WA-ACTE 2026 Summer Conference

10:00am PDT

Amplify Student Success Using MBA Research Resources and AI Tools for FBLA Competitive Events

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

Discover how to combine MBA Research resources with emerging AI tools to better prepare students for classroom learning and FBLA competitive events. Learn practical strategies for using study guides to align instruction with the expectations of competitive events, and explore how AI can support lesson planning, generate practice activities, and help students build the skills needed to succeed in both the classroom and competition.

Speakers

Tami Perez

Vice President of Professional Learning, MBA Research & Curriculum Center

Tami Perez is an accomplished educational leader with extensive experience in career and technical education, instructional leadership, professional development, and community partnership development. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to empowering educators... Read More →

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 →

Sunday August 2, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Terrace West Second Floor Davenport Grand

WE-BAM

11:00am PDT

Level Up to Win: AI + MBA Research for DECA Success

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

Terrace West

Discover how to integrate MBA Research resources with emerging AI tools to elevate student readiness for both classroom learning and DECA competitive events. This session will highlight practical approaches to using performance indicators to align instruction with competitive events and demonstrate how AI can streamline lesson planning and generate targeted practice activities. Walk away with actionable strategies to help students build confidence, master key concepts, and perform at their best in both academic and competitive settings.

Speakers

Tami Perez

Vice President of Professional Learning, MBA Research & Curriculum Center

Holli Ryan-Kalaleh

Program Supervisor, Career Technical Education, Washington OSPI

Sunday August 2, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Terrace West Second Floor Davenport Grand

WE-BAM

1:00pm PDT

EGMS Perkins Grants & CLNA Working Session

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

Terrace West

Come ready to work! This hands-on session will provide support for completing the Perkins Grant Pre-Application. While the full application will not yet be available, participants will receive assistance with the required assurances and other pre-application components. Districts, State-Tribal Education Compact schools, and skill centers that submit their Pre-Application by August 28 will be eligible to obligate grant funds back to the date of Pre-Application submission, once the full application has been submitted and approved.

Participants will receive guidance on all aspects of the Perkins grant process, including determining eligibility, preparing required documentation, uploading documents, completing application requirements, and submitting Perkins-funded grant applications. Please bring your laptop and ensure you have district-level EGMS access for Perkins grants as well as your multi-factor authentication (MFA) sign-in credentials.

This session will also provide dedicated time for questions related to the Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA). Whether your questions are about timelines, processes, documentation, or specific CLNA requirements, staff will be available to provide assistance and answer your questions. Bring your CLNA questions, regardless of where you are in the process.

Speakers

Clarisse Leong

Director of Operations, Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Clarisse serves as the Director of Operations in the Pathway and Preparation Division at OSPI.

Sunday August 2, 2026 1:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Terrace West Second Floor Davenport Grand

WACTA

11:00am PDT

OSPI HOT Updates in Mini-Sessions

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

Terrace West

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

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 →

Monday August 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Terrace West Second Floor Davenport Grand

Multiple Sections

2:00pm PDT

Design Thinking for the Workforce Pipeline: From Data to Action

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

Terrace West

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

Ryan Beard

Senior Program Manager, Career Pathways, Washington STEM

Ryan Beard (She/Her) is a Senior Program Manager for Career Pathways at WA STEM. She has over 20 years of experience in K-12 education, as a science teacher, and more recently in Career and Technical Education leadership at the building, district, and regional levels... Read More →

Raeshawna Ware

WA-STEM

Monday August 3, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Terrace West Second Floor Davenport Grand

Multiple Sections

9:00am PDT

DECA Update

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

Terrace West

Join Washington DECA for a briefing on the upcoming school year. We will cover essential calendar dates, state-specific initiatives, and the latest competitive event updates to ensure your chapter is ready for success. This session is designed to provide you with a clear roadmap and the resources you need to support your student leaders effectively from day one.

Speakers

Marian Morris

Advisor and Chapter Support, Washington DECA

Marian Morris is a Career and Technical Education (CTE) advocate and the Advisor and Chapter Strategist for Washington DECA. With a focus on workforce readiness and financial literacy, she works to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application. As the founder of MKLmorris Educat... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Terrace West Second Floor Davenport Grand

WE-BAM

10:00am PDT

AP Business & Personal Finance Integration Strategies for Your Chapter/Classroom

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

Terrace West

Is your program ready for the new AP Business course? Join us for a briefing on the essential takeaways from the national Summer Institute. This session focuses on practical curriculum integration, providing teachers with the tools to align their course load with the new standards while maximizing student recruitment and success in this groundbreaking co-curricular partnership.

Speakers

Marian Morris

Advisor and Chapter Support, Washington DECA

Tuesday August 4, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Terrace West Second Floor Davenport Grand

WE-BAM

11:00am PDT

Teaching Presentation Excellence with a Plug and Play Instructional Suite

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

Terrace West

Whether a student is heading into a job interview, a boardroom, or a CTSO competition, their ability to present professionally is a critical career-readiness skill. This session breaks down the "how-to" of teaching effective public speaking using high-impact examples and clear benchmarks for student success. We will share a versatile instructional suite designed to be plug-and-play for any communication unit. Come prepared to interact with the materials and leave with a turnkey presentation deck ready to use or personalized for your specific student needs.

Speakers