POPCON 2025—the BC Provincial Outreach Program Conference, once again showcased the power of shared learning and collective expertise. Held on October 24th as part of BC’s province-wide professional learning day, the event brought together more than 2,250 educators from across British Columbia. Hosted by the Ministry of Education and Child Care’s Provincial Outreach Programs (POPs), the conference built on last year’s successful launch and delivered a full day of practical, inclusive, and research-informed sessions designed to support diverse learners.
For FASD Instructional Coaches and educators in Alberta, POPCON offers a rich opportunity to extend professional learning beyond provincial borders. Many of the topics explored this year mirror the brain-based, strengths-focused, and relationship-centered practices that are central to supporting students with FASD. The conference content aligns closely with the coaching approaches used in WRaP 2.0 and offers concrete tools that educators can bring directly into classrooms across Alberta.
The day opened with keynote speaker Dr. Shelby Pollitt, whose session Literacy for All emphasized the importance of accessible and equitable literacy instruction for every student, including those with complex learning profiles. Her message, that literacy is both a right and a foundation for future opportunity, resonates strongly with the work Alberta educators are doing to support students with uneven skill development, language processing challenges, or difficulties with comprehension.
Throughout the conference, attendees explored more than 28 sessions led by nine POPs, covering everything from behaviour supports to writing instruction, language comprehension, and real-world classroom challenges. These sessions offer Alberta educators practical strategies that complement brain-based instructional practices, especially in areas such as executive functioning, self-regulation, working memory, and cognitive load. For FASD coaches supporting teachers across the province, the recordings provide helpful frameworks, examples, and scaffolds that reinforce meaningful, inclusive pedagogy.
Several highlighted POPCON sessions hold particular value for educators working with students with FASD. Using Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) breaks down writing into clear, manageable steps and offers an evidence-based approach to support students who struggle with organization, planning, and regulation. Supporting Language Comprehension for Students with Complex Needs provides a thoughtful look at the components of comprehension, essential for students who may decode well but find it hard to make sense of text. Sessions such as Word by Word: Building a Literate Future Together and Supporting School Transitions for Students with Brain-Based Differences offer tangible approaches that align with Alberta’s commitment to inclusive, strengths-based education.
These resources not only deepen understanding but also expand the coaching toolbox, giving educators across Alberta new pathways to support learning, engagement, and wellbeing for students with FASD.
View the videos here: www.popcon.ca