read about it

kid-grit the BOOK is a collection of 25 authentic, soul-searching stories from students across the nation. Inspiring stories for youth by youth.

kid-grit's activity guide for social-emotional learning is also availible. 20 hours of SEL and movement activities, and an optional gratitude presentation! Easy to implement, and training is optional!

Meet our 2024 Headliners

JULIA GABOR

2024 Key Note Presenter

https://www.kid-grit.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS0Iv0ojGow

KID-GRIT

Julia is an award-winning educator and keynote speaker. Born & raised in NYC; she comes from a diverse background. She is a passionate, youth development specialist, and the Founder of kid-grit, a vibrant social-emotional learning education company serving youth, educators, and leaders. She has trained thousands of educators across the US. In 2022, Julia won certification from the Women’s Business National Enterprise Council as a 100% Women Owned Business. She has received awards for her outstanding contribution to education across the nation from CAL STATE Fullerton, U.S. Representative for California, Lou Correa, and the BOOST Collaborative. Julia has presented and facilitated keynotes and learning sessions at over 100 conferences and for over 10,000 educators nationwide. She holds a master's in educational leadership from Antioch University.   

About kid-grit: 

• At kid-grit, our mission is to equip educators and students with knowledge and tools to build confidence, character, resilience, and self-care.

• We offer robust research-based programs that include curriculum, focused workshops, evidence-based professional development and coaching, leadership development programs and coaching, and workshops for families. Our offerings are anchored in themes that include emotional intelligence, mindfulness, wellness strategies, inclusion, self-awareness, digital literacy, and mastery of learning.

• PASSION → PERSEVERANCE/GRIT → SELF-CONFIDENCE → SUCCESS

MIKE ASHCRAFT

2024 Closing Presenter

https://www.childrens-choice.org/

CHILDREN’S CHOICE

Mike Ashcraft is a thought leader in the fields of positive child and youth development and out-of-school-time ( OST) programming. He is the Founder and Lead Learner of Children's Choice, a highly acclaimed and successful provider of OST programming in Albuquerque New Mexico, USA. Mike's mission in life is to continuously learn new and innovative theories and practices, passionately sharing them with others, and helping them benefit by developing their own competencies. He works with leaders, educators, & caregivers who want to have less stress, be more effective, & have more fun at work!

read about it

This book looks at the best practices for school-age programs—tying together brain research, children's development, and the theories of school age child development. Building off solid research and theory, Chelsea and Mike Ashcraft give us a guidebook for planning and implementing quality school age programs.

Meet the 2024 SACDA Conference Ensemble

JULIA GABOR

KID-GRIT

I have an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit that has been demonstrated both in the startup world and in the nonprofit landscape. I have a wide range of passions: from youth development to helping people and organizations maximize their full potential. I thrive in collaborative work environments and am also an independent thinker. Whether creating & enhancing dynamic programs or working directly with students I have made a true impact with

real, proven, and successful results. Co-Founder of a new & innovative educational company, kidgrit: presenting 5 approaches to developing the next generation of mindful leaders through self-regulation, positive relationships, self-management, self-awareness, and social skills. We offer kid-grit the curriculum, staff development, educator wellness, kid-grit: THE BOOK, keynotes, and youth coaching.

Currently, building collaborative relationships across the U.S. in Oklahoma, Ohio, Florida, California, New Jersey, Michigan, and Indiana. In less than one year requested to present educator sessions at National Summer Learning Conference, National Youth at Risk Conference, Safe Schools Conference, School Climate Conference, Beyond School Hours, National AfterSchool Association, over six regional conferences in the state of CA, Idaho School Counselor Conference and Indiana After School Network. Responsible for: creating content, building the team, developing trainings for conferences and staff development, social media branding, sales/accounting, and national expansion. At WRITE BRAiN BOOKS, the After School All Stars, & Tiger Woods Foundation built project-based, 21st-century skills, and SEL curriculums that impact diverse student communities across the nation. Personally responsible for coordinating 30 conferences annually, building trainings and staff development for hundreds of educators, and managed social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram on a daily basis. (Award-winning educator)

MIKE ASHCRAFT

Organizational Leader & Youth Development Director.

Childrens Choice

Founder and CEO of Children’s Choice holds a Master of Arts Degree in Education with an Emphasis in School-Age Care from Concordia University. He holds a graduate-level certification as a Pedagogista in the Reggio Emilia Approach from Webster University. He is a doctoral of education candidate (ABD) with Nova Southeastern University. He has more than 20 years of experience in child care and education. He served as a training and technical service contractor and a professional writing contractor for the New Mexico Public Education Department. He served as a guest professor on the faculty of Concordia University, teaching college courses in school-age care programming. He is a former Accreditation Endorser for the National Afterschool Association. He is the former President of the New Mexico School-Age Care Alliance and the New Mexico Association for the Education of Young Children. He is the author of Best Practices: Guidelines for School-Age Programs, and the Best Practices Workbook, and co-author of Learning to Lead: Leading to Learn: Organizational Leadership for the Child Care and Youth Development Director.

