WA-ACTE 2026 Summer Conference

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10:00am PDT

Keeping It Simple Stupid: K.I.S.S. strategies for success in CTE programs.

Sunday August 2, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am PDT

With over 30 years in Career and Technical Education, this presenter brings real-world expertise in program management, classroom leadership, and lab/shop instruction. He has presented at the University of Idaho and Washington State University, and mentored dozens of new teachers. His approach emphasizes being Firm, Fair, and Consistent while maintaining a positive, student-centered environment. Participants will gain practical strategies for managing CTE programs, understanding funding and purchasing processes, coordinating CTSO travel, and working effectively with administrators. Focused on hands-on learning and proactive management, this session supports advocacy, leadership, and program supervision. His goal is simple: to share ideas, strategies, and insights that help educators build structured, supportive, and high-performing learning environments where both students and teachers can succeed.

Speakers

Steven Braun

Agricultural Education teacher, Liberty High School, Liberty School District Spangle WA

With more than 30 years in Career and Technical Education (CTE), this presenter brings a practical, field-tested perspective on program management, student engagement, and classroom leadership. He has extensive experience in classroom, laboratory, and shop settings, building structured... Read More →

Sunday August 2, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am PDT
Birch Ballroom

Multiple Sections

1:00pm PDT

Building Future-Ready STEM Pathways with Sphero

Sunday August 2, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Birch Ballroom

Discover how the Sphero ecosystem helps districts create engaging, scalable CTE pathways in the world of engineering, computer science, and robotics. In this interactive session, you'll get hands-on with Blueprint Engineering while exploring how Sphero makes these focus areas approachable for both educators and students. Learn how Sphero supports authentic, project-based learning and helps districts build a cohesive pathway that grows with learners from elementary through high school.

Speakers

Shane Yorton

Account Executive, Sphero

Shane Yorton is an Education Account Executive at Sphero, partnering with school districts across Colorado, Utah, and Washington to expand STEM, computer science, CTE, robotics, and engineering programs. He works with educators and district administrators to design innovative classroom... Read More →

Sunday August 2, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Birch Ballroom

Multiple Sections

2:00pm PDT

Dysregulation, Dissociation, and Discombobulation: Understanding Brain Science and Its Impact on Student Learning and Behavior

Sunday August 2, 2026 2:00pm - 3:45pm PDT

Birch Ballroom

Ever find yourself thinking, “Why would they choose that?” - especially when a student’s decision impacts safety, performance, or their own future? In CTE settings, behavior matters. Focus matters. Follow-through matters. And when students struggle with any of those, it can derail learning fast. This interactive and practical session explores what’s happening in the adolescent brain, particularly when students have experienced chronic stress or adversity. We’ll unpack how trauma impacts memory, emotional regulation, risk-taking, motivation, and readiness to learn - all through the lens of hands-on, skills-based classrooms. Because we’re not just teaching content, we’re preparing students for real-world environments. When we understand the brain, we can respond in ways that build skill, responsibility, and resilience.

Speakers

Keith Orchard LCSW

Mental Health Coordinator

Keith Orchard, LCSW — Author, Speaker, and Coach With decades of experience supporting the people and systems that care for our most vulnerable children, Keith Orchard brings insight, heart, and real-world solutions to every training, keynote, and coaching session. A Licensed Clinical... Read More →

Sunday August 2, 2026 2:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Birch Ballroom

Multiple Sections