WA-ACTE 2026 Summer Conference

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10:00am PDT

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

Welcome & “Who We Are” Overview
We’ll kick off with a warm welcome from WA ACTE leadership and provide a brief introduction to the organization’s mission, purpose, and role in supporting CTE educators. You’ll learn how WA ACTE advocates for high‑quality Career and Technical Education and promotes professional development statewide.
Meet the Sections
Each WA ACTE section will introduce itself and share what makes their group unique. Sections may include areas such as Agricultural Education, Business & Marketing, FCS, Health Sciences, STEM, Skilled & Technical Sciences, Counseling & Career Development, and more.
You’ll gain insight into:

The focus of each section
Opportunities to connect with colleagues in your specialty
Events, resources, and leadership pathways within each section

How to Use the WA ACTE App
A brief guided walkthrough will show you how to navigate the conference or membership app. We’ll highlight how to:

Access schedules and session details
Connect with other members
Receive updates and announcements
Customize your conference experience

Agenda Review & What Comes Next
We’ll wrap up with a quick review of the conference or meeting agenda so you know what to expect throughout the rest of your time with WA ACTE. This includes key sessions, networking opportunities, and must‑see events.
Participants will also have time for questions and informal conversation with WA ACTE leaders and peers.

Speakers

Jodi Jacobs

CTE Program Facilitator, Everett Public School

Jodi Jacobs, CTE Program Facilitator at Everett Public Schools, offers 20+ years' expertise spanning Business, Marketing, IT, and Family Sciences. Engaged with WAME and WA-ACTE, she champions CTE development. Armed with BS degrees in Administrative Management and Business Education... Read More →

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

WA-ACTE Sessions

11:00am PDT

Burnout Is Not a Badge of Honor: Protecting Decision Quality and Ethical Practice in Professional Settings

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

Cedar Ballroom

High-performing professionals often maintain output while their decision quality quietly declines. This session introduces the REST Framework, a structured approach to recognize early stress signals, maintain clarity under pressure, and support sound, ethical decision-making. Participants will learn practical methods to reduce cognitive overload, strengthen focus, and apply consistent decision strategies that improve outcomes in their organizations, classrooms, and communities.

Speakers

Dr. Renee Sunday

Physician, Founder and Workplace Performance Consultant, DRS Global

Dr. Renee Sunday, M.D., is a board-certified anesthesiologist with over 26 years of experience practicing in high-stakes clinical environments where precision, decision-making, and regulatory compliance are essential. She is also a Certified AI Consultant and Certified Behavioral... Read More →

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

Multiple Sections, Leadership

1:00pm PDT

CTE Bootcamp: A Crash Course for the New-to-CTE Family

Sunday August 2, 2026 1:00pm - 3:45pm PDT

Cedar Ballroom

New to Career Technical Education? This is your jumpstart. In just three hours, we'll cover the essentials you need to hit the ground running — no prior CTE experience required, just a hopeful attitude and the tenacity to dive into a lot of new acronyms.

We'll walk through the course approval process, how to build strong relationships with Advisory committees, and practical ways to connect with industry partners. You'll learn the ins and outs of Work-Based Learning, including the often-confused difference between Work-Based Learning and Cooperative Worksite Learning. We'll also introduce you to Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) and finally demystify those mysterious V-Codes, CIP codes and IRCs that seem to follow you everywhere in CTE

To round things out, you'll leave with practical, CTE-specific tools to support strong teaching practices and classroom management — because great instruction is just as important as understanding the processes.

Speakers

Megan Benzing

CTE Program Supervisor, OSPI

Megan Benzing is a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program Supervisor at the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), leading statewide efforts in construction, manufacturing, supply chain, and transportation pathways. She began her career in the classroom... Read More →

Krista Fox

Director of CTE, OSPI

Krista Fox, Ed.D. serves as Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) at OSPI, leading statewide efforts to strengthen CTE programs, career-connected learning, and student opportunities across Washington.

Kari Morgan

Associate Director of CTE

Kari Morgan is the Associate Director of Career Technical Education and has been in K-12 education for over 14 years. Kari has served as a skills center registrar, a CTE Business and Marketing teacher, and a district CTE Director. Prior to her career in education, she worked in the... Read More →

Courtney Peart

CTE Program Supervisor, OSPI

Courtney Peart is the Education, Health, Human and Public Services CTE Program Supervisor at the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), where she leads statewide efforts to strengthen career-connected learning and improve student outcomes. She brings expertise... Read More →

Tracy Powell

CTE Program Supervisor, OSPI/CTE

To be submitted later.

Holli Ryan-Kalaleh

Program Supervisor, Career Technical Education, Washington OSPI

Holli Kalaleh serves as a Program Supervisor at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). In partnership with Washington educators, CTSOs, and industry experts, her work focuses on transformative processes and programs that encourage innovation in career skills... Read More →

Sunday August 2, 2026 1:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Cedar Ballroom

Multiple Sections