Join us for the WE-BAM Breakfast Roundtable! Come connect over breakfast to discuss open positions, ask questions, share ideas or simply enjoy a friendly face and great conversation. We'd love to see you there!

Speakers

Emily Wray

Operations Director WE-BAM, WE-BAM

Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Birch Ballroom

WE-BAM

9:00am PDT

Beyond the Club: Embedding HOSA into Everyday Instruction

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT

Meeting Room # 1

Transform HOSA from an extracurricular activity into a powerful instructional tool. In this interactive session, educators will explore how to incorporate HOSA competitions, projects, and resources into daily classroom practice. Attendees will leave with practical examples, rubrics, and strategies to support student learning across health science pathways including sports medicine, nursing, and allied health.

Speakers

Whitney Champlin

CTE Instructor, Athletic Trainer, Union High School - Evergreen Public Schools

Whitney is a high school sports medicine and health sciences teacher and athletic trainer dedicated to preparing students for careers in healthcare. In addition to teaching, Whitney is an active advisor for HOSA, guiding students in developing essential skills and pursuing postsecondary... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Meeting Room # 1

HSCTE

9:00am PDT

Longitudinal Career Exposure: Supporting Students from Middle School to Graduation

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT

Meeting Room # 5

This session will focus on why early and sustained intervention matters and how to implement it. We will walk through the K12/University partnership between Washington State University's Health Science Campus and a rural district in Washington. This presentation will cover novel research about the benefits of career exposure from the student, K12 school administrator, and college student perspective. We will also discuss the keys and barriers to success of partnerships of this nature.

Speakers

Rachel KW Larson

Interim Director of Pre-Clerkship Assessment, Washington State University

Dr. Rachel Larson is a small animal veterinarian by training, but has transitioned away from clinical practice and into education. She is finishing her PhD work in Math and Science Education at Washington State University and has a particular passion for K12/University partnerships... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Meeting Room # 5

HSCTE

9:00am PDT

Become a Superhero with Canva

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT

Maple Ballroom

In this creative, hands-on session, participants will explore how Canva can be used to spark creativity, storytelling, and student engagement across content areas. Attendees will learn Canva tools including Canva Classroom, AI-powered features, templates, image editing, and design techniques while creating their own superhero-themed digital designs. Participants will also explore classroom-ready projects such as movie poster redesigns, advertisements for business and marketing classes, visual presentations, identity-based design challenges, and student media projects. Leave with practical ideas, resources, and examples ready to use in your classroom.

Speakers

Rena Clark

CTE STEM Facilitator, Renton School District

Rena Clark is currently a middle school CTE and STEM teacher and soon-to-be STEM Teaching and Learning Specialist in the Renton School District. She has nearly 20 years of experience as a teacher, instructional coach, district facilitator, and STEM leader. Rena teaches Game Design... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Maple Ballroom

Multiple Sections

9:00am PDT

From Classroom to Company: Weaving Entrepreneurship Into Every CTE Program

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT

Meeting Room #11

CTE classrooms excel at teaching technical skills and industry standards—but what if we also taught students how those skills create value in the real world?

This session explores how educators can intentionally weave entrepreneurship into any CTE pathway by creating authentic learning experiences that extend beyond simulation and into real-world application. Participants will learn a practical framework for helping students identify opportunities, create products and services that meet genuine community needs, and explore the financial systems that sustain every industry. The goal isn't fundraising or turning classrooms into businesses—it's helping students understand how technical skills, entrepreneurial thinking, and economic literacy work together to create meaningful career opportunities.

Whether you teach Agriculture, Business, Construction, Culinary Arts, Graphic Design, Health Sciences, Manufacturing, or another CTE pathway, you'll leave with adaptable strategies for embedding entrepreneurial thinking into your existing program. We'll also briefly explore how authentic enterprises naturally create opportunities for student leadership and management, with additional resources available in the companion session focused on building industry-relevant leadership structures.
Because technical skills create opportunities, but entrepreneurial thinking creates options—and options create freedom.

