CALP Connections: February 2026
Literacy & Learning Symposium 2026, Call for CLN Board Applications, Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities, NEW PD Success Pathway, Call for Outstanding Contribution Award nominations, and more...
A Message from Nicole Levesque,
CLN Board Director
CLN Board Director
For those of you who I have not had the pleasure of meeting or working with yet, my name is Nicole Levesque and I am one of the newest CLN Board members. I joined in the fall of 2025 as a Director and a “newbie” to the experience.
For this newsletter I was asked to reflect on becoming a new board member with CLN. Fabulous! It’s something I know a lot about. I wanted to keep building on the food theme that was started in most recent CALP Connections Newsletters and that naturally made me think of ramen!
I realize I might need a bit of a back story here...
Travelling to Japan has always been on my “bucket list” and my husband and I decided to take the leap and travel there this February. There are many things we are looking forward to enjoying while there. Skiing in Hokkaido, experiencing onsens, visiting shrines and temples, taking a high speed train and of course eating the food! I might be most excited about this part...
There is a lot to learn though when preparing to travel to Japan and especially when planning to go to local restaurants to order a favourite meal when you don’t know the language and the customs. With the preparations I’ve been doing for the trip, I clearly see how it can be a similar process to becoming a new board member.
Let me explain...
Navigating New Experiences
I imagine myself standing in a cozy ramen shop, surrounded by locals, with the menu filled with unfamiliar characters. My Japanese will be minimal, but the idea of ordering a bowl of steaming ramen leads me to a new learning journey. It all feels a little overwhelming at first but I prepare by looking at maps, restaurant recommendations, learn some simple phrases and let my excitement lead the way! I’ve been told that locals are very welcoming, especially when they know you are learning and trying your best to follow their customs.
This feels similar to my experience of joining the CLN Board. I was excited to join but nervous about the learning curve. Yet, the experience has been great! Current members have been very welcoming and understanding that I am learning a lot in a short amount of time. They have recognized that I want to be a part of this group and are encouraging me to contribute in a way that suits me best. They have provided me with an engaging orientation that chunked out information so it was not overwhelming but gave me the information I needed to begin in my new role.
Embracing the Challenge
Just like I might rely on gestures, context, and perhaps a friendly nod from the chef to place my ramen order in Japan, joining the board required me to engage with other members, decipher new jargon, and navigate the board's culture. So far this collaboration and learning process has enriched my understanding and given me confidence as a new board member. I have been given tools to help me succeed in my role much like Google maps, a language app and food reviews will help guide me towards a much coveted, authentic bowl of ramen! When you are willing and eager to try something new, you often find support and navigate a path forward!
A Flavorful Journey
Imagine me taking my first bite from a delicious ramen bowl in Tokyo. I’ll taste it as is, I won’t ask for sauce or make substitutions as I experience it. As I eat it I’ll be taking in the surroundings and appreciating what I am taking part in. Similarly, as a new board member with CLN, I was given space to listen, observe and ask questions before jumping in and trying to influence direction. Joining a new board allows you to blend your perspectives and talents with those of other passionate individuals. Together, you create a synergy that propels the organization toward its mission and I’m looking forward to this continued journey!
So, whether you're slurping up your first bowl of authentic ramen in a Tokyo noodle shop or stepping into your role as a new CLN board member, remember that both experiences are adventures filled with potential and promise.
Curious about joining the CLN board and embracing the flavors of new experiences and the impact you can make? Watch for upcoming opportunities to engage with us and ask questions. I look forward to being able to connect with you all at the next Literacy & Learning Symposium this Spring. I would be happy to discuss my journey so far with you as a new CLN board member, and of course share some of my Japan trip pictures with you too!
Literacy & Learning Symposium 2026 Update
Dates: Wednesday, April 29 to Thursday, April 30
Location: Wyndham Edmonton Hotel and Conference Centre in Edmonton, AB
Registration Fee: $150
Our Symposium 2025 Theme is: “Illuminate”
This year, we're all about making learning and learners visible in Community Adult Learning Programs, helping to clarify or explain resources and information that equip our system. Illuminate new ideas, make new information visible, shine a beam on connecting with others and leave with bright hope for the future of adult learning. It’s time to illuminate adult learning!
REGISTRATION OPENS
FEBRUARY 11th!
FEBRUARY 11th!
Join us in Edmonton for an exciting event, where Community Adult Learning Program (CALP) staff, volunteers, and stakeholders from across Alberta and beyond will come together for professional development, networking, and to connect with thought leaders and valuable resources in our field.
See how we’re bringing the Community Adult Learning Program’s system together to illuminate new ideas and gain new skills to strengthen the programs that change adult Albertan’s lives every day.
Symposium breakout sessions fill up quickly, as our event is designed to inspire and engage. Unsure of which sessions may be most relevant for you? Reach out to your Regional Support Staff for a conversation! Attending Symposium 2026 provides you opportunities to learn, connect, and contribute in a vibrant community committed to “illuminating” the world of adult literacy and foundational learning.
Excited to learn more? Mark your calendars and make sure to register next week.
Help us light up Symposium with Learners’ Voices!
We are excited to include learners’ voices once again at the 2026 Literacy and Learning Symposium! We would like to thank the many learners who participated in sharing their voices and experiences for last year’s event and look forward to hearing from new learners in 2026.
Do you know an adult Albertan* who:
- has learned foundational skills (literacy, numeracy, skills for learning, basic digital skills, English language learning)
- attended any foundational learning opportunity (tutoring, family literacy programs, learning activities or courses)
- is a past or present CALP participant
If you have interested learners or want to learn more, please contact Cheryl Lovstrom (central@calp.ca) or Emily Robinson Leclair (south@calp.ca). We can guide you through the process!
