BC Early Career Teachers' Association - Blog

Nominations for the Connie Jervis Early Career Teaching Award―January 31, 2026, deadline

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 02:54:56 GMT

Reminder that the deadline for nominations for the Connie Jervis Early Career Teaching Award is on January 31, 2026.

Please send by email to Executive Director Amber Mitchell, amitchell@bctf.ca. Please follow-up with a phone call to ensure the nomination was received, 604-871-2156 or 1-800-663-9163, local 2156.
See our Opportunities for BCTF Members webpage for further information.

Connie Jervis Early Career Teaching Award criteria is as follows:
That:
1.  the Connie Jervis Early Career Teaching Award be granted to a member who has made an outstanding contribution to public education and is currently in their first 10 years of teaching.
2.  members, local presidents, local representatives, and the provincial specialist association presidents be informed annually of the criteria and process for nomination for the Connie Jervis Early Career Teaching Award.
3.  a call for nominations, with a brief biography of Connie Jervis, be sent to members by November 15 each year and the deadline for nominations be January 31.
4.  nominations consist of a summary of the basis for the nomination as per the criteria, not to exceed two pages in length and be accompanied by no more than three supporting letters.
5.  the major criteria for receipt of the award remain “an outstanding contribution to public education.” Exemplary service to colleagues through activism in the BCTF is a major avenue for making such an outstanding contribution.
6.  no member of the Executive Committee, holding office at the time of selection, be eligible to be nominated for the award.
7.  the award be determined on an annual basis by decision of the Executive Committee at the February Executive Committee meeting.
8.  the award be presented at the Annual General Meeting.

"Get to know your teacher paycheque' workshop

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 18:08:31 GMT

We invite you to register for a free 1-hour virtual workshop all about Teacher paycheque literacy, taking place on Tuesday February 18th from 4:00-5:00 PST over zoom. This workshop is collaboratively designed by members of our Executive Committee with YOU in mind, and there will be lots of opportunity for Q&A.

This session is relevant to a wide range of members, including new teachers, established teachers, student teachers and Teachers Teaching-on-Call. This is a great opportunity to learn more about pay categories, deductions, how to troubleshoot mistakes, differences between different districts, and what to look for when you receive your paycheques.

About our facilitators: Kara is a newer teacher, BCECTA's Vice President and Acting Treasurer, and TTOC / Early Career Rep with the union in Maple Ridge. She is also on the BCTF's provincial TTOC Advisory Committee. Alicia is local president of the Okanagan-Skaha Teachers' Association (Local Union) with many years of experience teaching primary, and Missy is a recent graduate from PDP now teaching middle school in Mission. All three are part of the BCECTA leadership team, and they are passionate about supporting financial literacy for teachers.

There are 100 spots available exclusively to active BCECTA members.
REGISTER HERE:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/get-to-know-your-paycheque-tickets-1238172911509?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Kind regards,
The BCECTA Executive Committee

Free Virtual Training Events for Teachers wishing to learn how to support students with Autism

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 23:39:53 GMT

POPARD Training Events - April of 2024 (all times are Pacific Time)
POPARD is the Provincial Outreach Program For Autism & Related Disorders. They offer free virtual training for BC Educators.

POPARD Half-day workshops exclusively for BC school employees (FREE)

Apr 19 (9am-12pm) Embracing Neurodiversity in the Elementary Classroom
Apr 19 (1230pm-330pm) Bringing IEP Goals to Life: From Paper to Practice
Apr 22 (9am-12pm) ASD & Homework: Tips for Teachers
Apr 22 (1230-330pm) Using Visual Supports in the School Environment
Apr 26 (9am-12pm) Helping Students w/ ASD Build Friendships
Apr 26 (9am-12pm) Teaching Autistic Teenagers Friendship Skills (PEERS)
Apr 26 (1230pm-330pm) Supporting Girls with ASD
Apr 26 (1230pm-330pm) Structured Work Systems
Apr 29 (9am-12pm) Creating Effective Student Profiles
Apr 29 (1230pm-330pm) Enhancing Teaching & Learning Through Generalization

We will be adding more FSL workshops for April 2024

POPARD training events (and registration links) are posted on our website at https://autismoutreach.ca/upcoming-training-dates/ (we suggest bookmarking this page so it’s easier to find in the future). Please see the registration page for each training event for additional details/description.

We kindly ask that you share this with your staff members so they are aware of these training opportunities, and so they can visit our page to register directly - thank you!

