WA-ACTE 2026 Summer Conference

10:00am PDT

Building Professional Communication Skills for Students

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

This session focuses on intentional scaffolding strategies and repeated opportunities for communication that help students grow over time. Participants will explore practical ways to teach and reinforce communication skills through structured discussions, mock interviews, pitches, presentations, project check-ins, role plays, and peer feedback routines. The session will highlight simple speaking and listening strategies students can practice repeatedly, along with approaches for embedding communication instruction into everyday classroom experiences. Teachers will leave with adaptable ideas and planning tools they can apply to their pathways, schedules, and teaching styles.

Speakers

Aaron Tomyn

Director of Career and College Readiness, Sumner-Bonney Lake School District

Aaron Tomyn is the Director of Career and College Readiness for the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District. With experience as a director, teacher, coach, and TOSA since 2007, he now leads efforts to prepare students for life after high school. His focus is connecting students with industry... Read More →

Sunday August 2, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am PDT
Meeting Room # 3

Multiple Sections

1:00pm PDT

Ignite Learning with Laser Precision: Empowering Classrooms with xTool P2S

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

Meeting Room # 3

In this session, we will demo the P2S 55W Desktop CO2 Laser Cutter. We will also compare the P2S with the latest model P3. Bring a file (SVG/DXF/JPG/JPEG/PNG/BMP/TIF) to see if you are chosen as a demo for either laser cutting or laser engraving in this session.

Speakers

Faith Taylor

Educational Consultant, Southern Educational Consulting and Training

Faith Taylor is an educational consultant at Southern Educational Consulting and Training. At Southern Educational Consulting & Training, our focus is on providing access to world-class educational technology in the areas of automated manufacturing, industrial maintenance, engineering... Read More →

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

WITEA

2:00pm PDT

Agri-Tech Infrastructure: Engineering Sustainable Workforce Labs with the Garden Caterpillar

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

Meeting Room # 3

Empower Washington’s future workforce with resilient agri-tech infrastructure. In this hands-on session, Farming The Future introduces the Garden Caterpillar—a modular, sustainable alternative to traditional beds designed for high-use in living labs. Attendees will engineer their own caterpillar system and master rapid-production microgreen techniques. Leave with a mini caterpillar and student microgreen kit, ready to implement a professional-grade, student-led agricultural program that aligns with CTE and STEM learning goals.First 20 participants receive hands-on materials for workshop, unlimited number can attend. They get a personal size (small and portable, can fit on plane) garden caterpillar bed, soil and all, that they will plant seeds in to grow everything needed for a personal salad in 8 weeks. They will also get a individual microgreen kit.

Speakers

Michele Madison

CEO, Farming The Future

Founder of Farming The Future and agri-tech innovator specializing in workforce-ready STEM education. Starting off her career in 21st century agricultural system design and production she is an expert in industry as well as serving 8 years in K-12 program implementation. Her work... Read More →

Faith Taylor

Educational Consultant, Southern Educational Consulting and Training

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

WAAE

1:00pm PDT

CTE Reporting - Equivalencies, Industry Recognized Certifications and Work Based Learning

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

Meeting Room # 3

In this session we will be speaking to:
-CTE Course Equivalencies, attaching Equivalencies to courses, when/if to submit course outcome as taken or as the equivalent course and, accurate transcribing of course equivalencies on high school transcripts
-Industry Recognized Certification (IRC), identifying and reporting IRC's available in a CTE course and reporting IRC's earned by students and,
-Work-Based Learning (WBL), identifying and reporting WBL opportunities that will be available in a course and reporting the WBL opportunities a student participated in
-How this data is used to map to Graduation Pathways and Perkins reporting

Speakers

Lisa A Ireland

Data Manager, Student Information, OSPI-Office of Superintendent of Public Inst

Lisa Ireland, Data Manager for the Student Information department at OSPI, works closely with school districts and OSPI program teams to ensure a deep understanding of CEDARS, high school transcripts and program reporting requirements.

