ACCESS THIS COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE: Targeted Teaching: Leveraging Data for Differentiated Instruction

Targeted Teaching: Leveraging Data for Differentiated Instruction

Meeting the diverse needs of students requires a thoughtful and dynamic approach to teaching. Check out this session, as leaders from Athatbasca Denesuline Education Authority, SK, Portage la Prairie School Division, MB and STAR Catholic School Division, AB as they discussed the skills and strategies to use data effectively, ensuring every student’s unique needs are met.

Unlock the Power of Data for Differentiated Instruction!
Learn how to analyze and apply data to drive targeted instructional strategies.
Explore methods to tailor learning experiences that address individual strengths and challenges.
Discover ways to create inclusive and supportive learning environments.

Whether you’re new to differentiated instruction or looking to refine your approach, this session will equip you with actionable insights and tools to enhance student engagement and success.

Speaker Biographies:
Chris Piro, Director of Student Services, STAR Catholic School Division, AB

Chris has been with the Catholic School system in Leduc for over thirty-five years and has had the opportunity to work with a wide range of students with various strengths and challenges. Her teaching experience ranges from Kindergarten to Grade 6, with the majority of her career focusing on inclusive education and adapting or modifying curriculum to meet student needs. Chris had the opportunity to be a Vice-Principal of a K-6 school where her learning and understanding of our education system continued to evolve. Her current role as Director of Student Services has provided additional experiences and insights into high school students and various stakeholders’ perspectives. Ensuring all students reach their full potential continues to be Chris’s passion and mission.

Pam Garnham, Superintendent/Secretary-Treasurer/and CEO of, Portage la Prairie School Division, MB

Pamela has 31 years of experience in education, having worked in grades K to 12 as a teacher, resource teacher guidance counsellor and school administrator. Throughout her career, she has focused on ensuring that our students are the central focus of education and that the instructional and developmental needs of students are met from inclusive regular classrooms, neighbourhood schools and across the division.

Heather Merasty, Superintendent, Athabasca Denesuline Education Authority, SK

Heather Merasty is a proud member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, located in Saskatchewan. She is a dedicated educational leader with over 23 years of experience in the field, dedicating her practice to the benefit of Indigenous peoples and their respective communities.

Currently, she serves as a Superintendent of Student Support Services with the Athabasca Denesuline Education Authority, and as Vice President of Yellow Sky & Associates Ltd. Before her current positions, she served as Senior Director of Education and Superintendent of Special Education with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, and Special Education Consultant with Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division.

Register now for other webinars in our literacy webinar series.

If you have any questions, please email us directly.

Read more
Access Navigating Barriers Webinar

ACCESS WEBINAR NOW: Navigating Barriers to Help Canadian Students Thrive: Addressing Three Wicked Problems

2025 Literacy Webinar Series - Navigating Barriers to Help Canadian Students Thrive: Addressing Three Wicked Problems

Wicked problems in education—declining literacy rates, inequities in student outcomes, and rising levels of anxiety and depression—demand bold, system-wide solutions. This webinar explores these challenges head-on, uncovering the root causes. From understanding why only three out of five students meet literacy benchmarks to addressing the unequal distribution of vulnerable students across schools, this session will provide fresh insights and strategies to transform outcomes. We’ll explore how schools can reduce childhood vulnerability and reverse troubling trends.

Speaker Biographies:
Our Team - Dr Doug WIllms
Dr. Doug Willms

Dr. Willms is the Founder and President of the Learning Bar Inc. He is the Past President of the International Academy of Education, a Member of the US National Academy of Education, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. From 2002-2017, he held the Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Literacy and Human Development at the University of New Brunswick. Dr. Willms has published over 200 research articles and monographs pertaining to youth literacy, children’s health, the accountability of schooling systems, and the assessment of national reforms.

Register now for other webinars in our literacy webinar series.

If you have any questions, please email us directly.

Read more

How School Districts Are Driving Real Change

Transforming Literacy Outcomes: How School Districts Are Driving Real Change

What does it take to build a sustainable framework for long-term literacy success? In this session, leaders from Athabasca Denesuline Education Authority and Frontier School Division will share how they’ve tackled the unique challenges of their districts and made significant progress in improving literacy outcomes. Discover the innovative strategies they’ve implemented to build sustainable leadership and instructional capacity, empower educators, and drive measurable gains in student achievement. 

We’ll also delve into the barriers these districts have overcome—such as addressing instructional inconsistencies, developing leaders and creating system-wide alignment—and the steps they’re taking to ensure long-term success. Leave with actionable insights to help your district overcome challenges and create a cohesive, sustainable literacy strategy that ensures every student thrives.

Please note the date and time are not yet finalized, however, if you would like to register your interest in this free event an updated date and time will be forwarded to you.

