ACTE's Region II Conference 2026

Empowering students to own their learning is essential for engagement and long-term success—especially in CTE programs where certifications signal readiness for college, careers, and life. 


This session explores how students can become active, informed learners by using assessment resources to personalize instruction, build confidence, and improve performance on industry-recognized exams. We’ll examine how embedding certification competencies into instruction, paired with tools like study guides, pre-tests, and performance data, helps students track growth, close skill gaps, and celebrate progress. 


Join us to explore practical strategies and share your own learner-centered innovations.

At my wife’s funeral the mourners said she was too young to die. I agreed. She was too young to die, but you can’t bargain with cancer.  Even though I was not ready for her to die, there were NO REGRETS because early in our professional careers we had learned how to balance our lives and manage our priorities. We had raised a beautiful family, traveled extensively, and played a lot but we both had successful award-winning teaching careers. Research shows CTE teachers work an average of 50-55 hours a week and are often frustrated trying to balance work and family. In this workshop twelve time-tested, researched-based strategies will be shared that will help agriculture teachers manage their careers and personal life. 

Artificial Intelligence can feel complex, but it doesn’t have to be. This interactive session shows educators how to teach foundational AI concepts using simple, engaging activities like food analogies, chatbot simulations, and Mad Lib-style language modeling.


Participants will experience hands-on strategies that make abstract AI concepts—such as machine learning, training data, bias, and large language models—accessible to all students, regardless of grade level or technical background. These activities are designed to work in both technology-rich and unplugged environments, making them ideal for diverse classrooms.


In addition to instructional strategies, this session addresses ethical considerations including bias, accuracy, and responsible AI use. Educators will leave with ready-to-use lessons that increase student engagement while building critical thinking skills needed for an AI-driven world.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) classrooms are increasingly led by highly skilled professionals transitioning directly from industry into teaching—bringing invaluable real-world expertise, but often without formal training in pedagogy. This session explores the critical role CTE administrators play in fostering a growth mindset among these new educators as they navigate the steep learning curve of classroom instruction, student engagement, and educational systems. Participants will examine the unique challenges faced by industry-trained teachers, including shifting expectations from managing employees to supporting diverse learners, understanding educational language and frameworks, and developing effective classroom practices. Through practical strategies and real-world insights, this session will equip administrators to better support, mentor, and retain CTE teachers—ultimately strengthening student outcomes and program success.

Are your CTE programs preparing students for jobs that actually exist in your region? This session shares findings from ongoing research examining the alignment between workforce-focused CTE dual enrollment pathway participation and the local labor market outlook across North Carolina's diverse rural and urban communities.


Attendees will learn about a practical methodology that compares student enrollment patterns with projected job openings, employment growth, and wages regionally. Using real examples, we'll reveal that some of the most popular CTE pathways show surprisingly weak alignment with local job prospects, and explore why these gaps might exist.


The centerpiece of this session is an interactive web-based dashboard designed for practitioners. This tool enables administrators, counselors, and workforce development professionals to identify programs that have low participation relative to workforce prospects or are absent from their current offerings, spark conversations about program mix and resource allocation, and help students make informed decisions about career pathways. It also raises important questions: Why might certain high-demand fields be underrepresented in student enrollment? What local context, employer relationships, credential requirements, or student awareness should inform program development?


Attendees will leave with actionable strategies for using labor market data to strengthen CTE programming and a framework adaptable to their own state or regional context. This work is a collaboration between RAND and the Early College Research Center at UNC Greensboro.

As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes education and the workforce, Career and Technical Education (CTE) educators are uniquely positioned to lead the way in modeling ethical, responsible use. This interactive session explores the opportunities and challenges AI presents in CTE classrooms, with a focus on academic integrity, bias, privacy, and student skill development. Participants will engage in real-world scenarios, examine practical classroom applications, and develop strategies for teaching students to use AI as a tool for learning—not a shortcut for thinking. Attendees will leave with actionable guidelines, sample policies, and ready-to-use approaches that can be immediately implemented across diverse CTE pathways.

The U.S. faces a projected shortage of 6.5 million skilled workers in the next decade. This session explores how to build a CTE program that equips students with the foundational and technical skills for tomorrow’s careers and provides training in high-demand and emerging fields.

