WA-ACTE 2026 Summer Conference

11:00am PDT

Understanding Federal Child Labor Student Learner Laws and Requirements

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

This training provides an overview of the essential requirements outlined in federal labor laws as they pertain to student learner programs. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of the legal framework governing these programs, including specific guidelines on permitted and prohibited practices.

Speakers

Marilyn Delgado

Investigator, US Department of Labor - Wage & Hour Division

Marilyn Delgado has been with U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division since 2013. She began in the Seattle District office and is now in North Idaho with the Boise Field Office of the Portland District Office. Marilyn has experience investigating cases in a multitude of Acts... Read More →

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

WA-CCER

12:00pm PDT

WA-CCER Board Meeting and Awards Luncheon

Tuesday August 4, 2026 12:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Meeting Room # 3

Conduct WA-CCER annual summer conference board meeting and awards presentations during a group lunch.

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 →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 12:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Meeting Room # 3

WA-CCER

2:00pm PDT

Targeted by Design: Using SchooLinks to Build Intentional Work-Based Learning Programs

Tuesday August 4, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Meeting Room # 5

How do you connect the best students to work-based learning opportunities that actually align with their goals? In this live SchooLinks demo, Spokane Public School’s CTE coordinator shares how she uses SchooLinks reporting & filters, career assessment data, and eligibility criteria to intentionally match students to exploratory and preparatory opportunities inside of their district. Both SchooLinks core platform and the WBL suite will be showcased.

Speakers

Suzanne Gretch

CTE Coordinator, Spokane Public Schools

Suzanne Gretch is the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Coordinator for Spokane Public Schools and a proud graduate of the Eastern Washington University CTE Director Program. With 22 years of experience in education — including the last 15 dedicated exclusively to CTE — Suzanne... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Meeting Room # 5

WA-CCER, Leadership

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

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

WA-CCER

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