WA-ACTE 2026 Summer Conference

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9:00am PDT

Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT

Teaching is a marathon, yet we often try to run it on empty stomachs and cold coffee. This workshop is a judgment-free "Honesty Hour" designed for the reality of the classroom—where lunch is often eaten standing up and "self-care" feels out of reach.

Speakers

Dottie Record

Teacher, Wapato School District

With three decades of classroom experience, Dottie Record has spent her career empowering students at PACE High School. Her work in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) has spanned everything from culinary arts and financial literacy to applied math and digital tools. A firm believer... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Maple Ballroom

Multiple Sections

10:00am PDT

The Game Plan: How Games Develop Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical Thinking

Tuesday August 4, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT

Maple Ballroom

What if I told you the key to developing 21st-century skills lies in a board/card game? In this session we will explore, discuss, and discover how using popular games can be used in the curriculum to make learning more fun. These games will allow us to teach and develop skills that will benefit our student’s futures. These games have been used throughout the school year to teach/develop the following life/employability skills, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking skills.

Speakers

Jessica Elshire-Kenny

FCS Teacher, Clover Park School District

Jessica Elshire-Kenny is a dedicated and dynamic educator with five years of teaching experience and a passion for preparing students with real-world life skills. She earned her Bachelor degree from Central Washington University and just received her Master of Science in Curriculum... Read More →

Heather Matsuda

Sports Med Teacher, Clover Park School District

Heather Matsuda has been teaching Health Science at Lakes High School for more than 10 years. She is a certified and licensed athletic trainer and a former physical therapist assistant. She was named Certificate Employee of the Year in the Clover Park School District in 2025, Health... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Maple Ballroom

Multiple Sections

11:00am PDT

QTIP : Connection without Exhaustion

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT

Maple Ballroom

QTIP, "quit taking it personally". Focused on understanding students personalities to help keep yourself present in the classroom with practical suggestions on avoiding burnout.

Speakers

Abigail Higgins

Instructor, Bremerton School District

I am a Cosmetology instructor at West Sound Technical Skills Center. I've been in the beauty industry for 12 years and have held my instructors license since 2022. I enjoy bringing the side of connection and understanding into the classroom while still maintaining strong expectations... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Maple Ballroom

WA-FACSE, CCDEI