uLead2026 - The Summit of Educational Leadership: Full Schedule

This is the Sched site for the uLead 2026.

Welcome to uLead 2026. We are thrilled you will be joining us at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel for our annual school leadership conference hosted by the Council for School Leadership of The Alberta Teachers’ Association.

If you have any questions during the event, we will have uLead team members throughout the venue wearing red and black plaid. The registration desk will also have our team available throughout the conference. This table can be found just outside of the Van Horne Ballroom, where all of our keynote presentations are taking place.

If you need a digital map of the facilities, you can click here

In order for our team to best determine room allocations for breakout sessions would ask that delegates log in (top right corner of this page) and select sessions that they are interested in attending.

Finally, if you are interested in earning University credits for attending uLead, please visit the uLead website

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10:45am MDT

The Importance of Instructional Leadership and Its Power to Change Schools

Monday April 20, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT

New Brunswick Room (Main Building)

Join Doug Duff to explore how instructional leadership can drive school-wide improvement through mathematics education. This session covers leadership capacity, connected number thinking, and aligning impactful instructional practices. Key questions include: How can math serve as a catalyst for school and system improvement? What measurable indicators enhance student achievement? How can shared understanding strengthen instructional and assessment practices across districts? Gain practical strategies and evidence-based insights to foster collaboration and improve teaching and learning outcomes in your school community.

Speakers

Doug Duff

Principal Instructional Leadership Coach

Doug Duff is a Principal Instructional Leadership Coach, working nationally and internationally with school districts on school improvement. During his 20 years as a principal and various supervisory roles, Doug has been particularly interested in math education and school and district... Read More →

Monday April 20, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
New Brunswick Room (Main Building)

Instructional Leadership

2:45pm MDT

Direct Instruction 101: Building Strong Foundations for Every Learner

Monday April 20, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

New Brunswick Room (Main Building)

What if every student could master essential skills with clarity and confidence? Direct Instruction (DI) offers a proven, practical approach to help make that happen. In this hands-on session, explore how explicit, systematic teaching accelerates learning, especially within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). You'll analyze real classroom scenarios, unpack common myths, and discover how to use data to plan instruction that meets every learner's needs. Leave with concrete strategies, fresh insights, and tools you can use immediately to strengthen literacy and learning across all tiers.

Speakers

Sam Smith

Teaching & Learning Lead, Nelson Education

Sam Smith is the Teaching and Learning Lead with Nelson's Classroom Success Team. She is an Ontario certified teacher and has spent over a decade in classroom teaching, special education, and instructional leadership. Her experience spans both public and private sectors, where she... Read More →

Monday April 20, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
New Brunswick Room (Main Building)

Instructional Leadership

uLead2026 - The Summit of Educational Leadership

10:45am MDT

Doug Duff

2:45pm MDT

Sam Smith

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