Speakers

Taryn Veloni

CTE Teacher, Hoquiam School District

For the past 11 years, I've had the privilege of teaching Career and Technical Education while also co-owning multiple small businesses. Those two worlds have shaped my passion for creating authentic, industry-driven learning experiences that help students connect classroom learning... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Meeting Room #11 Second Floor Davenport Grand

Multiple Sections

9:00am PDT

From Data to Decisions: Teacher-Driven AI Workflows That Save Time and Improve Results

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT

Meeting Room #10

This session introduces a practical system that combines district data analysis with teacher-driven AI workflows to reduce guesswork, save time, and improve instructional decisions. Participants will learn how to identify real problems using data, apply structured prompt templates and workflows, and use pre/post approaches to measure what’s working. Attendees will leave with usable templates and a clear process they can apply immediately. Please bring a computer for hands-on portions.

Speakers

Rick Hamilton

Teacher & Instructional Systems Developer, Instructional Partner | Newport School District

Rick Hamilton is a high school educator and instructional systems developer with experience in biology, agriculture, computer science, and CTE programs. His work focuses on helping teachers and schools use data more effectively while reducing time spent on repetitive tasks and unclear... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Meeting Room #10 Second Floor Davenport Grand

Multiple Sections

9:00am PDT

Redesigning Career Connected Learning: Moving from Programs to Systems

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT

Meeting Room #12

Career-connected learning often exists across strong but disconnected efforts between K–12, postsecondary, and industry. This session explores how districts and partners can reduce fragmentation by aligning career exploration, classroom learning, and work-based experiences. Participants will examine strategies for onboarding industry partners, strengthening collaboration across systems, and creating clearer pathways that connect education to meaningful workforce opportunities.

Speakers

Jim Kindle

CCL Coordinator, ESD 123

Jim Kindle is the Chief Innovation Officer and Founder of Why3Works Education & Workforce Consultants, where he helps education, workforce, industry, and community partners design sustainable systems that connect learners to meaningful career pathways. His work focuses on aligning... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Meeting Room #12 Second Floor Davenport Grand

Multiple Sections

9:00am PDT

Reflect, Redirect, and Respond: The importance of student voice and how to take and use feedback in the classroom.

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT

Meeting Room # 3

This presentation is about the importance of student voice in the classroom. Providing students with opportunities to reflect, give feedback, and openly share, and taking this feedback to make adjustments to our practices as instructors and increase classroom engagement.

Speakers

Ciara Ashworth

Health Science CTE Instructor, Kamiakin High School/Kennewick School District

Ciara Ashworth is a Secondary School Athletic Trainer and Health Sciences Career and Technical Education Teacher in Tri-Cities, WA. She is an alumnus of Whitworth University, where she earned degrees in Athletic Training and Kinesiology. She has been caring for student athletes in... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Meeting Room # 3

Multiple Sections

9:00am PDT

From SuperShy to SuperStar

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT

Birch Ballroom

The old adage is that people would rather die than speak in public. The adage isn't true, but what is true is that often times students would rather fail a major assignment than have to stand up in front of the room. How can we turn students' fear into confidence?

Speakers

Jim Flatmo

Teacher, AMES / Everett SD

Jim is a veteran game development teacher who also runs a development studio and the Advanced Media Entertainment Society: A nonprofit dedicated to increasing educational opportunities for media creator students. He believes that it's possible to engage students more by bringing the... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
Birch Ballroom

Multiple Sections

10:00am PDT

Aligning Industry, CTE, and Academics: A Replicable Model for Multi‑Credit Courses

Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT

Meeting Room # 4

This session introduces a practical, replicable model for designing cross‑credited CTE courses that are both industry‑authentic and academically rigorous. Using the open-source REVIT program as an example, participants will see how industry competencies, CTE frameworks, and academic standards can be aligned to create coherent, multi‑credit courses. The session highlights strategies for finding natural academic connections and designing tasks where technical and academic learning reinforce one another. Attendees will leave with tools, examples, and a clear process they can adapt to any pathway.

