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SWLSB Learning • Apprentissage
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Friday, September 18
 

9:00am EDT

The Art and Science of Play: Seeing the Learning in the Laughter
Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
Seeing the Learning in the Laughter is a 75 min interactive workshop designed for preschool educators to bridge the gap between joyful play and deep developmental growth. Participants will explore how play drives cognitive, social, and emotional development, while gaining practical strategies to use the environment as a "third teacher." Educators will master the art of creating low-cost invitations and provocations, leaving with the tools to confidently co-construct, document, and share the learning happening behind the laughter.
Presenters
avatar for Lee-Ann Mascis

Lee-Ann Mascis

Early Intervention Consultant, SWLSB

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
184-LRHS: Room TBA

9:00am EDT

Exploring, Engaging, Journaling: Outdoor Learning to Inspire Curiosity, Writing and Mindfulness
Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
Today's curriculum is often packed with content, creating pressure and stress for both students and educators. Incorporating regular outdoor learning opportunities into the curriculum can alleviate stress, encourage a more positive mindset, and promote writing.Let`s explore simple, practical activities that take students outdoors to engage with their environment through place-based learning. These activities are designed to promote curiosity, mindfulness, and writing through meaningful connections with nature, benefiting both students and educators.Through intentional exploration, observation, and journaling, students will learn how to document their discoveries, reflect on their experiences, and engage in thoughtful discussions. Nature-inspired journaling sessions will help students capture details and insights for writing, while building calmness and emotional resilience.
Guest Presenters
avatar for Kelly Fahey

Kelly Fahey

Teacher - Generalist (Cycle 1-6), SWLSB
Kelly Fahey is an educator and teacher mentor who brings curriculum outdoors through place-based pedagogy. She develops outdoor learning programs, has managed an outdoor education centre, and promotes outdoor education via provincial workshops. She is a Teacher Advisor with Take Me... Read More →
Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
184-LRHS: Room TBA

9:00am EDT

Secondary Math: Rich Tasks and Formative Assessment to Develop Critical Thinking in Competency 1 and 2
Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
Rich tasks can deepen student understanding, promote critical thinking, and encourage meaningful engagement without sacrificing rigour. In this hands-on workshop, teachers will explore classroom-ready examples that help students reason, justify, and reflect on their learning. We’ll look at how rich tasks can be used in everyday instruction, as well as how tasks that develop the C1 competency can help students prepare for summative C2 assessments. Participants will also have time to work directly with selected examples and consider how they could be adapted for their own classrooms. We’ll also explore practical strategies for creating rich tasks using existing materials, helping reduce prep time without compromising quality. Whether you’re new to rich tasks or looking to expand your toolkit, this session offers concrete steps for making critical thinking a natural part of your math classroom.
Presenters
avatar for James Gore

James Gore

Math Consultant, SWLSB
James Gore is the secondary mathematics pedagogical consultant for the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board. Before moving into this role, he taught mathematics in several schools across the board and worked with students, teachers, and communities in a variety of contexts. He is also... Read More →
Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
184-LRHS: Room TBA

9:00am EDT

Beyond Words: Using Visuals to Support Every Learner (Without the Stress!)
Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
Workshop Description:

In an educational landscape where communication takes many forms, visual supports are not just accommodations—they are universal tools for success. Grounded in current best practices and deeply informed by neurodivergent perspectives, this practical workshop reframes how we view and implement visuals to support every learner in the classroom.

What We Will Explore

Understanding Non-Speaking Students: Shift from a deficit model to an inclusive mindset by exploring the diverse reasons why some students are non-speaking or rely on various methods of non-verbal communication.

Diverse Communication Styles: Examine how information is processed and shared, honoring the unique communication styles of neurodivergent learners.

The Universal Language of Visuals: Realize just how much we all rely on visual cues in our own daily lives (from traffic signs to smartphone icons) and how to bridge that familiarity into the classroom.

Practical Visual Toolkits: Move beyond theory with a concrete introduction to different types of visuals—such as schedules, choice boards, and environmental cues—along with step-by-step strategies on how to create and implement them effortlessly.

What You Will Take Away

You don't need a background in graphic design or endless free time to make your environment more accessible. Attendees will leave this session with an actionable understanding of how to build preventative, visual supports that reduce anxiety and foster independence.

To ensure your success long after the workshop ends, all participants will receive a  package of extra resources, ready-to-use templates, and evidence-based guides to support your daily practice. Let's demystify visual supports together and make communication and learning accessible for everyone.
Guest Presenters
SL

Sheila Lindsay

Special Ed. Technician, SWLSB
With over a decade of experience supporting neurodivergent and neurotypical learners, Sheila Lindsay specializes in diverse, non-verbal communication methods. Currently a Special Education Technician at Crestview’s Rainbow Center, she focuses on crisis intervention and preventative... Read More →
Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
184-LRHS: Room TBA
  Spec Ed

9:00am EDT

Buzz, Bounce, Grow: Understanding ADHD Across Ages and Stages
Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition, yet its presentation shifts dramatically as a student grows. This session provides a comprehensive look at how ADHD manifests through different school-age developmental stages, spanning from the high-energy behavioral markers of kindergarten to the complex academic and executive dysfunction challenges faced by high school juniors.
Presenters
avatar for Lindsay Parr

Lindsay Parr

Student Services Consultant, SWLSB

Friday September 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
184-LRHS: Room TBA
  Spec Ed

