From Intergenerational Trauma to Strength: Culturally Responsive, Community-Centred Practices for Supporting Indigenous Student Wellness
DR. JOLEE SASKAMOOSE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 (9:00–12:00) AND THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13 (9:00–12:00)
This workshop helps school psychologists support Indigenous student wellness through culturally responsive, trauma-informed practice. Learn about the impacts of colonization, apply the Cultural Responsiveness Framework, and use strategies like land-based learning and ceremony to build culturally safe, healing-centred schools that foster belonging, resilience, and holistic well-being.
First Nations Communities Reclaiming Education: Do We Play a Role?
DR. MELANIE NELSON
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 (9:00–12:00) AND THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13 (1:00–4:00)
This session explores how First Nations communities in BC are reclaiming jurisdiction over K–12 education and redefining learning for their students. Attendees will gain an overview of federal and provincial structures, community perspectives on inclusive education, and key considerations for supporting diverse learners while navigating between Western and Indigenous education systems.
Smart Tools, Complex Ethics: AI and School Psychology
DR. MITCH COLP
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 (9:00–12:00)
This interactive session explores the ethical challenges of using AI in school psychology, from referral to intervention. Through case studies and discussion, participants will examine informed consent, data security, bias, and professional judgment in tech-assisted practice, leaving with practical strategies to evaluate tools ethically and maintain human-centered, equitable decision-making.
Biases in our Practice: From Assessment Tools to Administration and Reporting
DR. JOLEE SASAKAMOOSE, DR. MITCH COLP, DR. MELANIE NELSON, DR. SIMON LISAINGO, AND DR. CONNOR LEE GALLIK
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 (1:00–4:00)
This panel explores how bias can influence every stage of assessment and reporting. Featuring Drs. Sasakamoose, Colp, Nelson, Lisaingo, and Gallik, the session uses guiding questions and audience input to examine challenges in working with Indigenous students, trauma histories, and complex cases—creating a collaborative space to reflect, question, and seek more equitable practice.
Guiding Light, an FASD Journey
MYLES HIMMELREICH
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13 (9:00–12:00 AND 1:00–4:00)
Myles shares his personal journey from childhood to adulthood, offering insight into living with a misunderstood, highly stigmatized disability. Through his story, attendees will see how strength and perseverance shaped his self-development and led to his success.
Beyond IQ: Seeing the Whole Child
DR. JACQUELINE PEI
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13 (9:00–12:00 AND 1:00–4:00)
Supporting neurodiverse children and youth, including those with FASD, means looking beyond IQ scores to see the whole child. This session explores practical ways to understand cognitive needs—attention, memory, processing speed, and executive functioning—and create interventions that promote well-being. Attendees will gain strategies to reframe their approach and drive positive change in the lives of neurodiverse learners.
Empowering Assessments and Supports for Students with Intellectual Disabilities and Their Families
DR. GABRIELLE WILCOX
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 (9:00–12:00 AND 1:00–4:00)
This session explores strategies to identify and address bias in psycho-educational assessment using the Collaborative Adaptive Student-Centered (CASC) Framework. Through a case study, participants will learn to enhance professional judgment, write clear, accessible reports, and create evidence-informed intervention plans across academic, adaptive, and transition domains to support meaningful student outcomes.
Tips and Traps: Getting Started with Supervision in Schools for Licensed School Psychologists
DR. LAURIE FORD AND DR. JEN THEULE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 (9:00–12:00 AND 1:00–4:00)
Designed for master’s-level school psychologists, this session covers the foundations of supervising practicum students in schools. Participants will gain practical tips on supervision agreements, plans, evaluations, feedback, and navigating challenging situations. The session combines training, discussion, and hands-on exercises to strengthen supervision skills and confidence.
Protecting the Public II: An Interactive Discussion for LSchPsychs and LPsychs
DR. TED WORMELI
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 (9:00–12:00 AND 1:00–4:00)
This session reviews key legislation, bylaws, and professional standards guiding Licensed School Psychologists in BC. Participants will explore intersections across regulatory bodies, learn proactive and reactive approaches for ethical practice, and review CHCPBC Standards of Practice and the Canadian Code of Ethics—gaining practical tools for resolving conflicts and protecting the public.