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

Multiple Sections

2:00pm PDT

Sex Trafficking Prevention and Awareness for the Education Community

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

Meeting Room # 3

Last school year, the Washington State legislature mandated that sex trafficking prevention education be given to middle and high school age students. The goal of this presentation is to come alongside educators and administrators to help prepare you to meet this mandate. We will cover the basics of sex trafficking including common myths about where it happens and who is most vulnerable. We will share the unique risks that technology presents and how to spot the red flags of victimization in your school and community. We will introduce OSPI-approved resources that can be used in your classrooms and point you to material that will help prepare you to teach this challenging subject.

Speakers

Julie McNamara-Dahl

Prevention Programs Co-Chair, Rotary Club of the Pacific Northwest Ending Sex Trafficking

Julie McNamara-Dahl is a passionate advocate working to end sex trafficking. She is a charter member of the Rotary Club of the Pacific Northwest Ending Sex Trafficking and is currently Vice President of the Board of Directors for REST | Real Escape from the Sex Trade, a Seattle-based nonprofit which the last year engaged with over 650 victims and survivors of the sex trade. Julie’s career spanned banking, management consulting and 15 years at Microsoft. She learned about the realities of sex trafficking in 2012 and began volunteering with Awaken, a nonpro... Read More →

Bev Miller

Prevention Programs Co-Chair, Rotary Club of the Pacific Northwest Ending Sex Trafficking

Bev Miller is an active member of the Rotary Club of the Pacific Northwest Ending Sex Trafficking, a regional single-purpose Rotary Club. Bev has applied her teaching experience and knowledge of the dynamics of sex trafficking to present to youth and parents to build awareness a... Read More →

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

Multiple Sections

3:00pm PDT

Clearing the Path: Policy, Practice, and Youth Access to Healthcare Work

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

Meeting Room # 3

Across Washington, policymakers see high‑quality work‑based learning as essential to building the future health workforce. Yet many health sciences educators face real barriers when trying to place students under age 18 in clinical or workplace settings. At the same time, healthcare employers are navigating their own concerns around safety, liability, staff burden, and workflow. This interactive session brings educators, employers, and regulators into the same room for an open conversation about what it will take to expand meaningful work‑based learning for minors. Participants will hear directly from employers about their decision‑making, constraints, and what makes them say “yes,” while educators can share their on‑the‑ground experiences, challenges, and successes. State health workforce policy staff will facilitate a structured discussion focused on: Practical steps that can make partnerships easier and more sustainable. Where misunderstandings or assumptions may be getting in the way. How policy changes may open new doors for youth in healthcare roles, Whether you’ve struggled to connect with local employers or you’re looking to strengthen existing partnerships, this session offers a chance to learn, be heard, and help shape solutions that work for your community.

Speakers

Renee Fullerton

Health Policy Associate, Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board

Renee Fullerton, MPH, is the Health Policy Associate at the Washington Training and Education Coordinating Board. She coordinates the Health Workforce Council, which makes evidence-based recommendations to policymakers about actions to maintain and strengthen the state’s health... Read More →

Dr. Donald Smith, Jr

Long-Term Care Policy Manager, Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board

Dr. Smith holds a PhD in Immunology from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. In 2015, Dr. Smith moved into long-term care in Spokane. After four and a half years serving as an Administrator of a skilled nursing facility, including 28 months during the COVID pandemic... Read More →

Monday August 3, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Meeting Room # 3

HSCTE

4:00pm PDT

Industry 4.0 Credentials for Engineering, Manufacturing, Automation, & Robotics

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

Meeting Room # 3

From the first industrial revolution to today's Industry 4.0, manufacturing has transformed, and our CTE programs must evolve to keep pace. Drawing on ten years as an Advanced Manufacturing Instructor, I'll share real classroom experiences building and growing programs that prepare students for modern industry. Learn how I implemented nationally recognized industry credentials across engineering, manufacturing, automation, and robotics pathways, giving students workforce-ready skills employers demand. Whether you're launching or expanding a program, I'll provide practical guidance to bring these credentials into your own classroom.

