WA-ACTE 2026 Summer Conference

arrow_back View All Dates

1:00pm PDT

Building Vision, Hope and Momentum with Future Pathway Alignment - Tips, tricks and tactics for driving student engagement with career pathways.

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

Meeting Room # 2

When thinking about their futures, students usually fall in one camp or the other. One is overly stressed out about making all the "right" decisions that lead to future success while the other is apathetic and questioning whether their efforts will even matter. The stress, anxiety and fear (either expressed or hidden) can be incredibly detrimental to their mental health.

Students need a better way to understand their unique skills and interests so they can align them to an industry and job type that leverages those traits. They need to embrace a growth mindset for the journey ahead and recognize that science supports a "Winding Path" on the way to job fulfillment.

We'll show you how employing the IDEAS Framework (Introspection/Design/Exploration/Adaptability/Service) gives students a way to take a deep breath, build a plan and connect the dots for their future to something more aligned with who they are and ultimately find more purpose, fulfillment and happiness along the way.

Speakers

Ryan Chun

Program Manager, Slingshot, Inc.

Ryan is an educator, innovator, and lifelong learner passionate about guiding individuals towards their purpose in life. With extensive experience in K-12 and higher education, he helps young adults navigate career decisions with confidence and authenticity. Ryan's passion for leadership... Read More →

Tyler Lafferty

Executive Director/Founder, Slingshot, Inc.

Tyler is the co-founder of three digital marketing agencies with clients including Amazon, AT&T, Nike, American Express and many others. For more than twenty-five years, he's also been following his own passion of helping students dream big and discover new career opportunities through... Read More →

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

Multiple Sections

2:00pm PDT

The value of advisory boards for educator preparation programs

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

Meeting Room # 2

All Washington preparation programs, including CTE teacher and administrator programs, are required to maintain a Professional Educator Advisory Board (PEAB) made up of practicing educators. These PEABs are critical - our CTE preparation programs rely on feedback from the field in order to provide quality preparation to prospective CTE educators. In this session, we will discuss the incredible value of PEABs, share some data on recent PEAB contributions, and provide information on how YOU can get involved in this work!

Speakers

KC Hoffman Mendez

Program manager for educator preparation, Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB)

Program manager at the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB). I work with educator preparation programs, including CTE plan 1, CTE plan 2, and CTE administrator programs, as they work to meet state standards and undergo program reviews.

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

Multiple Sections

3:00pm PDT

The New Career Bridge: 7,000 Pathways, One Tool for Your Classroom

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

Meeting Room # 2

What if students could start discovering their career direction in just six questions? Explore the redesigned Career Bridge, Washington’s free career and education website. Learn how students can explore careers, compare more than 7,000 education and training programs, and see real employment and earnings outcomes. We’ll also demonstrate tools that help educators track exploration and support High School and Beyond Planning. Includes a live walkthrough you can use with students right away.

Speakers

Marina Parr

Director of Workforce System Advancement, Washington Workforce Board

Marina Parr is the Director of Workforce System Advancement at Washington’s Workforce Board. She helped launch the original CareerBridge.wa.gov in 2009 and has been promoting, and working to improve, this popular, public-facing platform ever since. Marina is a former journalist... Read More →

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

Multiple Sections

4:00pm PDT

Expanding Health Science Pathways: Bringing Dentistry to High School Programs

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

Meeting Room # 2

This session explores practical strategies for integrating dentistry into high school health science programs. Participants will learn how to embed oral health concepts into existing curriculum, create hands-on learning experiences, and build partnerships with local dental professionals. The presentation will highlight ways to expand CTE pathways, increase student awareness of dental careers, and strengthen connections between oral health and overall wellness.

Speakers

Stefanie Brophy

Teacher, Graham-Kapowsin High School

My name is Stefanie Brophy, and I currently serve as the Sports Medicine, Medical Careers, and Leadership teacher at Graham-Kapowsin High School. I have also been the Sports Medicine Club Advisor for the past 13 years and a Certified Athletic Trainer and NATA member for 16 years.I... Read More →

Monday August 3, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT
Meeting Room # 2

HSCTE