10:40am EDT

The Art and Science of Play: Seeing the Learning in the Laughter
Friday September 18, 2026 10:40am - 11:55am EDT
Seeing the Learning in the Laughter is a 75 min interactive workshop designed for preschool educators to bridge the gap between joyful play and deep developmental growth. Participants will explore how play drives cognitive, social, and emotional development, while gaining practical strategies to use the environment as a "third teacher." Educators will master the art of creating low-cost invitations and provocations, leaving with the tools to confidently co-construct, document, and share the learning happening behind the laughter.
Presenters
avatar for Lee-Ann Mascis

Lee-Ann Mascis

Early Intervention Consultant, SWLSB

Friday September 18, 2026 10:40am - 11:55am EDT
184-LRHS: Room TBA

10:40am EDT

Exploring, Engaging, Journaling: Outdoor Learning to Inspire Curiosity, Writing and Mindfulness
Friday September 18, 2026 10:40am - 11:55am EDT
Today's curriculum is often packed with content, creating pressure and stress for both students and educators. Incorporating regular outdoor learning opportunities into the curriculum can alleviate stress, encourage a more positive mindset, and promote writing.Let`s explore simple, practical activities that take students outdoors to engage with their environment through place-based learning. These activities are designed to promote curiosity, mindfulness, and writing through meaningful connections with nature, benefiting both students and educators.Through intentional exploration, observation, and journaling, students will learn how to document their discoveries, reflect on their experiences, and engage in thoughtful discussions. Nature-inspired journaling sessions will help students capture details and insights for writing, while building calmness and emotional resilience.
Guest Presenters
avatar for Kelly Fahey

Kelly Fahey

Teacher - Generalist (Cycle 1-6), SWLSB
Kelly Fahey is an educator and teacher mentor who brings curriculum outdoors through place-based pedagogy. She develops outdoor learning programs, has managed an outdoor education centre, and promotes outdoor education via provincial workshops. She is a Teacher Advisor with Take Me... Read More →
Friday September 18, 2026 10:40am - 11:55am EDT
184-LRHS: Room TBA

10:40am EDT

Secondary Math: Rich Tasks and Formative Assessment to Develop Critical Thinking in Competency 1 and 2
Friday September 18, 2026 10:40am - 11:55am EDT
Rich tasks can deepen student understanding, promote critical thinking, and encourage meaningful engagement without sacrificing rigour. In this hands-on workshop, teachers will explore classroom-ready examples that help students reason, justify, and reflect on their learning. We’ll look at how rich tasks can be used in everyday instruction, as well as how tasks that develop the C1 competency can help students prepare for summative C2 assessments. Participants will also have time to work directly with selected examples and consider how they could be adapted for their own classrooms. We’ll also explore practical strategies for creating rich tasks using existing materials, helping reduce prep time without compromising quality. Whether you’re new to rich tasks or looking to expand your toolkit, this session offers concrete steps for making critical thinking a natural part of your math classroom.
Presenters
avatar for James Gore

James Gore

Math Consultant, SWLSB
James Gore is the secondary mathematics pedagogical consultant for the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board. Before moving into this role, he taught mathematics in several schools across the board and worked with students, teachers, and communities in a variety of contexts. He is also... Read More →
Friday September 18, 2026 10:40am - 11:55am EDT
184-LRHS: Room TBA

10:40am EDT

Beyond Words: Using Visuals to Support Every Learner (Without the Stress!)
Friday September 18, 2026 10:40am - 11:55am EDT
Workshop Description:

In an educational landscape where communication takes many forms, visual supports are not just accommodations—they are universal tools for success. Grounded in current best practices and deeply informed by neurodivergent perspectives, this practical workshop reframes how we view and implement visuals to support every learner in the classroom.

What We Will Explore

Understanding Non-Speaking Students: Shift from a deficit model to an inclusive mindset by exploring the diverse reasons why some students are non-speaking or rely on various methods of non-verbal communication.

Diverse Communication Styles: Examine how information is processed and shared, honoring the unique communication styles of neurodivergent learners.

The Universal Language of Visuals: Realize just how much we all rely on visual cues in our own daily lives (from traffic signs to smartphone icons) and how to bridge that familiarity into the classroom.

Practical Visual Toolkits: Move beyond theory with a concrete introduction to different types of visuals—such as schedules, choice boards, and environmental cues—along with step-by-step strategies on how to create and implement them effortlessly.

What You Will Take Away

You don't need a background in graphic design or endless free time to make your environment more accessible. Attendees will leave this session with an actionable understanding of how to build preventative, visual supports that reduce anxiety and foster independence.

To ensure your success long after the workshop ends, all participants will receive a  package of extra resources, ready-to-use templates, and evidence-based guides to support your daily practice. Let's demystify visual supports together and make communication and learning accessible for everyone.
Guest Presenters
SL

Sheila Lindsay

Special Ed. Technician, SWLSB
With over a decade of experience supporting neurodivergent and neurotypical learners, Sheila Lindsay specializes in diverse, non-verbal communication methods. Currently a Special Education Technician at Crestview’s Rainbow Center, she focuses on crisis intervention and preventative... Read More →
Friday September 18, 2026 10:40am - 11:55am EDT
184-LRHS: Room TBA
  Spec Ed

10:40am EDT

Buzz, Bounce, Grow: Understanding ADHD Across Ages and Stages
Friday September 18, 2026 10:40am - 11:55am EDT
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition, yet its presentation shifts dramatically as a student grows. This session provides a comprehensive look at how ADHD manifests through different school-age developmental stages, spanning from the high-energy behavioral markers of kindergarten to the complex academic and executive dysfunction challenges faced by high school juniors.
Presenters
avatar for Lindsay Parr

Lindsay Parr

Student Services Consultant, SWLSB

Friday September 18, 2026 10:40am - 11:55am EDT
184-LRHS: Room TBA
  Spec Ed
 

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