Start up 2026

Teacher Talks September 1-3, grants, resources, early bird registration

The myPITA School Start Up 2026 e-newsletter contains: Start Up Your Class Teacher Talks 9:30-10:30 AM on September 1-3 StartUP! Your Class: The First Week of School resources Join the myPITA Teacher Inquiry Program (TIP) Help! We need Fall Conference volunteers Fall Conference Early-bird Registration Until Noon on September 30 myPITA Continuing Education Grant Soap Study: A Slippery Situation – AmyPITA members-only resource Join the myPITA Executive Teacher jokes, fun facts and teaching resources for school start-up: What did one pencil say to the other on the first day of school? Looking sharp! Sahil comes home from his first day of school, and his mother asks, “What did you learn today?” “Not enough,” Sahil replies. “They said I have to go back tomorrow.” September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. As you build your classroom culture, consider including social-emotional learning and reconciliation by using age-appropriate literature to create a safe, supportive environment. Check out myPITA’s curated list of Indigenous Learning resources, which includes activities, lesson plans, audio and video recordings, and information on facilitating thoughtful discussions and integrating First Peoples’ Principles of Learning (FPPL).   Start Up Your Class Teacher Talks  9:30-10:30 AM on September 1-3 Each session features lightning talks by experienced teachers, followed by time for questions, discussion, and sharing ideas. Bring your questions and leave with practical advice, strategies, and resources. September 1 Classroom management and community building September 2 Assessment and planning for cross-curricular, inquiry-based units September 3 Scope and sequence, subject-specific questions To receive the Zoom meeting link join the myPITA e-newsletter mailing list and confirm your sign-up. Also check out, StartUP! Your Class:  The First Week of School resources Don’t be nervous about your first day of school because myPITA Past-President Ray Myrtle has you covered with videos and resources from his StartUP! Your Class workshop will help you with fundamental skills and a plan to start the school year on the right foot.  Join the myPITA Teacher Inquiry Program  Collaborate with educators from across BC to investigate and develop BC Curriculum-aligned scope-and-sequence examples for intermediate and middle-years classrooms. We will explore how pedagogical beliefs, instructional planning, assessment, and classroom practice connect. Apply by 9 am on September 29, apply to join myPITA’s online teacher inquiry program.  Help! We need somebody! Specifically you to volunteer at the Fall Conference. Fall Conference Hybrid Hosts Needed Volunteering to be a hybrid host is an easy job for a teacher and comes with benefits like complimentary registration or a gift card! myPITA is seeking hybrid hosts for Hannah Beach, Andrew Buckley, or Graeme Mitchell’s sessions. Hybrid hosts introduce the presenter, monitor the online chat, and facilitate the in-person and online questions. Attending a brief online training session is required. Contact Kristina at [email protected] to volunteer or for more information.  More Fall Conference Volunteer Opportunities Many hands make light work are required to deliver the Fall Conference. In-person and online volunteer opportunities are available. Volunteer as a workshop Zoom host (monitor the chat and manage breakout rooms), help with set-up, clean-up, registration check-in, tech checks or support, and more! Find one that fits your schedule and fills your heart without any long-term commitment. Contact Kristina at [email protected] to volunteer or for more information.  Fall Conference Early-bird Registration Until Noon on September 30 Until noon on September 30, early-bird registrants receive discounted registration rates and benefits like prize draw entries, and the first 600 online conference registrants will receive a mailed package of goodies. All in-person registrants will receive a goody bag. Register at mypita.ca for the 2026 myPITA Fall Conference on Friday, October 23, in person at SFU Harbour Centre in downtown Vancouver (just steps from Waterfront Station, the Hullo Ferry, and Harbour Air terminals) and online — plus hands-on workshops on Saturday, October 24! Featuring over 45 in-person and 70 online workshops for Grade 4–9 teachers, including: Hannah Beach – SEL and Resilience Carole Fullerton – Math  Andrew Buckley – Writing  Graeme Mitchell – Humanities  Plus other great teacher-presenters. Register now for the best selection of workshops! Thank you to Simon Fraser University, Faculty of Education, for sponsoring the 2026 myPITA Fall Conference. myPITA Continuing Education Grant myPITA is helping myPITA members improve their skills and increase their capacity as teachers by offering $500 Continuing Education grants. You must be a myPITA member and a BCTF member to qualify. Fall 2026 grant applications are due by 9 AM on November 12, 2026. Members-only teaching resource: Soap Study: A Slippery Situation  This month’s exclusive myPITA membership resource is Brian Herrin’s awesome Science lesson, Soap Study: A Slippery Situation, which teaches students about how soap works. Plus, teaching proper, regular handwashing helps reduce illness transmission in the classroom. If you are a current member, contact Kristina at [email protected] for the password.  Join the myPITA Executive What’s the commitment? Monthly, myPITA Exec members attend interactive 1.5–2 hour online meetings and spend a few hours a month planning the Fall conference by writing social media or activity book content; recruiting, scheduling, and training volunteers; setting up and managing the conference platform; creating activities for attendees; and more. What passions and skills could you contribute? Contact Kristina at [email protected] to learn how you can become involved. What's in it for you? Collaborating with some amazing teachers from across the province to provide exceptional Pro D. Plus, we are a fun group to work with. The myPITA Executive Members The Provincial Intermediate and Middle Years Teachers’ Association (myPITA) is a Provincial Specialist Association of the BC Teachers Federation. The myPITA executives are teachers who volunteer their time to advocate for teachers and develop excellent professional development opportunities and teaching resources for intermediate and middle school teachers across BC. Follow myPITA on Bluesky Kristina Preston, President [email protected] mypita.ca Stay Connected   myPITA is a Provincial Specialist Association (PSA) of the British Columbia Teachers' Federation (BCTF)

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