Date: To be confirmed

Time: 14:30 EST

Title: Transforming Literacy Outcomes: How School Districts Are Driving Real Change

Moderator: Karen Power, Leadership Development Consultant

Panelists: Brenda Gabrielle, Superintendent of School, Athabasca Denesuline Education Authority, SK; and Tyson MacGillivray, Chief Superintendent, Frontier School Division, MB

Moderator:
Karen Power, Leadership Development Consultant, The Learning Bar

Karen is a consultant and former teacher, principal, superintendent, and senior advisor for professional learning and leadership. She has won multiple awards and authored books related to her work which focuses on leadership coaching in schools and districts, building collaborative practices through professional learning community (PLC) implementation, district strategic planning, and developing effective instruction, assessment and evidence-based decisions for long-term sustainability.

Karen is now working as a consultant with The Learning Bar to support leadership development within schools and districts. 

Panelists:
Brenda Gabrielle, Superintendent of School, Athabasca Denesuline Education Authority, SK

Throughout Brenda’s 30-year career in education she has held several Educational Leadership roles. She has worked as a school-based administrator in elementary, middle and secondary levels and been responsible for curriculum, assessment, innovative program initiatives, technology, and professional development.  During this time she also worked with the Saskatchewan Professional Development Unit providing Leadership Training for school-based administrators in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In 2016, she began her work with First Nations Schools in northern Saskatchewan as a Literacy Consultant.  Since starting her current position with the Athabasca Denesuline Education Authority in 2020, she continues to work passionately to support opportunities for learning for all staff to ensure all A.D.E.A. students will be successful and have the skills they require to follow the paths they choose.

Tyson MacGillivray, Chief Superintendent, Frontier School Division, MB

Tyson MacGillivray is a seasoned educational leader with a deep commitment to advancing student achievement and well-being across diverse learning environments. He has held teaching and administrative responsibilities for the Shamattawa Education Authority and within Frontier School Division. In August 2024 Tyson started as Chief Superintendent within the division, after serving as the Area 3 Superintendent since 2018. Tyson brings extensive experience in educational administration, curriculum development, and indigenous education.

He has played a pivotal role in implementing programs that support literacy, numeracy, and student engagement, with a particular focus on bridging educational gaps in remote and Indigenous communities. His leadership is marked by a collaborative approach, working closely with educators, students, and community members to create supportive and effective learning environments.

Register now for other webinars in our Literacy Webinar Series.

If you have any questions, please email us directly.

Read more
Building Leadership Capacity Image

Leveraging Data to Drive Literacy Improvements

Building Leadership Capacity: Leveraging Data to Drive Literacy Improvements

How well do you as an administrator understand the impact of early literacy on long-term student success? Do you feel equipped with the right tools to lead data-driven conversations and align their teams on using and monitoring data to improve classroom instruction?

Early Grade 1 is a critical turning point for literacy, with nearly half of the foundational coding and language skills required for proficient reading taught at this stage. Research shows that 89% of students who read proficiently by the end of Grade 3 graduate high school on time. To achieve this, educators and administrators need a unified focus and clear strategies for literacy development.

Join this webinar to explore how district and principal leadership creates the alignment, accountability, and collaboration needed to drive impactful literacy changes. Explore the critical role that leaders have in using evidence and data to inform decisions, guide strategies, and measure progress.

Date: Mar. 11, 2025 

Time: 13:30 EST

Title: Building Leadership Capacity: Leveraging Data to Drive Literacy Improvements

Speaker: Karen Power, Leadership Development Consultant

Karen Power, Leadership Development Consultant, The Learning Bar

Karen is a consultant and former teacher, principal, superintendent, and senior advisor for professional learning and leadership. She has won multiple awards and authored books related to her work which focuses on leadership coaching in schools and districts, building collaborative practices through professional learning community (PLC) implementation, district strategic planning, and developing effective instruction, assessment and evidence-based decisions for long-term sustainability.

Karen is now working as a consultant with The Learning Bar to support leadership development within schools and districts. 

Register now for other webinars in our Literacy Webinar Series.

If you have any questions, please email us directly.

Read more

ACCESS THIS COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE: Fostering Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving for Engaged, Resilient, and Career-Ready Students

Thanks for joining us: Fostering Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving for Engaged, Resilient, and Career-Ready Students

What a great Community of Practice!

District leaders from Palliser School Division, AB, Rocky View Schools, AB, and Eastern Townships School Board, QC dove into the essential role of critical thinking, problem-solving, and its fundamental connection to student’s educational journeys. The panel shared their experiences and approaches to building these vital skills—tools that not only elevate student engagement and well-being, but also prepare them for real-world challenges and career readiness.

We heard how district leaders are providing students the opportunity to amplify their voice, how they are encouraging students to actively participate in their learning and decision-making processes, empowering them to shape their educational experiences. By sharing their strategies and successes, panelists revealed how fostering critical skills and inclusivity creates a more vibrant and responsive learning environment, setting students up for academic, personal, and professional success.

