WA-ACTE 2026 Summer Conference

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10:00am PDT

From Classroom to Crisis: How to Respond When a Student Discloses Substance Use

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

When a student opens up about substance use, educators are often caught off guard—unsure of what to say, how to respond, or where the boundaries lie. This session is designed to reduce that uncertainty and equip educators with practical, confidence-building tools for real-world situations.Participants will learn what to say (and what to avoid) in these critical moments, while gaining clarity on legal and ethical responsibilities within the school setting. The session emphasizes trauma-informed responses that prioritize student trust and safety, helping educators navigate sensitive conversations without unintentionally shutting students down.In addition, attendees will explore effective strategies for connecting students to appropriate support resources in a way that feels supportive rather than punitive. Each participant will leave with a simple, ready-to-use response script they can rely on when these challenging situations arise.

Speakers

Morgan Davis Shelton

Drug and Alcohol Counselor, Olympia School District

Morgan has over 13 years of experience as a chemical dependency counselor, working in several different settings. She has experience working in hospitals and clinics doing assessments. She has provided individual and group treatment, when indicated to many patients in her career... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Terrace East Second Floor Davenport Grand

Multiple Sections

11:00am PDT

Adobe Express Luminary Training update

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

Terrace East

Fresh off a training provided by DECA, Inc we will share the information presented by the Adobe/DECA partnership.

Speakers

Sierra Larkin

Wenatchee High School

Rachel Schwartz

CTE Teacher, Eastlake High School

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Terrace East Second Floor Davenport Grand

WE-BAM

3:00pm PDT

Why Your Program Needs Data, Not Just Instinct

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

Terrace East

You know your community. You know your students. But does the data support your hunch?

This session breaks down how to ground CTE program decisions in real labor market data — not hallway hunches. We'll cover building a GAC that actually informs decisions, navigating Washington's ESD labor market tools, and spotting the difference between genuine demand and a shiny distraction.

Come ready to check your favorite program idea or trend. We might talk you out of it — or give you the data to prove you were right. We'll also talk how to document your data to support approval and implementation.

You'll leave with: a practical process for data-driven program decisions, direct links to key LMD tools, and a framework for building a GAC that works.

Speakers

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 →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Terrace East Second Floor Davenport Grand

WE-BAM