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2026 KACTE Summer Program
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Monday, July 20
 

1:00pm EDT

The AI Fellowship: Shaping the Classroom of Tomorrow
LIMITED
Monday July 20, 2026 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session features the culminating work of nine visionary Kentucky educators from our exclusive AI Fellowship cohort as they showcase high-impact, classroom-ready resources for integrating artificial intelligence into K-12 CTE programs. Attendees will gain firsthand insights into the transition from AI theory to their industry-aligned application, discovering innovative pedagogical strategies designed to lead the Commonwealth into the future of learning. Participants will leave with a clear roadmap and shared resources to immediately elevate instructional leadership and AI implementation within their own schools and districts.
Speakers
TL

Taylor L Pratt

502-852-1925, University of Louiville
Assistant Clinical Professor
Monday July 20, 2026 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

3:00pm EDT

Conference Registration
Monday July 20, 2026 3:00pm - 6:00pm EDT

Monday July 20, 2026 3:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Grand Hall - East Tower - 2nd Floor

6:00pm EDT

Kentucky Farm Bureau CTE Awards Dinner (Invitation Only)
Monday July 20, 2026 6:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Celebrating the presentation of the 2026 Kentucky Farm Bureau Career and Technical Education Awards. (By Invitation Only).
Speakers
LS

Laura Spiegelhalter

KACTE Awards Chair

Monday July 20, 2026 6:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Waterford - West - 25th Floor
 
Tuesday, July 21
 

7:00am EDT

Continental Breakfast
Tuesday July 21, 2026 7:00am - 9:30am EDT
Breakfast will be in both the Grand Hall near registration as well as the Meeting Place- Ballroom A in the East Tower.
Tuesday July 21, 2026 7:00am - 9:30am EDT
East Tower - 2nd Floor

7:00am EDT

Conference Registration
Tuesday July 21, 2026 7:00am - 5:00pm EDT

Tuesday July 21, 2026 7:00am - 5:00pm EDT
Grand Hall - East Tower - 2nd Floor

8:00am EDT

CTE Summer Program Opening Session
Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:00am - 9:45am EDT
Please join us for KACTE Summer Program Opening Session!  Hear from KACTE President, Angela Gott, KDE Associate Commissioner Dr. Beth Hargis, and Keynote Speaker Gerry Brooks.
Speakers
AG

Angela Gott

KACTE President

GB

Gerry Brooks

Keynote Speaker
DB

Dr. Beth Hargis

KDE Associate Commissioner, OCTE
Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:00am - 9:45am EDT
Ballroom B and C - East - 2nd Floor

10:00am EDT

Meeting with Marisa Duarte
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Scholarship recipients' orientation.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Marisa Duarte

Dr. Marisa Duarte

5025644970, Kentucky Department of Education - OSEEL
Transition Training Coordinator
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Wilkinson - East - 1st Floor

10:00am EDT

CTE Meeting Place
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:00am - 5:00pm EDT
The CTE meeting place features a broad array of participants and resources: not only exhibitors showcasing the latest 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 explore informational and recruitment booths, view hands-on demonstrations, pick up printed and digital resources, to learn about pathways, internships, credentials, and partnership opportunities. This gathering is designed to facilitate networking, knowledge exchange, collaboration on curriculum and workforce needs, and to help students, educators, and administrators identify concrete next steps for career preparation and postsecondary transition.
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:00am - 5:00pm EDT
  All Content

11:30am EDT

Lunch
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Lunch will be in both the Grand Hall near registration as well as the Meeting Place- Ballroom A in the East Tower. Lunch will consist of one salad or one sandwich per person.  Please take this time to visit exhibitors, participate in the door prizes, and network with your fellow CTE Professionals.
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
East Tower - 2nd Floor

12:00pm EDT

Growing Leaders in CTE: Discover the KACTE Fellows Program
Tuesday July 21, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Are you ready to grow your leadership, expand your network and make a greater impact in Career and Technical Education? The KACTE Fellows Program is designed to help educators develop professionally while connecting with leaders across Kentucky. Join this session to learn how the program works, what Fellows gain from the experience, and how you can take the next step in your CTE professional journey.
Speakers
AD

