WA-ACTE 2026 Summer Conference

8:00am PDT

Saturday August 1, 2026 8:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Speakers

Michelle Spenser

Executive Director, WA-ACTE

Michelle Spenser is the Executive Director of the Washington Association for Career and Technical Education (WA-ACTE). With a decade of classroom teaching under her belt and experience as a former OSPI Program Supervisor, Michelle is deeply committed to empowering educators and expanding opportun... Read More →

Saturday August 1, 2026 8:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Birch Ballroom

WA-ACTE Sessions

5:30pm PDT

WA-ACTE President Board Dinner

Saturday August 1, 2026 5:30pm - 7:30pm PDT

Birch Ballroom

Saturday August 1, 2026 5:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Birch Ballroom

10:00am PDT

Keeping It Simple Stupid: K.I.S.S. strategies for success in CTE programs.

Sunday August 2, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am PDT

Birch Ballroom

With over 30 years in Career and Technical Education, this presenter brings real-world expertise in program management, classroom leadership, and lab/shop instruction. He has presented at the University of Idaho and Washington State University, and mentored dozens of new teachers. His approach emphasizes being Firm, Fair, and Consistent while maintaining a positive, student-centered environment. Participants will gain practical strategies for managing CTE programs, understanding funding and purchasing processes, coordinating CTSO travel, and working effectively with administrators. Focused on hands-on learning and proactive management, this session supports advocacy, leadership, and program supervision. His goal is simple: to share ideas, strategies, and insights that help educators build structured, supportive, and high-performing learning environments where both students and teachers can succeed.

Speakers

Steven Braun

Agricultural Education teacher, Liberty High School, Liberty School District Spangle WA

With more than 30 years in Career and Technical Education (CTE), this presenter brings a practical, field-tested perspective on program management, student engagement, and classroom leadership. He has extensive experience in classroom, laboratory, and shop settings, building structured... Read More →

Sunday August 2, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am PDT
Birch Ballroom

Multiple Sections

1:00pm PDT

Building Future-Ready STEM Pathways with Sphero

Sunday August 2, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Birch Ballroom

Discover how the Sphero ecosystem helps districts create engaging, scalable CTE pathways in the world of engineering, computer science, and robotics. In this interactive session, you'll get hands-on with Blueprint Engineering while exploring how Sphero makes these focus areas approachable for both educators and students. Learn how Sphero supports authentic, project-based learning and helps districts build a cohesive pathway that grows with learners from elementary through high school.

Speakers

Shane Yorton

Account Executive, Sphero

Shane Yorton is an Education Account Executive at Sphero, partnering with school districts across Colorado, Utah, and Washington to expand STEM, computer science, CTE, robotics, and engineering programs. He works with educators and district administrators to design innovative classroom... Read More →

Sunday August 2, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Birch Ballroom

Multiple Sections

2:00pm PDT

Dysregulation, Dissociation, and Discombobulation: Understanding Brain Science and Its Impact on Student Learning and Behavior

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

Birch Ballroom

Ever find yourself thinking, “Why would they choose that?” - especially when a student’s decision impacts safety, performance, or their own future? In CTE settings, behavior matters. Focus matters. Follow-through matters. And when students struggle with any of those, it can derail learning fast. This interactive and practical session explores what’s happening in the adolescent brain, particularly when students have experienced chronic stress or adversity. We’ll unpack how trauma impacts memory, emotional regulation, risk-taking, motivation, and readiness to learn - all through the lens of hands-on, skills-based classrooms. Because we’re not just teaching content, we’re preparing students for real-world environments. When we understand the brain, we can respond in ways that build skill, responsibility, and resilience.

