Every child deserves a classroom where educators support their learning, growth, and success with intention and care. On December 8 and 9, first-year students in St. Mary’s Bachelor of Education program took part in the inaugural Woitas Week (WoW Week), centred on the theme Being. Knowing. Doing. The Woitas Centre for Inclusive Education, led by Executive Director Trisa Soroski, launched this new initiative to provide professional development, share effective strategies, and encourage reflection after students’ first practicum placements.
WoW Week offered large-group sessions and focused workshops that introduced future teachers to practical tools for working with students from elementary through grade 12. Presenters from Christ the Redeemer (CTR), the Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD), and the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) led sessions on topics such as building wellness frameworks to support mental health, using multidisciplinary therapy approaches to respond to neurodiversity, and navigating best practices for teaching in an era of rapid advancements in artificial intelligence.
Alberta classrooms continue to grow in complexity, and students rely on thoughtful support to reach their learning goals. Soroski notes how WoW Week strengthens that foundation. “WoW Week bridges the gap between theory and classroom practice by connecting our pre-service teachers with in-service experts such as teachers, therapists, specialists, and administrators. Through hands-on, practical sessions, our students gain the tools they need for success in upcoming practicums and throughout their careers.”