Are you ready to explore a world of insightful learning with a dash of humor, inspiration, and a whole lot of practicality? Mike brings you a repertoire of captivating topics that cover a wide range of subjects, from child-specific topics like guidance, teambuilding, and curriculum to staff-specific topics like customer service, leadership, and positive relationships/

JENNIFER BULMER

Childcare by Design Coaching

Jennifer Bulmer is the Coach & CEO of Childcare by Design Coaching. Working in the field of out of school care since 1993, she helps design systems that support educators and directors to build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to thrive no matter the challenges each day brings. At Childcare by Design, we know your success is based on a solid foundation of skills and systems

Melissa Bentley

Co-Founder & CEO

Little Steps Childcare Centre

melissa.littlesteps@gmail.com

littlestepschildcare.ca

@littlestepssocial

A kid at heart, Melissa grew up always knowing she was meant to be in an industry related to children that satisfied her need to be challenged and continuously learning. Her passion for creating environments that positively impact young children's lives and help build strong foundations for children's future success is the driving force behind her career. She is the Co- Founder and CEO of Little Steps Childcare Centre and believes in empowering and inspiring others in whatever ways she can to help make a difference in our future.

Melissa Bentley

Co-Founder & CEO

Little Steps Childcare Centre

melissa.littlesteps@gmail.com

@littlestepssocial

A kid at heart, Melissa grew up always knowing she was meant to be in an industry related to children that satisfied her need to be challenged and continuously learning. Her passion for creating environments that positively impact young children's lives and helping build strong foundations for children's future success is the driving force behind her career. She is the Co- Founder and CEO of Little Steps Childcare Centre and believes in empowering and inspiring others in whatever ways she can to help make a difference in our future.

Melissa Pearce

Owner/Operator

Rediscover Play Nature Schools

www.rediscoverplay.com

@rediscoverplaynatureschools

Melissa’s vision includes helping children and adults feel confident and excited about being outdoors. During a time of healing and grieving the loss of her brother, she rediscovered play, and nature & its benefits. Melissa’s programs guide children in learning how to mitigate risk in a safe environment, allowing space and time for children & youth to be themselves while they bond with each other and nature around them. Her passion for child inquiry, emergent curriculum and bushcraft teaching guides her programs and she designs her curriculum with the welfare of the whole child in mind. She has been running nature schools for ages 3 - 15 since 2017 and was the director of an Out of School Care Program for 7 years prior. Melissa is a certified Forest & Nature School Practitioner with a BA in Early Childhood Education and Development. She is certified in Mental Health First Aid, has Brain Story certification and carries a valid Wilderness CPR/First Aid She is excited to complete her Practical Herbalist Diploma in the near future.

Brandie Odenbach

Program Manager, Child Care

YMCA of Northern Alberta

ymcanab.ca

@ymcaedmonton

Brandie Odenbach is a Program Manager for Child Care with the YMCA of Northern Alberta and has been with the Y in Child Care for 15 years as of 2023! Brandie is a seasoned trainer for the YMCA national child care curriculum (A Place to Connect), and Brandie leads the Truth and Reconciliation Committee for the YMCA of Northern Alberta amongst several other things. Brandie was honored to be selected to pilot Rupertsland Institute's new Métis Early Learning Education and Childcare Training (ELECT) program and implement it in child care. Brandie is a passionate ally for the Indigenous community and her aim as an ally is to challenge and work towards breaking down those barriers that continue to violate Indigenous communities.

For fun, Brandie loves fitness, spending time with her pets (4 cats and 3 dogs) and practices agility with her German Shepherd.

Brittany Caldwell

Owner of Creative Seeds

Creative Seeds

creativeseeds.ca

@playcreativeseeds (Instagram)

Meet Brittany Caldwell, an exceptional early childhood educator with 8 years of experience in early education and forest schools. Brittany is the owner of a unique venture, Creative Seeds Mobile Nature Classroom, which brings nature, play, and creativity together. She strongly believes in the transformative power of play, nature, and art, and has made it her mission to support her community in finding more opportunities to get playful outside. She has successfully provided various community-driven programs including camps and birthday parties, along with professional development workshops for childcare centers. Her inprogram outdoor play classes that cater to daycares, preschools and out of school cares are particularly loved, both by children and educators a-like. With Creative Seeds, she continues to sow the seeds of creativity, curiosity, and compassion.