Alyssa Duckworth

270-844-2804, KACTE
Educators in CTE
Tuesday July 21, 2026 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Fields - East - 3rd Floor

1:00pm EDT

AI as a Professional Support Tool: Practical AI Tools for CTE Teachers
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work, including the work of teachers. In this interactive session, CTE educators will explore how to use AI as a professional support tool for lesson planning, assessment design, instructional material creation, and other high-impact tasks. The session will be co-led with AI Fellows participating in a statewide CTE initiative, who will share tested examples and practical insights from their experiences.Rather than focusing on AI tricks, this session introduces repeatable prompts and practical processes for using AI responsibly and strategically. Participants will generate and refine lesson components aligned to pathway standards, design authentic performance tasks, and elevate instructional materials while maintaining strong alignment to program expectations. Throughout the session, we will emphasize how AI can support high-quality, standards-aligned instruction while preserving teacher judgment and professional expertise.Participants will actively test AI tools and strategies during the session and leave with ready-to-use prompts, example workflows, and adaptable resources they can immediately implement in their CTE classrooms.
Speakers
TL

Taylor L Pratt

502-852-1925, University of Louiville
Assistant Clinical Professor
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Beckham - East - 3rd Floor

1:00pm EDT

JCPS (only) CTE Teachers Institute
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
This session is for JCPS CTE teachers only. JCPS CTE teachers, counselors and principals will learn critical information that will impact their CTE Pathways for the upcoming school year.**Note to program scheduler- We run two repeat sessions to capture as many of our teachers as we can. We have had the greatest success hosting our sessions on Tuesday from 1pm to 2:30pm, and a repeat session on Wednesday from 10am to 11:30am. We dont need Ballroom C, just a cozier room with a max capacity of 150. Thanks so much!
Speakers
BJ

Beau Johnston

502-492-0156, Jefferson County Public Schools
Director of Career & Technical Education
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Ballroom C - East - 2nd Floor

1:00pm EDT

Recognizing, Reporting, and Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Through lecture, video, injury identification and group work, attendees are prepared to recognize, report, and prevent child abuse and neglect within their role as child and/or family-serving professionals. This workshop reviews Kentucky mandated reporting laws, definitions of abuse and neglect, what to expect after a report has been made to the authorities and outlines specific action steps which prevent child maltreatment.
Speakers
avatar for Chris Prichard

Chris Prichard

6062071055, Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky
Programs and Trainings Coordinator, Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Dogwood - West - 3rd Floor

2:30pm EDT

CTE Refreshment Break
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
Come enjoy some light refreshments in the CTE Meeting Place!
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
East Tower - 2nd Floor

3:00pm EDT

SkillsUSA Update
Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Will cover the following topics: CTSO Guidance for New Advisors Regional Advisor/Coordinator information, SkillsUSA Registration Website, SkillsUSA - Pathful, and updates for 2027 State Conference Competition
Speakers
JP

Jermaine Poynter

2704549276, Kentucky SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA State Director
Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Cochran - West - 3rd Floor

3:00pm EDT

UDL in the CTE Classroom: Practical Strategies That Work Tomorrow
Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
CTE classrooms serve some of the most diverse learners in the building: students with disabilities, English learners, students with varied academic readiness, and students who thrive with hands-on learning. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) offers a framework that aligns naturally with CTE instruction by emphasizing flexibility, multiple pathways, and real-world relevance.This session will equip teachers with practical, realistic UDL strategies they can immediately implement without adding to their workload.Learning ObjectivesBy the end of this session, participants will be able to:Describe the three core principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).Identify barriers to learning in a typical CTE classroom.Apply at least three UDL strategies to an existing lesson or lab.Leave with a concrete, ready-to-use UDL lesson tweak.
Speakers
Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Dogwood - West - 3rd Floor