Webinar for educators working in K-12: "Engaging boys & men in gender justice and violence prevention within K-12 education." Funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada.

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:09:38 GMT

"My name is Jake, and I’m the Executive Director for Next Gen Men. We are leading a new initiative called Pathways for Engaging Men & Boys, funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada.

We’re hosting a free webinar on March 20th — specifically for educators working in K-12 school communities, like you.

Can't make it on the day?
This will be recorded. Sign up at the Zoom link and we'll have the recording sent to you, along with a digital handout full of other useful relevant resources. Register for FREE on Zoom.

In this webinar, hosted by Jeff Perera (Healthy Masculinities Speaker and Writer), we’ll hear from experienced practitioners and experts in engaging boys & men in gender justice and violence prevention within K-12 education.

Our panellists include:

Jeremiah Levine, Public Educator and WiseGuyz facilitator with the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton
Brendan Kwiatkowski, Educator, Researcher, and Speaker specializing in the social-emotional development and well-being of boys and men.
Stu Ross, High School Science and Senior Biology Teacher

Together, they bring a wide-ranging experience in engaging boys and men to create healthier, happier learning environments for all.

Join us on Wednesday, March 20th at 9 am Pacific Time! Register for FREE on Zoom.

We hope to see you there,
With gratitude,

Jake Stika (he/him) "
Executive Director
Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one. – Marcus Aurelius
P.S. Whenever you're ready, here are 3 ways you can shape the next generation of men…
1. Subscribe to the Future of Masculinity or Conscious Commute newsletters to stay in the loop
2. Watch Boys Will Be...Themselves on CBC Gem!
3. Register for our online course, Raising Next Gen Men here

Climate Change Education conference March 20th: an Invitation from the UVIC Manager of Teacher Education

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 23:39:24 GMT

We have recieved an Invitation from the UVIC Manager of Teacher Education, Dr. Kerry Robertson: "As Teachers, you are on the front lines of climate change education, and we would love to have any of your membership digitally attend our event "CHANGING CLIMATES: RESPONSIVE PEDAGOGY IN CHALLENGING TIMES. MARCH 20, 2024 (8:30-10:30AM)"

The goal of the BCTEN (BC Teacher Education Network) is to provide spaces for teacher educators, teacher candidates and teachers to share and learn together.

If you're able, please feel invited to join our FREE virtual conference on Wednesday March 20 from 8:30-10:30 am: here is the registration link https://bit.ly/3ULbN8o"

8 : 3 0 - 8 : 4 5 a m : L a n d / T e r r i t o r y A c k n o w l e d g e m e n t s & S i t u a t i n g S e l f
8 : 4 5 - 9 : 0 5 a m : K e y n o t e
9 : 0 5 - 9 : 3 0 a m : T e a c h e r C a n d i d a t e P a n e l
9 : 3 0 - 9 : 4 5 a m : B r e a k o u t A c t i v i t y
9 : 4 5 - 1 0 : 1 5 a m : B C C l i m a t e C h a n g e E d u c a t i o n P r o j e c t s
1 0 : 1 5 - 1 0 : 3 0 a m : C o n c l u s i o n a n d C a l l t o A c t i o n

bcten_conference_2024.pdf
File Size:	3742 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Monthly Zoom meetups for LGBTQ2S+ BC Teachers!

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 20:37:00 GMT

"Click here and log-in for the registration link and event information > https://members.bctf.ca/events.aspx
If this is the first time you’ve registered for an event on the BCTF website and you aren’t sure how to login, you can contact loginsupport [at] bctf [dot] ca for help.
I'm excited to see you there!"

Heather Kelley (she/her)
Assistant Director of Social Justice
Professional and Social Issues Division
BC Teachers' Federation
100-550 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4P2

Professional Development (Live or Recorded) about Artificial Intelligence, Friday Feb 16th 2024

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 18:29:06 GMT

This Friday is a pro-d day in many districts but not in others, so Ticket holders can watch the sessions live on Friday OR watch the recording later!

We are partnering with @bcedl_psa to offer a full day with back to back virtual sessions, about Artificial Intelligence and Education. Tickets are $25.

Artificial Intelligence and the ClassroomOrganized by BC Educators for Digital Learning & BC Early Careers Teachers' Association

Session 1 will focus on implications with assessment & intrinsic/extrinsic motivation.
Session 2 will be about how teachers can themselves use AI in order to streamline workload & offload some time-consuming tasks

Link to register is at https://bit.ly/BCEDandAI24 - click through to sign up!

