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2026 KACTE Summer Program
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Wednesday, July 22
 

7:00am EDT

CTE Meeting Place
Wednesday July 22, 2026 7:00am - 3:00pm EDT
The CTE meeting place attracts a diverse range of participants and resources, including not only exhibitors displaying the most recent tools, products, and services relevant to career and technical education, but also representatives from universities and colleges, employers from industry, community colleges, workforce development agencies, training providers, and student organizations. Attendees can visit informational and recruitment booths, watch hands-on demonstrations, and obtain printed and digital resources to learn about career paths, internships, credentials, and collaboration opportunities. This gathering is intended to facilitate networking, knowledge exchange, and collaboration on curriculum and workforce needs, as well as to assist students, educators, and administrators in identifying specific next steps for career preparation and postsecondary transition.
Wednesday July 22, 2026 7:00am - 3:00pm EDT
Ballroom A - East - 2nd Floor

8:00am EDT

2027 CTE End-of-Program (EOP) Assessment Update Session
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am EDT
Session will include 2025-2026 CTE EOP Assessment testing performance results, 2026-2027 updates. Information related to TRACK Pre-Apprenticeship Assessment will be provide. Time will be available for questions.
Speakers
avatar for Sherri Craig

Sherri Craig

502-564-4286, Office of Career and Technical Education (OCTE)
OCTE - IT Business Analyst Senior
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am EDT
Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

8:00am EDT

Connecting Dots, Building Futures: Leveraging Futuriti to Strengthen CTE Program Impact
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am EDT
Futuriti.org, launched in February 2025 by the Commonwealth Education Continuum, is the nation’s only statewide career-and-college access platform designed to help CTE educators connect students to career pathways, postsecondary options, and regional workforce needs. This interactive platform, featuring the Future Finder tool and a comprehensive database, links local CTE programs to more than 700 careers with job descriptions, salary ranges, and employment projections through 2032, integrates Kentucky-specific KYSTATS labor-market data, and helps students visualize the full pathway from high school CTE completion to credentials, certifications, and degrees. Futuriti supports individual learning plans (ILP) and career-studies curriculum, provides resources to engage families around pathways and financial aid, and amplifies program impact by demonstrating tangible career outcomes, advancing Kentucky’s goal of 60% postsecondary credential attainment by 2030 while better preparing students for livable-wage, in-demand jobs.
Speakers
avatar for Trey Pippin

Trey Pippin

270-993-2315, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE)
Program Director, Outreach and Partnerships
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am EDT
Cochran - West - 3rd Floor

8:00am EDT

Everyone Goes to Work: Work-Based Learning for Transitioning Students
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am EDT
This session describes how a rural district redesigned work‑based learning to expand access and meaningful employment experiences for students with disabilities, including those in MSD programs, by moving from limited, one‑size‑fits‑all placements to a broader, flexible model that overcame rural barriers like transportation, few employers, and staffing limits. It covers building sustainable local business partnerships, adapting job roles for diverse learners, aligning IEP transition goals with authentic workplace skills, and preserving compliance while maintaining high expectations. Attendees will learn strategies for preparing students before, during, and after placements through collaboration with special education staff and community partners and receive practical resources, planning templates, employer communication tools, and student readiness checklists, along with interactive discussion, to leave with actionable steps for strengthening inclusive work‑based learning in rural and small communities.
Speakers
avatar for Margie McGraw

Margie McGraw

CTE Coordinator, Union County High School
I bring over 30 years of experience in education and currently serve as a CTE Coordinator, with a true passion for Career and Technical Education (CTE). I love helping students connect what they learn in the classroom to real-world opportunities, especially through Work-Based Learning... Read More →
avatar for Nichole Thomas

Nichole Thomas

2709525312, Union County High School
School Counselor/Lead SPED
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am EDT
Ballroom C - East - 2nd Floor

9:00am EDT

Thriving in the Trades: Implementing Youth Thrive Protective Factors in CTE Classrooms
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
Join the Kentucky Strengthening Families Youth Thrive team for an engaging introduction to the five Protective Factors that support people in managing stress, buffer against adversity, and help strengthen resilience. This session will highlight practical activities that can be incorporated into CTE classrooms to help students build these protective factors and better prepare them for success in the workforce.
Speakers
avatar for Ellery Hauser, MPH

Ellery Hauser, MPH

859-324-2771, Kentucky Department for Public Health
Early Childhood and Youth Support Coordinator
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
Willow - West - 3rd Floor

10:00am EDT

Connecting Career and Technical Education to Persistence to Graduation
Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Career and Technical Education (CTE) provides engaging, real-world learning experiences that support persistence to graduation and enhance the quality of students' school experience. Data helps ensure those experiences translate into success, and this session will explore how CTE programs, combined with data from Infinite Campus tools such as the Early Warning Tool and Insights Data Visualization Dashboards, can build school connectedness, promote student-owned engagement, and support intervention. Attendees will learn strategies to use data to identify trends, guide interventions, strengthen student supports, and connect learning to meaningful outcomes that help every student succeed academically and prepare for life beyond high school.
Speakers
avatar for Christina Watford

Christina Watford

502-564-4772 ext. 4069, The Kentucky Department of Education
Christina Watford is a Persistence to Graduation program consultant at the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) with 23 years of experience in public education. Before joining KDE, she spent 15 years as a certified school counselor, primarily serving students in Scott County Schools... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Judi Vanderhaar

Dr. Judi Vanderhaar

502-564-4772 ext. 4044, The Kentucky Department of Education
Education Program Consultant
avatar for Ashley Gates

Ashley Gates

Persistence to Graduation Consultant, Kentucky Department of Education
Dr. Ashley Gates brings a decade of experience in alternative and special education to her role as a Persistence to Graduation program consultant at the Kentucky Department of Education. Her background includes work as a special education teacher, behavior coach, and digital learning... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Fields - East - 3rd Floor

10:00am EDT

From Classroom to Factory Floor: Industry Immersion for Educators
Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Educators play a critical role in shaping students' career awareness, yet many have limited exposure to today's high-impact industry careers. This session highlights a one-day industry immersion model that connects educators directly with modern manufacturing, construction, and other high-demand sectors. Participants will learn how this one-day immersion event and subsequent follow-up interaction can help teachers better understand industry needs and confidently integrate real-world career pathways into classroom instruction. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for designing and hosting educator immersion events that strengthen career awareness, relevance, and student engagement.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Vicki Berling

Dr. Vicki Berling

859.283.8164, Northern Kentucky Area Development District
Workforce Integrator, NKY Works
Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Poplar - West - 3rd Floor

1:00pm EDT

IEP Team Player: Boost Your Special Education Skills and Confidence
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Got students with Individual Education Programs (IEPs) in your classroom? Ready to step up your game as a key player on their IEP team? This session is for you. We'll dive into practical strategies to boost your skills and confidence, making you an informed and effective member of the IEP team.
Speakers
avatar for Shasta Hensley

Shasta Hensley

5025644970, Kentucky Department of Education
Family & Community Engagement Coordinator
avatar for Magan Gaddis

Magan Gaddis

5025644970, Kentucky Department of Education
Coaching Coordinator
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Fields - East - 3rd Floor

1:00pm EDT

Unlocking Kentucky’s Industry Certification List for Student Success
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Explore how Kentucky's Valid Industry Certification List works, from understanding valued credentials to applying the list in practical ways that strengthen student pathways and career readiness.
Speakers
avatar for Cathy Hoehn

Cathy Hoehn

Career Programs and Pathways Branch Manager, KDE, Office of Career and Technical Education
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Beckham - East - 3rd Floor

3:00pm EDT

Connecting Classrooms to Careers: Industry Partnerships that Work
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
This session helps career and technical education (CTE) teachers connect classroom instruction to real-world careers across multiple pathways by showcasing Kentucky Chamber Foundation–backed regional collaborations that link educators with local employers (hospitals, skilled trades, construction) to boost student career awareness, work-based learning (WBL), and pathway alignment. Using the Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) framework, presenters will demonstrate practical industry partnership strategies—such as Bus to Business, the Educators Guide to Industry, and Youth Hiring Academies—to expose students to high‑demand careers, expand meaningful employer engagement, and address hiring of students under 18. Participants will leave with concrete, adaptable strategies (site visits, guest speakers, industry exposure) to integrate career awareness and WBL into CTE programs and to strengthen connections to postsecondary education and high‑demand fields like health care, construction, and the trades.
Speakers
avatar for Katie Walker

Katie Walker

2709254559, Kentucky Chamber Foundation
Program Manager
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Beckham - East - 3rd Floor