Speakers

Hanna Jaramillo

Career-Connected STEM Education Designer & Consultant, Teater-Crocker

Hanna Jaramillo has deep experience as a Teaching and Learning Associate Director and secondary teacher. This is the foundation of her work designing equitable, future-ready learning experiences. Her work centers on empowering educators, aligning curricula with standards and sustainability... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Meeting Room # 4

Multiple Sections, Leadership

10:00am PDT

CTE Office Hours

Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT

Meeting Room # 2

Meet CTE program supervisors during office hours and get your questions answered directly related to CTE processes and requirements. Excited to see you there!

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 →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Meeting Room # 2

Multiple Sections

10:00am PDT

Expanding Opportunity: Ensuring All Students Access Career-Connected Learning

Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT

Meeting Room #12

Access to career-connected learning opportunities can shape students’ engagement, confidence, and future pathways. This session explores strategies for expanding equitable access to career exploration, CTE programs, and work-based learning experiences. Participants will examine how K–12 schools, postsecondary partners, and industry can collaborate to ensure all students—regardless of background or location—can develop professional skills, academic knowledge, and technical competencies connected to real career opportunities.

Speakers

Jim Kindle

CCL Coordinator, ESD 123

Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Meeting Room #12 Second Floor Davenport Grand

Multiple Sections

10:00am PDT

Responsible AI in Action: Interdisciplinary AI Toolkit

Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT

Meeting Room # 5

This working session invites Career and Technical Education professionals to transform statewide research data into actionable recommendations for stakeholders in Washington’s career pathways systems. Participants will explore data from a recent HarrisX survey of Washington students, parents, employers, and career navigators – and use a design thinking framework to co-create practical, stakeholder-informed solutions based on their responses. Come ready to collaborate, think boldly, and help shape a more equitable path forward for Washington's workforce pipeline.

Speakers

Denise Thompson

CTE STEM and computer science teacher, Computer Science Teachers Association Responsible AI Fellow

Denise’s career began as an algebra and physical science teacher in 2003. In 2012, Denise served as an Albert Einstein STEM Educator Fellow in a senatorial congressional office. During her time as a fellow, Denise facilitated the Senate STEM Education and Workforce caucus during... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Meeting Room # 5

Multiple Sections

10:00am PDT

The Benefits of Authoritative Instruction

Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT

Maple Ballroom

This presentation will encourage participants to examine their personal teaching and learning philosophy and practice to determine their instructional style. Information will be presented on several instructional styles including authoritarian, laissez-faire (permissive), and indulgent. Research on authoritative instruction, including instructional awareness, will be the focal point of the presentation. The benefits and drawbacks of each instructional style will be included. The presentation will conclude with holistic advice on how to minimize negative emotions through lifelong learning activities, which Dr. Zuniga researched for his MAT, MSE, and Ed.D.

Speakers

Patrick Zuniga, Ed.D.

Middle School Humantiies Teacher, Pasco School District

Dr. Patrick Zuniga is a lifelong resident of Washington State. He has worked as a secondary humanities teacher in two school districts for over two decades and has coached high school football at Prosser High School, Columbia (Burbank) High School, and Richland High School. He began... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Maple Ballroom

Multiple Sections, Leadership

10:00am PDT

The Safe-to-Fail Lab: Resilience over Perfection

Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT

Cedar Ballroom

Cross-Curricular Seminar / Interactive Workshop for any CTE lab — whether you teach welding, culinary, math, or anything in between. We know the fear of making a mistake can shut down creativity. This session shows how to create a high-accountability, low-anxiety space where students learn to pivot when things go wrong and build real on-the-job resilience. Let’s embrace a bit of mess while keeping everyone safe and supported.
Key points:
The "Red Line" vs. the "Gray Zone": Clear safety rules that are non-negotiable (Red) and separate areas where students are encouraged to experiment and learn from failure (Gray).
Grading the Recovery: Shift the emphasis from just the finished product to how a student diagnoses an error and adapts — rewarding problem-solving and growth.
Psychological Safety: Using a "Wall of First Tries" to normalize the learning curve. Let students showcase early attempts and failures as milestones, not shameful moments.
Designed Micro-Failures: Intentionally provide low-stakes situations where things go wrong so students can practice troubleshooting in real time.
Takeaway: You’ll leave with a Recovery Rubric and a set of Growth Mindset scripts to replace high-pressure lab language — practical tools to make your CTE space safer, braver, and more creative - increasing achievement and growth from all students.

