uLead2026 - The Summit of Educational Leadership

This session explores the evolving landscape of Women in educational leadership. Kathryn Olson through the lens of a woman who has served in the Calgary Catholic School District for nearly three decades. Drawing from her experiences across classroom, school, and district-level leadership, this session will examine how the role of women in education has continued to be shaped by changing societal, organizational, and pedagogical expectations Participants will engage in a reflective and forward-looking conversation about what it means to lead with empathy, adaptability, and resilience in an ever-changing educational context. Through storytelling, case studies, and collaborative discussion, the session will highlight how a female perspective in leadership brings unique insights

This session invites school leaders to explore how Indigenous Pedagogy (centered on the 8 Ways of Aboriginal Learning framework) can transform professional learning into a practice of connection, storytelling, and collective growth. Participants will engage with strategies that honor Indigenous ways of knowing, leading, and teaching while deepening their role as lead learners. Walk away with practical tools to create inclusive, respectful, and culturally grounded professional learning environments that foster deeper engagement and equity for all.

Global crisis', rights and equity issues are entering, and sometimes disrupting, classrooms with increasing frequency, leaving both students and educators feeling overwhelmed and hopeless. In this session, the Be an Upstander program and other approaches to create environments where they can explore complex topics and equip students with tools to address injustice. Participants will also examine how classroom culture, courage to engage in complex conversations and project-based learning, can be used together to help students find hope and equip them with skills to take action.

This session explores the growing risks and responsibilities associated with digital technology in education, focusing on how misuse can lead to serious professional and legal consequences. Leaders will learn strategies to mitigate e-liability, protect staff and students, and uphold privacy and professional boundaries in an increasingly connected world. Practical guidance and case studies will help administrators develop policies and responses that safeguard both reputation and compliance.

This interactive fireside chat brings together two perspectives on advancing anti-racism and equity within Alberta's education system. Dr. Shariff will share & reflect on her experiences and research, bringing equity and anti-racism professional learning into one of Edmonton's largest and diverse high schools, highlighting how she has empowered educators, celebrated successes, and helped them navigate resistance. The conversation then shifts as Owen Holloway shares how this foundational learning helped co-create a plan and a detailed formal proposal for the faculty council and the school administration, ensuring this work continued to have positional leverage to revise policy and provide more equitable practices. Together, they share the lessons learned, practical strategies for fostering educator-led professional development, and the challenges and possibilities required for institutional change in education. Designed as a dialogue rather than a lecture, this session models the relational and reflective practices at the heart of EDIAR work. A Q&A period will close the session, offering participants the opportunity to connect insights to their own leadership contexts.