3:00pm EDT

What can we sell? New SBE Guidelines
Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Did you hear about HB 555? Have you wondered how that will affect your school-based enterprise (SBE) and what it means for your district? This session is all about providing clarity on the new guidelines around this legislation. We will discuss specifics on when and what you may now sell in your SBE. You will be able to ask specific questions and get feedback to help your district align to HB 555.
Speakers
avatar for Tina Brogli

Tina Brogli

8593048418, Kentucky Department of Education
WBL Coordinator
KE

Katie Embree

Child Nutrition Program Manager, KDE Division of School and Community Nutrition
Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Beckham - East - 3rd Floor

4:00pm EDT

Beyond the Certification: Why the Process Matters for Students with Disabilities
Tuesday July 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT
Industry credentials matterbut they are only part of the story. While certifications represent the product, durable employability skills such as problem-solving, communication, adaptability, and persistence are developed through the learning process students engage in while earning them. This session challenges CTE educators to design instruction that builds both intentionally.Participants will explore the distinction between product (credential attainment) and process (skill development) and examine why many students earn certifications yet struggle to transfer skills to real-world settings. Grounded in the Predictors of Postschool Success (PISA), this session highlights how structured practice, feedback, collaboration, and authentic problem-solving experiences directly strengthen postsecondary and employment outcomes.The session will also connect Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to transition-focused instruction. Educators will examine how multiple means of engagement, representation, and action/expression can intentionally support IEP transition goals while strengthening workforce readiness for all studentsincluding those with disabilities.Through examples, reflection activities, and practical strategies, participants will leave with actionable approaches to embed employability skill development into existing CTE coursework without sacrificing credential attainment.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Marisa Duarte

Dr. Marisa Duarte

5025644970, Kentucky Department of Education - OSEEL
Transition Training Coordinator
Tuesday July 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT
Beckham - East - 3rd Floor
 
Wednesday, July 22
 

7:00am EDT

Continental Breakfast
Wednesday July 22, 2026 7:00am - 9:30am EDT
Breakfast will be in both the Grand Hall near registration as well as the Meeting Place- Ballroom A in the East Tower.
Wednesday July 22, 2026 7:00am - 9:30am EDT
East Tower - 2nd Floor

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

7:00am EDT

Conference Registration
Wednesday July 22, 2026 7:00am - 5:00pm EDT

Wednesday July 22, 2026 7:00am - 5:00pm EDT
Grand Hall - East Tower - 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

8:00am EDT

Hands-On, Minds-On, Project-Based Learning with Student Voice and Choice.
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am EDT
This presentation is geared towards project-based learning with student voice and choice. Focusing on low-lift, high-impact project development for teachers, focusing on the following: Open-ended projects with multiple deliverables and real-world design problems.
Speakers
avatar for Taylor Ryan Steele

Taylor Ryan Steele

8595598037, Lafayette Senior High School, Fayette County Public Schools
Teacher, CTE Instructional Lead, Associate Director of Pre-Engineering
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am EDT
Beckham - East - 3rd Floor

9:00am EDT

CTE Supplemental Funding: What You Can—and Can’t—Do
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
Managing CTE Supplemental Funding doesnt have to be confusing! In this practical, user‑friendly session, we break down the key dos and don'ts for both middle and high school programs. Learn what counts as an allowable expense, what to avoid, and how to plan spending that strengthens your program and supports students. We'll also explore examples, common mistakes, and tips for stretching your funds effectively. Whether you're new to CTE funding or looking for a helpful refresher, you'll walk away with clear guidance, confidence, and strategies you can use immediately.
Speakers
KR

Kelsey Ruble

502-564-4286, Kentucky Department of Education Office of Career and Technical Education
Branch Manager
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
Sampson - East - 1st Floor