Speakers

Meloni Courtway

Lead Culinary Instructor, Bainbridge Island School District

Meloni Courtway believes that the kitchen is the ultimate classroom for life. An experienced private chef, writer, and CTE educator, Meloni spent years honing her craft across the U.S. - from Hawaii to Washington - before transitioning into secondary education 10 years ago. Her accolades... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Cedar Ballroom

Multiple Sections

10:00am PDT

Stronger Together: Building a Statewide Network to Empower Student Success

Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT

Meeting Room # 3

Stronger Together highlights how Washington’s career counselors and employment readiness professionals can move from working in isolation to building a connected, statewide support system. By sharing knowledge, expanding opportunities, and embracing collective responsibility, participants learn practical ways to collaborate, strengthen networks, and better support students facing complex challenges—because together, we can create greater impact than any program alone.

Speakers

Nora Zollweg

Student Services Coordinator, West Sound Technical Skills Center in Bremerton , Washington

Nora Zollweg is finishing her 15th year as Student Services Coordinator at West Sound Technical Skills Center in Bremerton, WA. Nora earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services from Western Washington University, Master’s Degrees in Organizational Leadership and Human Resources... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Meeting Room # 3

WA-CCER

10:00am PDT

From Classroom to Credential: Designing CTE Programs With Tangible Outcomes

Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT

Meeting Room #11

CTE programs have the potential to do more than deliver credit — they can deliver credentials. This session explores how to intentionally design Career & Technical Education pathways around industry-recognized certifications that provide students with tangible workforce advantages.Participants will learn how to align curriculum, pacing, assessment, and classroom systems to credential outcomes while maintaining authentic, high-quality learning experiences. This session addresses implementation realities including funding constraints, scheduling challenges, student motivation, and balancing certification preparation with project-based instruction.Attendees will leave with a strategic framework for building credential-driven programs that expand opportunity, increase student engagement, and strengthen workforce readiness — particularly in rural or resource-limited communities.

Speakers

Taryn Veloni

CTE Teacher, Hoquiam School District

Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Meeting Room #11 Second Floor Davenport Grand

WA-FACSE, STEM

10:00am PDT

From BACE to Beyond: Industry-Aligned Biotech Credentials to Strengthen Career Pathways

Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT

Meeting Room # 1

The Biotechnology Aptitude and Competency Exam (BACE) serves as a base, with a framework supported by bioscience industry standards for career-ready talent. Building on the validated BACE credential, new credentials aligned with high-demand workforce needs have been developed to expand bioscience career options. This session will share credential design strategies and provide industry insights on technician-level talent. We invite educators, administrators, counselors, and industry partners to explore how industry hiring needs and credentialing models intersect to shape career pathway ecosystems.

Speakers

Tamara Mandell

Director, University of Florida, Biotility

Tamara Mandell, M.Ed., serves as Director of Biotility at the University of Florida (UF Biotility), where she leads national efforts to build a skilled, future ready bioscience workforce. Applying more than a decade of combined academic research and industrial biotechnology experience... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Meeting Room # 1

WITEA

11:00am PDT

AI Integration in the Classroom (NOT another class on prompting).

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT

Meeting Room # 3

I'm a CTE teacher, not a programmer, and I've built real tools that make my classroom better: a barcode camera-checkout system, a digital hall pass, and an AI tutor that coaches students in my own teaching voice. In this hands-on session I'll show what I built, the everyday problems each solved, and how I made them. We'll talk honestly about where AI helps, where it doesn't belong, and the privacy questions every teacher should ask first. You'll leave knowing it's more within reach than you think, with a first step you can take Monday. No coding required.