Speaker Biographies:
Lori Meyer, Associate Superintendent of Learning, AB

Lori has been in this role with Rocky View for almost 4 years, coming to Alberta from a similar role in SK.  Lori has had the privilege of being a classroom teacher, school administrator, and registered psychologist, and she is in her 28th year of this amazing profession. Lori has planned, implemented, and supported various teaching and inclusive learning programs and is passionate about ensuring all students have access to a high-quality total experience in RVS. Additionally, community work has been a vital part of Lori’s career, partnering with numerous agencies to create and support programs that address the non-academic needs of children and their families.

Kandy Mackey, Director General, Eastern Townships School Board

Kandy Mackey is a dynamic, bilingual educator with nearly three decades of experience in educational administration at the Eastern Townships School Board, where she has served as Teacher, Principal, Director of Pedagogical Services, Assistant Director General, and now, Director General.  Since 2013, she has led the school board with a steadfast commitment to advancing student and adult learning, combining pedagogical expertise, a developmental approach, and an unwavering focus on building professional learning communities.  Skilled in data-driven decision-making, Kandy leverages insights to address educational challenges, promote positive school environments, and empower educators to drive sustainable change.  Known for her collaborative style, she has built strong partnerships across the organization to enhance student outcomes and ensure educational excellence.  As ETSB’s Change Management facilitator, inspired by the work of Pierre Collerette, Kandy is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, student-centered future for the school board.

Jason Kupery, Director of Learning, Palliser School Division

Jason Kupery has worked in Education for 24 years and counting, first as a teacher, then principal and now in Division Leadership with Palliser School Division. He is driven by helping students find their confidence and purpose through programs like career exploration, student leadership and wellness.  His enthusiasm for helping students discover their passion and potential is contagious.  Student success, both in school and beyond, are always at the top of his mind.

Register now for other webinars in our literacy webinar series.

If you have any questions, please email us directly.

Read more

Simplifying Literacy Instruction: ACCESS WEBINAR NOW: The Three-Phase Approach of the Confident Learners Program

ACCESS WEBINAR NOW: Simplifying Literacy Instruction: The Three-Phase Approach of the Confident Learners Program

Access this webinar to explore the Confident Learners three-phase model, designed to simplify and strengthen literacy instruction. Building on the previous “show-and-tell” session, this webinar dives deeper into each phase, offering educators practical tools to guide and monitor student progress effectively. Grounded in The Learning Bar’s expert research and proven educational strategies, our model supports educators every step of the way.

Speaker Biographies:
Our Team - Simon Ketcheson
Simon Ketcheson, Product Director, Confident Learners

Simon leads the design and delivery of literacy programs focused on improving educational outcomes for students across diverse communities. Simon brings over a decade of expertise in educational product management, client success, and implementation, with a proven track record in helping organizations meet and exceed their goals.

Ericka Sutherland, Instructional Literacy Mentor

Ericka is a learning consultant in the Confident Learners program at The Learning Bar. Ericka completed master’s degrees in Literacy and Curriculum Studies from Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax, NS, and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, NS, with a focus on professional learning communities and teacher professional development.

Register now for other webinars in our literacy webinar series.

If you have any questions, please email us directly.

Read more

WEBINAR: Discover Confident Learners: A Show-and-Tell of Our Transformative Literacy Program

ACCESS WEBINAR NOW: Discover Confident Learners: A Show-and-Tell of Our Transformative Literacy Program

Access this interactive “show and tell” webinar of the Confident Learners Program. This session will guide you through our unique three-phase model, highlighting how we support educators at every step to create confident, skilled readers. Through real-world examples, engaging resources, and actionable insights, you’ll see firsthand how Confident Learners simplifies complex literacy instruction, making it accessible for educators and impactful for students. Whether you’re looking to enhance your current literacy approach or explore new solutions, this webinar provides an insider’s view of a program that transforms literacy outcomes from the ground up.

Speaker Biographies:
Our Team - Simon Ketcheson
Simon Ketcheson, Product Director, Confident Learners

Simon leads the design and delivery of literacy programs focused on improving educational outcomes for students across diverse communities. Simon brings over a decade of expertise in educational product management, client success, and implementation, with a proven track record in helping organizations meet and exceed their goals.

Ericka Sutherland, Instructional Literacy Mentor

Ericka is a learning consultant in the Confident Learners program at The Learning Bar. Ericka completed master’s degrees in Literacy and Curriculum Studies from Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax, NS, and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, NS, with a focus on professional learning communities and teacher professional development.

Register now for other webinars in our literacy webinar series.

If you have any questions, please email us directly.