9:00am EDT

Surviving Your First Years of Teaching: Emotions, Classroom Foundations, and High-Yield Strategies
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
New teachers don't struggle because they lack effort or care. They struggle because no one teaches them how to survive the emotional and structural realities of the job. This session is designed for early-career educators and those who support them. Drawing from classroom experience and the forthcoming book Surviving Your First Years of Teaching, this presentation explores the often-unspoken emotional challenges of year one and beyond, alongside the classroom foundations that actually make teaching sustainable. Participants will examine common myths about natural teachers, the hidden causes of burnout, and the emotional load that comes with managing students, systems, and expectations. From there, the session shifts into high-yield strategies: practical classroom structures, routines, and decision-making frameworks that reduce stress, improve student engagement, and protect teacher longevity. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of why the first years feel so destabilizing, along with concrete tools they can apply immediately to create calmer, more effective classrooms that last.
Speakers
avatar for Jared Cordell Hoertz

Jared Cordell Hoertz

Business & Marketing Instructor | CTE Dual & Articulated Credit Coordinator, Lafayette High School; Fayette County Public Schools

Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
Fields - East - 3rd 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 Career: Teaching with AI the Way Industry Uses It
Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
If students are to encounter AI in their future careers, our classrooms should reflect how AI is actually used in industry. This interactive session explores how CTE educators can design instructional sequences that mirror real professional AI workflows such as drafting, analyzing data, optimizing processes, and supporting decision-making. Co-led with AI Fellows participating in a statewide CTE initiative, this session features tested examples and practical insights from real experiences. Together, we will examine how industry-informed AI integration strengthens curriculum relevance, reinforces technical and employability skill development, and creates meaningful opportunities for students to apply integrated knowledge in authentic scenarios. We will also address how educators can ensure that classroom technology reflects evolving workforce expectations while maintaining ethical guardrails and instructional integrity.Participants will learn a repeatable process for identifying authentic industry use cases, aligning them to pathway standards, and translating those workflows into classroom tasks. Attendees will leave with a practical industry-to-classroom AI design template and a drafted activity aligned to their own CTE course.
Speakers
TL

Taylor L Pratt

502-852-1925, University of Louiville
Assistant Clinical Professor
Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Cochran - West - 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

11:30am EDT

Lunch
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Lunch will be in both the Grand Hall near registration as well as the Meeting Place- Ballroom A in the East Tower. Lunch will consist of one salad or one sandwich per person.  Please take this time to visit exhibitors, participate in the door prizes, and network with your fellow CTE Professionals.
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
East Tower - 2nd 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

1:00pm EDT

WBL Shuffle (OCTE)
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Join us for an interactive session on work-based learning (WBL). This session is suitable for all levels of involvement in WBL, from beginners to experienced educators. Have all of your questions answered, and be prepared to begin the new school year with a strong program in place!
Speakers
avatar for Tina Brogli

Tina Brogli

8593048418, Kentucky Department of Education
WBL Coordinator
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Archibald - West - 3rd Floor

2:30pm EDT

CTE Refreshment Break
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
Come enjoy some light refreshments in the CTE Meeting Place!
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
East Tower - 2nd Floor

3:00pm EDT

Bridging Classroom to Career Through Workplace Knowledge
LIMITED
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
In this session, you'll explore how Ready for Industry supports career readiness through interactive, standards-aligned lessons. The program covers essential sectors like Manufacturing, Construction, Health Science, Information Technology, and Logistics. Students build awareness of real career pathways, develop soft skills, and learn about current workforce trends and expectations. Whether you're leading a work-based learning program or just looking to bring more career-focused content into your classroom, Ready for Industry is a powerful tool to help students connect what they learn in school to what they'll need on the job. RFI includes an opportunity for participants to earn an industry-recognized stackable micro-credential through NOCTI.
Speakers
avatar for Grace Johnson

Grace Johnson

4235804323, Ready for Industry
Customer Success Manager
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Ballroom C - East - 2nd 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

SkillsUSA Regional Meetings
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Regional Coordinators - required to attend. Every SkillsUSA advisor is invited to attend and meet their regional coordinator. As a state team, we will plan and organize regional competitions for the 2026-2027 school year. Attendees will gain more insight into SkillsUSA Championships and be given the opportunity to network with others in their field.
Speakers
AH

Amy Hancock

2709635124, Livingston Central High School
Teacher
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Cochran - West - 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.
 
Register to attend

2026 KACTE Summer Program
Register to attend
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