Amelia Newbert

Director, Learning & Engagement

Skipping Stone

www.skippingstone.ca

@skippingstoneca (facebook & IG)

Amelia (she/her) is a passionate educator and advocate who is the co-founder and Director of Learning & Engagement for Skipping Stone, a nationally recognized nonprofit that supports trans and gender-diverse youth, adults & families. She has previously held positions with Calgary Pride, as the President of the Trans Equality Society of Alberta, and serves as a faculty member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. Over the past decade, she has played a role in the introduction and implementation of legislation recognizing the rights of trans and gender-diverse individuals at every level of government. In recognition of her work, she has received the outstanding Community Impact Award from the University of Calgary Law School and was awarded the Grand Heart Award in 2018 in recognition of her significant contributions to advancing 2SLGBTQIA+ human rights in Alberta.

Rebecca Bultsma

AI Expert, Presenter, and Consultant;

Director of Communications in K-12 Education

AI Expertise; Rebecca Bultsma

rebeccabultsma.com

Twitter:@rebeccabultsma Linkedin: rebeccabultsma

Rebecca is a Generative AI Expert and Presenter who consults with organizations on leveraging AI to drive innovation. She spends the majority of her free time presenting to organizations across North America, delivering keynote addresses, webinars, and hands-on workshops to inspire and educate audiences about the practical applications and transformative impact of AI. She works as a Director of Communications in K-12 Education.

Jaymee Polowick

School-Based Mental Health

Promotion Wellness Coach

Wellness Empowerment Program

- Renfrew Educational Services

https://wellnessempowerment.wixsite.com/wepyyc

"Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransitionsWEP/

Instagram: @wellness_empowerment"

Jaymee Polowick has worked with children in various capacities and roles since 2007. As a graduate from the University of Lethbridge Jaymee holds her bachelor’s degree in psychology and neuroscience and is currently a Wellness Coach with the Wellness Empowerment Program at Renfrew Educational Services. Jaymee works front-line in schools providing students, teachers and parents a variety of opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills to support positive mental health and overall wellness.

Jaymee believes in advocating for the mental health and wellness of children and youth in Calgary, as well as helping teachers and parents build their skills and knowledge around mental healthcare. Through Jaymee’s work, she has become familiar with using nature-based art as a method of mindfulness, and the benefits it has on one’s mental wellness. Jaymee has a passion for nature, being silly, drawing and being innovative in the work that she does with schools.

Sarah Outh is currently working as a Wellness Coach with the Wellness Empowerment Program at Renfrew Educational Services where she engages and educates students on mental health and wellness. Her earlier experiences include working with individuals living with a brain injury, as well as training as a crisis interventionist. From there, Sarah became a teacher for preschool children through to grade four. For over ten years, Sarah has been working at Renfrew Educational Services where she has worked in various capacities. This rewarding experience has allowed Sarah to grow alongside many children and their families. In addition to all Sarah’s work experience, she has been volunteering as the children's ministry leader for her church coordinating a variety of programs, some of which expand into the community. When Sarah is not working, she enjoys painting and hiking.

Gina Blank

Professional Learning Lead

GRIT

https://gritprogram.ca

Facebook: facebook.com/thegritprogram

Instagram: @thegritprogram LinkedIn:

GRIT Program Gina Blank has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, as well as a Master’s in General Special Education. She has worked with GRIT for twenty years in a variety of roles: supporting children with disabilities; coaching early childhood educators; and currently, coordinating and facilitating professional learning for community partners and the public. When she is not supporting adult learning, she can generally be found outdoors with a camera, a good book, or both.

Erynn Biggar

Health & Wellness Consultant

Ever Active Schools

plo@everactive.org

everactive.org

Instagram: @everactiveab X(Twitter): @EverActiveAB

Ever Active Schools is a registered national charity designed to create and support healthy school communities. We engage and support schools through a Comprehensive School Health framework, which addresses health and education goals to improve the social outcomes of children and youth in Alberta.

Dr. Emmie Henderson-Dekort

Child Rights Project Lead

Canadian Child Care Federation/MRU

https://cccf-fcsge.ca/

Emmie is the Child Rights Approach to Practice project lead and teaches ELCC at MRU and BVC. Her PhD research focused on children's rights. Jewel is in her final year of the Bachelor of Child Studies Degree at MRU and is a fierce advocate for the ELCC profession and children's rights.

Batoul and Manpreet are 3rd year Bachelor of Child Studies students completing their leadership practicum as part of the project team. Both have a strong passion and interest in creating awareness of the importance of children's rights.

Sharon Ness

Early Learning Specialist

Creative Childcare Consulting

creativechildcareconsulting.ca

Facebook: Creative Childcare Consulting

Sharon Ness is a Child Development Supervisor who has been part of the western Canadian child care community since 1989 and been involved with the Alberta community since 2001. Her background is in Early Childhood Education. Sharon is a recognized member of the Alberta early childhood community having been involved in both local and provincial associations. Sharon is a global Virtues Project Facilitator and is also trained in delivering Positive Discipline for Parents. Sharon owned the first licensed overnight child care facility in British Columbia and has worked extensively in the not-for-profit sector since arriving in Alberta. She is the recipient of the Alberta Association for Community Living's Community Living Award for promoting the concept and spirit of community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities.