All proceeds help our non-profit specialist associations continue our important work supporting BC Teachers.

Join us for a virtual book club to read "Wayi Wah! Indigenous Pedagogies, An Act for Reconciliation and Anti-Racist Education"

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 18:20:14 GMT

Join us for a virtual book club Thursdays after school, once per month from the end of Feb - mid June 2024

BCECTA recently launched our book club for early career teachers, thanks to some grant funding from the BCTF.

We started in the fall with the book Kids These Days by Dr. Jody Carrington, and now it’s time to launch our second book with Wayi Wah! by Jo Chrona.
We will be meeting after school monthly (for a total of 5 meetings) to…

discuss themes covered in the book,
share out what resonates,
exchange ideas / questions / connections, and
think together in community.

All meetings will be virtual (unless you wish to host a place-based satellite meeting. Please get in touch with us if you want to run a local satellite group!). You can still participate even if you can’t attend all meetings, but in order to be considered among the first 25 eligible to get the book for free you must be able to commit to at least three of the five sessions.

Registered participants will be emailed the zoom link prior to each session.

From the pool of participants in each meeting, we will do a draw for four gift cards. The electronic gift cards can be used for a little treat or beverage of choice to enjoy.

Meeting dates: (One hour each)

1) Thursday Feb 29th, 2024, 3:30 - 4:30 pm: READINGS Ch 1 & 2 (pp. 1-30)
2) Thursday March 14th, 2024, 3:30 - 4:30 pm: READINGS Ch 3 & first half ch 4 (pp. 31 - 82)
3) Thursday April 4, 2024, 3:30 - 4:30 pm: READINGS Second half of Chapter 4 (pp. 82 -115)
4) Thursday May 16, 2024, 3:30 - 4:30 pm:    READINGS Chapter 5 (pp. 115-184)
5) Thursday June 13 , 2024, 3:30 - 4:30 pm:   READINGS Chapters 6, 7, 8 (pp. 184-217)

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/bcecta-book-club-wayi-wah-by-jo-chrona-tickets-820509244237?aff=oddtdtcreator

For more information, click here.

Vancouver Brain Bee, April 6th

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 18:15:46 GMT

High School Colleagues, the Vancouver Brain Bee committee at the University of British Columbia has an exciting opportunity for your students!

"We are thrilled to announce the 16th annual Vancouver Brain Bee, scheduled for Saturday, April 6th at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health. This event is a unique, Spelling Bee-styled Neuroscience competition designed for high school students in grades 9-12. This full-day interactive event allows students to test their neuroscience knowledge, engage in lab tours and interact with graduate students and professors. Local competition winners advance to the first phase of the National Brain Bee, which will be a virtual event held on April 20th, 2024. The top three participants will advance to The Final Showdown of the National competition, an in-person event at the Canadian Association of Neuroscience Conference in Vancouver on May 21, 2024. The winner of Nationals will advance to the International Brain Bee, representing Canada!"

"Please pass on the information for this event to colleagues and grade 9-12 science students at your convenience. We have attached a poster, an itinerary, our website and our Eventbrite signup below for more information on how to prepare. If you have any questions or require any other materials to supplement your announcement, please do not hesitate to reach out."

https://brainbee.ca/local-bees/vancouver/
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/vancouver-brain-bee-tickets-764303330837?aff=oddtdtcreator

Warm regards,
Ninon Freidel
High School Outreach Coordinator
Vancouver Brain Bee Organizing Committee
From: Vancouver Brain Bee <vancouver@brainbee.ca>
Sent: February 13, 2024 3:26 PM

Coquitlam Teachers’ Association IGNITE43 Professional Development Event: May 18, 2023

Mon, 08 May 2023 20:20:51 GMT

Teachers are invited to attend CTA's IGNITE43 Pro-D Event with a theme of “Reconnection” on Thursday, May 18th from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at the Old Mill Boathouse in Port Moody. The event includes more than ten presentations, a three-course meal (with non-alcoholic drinks), and time to connect with colleagues.  The cost for non-CTA members to attend is $50. Teacher candidates receive a subsidized rate of $30.

The ticket may be eligible for professional development reimbursement if you have PD funds available!

Register now to guarantee your seat. You will receive an invoice via email after you register.