Speakers

Keith Orchard LCSW

Mental Health Coordinator

Keith Orchard, LCSW — Author, Speaker, and Coach With decades of experience supporting the people and systems that care for our most vulnerable children, Keith Orchard brings insight, heart, and real-world solutions to every training, keynote, and coaching session. A Licensed Clinical... Read More →

Sunday August 2, 2026 2:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Birch Ballroom

Multiple Sections

11:00am PDT

OSPI HOT Updates in Mini-Sessions

Monday August 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT

Birch Ballroom

Join the OSPI Program Supervisors for a fast-paced mini-session covering the latest OSPI updates that impact your CTE programs. Whether you're a CTE veteran or new to the field, these sessions are designed to get you up to speed quickly and confidently. Same great content with discussion on improved Verification Reports, Career Clusters & CIP codes, plus a roundup of improved resources and support tools available to you.

Come with questions, leave with answers (and maybe a few action items for Monday morning). Hope you're optimistic about all the updates — because staying current takes a little tenacity, and we've got you covered.

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 →

Monday August 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Birch Ballroom

Multiple Sections

1:00pm PDT

Too Hot for Silos: Turning Up the Heat on STEM Integration

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

Birch Ballroom

Review the basics of developing a successful course framework, then explore ways to integrate STEM content into your CTE courses. Silos are out; and integrated learning is heating up. This session explores how districts and educators can move beyond isolated STEM instruction to build cohesive, cross-disciplinary frameworks that reflect real-world problem solving. Participants will dig into practical strategies for embedding STEM across content areas, aligning with standards, and creating authentic, engaging learning experiences for students. Bring a current course, program, or district framework and use guided work time to identify integration opportunities and begin mapping out next steps. Walk away with practical tools, real examples, and a renewed urgency to break down barriers and turn up the heat on meaningful STEM integration.

Speakers

Megan Benzing

CTE Program Supervisor, OSPI

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

WITEA

2:00pm PDT

Too Hot to Horse Around: Turning up the Heat on Agriculture in CTE

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

Birch Ballroom

Review the basics of developing a successful course framework, then dig into some practical examples from across the landscape of agriculture, food, and natural resources. In this session, participants will explore practical strategies for aligning with CTE pathways, industry standards, and state learning standards. Bring a current course, program, or district framework and use guided work time to get feedback, develop your thinking, and begin mapping out next steps. Walk away with practical tools, real examples, and tangible progress towards your next CTE course framework!

Speakers

Tracy Powell

CTE Program Supervisor, OSPI/CTE

To be submitted later.

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

WAAE

3:00pm PDT

Too Hot for Electives: Turning Up the Heat on Art as CTE

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

Birch Ballroom

Review the basics of developing a successful course framework, then explore ways to integrate art in your CTE courses. Art isn’t extra, it’s essential. As workforce demands evolve, creative skills are more valuable than ever, and it’s time to rethink art’s role in Career and Technical Education. In this session, we’ll explore how art and design programs align with CTE pathways, industry standards, and career readiness outcomes. Discover how visual arts classrooms are already building in-demand skills—from design thinking to digital production—and learn how to position art as a powerful, workforce-connected program. Bring an art course or pathway framework and engage in guided activities to identify CTE alignment, highlight industry-relevant skills, and strengthen your program messaging. Leave ready to turn up the heat and give art its rightful place in CTE.

Speakers

Megan Benzing

CTE Program Supervisor, OSPI

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

Multiple Sections

4:00pm PDT

Too Hot for? : AI-Integrated Frameworks with a HOT Approach

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

Birch Ballroom

AI-integrated learning is heating up in this session because AI is changing the game for CTE — and this session will help you keep up. We'll review the basics of building a strong course framework, then explore practical ways to integrate AI concepts into your CTE courses. Together, we'll look at how districts and educators can move beyond isolated, traditional instruction to create cohesive frameworks that treat AI as both an industry practice and a functional tool for real-world problem solving. You'll dig into strategies for embedding AI across content areas, aligning with standards, and designing engaging learning experiences for students. Bring a current course, program, or district framework and use guided work time to identify integration opportunities and map out next steps. Walk away with practical tools, real examples, and a clear plan for meaningful AI integration in your classroom.

