This engaging, full-day training offers an opportunity to explore the newly revised PALS curriculum and resources – refreshed, pilot-tested, and ready to inspire meaningful learning with families across British Columbia. Designed to support PALS, ABPALS, and IPALS programming, the training provides a practical and reflective look at program structure, key themes, and updated materials that strengthen inclusive family literacy initiatives.

The training is designed to meet the needs of both new and experienced facilitators and will include:

• Hands-on, play-based learning activities
• Strategies for working with adult participants, newcomer families, and Indigenous communities
• Exploration of child development philosophies
• Guidance on cultural sensitivity and inclusive practice
• Embedding Indigenous ways of knowing and being

Participants will receive a certificate upon completion. Whether you’re new to PALS or an experienced facilitator, this is a great opportunity to explore the updated materials, gain new insights, and connect with others supporting family literacy across BC.

Presenter bios

Fiona Morrison co-developed the PALS program with Dr Jim Anderson, University of British Columbia in 1999 in the Langley School District. Fiona has more than 40 years of experience as an educator in a variety of roles. She has been a classroom teacher, curriculum coordinator, faculty associate and university instructor. She retired as Director of Family Literacy and Early Learning at Decoda Literacy Solutions in 2012. Fiona continues to be passionate about working with families and supporting young children’s literacy learning.

Gail Stromquist is a member of the Spuzzum First Nation nestled in the ancestral lands of the Nlaka’pamux. She is the Assistant Director for Aboriginal Education at the BC Teachers’ Federation. Before working at the BCTF, Gail taught for 20 years in the Langley School District. During that time, she facilitated many Aboriginal PALS programs, and she continues to collaborate to provide support to the PALS program. Her passion is educating hearts and minds, confronting Canada’s genocidal history while engaging with expressive art forms as a valuable path to healing.

Aliza Dhungana has led and supported the delivery of the PALS program and brings over 20 years of experience in program development, adult and family literacy, early learning, gender equality, and community development. She has worked with UNESCO and a range of national and international development agencies. Aliza brings a passion for joyful learning and supporting families as their children’s first teachers.

Zahra Esmail is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Vantage Point, a non-profit organization that strengthens and supports other non-profits in British Columbia. Zahra has worked in the non-profit sector for over 20 years with experience in international development, housing and homelessness, community development, microfinance, governance, and fundraising.

Zahra is an active volunteer in the community. She is Co-Chair of the Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society Board of Directors and is Chair of the Board Governance Committee of Cuso International. Zahra is also Chair of BC’s Poverty Reduction Advisory Committee, an independent committee that advises government on policy developments related to poverty reduction and prevention. She was appointed to the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s Board of Governors in July 2025.

Zahra was recognized as one of Business in Vancouver’s Forty Under 40 in 2019, was nominated for a YWCA Women of Distinction Award in 2022 and received a King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025.

Zahra gratefully resides on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples with her husband and school-age daughter.

Alexandra Samuel is a technologist and journalist who covers AI and the future of work. Host of the Me & Viv podcast and a regular contributor to The Wall Street Journal and Harvard Business Review, she explores how we can harness AI while holding onto our humanity. Alexandra is the co-author of Remote, Inc, and the author of Work Smarter with Social Media. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Harvard University.

The conference will take place at the Radisson Hotel Vancouver Airport in Richmond, BC.

Accommodation details

• room rate – $225 CAD plus tax (valid until March 14, 2026)
• one-bedroom suites – $40 additional per room 
• additional per person per day for triple or quad occupancy – $15 additional 

Guestroom amenities

• complimentary parking for all overnight guests and attendees  
• complimentary dedicated hard wired internet in all meeting rooms
• complimentary wireless internet in meeting rooms and public areas 
• complimentary hotel owned and operated dedicated airport shuttle to and from Vancouver International Airport 
• complimentary use of the fitness centre and indoor pool
• in-room amenities available include:
  • complimentary wireless high-speed internet access, in-room coffee maker, in-room security safe and iron and ironing board
  • most of the guestrooms feature a mini-fridge 

Book your room at the discounted rate online today!

Book Now

or:

• Call the hotel directly at (236) 305-5339, or e-mail at reservations@radissonvancouver.com.
• To ensure you receive the special rate, you must identify yourself as a participant attending the Decoda Literacy Solutions conference.
• Reservations must be made no later than March 14, 2026. After this date, any rooms not reserved will be released for general sale, and any reservations for this function will be made based on availability and at the best available rate.

Complimentary parking for attendees is available in the following locations: 

• Parking lot at the front of the hotel.
• Level 5 (Blue Zone only) in the President Plaza Parkade. Please DO NOT park in the Red Zone on Level 5.
• Level 2 and 3 in the President Plaza Parkade.

(Please also note there is no Level 4) 

In particular, please DO NOT Park at the Yaohan Shopping Centre at any time.  Vehicles will be towed at owner’s expense. 

Cancellations must be received in writing 30 days before the event to receive a refund less 10 percent.

Cancellations received less than 30 days before the event will receive a refund of 50 percent of the registration fees paid.

We try our best to accommodate refund requests. Email info@decoda.ca for refunds.

No, at this time we are unable to offer single-day tickets. You must purchase a ticket for both days, however, you may attend only one day if you wish.

Eventbrite no longer emails your ticket details with the session selections.

Instead:

1. Log into your Eventbrite account.
2. Under your name at the top right of the screen, click on Tickets.
3. Full ticket details are available there, including your session selections.

Yes.

1. Log into your Eventbrite account
2. Go to Tickets
3. Select your order
4. Click Edit
5. Save your changes

You may only change your selection to sessions with availability. You cannot join a full session. Please make changes prior to the closing date (March 27).

No.

Session capacity limits are placed by the hotel for fire safety and seating limitations, as well as by the presenter. Please respect the presenters and the safety of others by not attending a full session.