CTE Dual Credit is evolving across Washington State. Join leaders from K–12 and higher education to learn about current statewide efforts to strengthen consistency, improve student access, and streamline implementation. Participants will receive updates on emerging policy and practice, regional pilot initiatives, standardized processes and resources, and strategies for building high-quality CTE Dual Credit programs that expand opportunities for students.

Speakers

William Belden

WorkForce Education Policy Associate

My career has included more than thirty years of community college leadership experience, managing and coordinating higher education programs and services, including strategic planning, community partnerships, policy development, risk-analysis, compliance, and change leadership. I... Read More →

Kimberly Ingram

Workforce Education Program Administrator

Will Follow up

Tim McClain

Dual Credit Program Supervisor

Will follow up.

Sinead Fitzpatrick Plagge

Career Connect NW Director, NWESD 189

Will complete later.

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

Multiple Sections

1:00pm PDT

Punch Positive : The Missing Link Between Engagement, Resilience, and Real-World Performance

Sunday August 2, 2026 1:00pm - 3:45pm PDT

Maple Ballroom

In a world of increasing burnout, disconnection, and declining physical and mental resilience, traditional approaches to engagement and performance are no longer enough.This session introduces Punch Positive™, a movement-based, behavior-driven framework that improves focus, confidence, and connection—without adding complexity or requiring specialized training.Led by Registered Nurse and performance coach Lita Mae “Badass” Button, this interactive session demonstrates how simple, accessible movement strategies can shift energy, increase participation, and build resilience in real time.Participants will experience immediate changes in engagement and leave with practical tools to apply in their teams, classrooms, or communities to drive sustainable performance and well-being.

Speakers

Lita Mae Button

Motivational Speaker and Coach, Punch Positive

Lita Mae Button is a Registered Nurse (BScN), international speaker, and founder of the Punch Positive™ movement, dedicated to improving human performance, resilience, and engagement through evidence-informed, movement-based strategies. With over 26 years in fitness and more than... Read More →

Sunday August 2, 2026 1:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Maple Ballroom

Multiple Sections

11:00am PDT

OSPI HOT Updates in Mini-Sessions

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

Maple 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

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 →

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

Multiple Sections

2:00pm PDT

Course Launch Lab

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

Maple Ballroom

“Welcome to the Course Launch Lab—your guide to turning innovative ideas into approved courses. This session provides an in-depth look at the entire submission process, including required components, approval criteria, and what program supervisors are truly looking for. Through detailed examples and a review of common mistakes, you’ll gain valuable insights into how to build a clear, comprehensive, and compelling proposal. By the end, you’ll have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to successfully move your course from concept to approval.”

Speakers

Courtney Peart

CTE Program Supervisor, OSPI

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

WACTA

3:00pm PDT

Beyond the Checkbox: Advisory Boards that Deliver

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

Maple Ballroom

It’s time to stop checking the box and start making an impact. This session will help you rethink your approach to advisory boards, focusing on engagement, strategy, and results. Discover how to create meetings that generate meaningful input and lead to action. Leave with practical tools to turn your advisory board into a true asset.

Speakers

Courtney Peart

CTE Program Supervisor, OSPI

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

WACTA

9:00am PDT

Fueling the People Who Fuel the School

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

Maple Ballroom

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

8:00am PDT

WA-FACSE Business Meeeting

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

Maple Ballroom

WA-FACS Board will present updates to our general membership of board activities of the past year.

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

WA-FACSE

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

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