WA-ACTE 2026 Summer Conference

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1:00pm PDT

Robotics! Mechatronics!

Monday August 3, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Meeting Room # 5

TBD

Speakers

Faith Taylor

Educational Consultant, Southern Educational Consulting and Training

Faith Taylor is an educational consultant at Southern Educational Consulting and Training. At Southern Educational Consulting & Training, our focus is on providing access to world-class educational technology in the areas of automated manufacturing, industrial maintenance, engineering... Read More →

Monday August 3, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Meeting Room # 5

WITEA

1:00pm PDT

Too Hot for Silos: Turning Up the Heat on STEM Integration

Monday August 3, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Birch Ballroom

Review the basics of developing a successful course framework, then explore ways to integrate STEM content into your CTE courses. Silos are out; and integrated learning is heating up. This session explores how districts and educators can move beyond isolated STEM instruction to build cohesive, cross-disciplinary frameworks that reflect real-world problem solving. Participants will dig into practical strategies for embedding STEM across content areas, aligning with standards, and creating authentic, engaging learning experiences for students. Bring a current course, program, or district framework and use guided work time to identify integration opportunities and begin mapping out next steps. Walk away with practical tools, real examples, and a renewed urgency to break down barriers and turn up the heat on meaningful STEM integration.

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 →

Monday August 3, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Birch Ballroom

WITEA

2:00pm PDT

Work Shop Maintenance & Safety Training

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

Meeting Room # 1

Power Tool Repair Services is a factory-authorized provider of industrial power tool repair, preventative maintenance, CTE shop assessments, and shop renovation services for schools across Washington State.

PTRS helps Career and Technical Education programs maintain safe, functional, instruction-ready shop environments through onsite repairs, safety assessments, equipment maintenance, STEM tool support, dust collection improvements, workflow upgrades, and custom shop renovations aligned with Washington safety and compliance standards.

• Overview of PTRS Mobile Services
• Review of Tool Maintenance & Repair
• Importance of Safety & Code Compliance
• Shop Cleanliness and Organization
• Monthly Inspection Form, Proactive Shop Awareness
• PTRS Annual Service & CTE Assessments

Speakers

Morgan J Richards

Journeyman Millwright, Power Tool Repair Services

Power Tool Repair Services is a factory-authorized service provider specializing in industrial power tool repair, preventative maintenance, CTE shop assessments, and shop renovation services. Serving schools across Washington State, PTRS helps Career and Technical Education programs maintain safe, functional... Read More →

Monday August 3, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Meeting Room # 1

WITEA

4:00pm PDT

Industry 4.0 Credentials for Engineering, Manufacturing, Automation, & Robotics

Monday August 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT

Meeting Room # 3

From the first industrial revolution to today's Industry 4.0, manufacturing has transformed, and our CTE programs must evolve to keep pace. Drawing on ten years as an Advanced Manufacturing Instructor, I'll share real classroom experiences building and growing programs that prepare students for modern industry. Learn how I implemented nationally recognized industry credentials across engineering, manufacturing, automation, and robotics pathways, giving students workforce-ready skills employers demand. Whether you're launching or expanding a program, I'll provide practical guidance to bring these credentials into your own classroom.

Speakers

Alex Bechtler

K-12 Division Manager, Klein Educational Systems

Alex Bechtler is the Division Manager for K‑12 Programs at Klein Educational Systems and a recognized leader in advanced manufacturing and automation education. His work focuses on developing industry‑aligned training programs that prepare students for careers in modern automated... Read More →

Monday August 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT
Meeting Room # 3

WITEA

4:00pm PDT

Skate4Concrete Certification an Example of Implementation

Monday August 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT

Meeting Room #10

This presentation will review the Skate4Concrete Certification and share an example(s) of how it was implemented in the classroom within Washington Schools. Teachers will share their experience and provide insight on how best to utilize the program within the classroom. We will also cover the Statewide MiniConcrete Skatepark Competition for the 2026/27 School Year to be hosted by the Washington Aggregates and Concrete Association (WACA).

Speakers

Crystal Howard

Executive Director, Project Cornerstone

Crystal Howard is the Executive Director of Project Cornerstone and creator of the Skate4Concrete Certification. All Skate4Concrete programs are part of the Project Cornerstone education and workforce development umbrella. Ms. Howard has been in the concrete and construction materials... Read More →

Monday August 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT
Meeting Room #10 Second Floor Davenport Grand

WITEA