Speakers

Matt Mason

CTE Teacher (Visual Communications, Photography, Drones, Yearbook), Olympic High School, Central Kitsap School District

Matt Mason is entering his 10th year teaching Career and Technical Education at Olympic High School in the Central Kitsap School District, previously teaching seven years at New Market Skills Center. He teaches Visual Communications, Photography, Drones, and Yearbook, and advises... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Meeting Room # 3

Multiple Sections

11:00am PDT

How to Speak "Business" : An Insider's View to Connect to Employers

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT

Meeting Room # 2

Employers don't know how to speak "education." Educators don't know how to speak "business."
To tackle the workforce challenge and prepare workforce-ready graduates, a bridge must be built between them.

The best CTE programs include businesses adopting programs and creating a clear pathway to career success. Businesses need qualified workers and educators want to help prepare them. Learn how to talk the talk, strategies to connect with businesses, and bringing your business community into your classroom.

Speakers

Dr. Wade Larson

President (OTD) / Executive Director (PMI), Optimal Talent Dynamics / Production & Manufacturing Institute

Dr. Wade Larson is a Senior Workforce Consultant and Owner of Optimal Talent Dynamic. He has worked with hundreds of organizations over the past 30 years as a consultant, HR executive, and coach – helping them to become their best and improve their culture, talent, and leadership... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Meeting Room # 2

Multiple Sections

11:00am PDT

Students as Managers: Building Leadership Systems in School-Based Enterprises and Classrooms

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT

Meeting Room #11

Authentic student-run enterprises require more than participation — they require structure. This session explores how to intentionally design leadership systems within school-based enterprises that move students from workers to managers. Participants will learn how to create defined leadership roles, develop training and succession systems, build accountability structures, and cultivate student ownership within real business operations. Using a rural high school enterprise model as a case study, this session provides practical frameworks for empowering students with authentic responsibility while maintaining program sustainability. Attendees will leave with adaptable tools to strengthen leadership development in any CTE pathway.

Speakers

Taryn Veloni

CTE Teacher, Hoquiam School District

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Meeting Room #11 Second Floor Davenport Grand

Multiple Sections, STEM

11:00am PDT

What Got Me Here: Using Career Stories to Strengthen Mentorship

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT

Meeting Room #12

Career paths are rarely linear. Mentors, experiences, and unexpected opportunities often shape the journey. This session invites participants to reflect on the stories behind their own careers and explore how those insights can support mentorship and student engagement. Participants will examine how storytelling can help students connect interests, skills, and experiences to potential career pathways.

Speakers

Jim Kindle

CCL Coordinator, ESD 123

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Meeting Room #12 Second Floor Davenport Grand

Multiple Sections

11:00am PDT

Effect of vocational retraining alignment on injured workers’ motivation and well-being, and its application to Career and Technical Education in Washington State

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT

Meeting Room # 1

This session explores the impact of choice in vocational retraining on the motivation and well-being of injured workers who are forced to switch careers due to a workplace injury. Research conducted on the subject will be presented along with the findings. The results and data will then be generalized to what role choice can have in the motivation and well-being of students with Washington state Career and Technical Education programs, and how this consideration can be used in future curriculum and program planning.

Speakers

Jantz Garza, PhD

Teacher, Kennewick School District

Jantz Garza is a middle school teacher in Kennewick, Washington, who teaches STEM Exploration. Jantz has completed Concordia University Wisconsin’s Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement program. His research explored the motivation and well-being... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Meeting Room # 1

WA-CCER, CCDEI

11:00am PDT

REVIT: Preparing Students for the Clean‑Energy Workforce

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT

Meeting Room # 4

This session explores the development of the Renewable Energy Vehicle and Infrastructure Technician (REVIT) program, a future‑ready clean energy pathway co‑designed with industry and educators to prepare students for careers in renewable energy, hydrogen technologies, and sustainable infrastructure. Learn how REVIT blends project‑based learning, NGSS, and CTE standards to create a coherent, multi‑credit sequence that builds real‑world problem‑solving and workforce skills. Participants will leave with curriculum, resources, and practical insights to adapt this work in their own contexts.

Speakers