Symposium Questions?
Please contact Tanis Harms, Symposium Lead, at pdevents@calp.ca
Your CALP PD Success Pathway Starts Here
Professional development shouldn’t feel like guesswork. Wouldn’t it be great to have a personalized roadmap that shows exactly how to grow your skills and reach your goals?
That’s exactly why CLN launched CALP PD Success Pathways on February 2! These easy-to-use tools take the uncertainty out of professional learning by giving you customized recommendations for CALP training, self-paced learning options, and resources that truly fit your role.
Get started today! When you explore your CALP PD Success Pathway, you’ll get access to your own:
- Tailored PD recommendations to help you grow with confidence
- Personal PD tracker to capture and celebrate your learning progress
Learn More! Join Staff Picks: CALP PD Success Pathways on February 26 to learn how to make these tools work for you.
Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities
Training for Instruction
Bitesize Learning:
- Our Brain & Reading (Feb 3)
- Five Components of Reading (Feb 19)
- Authentic material for reading instruction (Mar 9)
- Language Experience Approach (Apr 7)
Assessing Reading using Readforward (Mar 3, 10, 17)
Trauma-Informed Practice in CALP (Mar 11, 18, 25)
Re-Storying Literacy with Dr. Trudy Cardinal (Mar 31, Apr 7)
Training for New CALP Staff
Introduction to Adult Foundational Learning
- May 14, 21, 28, June 4, 11 (morning)
LFL Sleuths: Investigating Adult Foundational Learning (Feb 25)
Training for CALP Management
Advocacy for Anyone (Feb 5)
Volunteer Tutor Masterclass (March 12, 19, 26)
CALP Database Learning Lab (May 12) (May 27) (June 17)
Take Time for Your Wellness
Wellness Lunch & Learn Series:
Join in the Conversations
CALP Community Talks About…
CLN Member Connect & Knowledge Exchange – Illuminating Sustainability (Feb 12)
What’s New in Adult Literacy: Sounds, symbols and reading (Mar 16)
Strategic Conversations Series:
- Showing compassion and leading with empathy (Feb 10)
- Our relationships with ourselves and others (Mar 23)
- Challenging systems and a desire for change (Apr 14)
- Celebrating success and bringing hope (May 13)
Professional Communities
North and West Connections Café (Feb 17)
East Connections Café (Feb 19) (Mar 17)
Central Connections Café (Feb 23) (Apr 16) (Jun 9)
South Connections Café (Feb 25) (Mar 31)
CLN Board of Directors:
Call for Applications
Call for Applications
The CLN Board is currently recruiting Community Adult Learning Program Staff and/or CALP Board Members to join our team! Submissions are due by June 30th.
We’re looking for individuals who will bring their passion and their skills to the CLN Board.
If you are interested in learning more, please see the CLN Board Member Position Description or email board@calp.ca
(Note: A Portal sign in is required to view the CLN Board Member Position Description)
Blog Backtrack:
Missed a post? We've got your back.
Missed a post? We've got your back.
Top 10 Reasons to Attend Symposium
https://calp.ca/blog/top-10-reasons-to-attend-symposium-2026-01-27
Turning Pages: Building Literacy for Life
https://calp.ca/blog/turning-pages-building-literacy-for-life-2026-01-20
"I See You": Building Trust
https://calp.ca/blog/i-see-you-2026-01-15
Small Steps to Big Dreams: A Family Literacy Celebration
https://calp.ca/blog/small-steps-to-big-dreams-a-family-literacy-celebration-2026-01-15
Newcomers and their Needs: Understanding Immigration, Policy Changes, and What it Means for CALPs
https://calp.ca/blog/newcomers-and-their-needs-understanding-immigration-policy-changes-and-what-it-means-for-calps-2026-01-09
Outstanding Contribution to Adult Learning Timeline
The CLN Board of Directors is pleased to announce we will be honouring the Outstanding Contribution to Adult Learning Award recipient at the Symposium on April 30, 2026. Begin thinking about who you want to nominate, as the deadline to submit nominations is March 20, 2026. You will want to look at the achievements of an individual or organization over the past year, between March 2025 – March 2026.
The nomination package is available now and can be accessed on the Portal. We will remind you over the coming months to submit your nomination prior to the March 20, 2026 deadline.
The CLN Board of Directors is looking forward to seeing all the great work being done in CALPs around the province.
Literacy in Action
This is a very exciting time for literacy in Canada! A special interest group has been working on a national literacy strategy.
It’s been almost 20 years since a group of key literacy groups across Canada worked on a national strategy. Now, a new initiative led by United for Literacy, ABC Life Literacy and Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation, is pushing for a strategy to address the gaps in literacy, numeracy, digital and other essential skills.
You can be part of this milestone initiative! Don’t miss out on learning more about the National Literacy Strategy.
Join the webinar on February 20, 2026, from 1:00 - 2:30 pm (MST)
This Month's Spotlight
Innovative Literacy Programs Across Canada Podcast
Exploring Canada's Literacy Landscape: Innovative Approaches is a 13-part series from Metro Toronto Movement for Literacy that travels across the country—province by province, territory by territory—to uncover creative and effective literacy programs that are making a real difference in people's lives.
Hosts Ambreen and Susan recently interviewed Monica Sczyrba-Davis, Executive Director, and Elder Lucille Provost, Community Outreach & Learning Coach, Pincher Creek Community Adult Learning Council Society.
This episode takes us to rural southern Alberta, in Pincher Creek, a community whose innovative approach to programming celebrates personal strengths and, at its heart, promotes connection with self. In this story, we highlight the incredible co-creation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, whose partnership embodies this spirit of intentional, human-centered work.
Listen to it on Spotify, Apple Podcast, or click the link:
Quote of the Day
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead