What does it truly mean to be a well-rounded educator? This session breaks down the core components of effective teaching from strong instructional strategies and classroom culture to communication, adaptability, and professional mindset. Participants will reflect on their own practice and identify key areas that strengthen their impact in the classroom.
Students start the year booked for success through engaging projects that reflect real hospitality and tourism careers. This back-to-school experience encourages creativity, responsibility, and collaboration while helping students build confidence and workplace-ready skills from day one.
Advocacy is essential to sustaining and strengthening educational programs. In this session, participants will explore the vital connection between classroom impact and legislative awareness. From telling your program’s story to building relationships with policymakers, educators will learn why advocacy is not optional — it is necessary. Attendees will gain insight into how proactive communication helps legislators understand the value of their programs, supports funding and policy decisions, and ensures long-term growth and protection for Career and Technical Education.
Many leaders agree engagement is vital, yet do you have actual strategies to execute it? Participants will be able to plan, practice, and implement engaging learning strategies in their Family and Consumer Sciences courses. Come share techniques that work and learn some new ways to engage learners!
Looking for ways to make Portrait of a Learner more engaging for high school students? Join us as we share creative ideas—and collaborate on yours—for designing interactive lessons, projects, CTSO activities, and events that create meaningful connections for students and positively impact the community.
Presented from the perspective of a destination marketing professional, this session offers a high-level look at current hospitality and tourism trends, visitor behavior, and destination development. Participants will gain insight into how destinations compete, attract visitors, and support major events. The session will also outline common career pathways and opportunities within the industry, helping educators better understand the professional landscape their students may enter.
How do we teach professionalism, ethics, law, and education careers without putting students to sleep? This session models exactly how to turn Unit 1’s driest content—FERPA, ethics, governance, and career pathways—into active, memorable learning. Instead of lecturing about what teachers should do, participants will experience hands-on strategies that help students practice being professionals from day one. You’ll rotate through four fast-paced mini-activities you can take straight back to your classroom.