Janice Comrie

Inclusive Child Care Manager

The GRIT Program

iccalberta.ca

Janice Comrie is currently the Inclusive Child Care Manager with the GRIT Program. She is a strong advocate of inclusion and quality early learning and care. Janice has 30+ years of experience in education and child care settings. Her bachelor's and master’s of education degrees focused on early childhood and music education and she has always used music in her classroom to build community, support early literacy skills, and as a way to include all children and foster a sense of belonging.

Lauren has a bachelor of arts degree in Child Studies with more than a decade of childcare experience. She's played various roles, from educator to assistant director, to behavioral therapist. Lauren also has extensive experience supporting children with a range of diverse needs by developing and implementing specialized programs. In her current role as Inclusive Childcare Coach at GRIT, she guides childcare staff in implementing Pyramid Model strategies, which support the social-emotional development of all children. She has a strong passion for inclusion, advocating for the belief that everyone deserves a voice and a sense of belonging.

Sarah Reader

Play Consultant

Playful Adventures

www.playfuladventures.ca

Instagram: @playfuladventures

Sarah Reader has been running recreation programs for all ages in the Calgary area since 2008. In 2016 she created and managed the City of Calgary's first Mobile Adventure Playground and sat on the planning committee for the 2017 International Play Conference. Sarah has a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Alberta, is a High Five trainer, and is an instructor at Bow Valley College in their Early Childhood Education Diploma program. Through her company, Playful Adventures, she loves inspiring people to Rediscover their Wildhoods through education, professional development, and unstructured, outdoor play.

Tanya Keto

Tanya has over 20 years of experience working with struggling students and their families as a teacher, a learning strategist, a guidance counselor, and educational psychologist. Now as Director of Avery Family and School Psychology Services, she specializes in conducting psychoeducational assessments, including assessment and treatment of neurodevelopmental disabilities such as ADHD and Learning Disabilities (LD). She is also a sessional university instructor and the university of Calgary where she teaches about Learning Disabilities as part of the Master of Education program as well as a parent coach for the Center for ADHD Awareness Canada. Throughout her career she has focused on working with individuals with ADHD and Learning Disabilities, and regularly provides coaching, education, and mentorship for educators, caregivers, employers, and specialists around these two neurodevelopmental disabilities. With a unique ability to combine her real-world experiences with professional practice, Tanya approaches her work from a place of empathy, insight, and expertise in order to set everyone up for success.

Jen Goeres

ARPA HIGH FIVE® Coordinator

Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA)/

HIGH FIVE®

https://arpaonline.ca/program/high-five/

Instagram: @highfive_canada, @arpa.cop

Jen has been involved in sport and recreation for nearly 30 years, working and volunteering for not-for-profit and community groups and several municipal, provincial, and national organizations. Jen is a HIGH FIVE® Master Trainer and has facilitated over 1800 hours of HIGH FIVE® content across Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. She was also a content writer and developer for HIGH FIVE® Principles of Healthy Child Development, HIGH FIVE® Sport, HIGH FIVE® Girls In Sport, HIGH FIVE® Strengthening Children’s Mental Health and HIGH FIVE® Indigenous Games for Children, as well as academic support for HIGH FIVE® Principles of Healthy Aging. Currently, she works as the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA) HIGH FIVE® Coordinator and the Calgary Adapted Hub powered by Jumpstart Program and Community Engagement Coordinator, working with community partners to connect children and families living with disabilities with quality sport and recreation opportunities. Jen graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Kinesiology (Adapted and Therapeutic Physical Activity) and a Bachelor of Education (Secondary Physical Education). Her love of teaching has allowed her to share her passion for learning with students in the Calgary Catholic School Board and as a Faculty Member of St. Mary University (Calgary).

Christopher Smith

Associate Executive Director with Muttart Foundation    

Christopher is the Associate Executive Director for the Muttart Foundation, a private charitable foundation based in Edmonton. He has lead responsibility for the Foundation’s work in the area of early learning and child care.

Christopher serves on the Steering Committee for the Community University Partnership for the Study of Children, Youth, and Families at the University of Alberta and is a member of the Edmonton Council for Early Learning and Care. He was appointed to the newly formed National Advisory Council on Early Learning and Child Care in Fall, 2022. Christopher formerly served as a member of the National Expert Panel on Early Learning and Child Care Data and Research from 2019 to 2021 and is the former chair of the Success by 6 Council of Partners for the Alberta Capital Region.