Speakers

Alex Bechtler

K-12 Division Manager, Klein Educational Systems

Alex Bechtler is the Division Manager for K‑12 Programs at Klein Educational Systems and a recognized leader in advanced manufacturing and automation education. His work focuses on developing industry‑aligned training programs that prepare students for careers in modern automated... Read More →

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

WITEA

10:00am PDT

Building Opportunity: CTE Meets College in the High School in Workforce Training

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

Meeting Room # 3

Join us for a discussion on how to use CTE and College in the High School (CHS) to prepare students for IRC’s, short certificates and college degrees. We will compare the CTE and CHS models, and how the two can prepare students to enter the workforce while earning dual credit towards high school and college completion.

Speakers

Jason Boatwright

Dean of Instruction, Healthcare Programs, Clover Park Technical College

Jason Boatwright has served as a student-focused educator for 20 years. He holds a Master of Science degree for Biology Teachers and an Educational Doctorate in Adult Higher Education at Oregon State University. In additional to teaching at a two-year college for a decade, his administrative... Read More →

Jessica Dempsey

Clover Park Technical College

I am the Associate Dean of Dual Credit Pathways at Clover Park Technical College and oversee our College in the High School efforts. Previous to that, I was the Running Start Counselor at CPTC for 11 years. I see dual credit opportunities as one of the best ways for high school students... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Meeting Room # 3

Multiple Sections

11:00am PDT

Using Data to Improve Your District's CTE Course Catalog

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

Meeting Room # 3

CSTA Washington has launched public dashboards and reports to help districts analyze their CTE enrollments by career cluster, gender, race, income, ELL, and disability status. Attendees will learn to interpret this data to understand local enrollment trends and compare their performance against statewide, ESD, and peer district averages. Attendees will also learn to use these data dashboards and reports to identify participation gaps and drive data-informed program improvements to CTE course catalogs.

Speakers

Lawrence Tanimoto

VP Communications, CSTA Washington

VP Communications, CSTA Washington. Although now retired, Lawrence taught Computer Science as a CTE Teacher at Ingraham High School in north Seattle from 2014-2021. Prior to teaching, Lawrence worked for 28 years in the international computer industry - the last 18 with Microsoft... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Meeting Room # 3

WACTA

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

Teacher-Parent Toolbelt: EdTech Hacks for Life & Learning

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

Meeting Room # 3

Teaching and parenting often feel like juggling with fire, and then someone throws in a Chromebook! In this interactive session, explore the real-life challenges and hidden superpowers of being both an educator and a parent. Drawing on 20 years in education as a teacher, coach, and facilitator, and 12 years as a mom of three, I’ll share my “Teacher-Mom (Parent) Toolbelt,” a collection of strategies, reflections, and tech hacks that have helped me navigate teaching, leadership, graduate school, and life at home. Participants will discover practical, ready-to-implement tools for managing time, energy, and communication across school and home. We will explore tech hacks like digital organization shortcuts, time-blocking strategies, and simple routines that save time and energy. Leave with a personalized toolbelt of resources, reflective prompts for ongoing growth, and strategies you can use tomorrow to bring a little more joy and balance to your life.Learning outcome 1: Identify personal strengths and "superpowers" gained from being both an educator and a parent.Learning outcome 2: Identify practical strategies and tools to help streamline time management and reduce their mental load.Learning outcome 3: Create a personalized "Teacher-Parent Toolbelt" with actionable strategies and reflective prompts to support ongoing growth and well-being.

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 →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Meeting Room # 3

Multiple Sections

3:00pm PDT

CTE Office Hours

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

Meeting Room # 3

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 →

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

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

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

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