementation. Passionate about the development of the whole child, Kacey enjoys building connections with students and helping them realize their potential. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, running, cooking, and reading with her family.

Andrea Petroni - Principal, Sir Wilfrid Laurier - Calgary Board of Education

Andrea Petroni is an experienced middle school principal with a deep commitment to fostering student success and professional collaboration. With over 20 years in education, Andrea has led initiatives focused on empowering teachers, building strong school communities, and implementing data-driven practices. Passionate about supporting diverse learners, Andrea works to create inclusive environments where every student has the opportunity to thrive. Through strategic leadership, Andrea has worked closely with staff to develop effective systems for collaboration, ensuring that all educators are equipped to meet the needs of their students.

Establishing Collaborative Response for Middle School Success at Sir Wilfrid Laurier School - Listen to this podcast featuring Andrea!

Chris Radu - Education Director - School Improvement - Calgary Board of Education

Chris Radu is an educator with over 20 years of experience in the Calgary Board of Education serving in various roles, including as a teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, and System Principal. Currently, Chris is an Education Director with the Calgary Board of Education in School Improvement. Chris currently leads the Inclusive Education portfolio, which includes Strategists, Specialists, and System Principals, as well as the essential services of Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Speech-Language. Chris also supports over 200 Specialized Classes across the CBE, as well as a number of Unique Settings.

Melissa Rogers - Principal, École James S. McCormick School - Wolf Creek Public Schools

Melissa has served as an educator in various roles from Kindergarten to Grade Twelve over the last 21 years, including administration, classroom teaching, physical education, coaching, and committee membership. Melissa is a passionate educator who considers it a privilege to make a difference in the lives of others through fostering strong, authentic relationships. Melissa is grateful to Wolf Creek Public Schools and her school, École J.S. McCormick for fully embracing Collaborative Response and understands how impactful this process can be in supporting the needs of all students.

Nicole Short - Director of Student Services - Grasslands Public Schools

Nicole is the Director of Student Services for Grasslands Public Schools. With over 20 years in the Division, Nicole has been involved in supporting students in many roles, including teacher, LST, Admin and system leader. As a parent of an individual with a disability, Nicole walks the talk to ensure students and their support teams have the resources necessary to meet their needs.


Grasslands District Collaborative Response: Multi-Layered Approach - Listen to this podcast featuring Nicole!

Stacy Siminick - Teacher, Davidson Creek Elementary - Elk Island Public Schools

Stacy is an energetic and positive Elementary school teacher with over 20 years of experience. She has taught over 10 years in kindergarten and the past 3 years in Grade one. Her passions include early literacy and building strong connections with students and parents. Stacy believes strongly in the power of teamwork and the positive effect it has on our students. When not at school she enjoys reading, walking, and watching her 2 daughters play hockey.


South East Cornerstone Public School Division Team
  • Jacquelene Gibbs, Coordinator of Early Learning - South East Cornerstone Public School Division
    • Jacquelene Gibbs is a Coordinator of Early Learning for SECPSD with 27 years of experience in the field of education. She first attended a Collaborative Response workshop with the Hewson's in March 2023 when she and her colleagues were struck with the realization that the Collaborative Response would fill a critical gap that existed in their multi-tiered system of supports in a way that would honour the capacity of their teachers and teams. Since that time, Jacquelene and her colleagues have worked to implement Collaborative Response (an ongoing process) across SECPSD and with a variety of teams.
  • Aaron Hiske, Deputy Director of Education - South East Cornerstone Public School Division
    • Aaron Hiske is a dedicated education professional with extensive experience in various leadership roles. Currently serving as the Deputy Director of Education at SECPSD, Aaron supports the Learning Support Team and school administrators. Key achievements include implementing SECPSD’s PD Hub, Edsby, Witsby and TEAMS systems, and leading the Not Myself Today initiative. Previously, Aaron was the Superintendent of Education, Coordinator of Curriculum, Principal, Vice Principal, and Classroom Teacher, demonstrating a strong commitment to curriculum development, professional development, and community engagement. Aaron holds Master’s degrees in both Curriculum Instruction and Music Education, and a Bachelor's of Science in Education.
  • Michael Graham, Curriculum Coordinator - South East Cornerstone Public School Division
    • Michael Graham is the Curriculum Coordinator for South East Cornerstone Public School Division in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. With a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and extensive experience in curriculum development, he oversees professional learning for educators, instructional coaching, and career development programming. Previously, he served as a principal and teacher, gaining expertise in school improvement, community engagement, and staff supervision. Michael is a passionate advocate for treaty education, technology integration, and interdisciplinary learning, earning recognition for innovative projects. A dedicated leader, he collaborates with diverse stakeholders to enhance student success and educational outcomes across the division.
  • Cheryl Anderson, Student Services Coordinator - South East Cornerstone Public School Division
    • Cheryl Anderson has been a teacher, vice-principal, principal, and coordinator in south east Saskatchewan for the last 29 years. As Student Services Coordinator, she provides division leadership by supporting the Response to Intervention model (RtI) and mental health and well-being initiatives for all schools in her school division. Cheryl actively engages in implementing the Collaborative Response framework within her division to support the needs of all students.
  • Tracey Kiliwnik, Learning Support Coordinator - South East Cornerstone Public School Division
    • Tracey Kiliwnik is an experienced educator with 29 years in special education, student services, and educational leadership. Currently, she serves as the Learning Support Coordinator for SECPSD, which encompasses 35 schools. With a Master of Education in Educational Administration, and a Post-Baccalaureate in Special Education, she combines educational expertise with practical experience. A key aspect of Tracey's work has been fostering a collaborative approach to program planning and implementation. By bringing together teachers, educational assistants, and outside support agencies, Tracey ensures consistency in the delivery of special education services, advocating for best practices and the continual professional growth of educators

Trevor Van Someren - Principal, Griffiths-Scott School - Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools

Trevor Van Someren has been a Principal with WRPS at several schools and is currently the Principal of Griffiths-Scott School in Millet. Collaborative Response has been an area of great interest for him and he has been working alongside fellow leaders in WRPS to help shape and develop the implementation with the school teams that he works with.

Guest Panelists

More Information COMING SOON!