Read more

WEBINAR: Teaching Children to Read: Common Questions Answered

ACCESS WEBINAR NOW: Teaching Children to Read: Common Questions Answered

Access this insightful webinar where we tackle the most common questions educators have about teaching children to read. Discover proven strategies to support learners at every stage of their reading journey. Topics include:

  • Understanding the differences between phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, and phonics – and why mastering them is key to reading success.

  • Presenting the process of how children learn to automatically recognize words and build reading fluency.

  • Strategies to help children truly understand and engage with the texts they read.

By the end of this webinar, you’ll walk away with actionable insights, practical tools, and resources to help every child thrive as a reader.

Speaker Biographies:
Ericka Sutherland, Instructional Literacy Mentor

Ericka is a learning consultant in the Confident Learners program at The Learning Bar. Ericka completed master’s degrees in Literacy and Curriculum Studies from Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax, NS, and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, NS, with a focus on professional learning communities and teacher professional development.

Sandi Harrower, Instructional Literacy Consultant

Sandi is an Instructional Literacy Consultant for the Confident Learners Program with The Learning Bar, bringing extensive experience in both rural and urban educational settings across Canada and the United States.

With a rich background that spans roles as an Early Learning Supervisor and Learning Coach for Livingstone Range School Division in Southern Alberta, and over 15 years with the Calgary Board of Education as a classroom teacher, learning leader, and Early Learning Specialist, Sandi brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record in early childhood and literacy education.

Register now for other webinars in our literacy webinar series.

If you have any questions, please email us directly.

Read more
Nurturing Early Reading Readiness Webinar Graphic

WEBINAR: Nurturing Early Reading Readiness with the Early Years Evaluation – Pre-Reading Assessment

WEBINAR: Nurturing Early Reading Readiness with the Early Years Evaluation – Pre-Reading Assessment

Access this webinar to learn more about our newest enhancement to the Early Years Evaluation suite – the Pre-Reading Assessment (EYE-PR)! Designed to help assess and foster foundational pre-reading skills in children as they move through K to 1, the PR is now freely available to all EYE-TA clients across Canada.

In this 15-minute webinar, we introduce how the EYE-PR can be used to:

  • Screen for early reading readiness: Discover how the EYE-PR measures critical pre-reading skills, including letter recognition, phonological awareness, and phoneme-grapheme relationships.

      • Guide instruction: Learn how the EYE-PR’s strengths-based reports and classroom activities support teachers in tailoring instruction to each child’s unique literacy journey.
        • Support literacy at home: Explore engaging activities for parents and caregivers that connect learning between home and school, building a strong foundation and fostering a lifelong love of reading.

        Our team - Stephanie Guignon

        Speaker Biography:

        Stephanie Guignion is a Product Manager at The Learning Bar with over a decade of experience as an early year classroom teacher. She is passionate about finding innovative ways to help educators maximize the benefits of the Early Years Evaluation

        Register now for other webinars in our literacy webinar series.

        If you have any questions, please email us directly.

        Read more

        WEBINAR: Discover the Power of OurSCHOOL Staff Survey: Capture Valid, Reliable Data to Fully Support Staff Well-being

        WEBINAR: Discover the Power of OurSCHOOL Staff Survey: Capture Valid, Reliable Data to Fully Support Staff Well-being

        Access this webinar, “Discover the Power of OurSCHOOL Staff Survey: Capture Valid, Reliable Data to Fully Support Staff Well-being,” as we delve into the unique pillars of the OurSCHOOL staff survey. We’ll explore the power of the results and showcase why having rigorous, holistic, nationally and provincially normed, timely, and accessible data is so crucial in informing major decisions that impact your staff.

        Educators must be physically, mentally, and emotionally present to connect with students and provide quality instruction. Their mental health and well-being need to be ‘in check’ for this to happen. While we cannot control everything, it is our responsibility to increase the likelihood that our staff can be healthy at work. Starting with the end in mind, how can division leaders foster a sense of belonging and autonomy so that their staff feel valued and supported? What kinds of collective efforts will foster your staff’s sense of belonging and pride in the work being done?

        It is not enough to simply acknowledge that there is a problem; division leaders can better create conditions for success when they have crucial insights into the pivotal measures that drive their staff’s well-being. This all starts with giving all of your staff a voice.

        Click here for more information about our staff well-being survey.

        Our Team - Lorna Cameron

        Speaker Biography: Lorna Cameron

        Lorna has been with The Learning Bar now for 7 years now and was an administrator and teacher for over 20 years before joining The Learning Bar. As a member of the Customer Success team she works with school districts across Canada to support and build their skills and knowledge in the areas of data-driven planning and decision making. She comes from within the school system and has seen first hand many of the challenges that you face and has a clear understanding of what schools are doing to overcome these.

        Register now for other webinars in our Well-being Learning Series.

        If you have any questions, please email us directly.

        Read more