Team-based challenges provide motivation as students work together from start to finish, sharing their ideas and problems-solving skills. In this session, you will brainstorm and design innovative learning activities that can be transformed into an exhilarating “Great Race” competition format.  Then you will participate in a simulated Great Race activity, gaining first hand experience and building confidence to integrate similar challenges in your classroom.  Walk away equipped with practical insights and a toolkit of ideas that will spark enthusiasm and teamwork among your students.

This session is designed to reframe how educators view their role in the classroom from content deliverers to intentional leaders who shape culture, engagement, and outcomes. The purpose of this session is to equip Career and Technical Education (CTE) educators with a practical leadership framework that strengthens classroom environments and improves student performance.
Participants will explore The Classroom Leadership Lab Framework™, built on five key pillars: clarity, connection, culture, consistency, and capacity. Through real-world examples, reflective activities, and actionable strategies, attendees will learn how to set clear learning intentions, build meaningful relationships, establish positive classroom cultures, maintain consistent expectations, and develop student capacity through feedback and growth-focused practices. The session will also guide educators through three critical leadership shifts: from control to influence, compliance to connection, and content to people.
Attendees will leave with a downloadable, ready-to-use framework that can be immediately implemented in their classrooms, along with tools to assess and refine their leadership practices. The anticipated value includes increased student engagement, reduced behavioral challenges, and a stronger alignment between instructional practices and student success. This session empowers educators to lead with purpose and transform their classrooms into high-impact learning environments.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) classrooms are increasingly led by industry experts who bring invaluable real-world experience—but often enter the profession without formal teacher preparation. While their content knowledge is strong, the transition to effective classroom instruction can be overwhelming without intentional support. This session introduces the CTE Teacher S.O.S. (Support Options for Success) program, a multi-layered approach designed to provide just-in-time, practical support for new CTE educators. More importantly, it highlights the critical role of principals and CTE administrators in ensuring these teachers not only survive, but thrive. Participants will explore actionable strategies for building strong mentorship structures, fostering supportive school environments, and leveraging state-level resources to reduce teacher burnout and increase retention. Attendees will leave equipped with the tools and insights to transform a culture of sink-or-swim into one of sustained support and success.

I was disappointed. The end of course evaluations were in for the computer applications course I taught. The instructor ratings were good, but the overall course evaluation was mediocre. I had to figure out a better way to teach this class. And I needed to figure out how to spend less time grading student projects.
 
I realize the literature about being an effective teacher says we should use small group work, but I hated small group work for a variety of reasons. However, after spending the Christmas break thinking about how to better teach the computer applications class, I came up with a totally new approach to using small groups in the class. And it worked. The students were enthused about the idea, I spent less time grading projects, and the course evaluation improved substantially.
 
In this presentation a new approach to small group work will be illustrated.

In an era where workforce development and education professionals are seeking innovative solutions to create increased impact, the importance of strategic partnerships cannot be overstated. This session will delve into how collaborative efforts can drive success in workforce programs, focused on Dwyer Workforce Development's comprehensive workforce model.
Key Points:
Partnerships Roles: Partnerships are the cornerstone of effective workforce development. By forming strategic alliances, organizations can leverage each other's strengths, share resources, access training tools, holistically support and engage employers and program participants, and advocate for issues that address the evolving needs of the workforce. Following this model, DWD has over 200 partners in 7 states.
Success Stories: DWD has demonstrated the transformative power of partnerships through its Scholar Journey Model. Since its inception in 2021, Dwyer has empowered over 6,000 individuals with the skills and support needed to pursue meaningful careers in healthcare. By collaborating with diverse partners, including trainers, employers, and not-for-profits, DWD has achieved an 81% program completion rate and 86% of those who became certified were placed in healthcare careers – four times the national average. These partnerships have been instrumental in breaking down barriers to job entry and career advancement and strengthening the healthcare workforce.
Collaborative Impact: The power of partnerships extends beyond individual success stories. By addressing critical workforce shortages and improving care, these collaborative efforts have made a significant impact on communities. The holistic approach, including person-centered case management and wraparound services focused on barrier removal, ensures that Dwyer Scholars receive the comprehensive assistance they need to succeed, serving as a blueprint for organizations aiming to create lasting change in workforce development.
Session Outcomes: Attendees will gain valuable insights into the power of partnerships in workforce development; learn how strategic alliances enhance training outcomes, improve job placement rates, and make meaningful community impact. Through the success stories of Dwyer Workforce Development, attendees will be inspired to explore and implement similar collaborative approaches in their own work, ultimately driving innovation and success in workforce development and education.

