2026 KACTE Summer Program: Full Schedule

1:00pm EDT

The AI Fellowship: Shaping the Classroom of Tomorrow

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

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

All Content

Audience All Content

10:00am EDT

Teaching and Learning 26-27 Program Area Updates

Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT

Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

Stay up to date on the latest developments in the Teaching and Learning pathway. This session will provide key updates on course offerings, including revised course descriptions, new teacher toolkits, and available industry certification options. Participants will also gain insight into go-to resources, recruitment strategies, and opportunities designed to support high-quality GYO success.

Speakers

Bree Massie

8597078320, Kentucky Department of Education

Educators Rising Coordinator

Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

Teaching and Learning, Teaching and Learning

Audience Teaching and Learning

11:30am EDT

A Toast to Teaching: Celebrating our Year in Teaching and Learning (RSVP Required)

Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT

Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

Educators Rising Teacher Leaders from across Kentucky for a special luncheon celebrating the accomplishments of our students, educators, and programs. Together, we will recognize competitors and winners from the National Educators Rising Conference, explore meaningful ways to honor and elevate our pathway, and strengthen connections among educators across the state. This session offers an opportunity to celebrate success, build community, and inspire continued growth for Kentucky’s future educators.

Speakers

Bree Massie

8597078320, Kentucky Department of Education

Educators Rising Coordinator

Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT
Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

Teaching and Learning

Audience Teaching and Learning

1:00pm EDT

Grow Your Own with Educators Rising

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT

Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

This session aims to equip participants with the knowledge and resources necessary to implement a Grow Your Own model within their communities. Attendees will explore strategies to motivate students to pursue careers in education, leverage resources to support current teachers in inspiring future educators, and learn how to start, grow, or sustain an Educators Rising chapter.ObjectivesExamine strategies to encourage students to explore careers in educationExplore resources available to support current teachers to inspire future teachersStart, grow, or sustain an Educators Rising chapter

Speakers

Bree Massie

8597078320, Kentucky Department of Education

Educators Rising Coordinator

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

Teaching and Learning

Audience Teaching and Learning

3:00pm EDT

Interest to Impact: Growing the Next Generation of Teachers

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT

Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

This session shares a teachers perspective on the evolution of teacher preparation, highlighting the shift from traditional approaches to intentionalGrow Your OwnandTeaching models. This session also features authentic student perspectives through short video reflections from middle school and high school students currently engaged in the Teaching and Learning pathway, as well as a recent graduate now enrolled in postsecondary education. These voices illustrate how early classroom experiences, leadership opportunities, and pathway participation build confidence, preparedness, and clarity around career goals.Attendees will leave with practical ideas for developing or strengthening Teaching and Learning pathways, integrating student voice, and creating sustainable Grow Your Own programs that begin well before graduation.

Speakers

Michelle Gross

6062730085, Spencer County Middle School

7th Grade Math Teacher

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

Teaching and Learning

Audience Teaching and Learning

4:00pm EDT

Registered TRACK Apprenticeships Grow Your Own

Tuesday July 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT

Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

Take a seat at the table as we dive into Kentuckys Registered Youth Apprenticeship models with our TRACK Apprenticeship experts: Mary Taylor (KDE), Brandy Scott (JCPS), Lee Barger (Bullitt County Schools), and Courtney Newton (LEAD Nelson). Together, they will share their unique models, program designs, and practical approaches to launching and building a registered Youth TRACK Apprenticeship in your district.

Speakers

Bree Massie

8597078320, Kentucky Department of Education

Educators Rising Coordinator

Tuesday July 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT
Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

Teaching and Learning

Audience Teaching and Learning

8:00am EDT

2027 CTE End-of-Program (EOP) Assessment Update Session

Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am EDT

Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

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

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

All Content

Audience All Content

9:00am EDT

Designing for Joy: Using Project-Based Learning to Sustain Teachers

Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am EDT

Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

A middle school educator (2026 Kentucky Teacher of the Year) presents how intentionally designed project-based learning (PBL) can reignite joy in teaching while raising expectations for all students by using real-world projects, community connections, and student choice to create classrooms of curiosity, purpose, and growth. Participants will learn practical strategies for designing authentic, multi-entry projects that allow every learner to experience success while still challenging them to exceed rubrics and ways to involve local mentors, advisors, and feedback partners to boost relevance and engagement. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas to implement PBL in their own classrooms and to empower Teaching and Learning pathway students to design and lead project-based experiences that support joyful, sustainable teaching practices.

Speakers

Michelle Gross

6062730085, Spencer County Middle School

7th Grade Math Teacher

Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am EDT
Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

Teaching and Learning

Audience Teaching and Learning

10:00am EDT

From Pathway to Pipeline: Planting the Foundation

Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT

Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

Are you starting with a blank slate and a big vision? Transforming a Teaching and Learning pathway from a mere concept into a thriving, high-impact pipeline set to prepare your next generation of Kentucky educators. Join us as we explore how to build a Tll guide you through the essentials of digging in, from crafting a rigorous yet relatable curriculum to setting ambitious monthly travel goals that broaden student horizons and allow for career exploration. Discover how to wrap your program in engaging branding all while staying fiercely aligned with the Grow Your Own (GYO) vision and mission. Whether you are starting from the ground up or looking to elevate your current population, join us for a conversation designed to strengthen your community and help you find the right place to plant and grow.

Speakers

Iris Isaacs

8597078320, Fayette County Public Schools

Teacher Leader

Sarah Maines

Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

Teaching and Learning

Audience Teaching and Learning

1:00pm EDT

Bridging Language and Career Pathways: Empowering English Learners in Career and Technical Education Programs

Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT

Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

Participants will learn the essential requirements and scaffolds needed to support English Learner (EL) students in career and technical education (CTE) classes. By exploring students' civil rights, the connection between Program Service Plans and CTE coursework, and practical instructional scaffolds and accommodations, attendees will gain strategies to make learning accessible for EL students.

Speakers

Will Spalding

270-402-1044, Kentucky Department of Education

Multilingual Learner Specialist

Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

Teaching and Learning

Audience Law and Public Safety, Teaching and Learning

3:00pm EDT

Everyone Goes to Work: Work-Based Learning for Transitioning Students

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT

Laffoon - East - 1st Floor

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

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 →