myPITA 2026 Spring Conference

Join us at the 2026 Provincial Intermediate and Middle Years Teachers Association (myPITA) Spring Teachers Conference on April 17, 2026, in Whistler, presented in partnership with the British Columbia Art Teachers Association - BCATA and the BC Teacher-Librarians’ Association - BCTLA.

This year's conference will feature:

Leyton Schnellert

• Engaging All Learners in the Middle Years
• Project-Based Learning: Integrating Curriculum and Competency Development

Hands-on Art Workshops

• Art History in Cats: A Hands-On Painting Experience
• The Monsters in My Head – Exploring Imagination Through Sculpture and Mixed Media

English Language Arts and Inclusion Workshops

• Board Games in the Classroom to Build Community and Support Learning
• Every Student Seen: Centering Diversity in Your Book Selections
• Engaging Young Creators with Audiobooks, Radio Ads, Podcasts, and More!
• Visual Literacy Through Graphic Novels

Info: In this interactive and practical workshop, Dr. Leyton Schnellert will explore inclusive, strength-based strategies to engage all learners in the middle years. Grounded in current research and classroom practice, the session will focus on responsive teaching that supports diverse learning needs, interests, and identities. Participants will examine how to design learning experiences that foster Grade 4–9 student belonging, voice, and agency, with a focus on co-constructing learning, promoting collaboration, and using assessment to guide and inspire growth. Educators will leave with adaptable strategies and renewed confidence to cultivate classrooms where every learner can thrive.

Info: Discover a purr-fectly creative way to teach art history in this hands-on, experiential workshop inspired by Art History in 21 Cats. Participants will explore key art movements and the historical events that shaped them through the whimsical lens of feline muses. You’ll engage in a process-based painting activity that encourages student voice, creativity, and self-expression while learning how to adapt the project for diverse learning needs, including strategies that support neurodivergent students.


This workshop blends art-making with historical inquiry, offering rich cross-curricular links to social studies, language arts, and SEL. Whether you’re new to teaching art or looking to refresh your approach, you’ll leave with adaptable lesson ideas, a better understanding of the evolution of art styles, and a finished example of a cat-inspired masterpiece ready to inspire your students. No artistic experience required—just a love of cats and creativity!

Info: Join Teacher-Librarian and former Grade 7 teacher Nicole Hurtubise for an inspiring workshop that reveals how a simple equity audit of her picture book collection uncovered deep gaps in representation of race, gender identity, ability, socioeconomic status, and more.

Discover how this reflective process can transform your classroom, book room, or library into a space where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered. Nicole will share practical strategies for evaluating your collection and offer a wealth of diverse picture book and novel recommendations that align with the intermediate curriculum and core competencies. Information about the new Ministry Policy on Classroom Learning Resources will also be shared. Walk away with ideas and tools to build a truly inclusive and engaging library.

Info: Students are obsessed with graphic novels, so let’s use them to teach visual literacy. Explore a variety of graphic novels and graphic novel genres, and how to teach students to examine images and text in graphic narratives. We will uncover how to use graphic novels in literature circles and other projects. By the end of the session, you will be excited to bring more graphic novels into your classroom and curriculum.

Info: Join Dr. Leyton Schnellert for a hands-on workshop that delves into the power of project-based learning (PBL) as a dynamic approach to integrating curriculum while fostering deep competency development. Participants will explore how to design and facilitate authentic, student-driven projects that connect to real-world issues, spark curiosity, and build core and curricular competencies. Through practical examples and collaborative planning, educators will learn how to structure inquiry, guide student voice and choice, and assess both content understanding and skill development. This session will equip teachers with the tools to create meaningful, interdisciplinary learning experiences that inspire engagement and empower learners.

Info: Pull up a chair and discover how board games can foster inclusion, cooperation, and healthy competition. Learn how to select accessible games, create a supportive setup, and use play to build community, support social-emotional learning, and spark joy in learners of all abilities.

Info: Learn how to use free, cloud-based school-friendly audio-editing apps to help students turn stories or poetry into audiobooks, research-based pieces or number talks into podcast episodes, persuasive writing assignments or Science lab results into radio PSAs, and more. Through hands-on experience, attendees will learn the ins and outs of recording and editing audio projects and be ready to try it in their classroom.

Info: In this creative workshop inspired by Otani Workshop’s Monsters in My Head, participants will explore personal emotions and imagination through art. The session begins with a brief introduction to sculpture and painting lessons, followed by guided sketching to design a symbolic “monster.” Using air-dry clay (or wet clay) and optional natural materials, participants will then sculpt a small three-dimensional creature that represents a feeling, memory, or dream. This hands-on experience encourages self-expression, emotional reflection, and playful creativity in a supportive environment.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa, 4050 Whistler Way, Whistler, Canada

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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