3:00pm EDT

Everyone Goes to Work: Work-Based Learning for Transitioning Students
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
This session highlights how a rural district intentionally redesigned work-based learning to expand access and meaningful employment experiences for students with disabilities, including those in MSD programs. Participants will learn how shifting from limited, one-size-fits-all placements to a broader, flexible model increased opportunities despite rural challenges such as transportation, limited employers, and staffing constraints. Topics include building sustainable partnerships with local businesses, adapting job roles to meet diverse learner needs, aligning IEP transition goals with authentic workplace skills, and maintaining compliance while holding high expectations. Attendees will explore strategies for preparing students for success before, during, and after placements through collaboration with special education staff and community partners. Practical, ready-to-use resources will be shared, including planning templates, employer communication tools, and student readiness checklists. Interactive discussion and reflection will help participants leave with actionable strategies to strengthen inclusive work-based learning in rural and small-community settings.
Speakers
avatar for Margie McGraw

Margie McGraw

CTE Coordinator, Union County High School
I bring over 30 years of experience in education and currently serve as a CTE Coordinator, with a true passion for Career and Technical Education (CTE). I love helping students connect what they learn in the classroom to real-world opportunities, especially through Work-Based Learning... Read More →
avatar for Nichole Thomas

Nichole Thomas

2709525312, Union County High School
School Counselor/Lead SPED
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

3:00pm EDT

Removing Barriers, Building Futures: The McKinney-Vento Act and Career and Technical Education
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Discover how the McKinney-Vento Act supports equitable access to careers such as transportation, enrollment, and documentation and share actionable strategies to remove obstacles and connect students to high-quality CTE pathways. Attendees will review promising national data from the U.S. Department of Education demonstrating the impact of CTE for McKinney-Vento students. Participants will learn best practices, review real-world scenarios, and leave with tools to ensure learners can build a future through career education.
Speakers
avatar for Zachary Stumbo

Zachary Stumbo

5025415543, Kentucky Department of Education
State Homeless Coordinator
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Stopher - East - 3rd Floor

3:00pm EDT

Soft Skills Are Power Skills: Teaching Employability Intentionally
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Employers consistently rank communication, collaboration, adaptability, and professionalism as top workforce needs, yet many schools assume students will pick them up naturally. This session explores how to intentionally teach, model, and assess employability (power) skills within advisory, CTE, and core classes. Participants will explore frameworks for defining skills clearly, embedding them into existing structures, and helping students articulate them in resumes, interviews, and college applications.
Speakers
avatar for Sherlyn Bratcher

Sherlyn Bratcher

270-792-4307, Green River Regional Educational Cooperative
Mental Health & Crisis Response Coordinator
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Fields - East - 3rd Floor

4:00pm EDT

Jumpstart Your Middle School CTE Teaching Journey: Tools, Tips, and Strategies
Wednesday July 22, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
Jumpstart the year as a Middle School CTE teacher with practical tools, tips, and strategies you can use right away. In this session, you'll learn where to find high‑quality resources, explore Kentucky-specific supports, and gain effective classroom management ideas tailored to hands‑on CTE environments. Leave with increased confidence and ready-to-use strategies to start the year strong.
Speakers
avatar for Sharon Collins

Sharon Collins

502-564-4286, Kentucky Department of Education Office of Career and Technical Education
Middle School Career Studies
Wednesday July 22, 2026 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
Beckham - East - 3rd Floor

4:00pm EDT

Every Adult Matters: Building a School Prevention Workforce
Wednesday July 22, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT
Every adult in a school has the potential to influence student outcomes, and a coordinated approach amplifies this impact. This session focuses on building a school prevention workforce that leverages all staff roles to strengthen protective factors, delay first substance use, and reduce ongoing youth use. Participants will explore evidence-based strategies to enhance adult-student relationships, foster student engagement, and integrate protective factors systematically across classrooms, extracurricular activities, and school-wide practices. Practical examples will highlight how teachers, counselors, coaches, administrators, and support staff can collaborate to create a consistent, supportive school environment. Attendees will engage in reflective discussion and action planning to identify opportunities within their own schools to mobilize staff effectively. By the end of the session, participants will leave with a clear framework for coordinating their school workforce, turning every adult into a prevention ally, and sustaining long-term protective school communities.
Speakers
avatar for LAURA EDWARDS

LAURA EDWARDS

2709321403, DBHDID, Division of Substance Use Disorder, Prevention and Promotion
Workforce Development Program Administrator
Wednesday July 22, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT
Collins - East - 2nd Floor

5:30pm EDT

KACTE Annual Business Meeting
Wednesday July 22, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
TBD
Speakers
AG

Angela Gott

KACTE President

Wednesday July 22, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Ballroom B - East - 2nd Floor

6:00pm EDT

KACTE Member Event
Wednesday July 22, 2026 6:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
TBD
Speakers
AG

Angela Gott

KACTE President

Wednesday July 22, 2026 6:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Patrick O'Shea's 123 W. Main St.
 
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2026 KACTE Summer Program
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