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 →

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

Multiple Sections

9:00am PDT

Beyond Points: Implementing Competency-Based Grading and Employability Skills Across Career Pathways

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

Birch Ballroom

How do we ensure grades in Career and Technical Education truly reflect skill mastery, workplace readiness, and student growth? This session highlights how Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center and New Market Skills Center are transitioning from traditional grading to competency-based grading (CBG) systems designed to improve clarity, consistency, and equity across programs. Partnering with SREB, both centers defined shared employability skills, performance levels, and descriptors applicable across pathways while preserving flexibility for program-specific competencies. Through teacher leadership teams and full-staff collaboration, each center developed its own employability rubric, building shared ownership, stronger expectations, and alignment with industry standards. Participants will engage in an interactive learning experience that includes analyzing sample rubrics, participating in calibration conversations, and applying guiding questions to their own schools or districts. Attendees will leave with practical tools, implementation strategies, and a professional learning framework to support the transition to competency-based grading in their own CTE programs.

Speakers

Danielle Morton

CTE Leadership Coach, Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)

Danielle Morton, with over 30 years in education, is a champion for CTE and empowering school improvement. Danielle serves as a School Improvement Leadership Coach at the Southern Regional Education Board, guiding schools towards excellence. But her heart beats loudest for Career... Read More →

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

WACTA

10:00am PDT

Worksite Learning Intro and Updates

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

Birch Ballroom

This session is targeted for the new and experienced Worksite Learning Coordinators and provides an overview of the Worksite Learning program, including key roles and responsibilities, with an update on the L&I child labor rule changes effective July 1^st. There will be time reserved at the end for questions and discussion.

Speakers

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 →

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

Multiple Sections

11:00am PDT

Understanding Federal Child Labor Student Learner Laws and Requirements

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

Birch Ballroom

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

Summer WE-BAM Members Meeting

Tuesday August 4, 2026 12:00pm - 2:00pm PDT

Birch Ballroom

Educators of Business and Marketing! Join us for a Luncheon meeting to talk about the 2025-26 year and plan for the 2026-27 school year. New officer positions available!

Speakers

Emily Wray

Operations Director WE-BAM, WE-BAM

Tuesday August 4, 2026 12:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Birch Ballroom

WE-BAM

2:00pm PDT

Beyond the Classroom: The Power of the Simulated Workplace Model

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

Birch Ballroom

Bring your classroom to life through the Simulated Workplace Model. In this engaging session, learn how CTE programs are transforming instruction by embedding authentic workplace expectations, student leadership, and industry-aligned practices into everyday learning. Participants will explore practical implementation strategies, hear real classroom examples, and leave with tools to strengthen student engagement, expand equitable access to work-based learning experiences, and improve career readiness outcomes across programs.

Speakers

Dr. Linda Floyd

Director of State and District Partnerships/Technology Centers That Work, Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)

Dr. Linda Floyd has many years of experience with continuous school improvement. She has been a director with SREB since 2017. Prior to joining SREB, Dr. Floyd worked for the Kentucky Department of Education, providing leadership and supervision of principals for 27 state-operated... Read More →

Danielle Morton

CTE Leadership Coach, Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)

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

WACTA

8:00am PDT

WE-BAM Breakfast Round Table Discussion

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

Birch Ballroom

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

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

WA-ACTE 2026 Summer Conference

From $21.37

Tickets

Success you have shared X tickets.

WA-ACTE 2026 Summer Conference

8:00am PDT

Michelle Spenser

5:30pm PDT

10:00am PDT

Steven Braun

1:00pm PDT

Shane Yorton

2:00pm PDT

Keith Orchard LCSW

11:00am PDT

Megan Benzing

1:00pm PDT

Megan Benzing

2:00pm PDT

Tracy Powell

3:00pm PDT

Megan Benzing

4:00pm PDT

Holli Ryan-Kalaleh

9:00am PDT

Danielle Morton

10:00am PDT

Kari Morgan

11:00am PDT

Marilyn Delgado

12:00pm PDT

Emily Wray

2:00pm PDT

Dr. Linda Floyd

Danielle Morton

8:00am PDT

Emily Wray

9:00am PDT

Jim Flatmo

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