2025 ATA Substitute Teachers' Appreciation Week: Help Desk

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS’ APPRECIATION WEEK

If you’re a substitute teacher in Alberta, you can register for these FREE evening workshops! To register, click here. You will be prompted to create a SCHED account and then will be asked to fill-out a short registration form.

To attend a webinar, click on one of the offerings listed below to open its session details window, then click on the "Open Zoom" button. The Zoom button will become visible 10 minutes before the webinar start time. For information about accessing Zoom links and troubleshooting common tech issues, please refer to the Help Desk page.

If you’re a substitute teacher and you require support or advice about a work related issue, please call 1-800-232-7208 and ask to speak to Teacher Employment Services duty officer.

If you have any questions about these webinars, please email Dan Grassick, Executive Staff Officer, Professional Development.

1. BEFORE THE WEEK – UPDATE AND TEST ZOOM

Update your Zoom software to the newest version possible! Go to https://zoom.us/download2 and download the newest “Zoom Client for Meetings”.
Test your internet connection by using the self-serve Zoom testing tool: https://zoom.us/test. When in the Zoom room, you'll be alone. To test your speakers and microphone, select the arrow beside the "MUTE" button (microphone icon) and select "Test Speaker & Microphone". Follow the steps provided.
To join Zoom from a Chromebook, you have two choices:
1. When you click on a Zoom link, a browser window will open. Look for the “Having issues with Zoom Client? Join from Your Browser” link at the bottom of the browser window.
2. Go to the Google Play store download Zoom PWA (Progressive Web App)

2. BEFORE EACH WEBINAR – SIGN IN TO SCHED THROUGH A BROWSER

DO NOT use the Sched app that you find in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app version of Sched is very limited. Instead, go to https://2025atasubweek.sched.com/ using your smartphone, tablet or computer's browser.

3. HOW TO ATTEND WEBINARS

Go to https://2025atasubweek.sched.com/ and login.
Click on a webinar to open the session description window. Near the top of the window, under the session title you will see a button with a ▷ icon that says "Open Zoom" or "Open Videostream". Click on this button to open Zoom. These links will become visible 10 minutes before the session starts.

4. EXPERIENCING SLOW/UNSTABLE INTERNET?

Turn off your camera. Streaming two-way video takes a lot of bandwidth. If people start to freeze or sound like they’re under the sea, turn your camera off.
Shut down the competition. Where are your kids/partners/roommates? Are they gaming or streaming video? Is your Roomba vacuuming? Turn off as many WIFI-stealing devices as you can.
Move your modem. Try to position your modem so it is away from walls and is located centrally in your home. If you can’t move your modem, move yourself so you are located more closely to it.
Change networks. Many modern modems create both 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz networks. The 5.0 GHz network is usually faster, but the 2.4 GHz network has better range. Change which network you are connected to in your WIFI settings.
Connect via ethernet. Connect your device to one of the ethernet ports on the back of your modem using a blue or yellow cable. You may need an adaptor/dongle to connect to ethernet.