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

2:45pm MDT

The Well Principal: Balancing Leadership, Wellness, and School Culture

Sunday April 19, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

Cascade Room (Main Building)

In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving educational landscape, School Administrators are expected to lead with strength, compassion, and resiliency, often at the expense of their own well-being. The Well Principal explores the vital interconnection between School Administrator health, effective leadership, and the cultivation of a positive school culture. This presentation will offer practical strategies to support personal wellness, foster sustainable leadership practices, and highlight how a "Well Principal" may positively influence the entire school community. Because when leaders are well, schools thrive.

Speakers

Justin Noseworthy

School Principal, NL Schools / Newfoundland Labrador Teachers Association

Justin Noseworthy is an educational leader currently serving as the Principal of a small rural Elementary School in Newfoundland and Labrador. Justin has been a Principal since 2018. With experience leading Elementary and K-12 All-Grade schools, Justin brings a broad perspective to... Read More →

The Well Principal Systemic Literature Review (Presentation Supporting Document) pdf

Sunday April 19, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Cascade Room (Main Building)

Wellness

4:00pm MDT

Culture, Compassion, and Excellence: The Triple Threat of Transformational School Leadership

Sunday April 19, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

Cascade Room (Main Building)

Creating a thriving school community requires more than policies and procedures! It demands intentional leadership that fosters a culture of trust, compassion, and instructional excellence. In this dynamic session, we'll explore how leaders can cultivate meaningful connections between staff and students, strengthen collaboration among colleagues, and build a supportive school community where everyone thrives to push excellence in learning.

Speakers

Heather Kaup

Principal, Edmonton Catholic Schools

Heather has served as an Administrator for 18, the past 11 as Lead Learner/Principal. During her tenure as Principal, Heather's key focus has been to build and cultivate school culture where learning is at centre, communities are inclusive and staff are valued and appreciated so they... Read More →

Tranformational Leadership Handout ULead 2026 pdf

Sunday April 19, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Cascade Room (Main Building)

School Culture

10:45am MDT

Leadership Rewired

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

Cascade Room (Main Building)

Everyone is wired for survival — to protect, control, and react. But great leadership begins when we learn to rewire. In this dynamic, research-based keynote, Dr. Brad Johnson reveals how fear-based habits quietly shape culture and communication — and how leaders can reprogram their mindset toward trust, creativity, and connection. Drawing from neuroscience and real-world leadership stories, he shows how to shift from managing by instinct to leading with intention.

Speakers

Brad Johnson

Dr. Brad Johnson is a globally recognized education thought leader, ranked #2 on the Global Gurus Top 30 in Education. As the best-selling author of 20 books, many of which have been translated into multiple languages, he is a leading voice in leadership, motivation, and teacher empowerment.With... Read More →

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

School Culture

2:45pm MDT

Nothing More Important Than Culture

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

Cascade Room (Main Building)

Culture is the "invisible hand" that guides how people behave, perform and interact in a school. There is nothing more important. Culture shapes how teachers teach, how students learn, and how the broader staff team collaborate.

Speakers

Kim Hutzul

Kim Hutzul, Principal of D.A. Ferguson Middle School in Taber, Alberta, has over two decades of experience dedicated to creating supportive, inclusive, and innovative learning environments. She holds a BEd from the University of Saskatchewan, a Special Education certification, and... Read More →

Melissa Gartly

Melissa Gartly earned her BA/BEd from the University of Lethbridge and has since dedicated her career to rural Alberta education, teaching at the elementary and junior high level and serving as vice-principal before becoming principal. She is passionate about building leaders and... Read More →

Greg Bowes

Greg Bowes, born and raised in southern Saskatchewan, holds a BSc and BEd from the University of Saskatchewan, where he also played for the Huskies Basketball team. After beginning his teaching career in Lethbridge, he joined Horizon School Division in 2010, spending 12 years at WR... Read More →

Amber Doram

Teacher, Horizon School Div

Amber Doram holds a BA/BEd from the University of Lethbridge and a diploma in Broadcast Journalism. She began her teaching career in Horizon School Division and has taught across Kâ€“12, most recently at the high school level, where her engaging, hands-on approach and high expectations... Read More →

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

School Culture

10:30am MDT

Be Memorable! Why You Are "More Than Just Educators" to Students Everyday!

Tuesday April 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am MDT

Cascade Room (Main Building)

As an educator, why do the job if you are not hoping to make a lasting impact on children, colleagues, or the profession as a whole? "More Than Just Educators" examines individuals who will never be forgotten by those who they had an impact upon, and will reminds every participant that their ripple effect never ends. Highlighting great teachers, support staff, and administrators from across the country, this presentation hits on all employee groups within a school in order to ensure that staff members know how much they matter to students. In today's world, educating students, or running schools and districts, is a difficult job that taxes the mind greatly. However, through reflection, attendees will be reminded that they have a legacy they are leaving behind, and that their time in their job is worth the effort they give each and every day.

Speakers

Robert Hinchliffe

Principal / Speaker / Author, Clark County School District

Robert Hinchliffe is a successful principal, author, and speaker based in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he has been an elementary school administrator for over 19 years. His career accomplishments include leading various highly rated schools, schools that have received distinguished awards... Read More →

Tuesday April 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Cascade Room (Main Building)

Outside Alberta

2:45pm MDT

4:00pm MDT

10:45am MDT

2:45pm MDT

10:30am MDT

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