Artificial intelligence is not a future concept—it is already transforming classrooms, careers, and the skills students need to succeed. This session is designed to move educators beyond curiosity to confident, ethical implementation of AI in K–12 settings.


Co-led by a classroom-based AI curriculum developer and an instructional leader, this session shares a proven, real-world approach to building AI-ready classrooms and school systems. Participants will experience engaging, student-centered strategies such as prompt engineering, AI timeline projects, and ethical dilemma discussions that promote critical thinking and digital citizenship. The session emphasizes a critical instructional shift from product-based assessment to process-based learning—ensuring students can explain, evaluate, and take ownership of their thinking.


Beyond the classroom, attendees will explore leadership practices that support sustainable AI integration, including professional development models, policy alignment, and district-level implementation strategies. Common barriers—such as teacher hesitation, unclear expectations, and infrastructure challenges—will be addressed with practical, actionable solutions.


Participants will leave with ready-to-use resources, adaptable lesson ideas, and clear frameworks for ethical AI use. The value of this session is immediate and actionable: educators will gain the confidence and tools to increase student engagement, guide responsible AI use, and prepare learners for success in an AI-driven workforce.

This session examines how educators implement the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme in public high schools. The IBCP blends rigorous academics with career-focused learning, yet adoption remains limited across many states. This session shares the planned qualitative study of Florida schools and focuses on how school leaders and teachers interpret, adapt, and sustain this model within existing policy and accountability structures.


Participants will explore how programs integrate academic coursework with career pathways, build partnerships, and align with workforce needs. The session will highlight practical strategies used by schools to expand access, strengthen program coherence, and support student engagement. Attendees will leave with clear insights into how hybrid college and career models operate in real settings and how these approaches transfer to other CTE contexts.

Many CTE teachers are not leaving because they lack commitment or skill. They are leaving due to predictable pressure points in how schools support their transition from industry to the classroom.


Career and Technical Education programs continue to expand, yet many schools struggle to retain teachers who enter through nontraditional pathways. These educators bring strong content knowledge and real-world experience, but often face challenges related to onboarding, certification, integration into school systems, mentoring, and gaps in instructional preparation. When these gaps are not addressed, turnover disrupts program continuity and limits students’ access to consistent, high-quality, career-connected instruction.


This session examines how traditional support structures, designed for traditionally prepared teachers, often do not meet the needs of industry-to-classroom educators. Each stage of the CTE teacher lifecycle represents a leadership decision point where systems either support teachers or contribute to their exit. Participants will explore practical leadership actions that address these gaps at critical moments, including hiring, early onboarding, certification support, and mentoring.


Participants will be introduced to practical tools and examples, including a leadership reflection protocol, a mentor support guide, and a structured framework to support CTE teachers across key stages of the transition from industry to the classroom.


Attendees will leave with clear, actionable ideas they can use immediately to better support CTE teachers, reduce early attrition, strengthen program stability, and improve student outcomes.

JROTC cadets demonstrate leadership, character, and professionalism every day—but how can we help them turn those qualities into recognized opportunities? This session will guide educators through the process of offering the JROTC Leadership and Employability Skills Certification. Learn how this credential, developed in partnership with JROTC, supports accountability, aligns with CTE goals, and provides cadets with a tangible way to showcase their strengths to employers, colleges, and the community. We’ll cover practical steps for implementation and strategies to help cadets take ownership of their leadership journey.

Career readiness is often measured by technical skills, credentials, internships, and apprenticeships. But many CTE students lose opportunities before they can demonstrate their technical ability because they are underprepared for the “last mile” of workforce readiness: professional attire, communication, etiquette, confidence, virtual presence, and employer-facing behavior.


This session will show how CTE programs can move beyond traditional donation-based career closets and build scalable readiness partnerships that connect attire access with employability skills, work-based learning, and student engagement. Drawing on MyCareerCloset’s 2025 research with hiring managers and career center directors, presenters will examine the “Readiness Cliff”: a 20–30% gap between what employers expect and what students believe matters in professional readiness. In the same research, employers rated business etiquette as 4.8 out of 5 in importance, while students rated it closer to 3.0.


Participants will learn how career closets can become strategic infrastructure for teaching the hidden curriculum of workplace readiness, especially for first-generation, low-income, adult, rural, and working learners. Attendees will leave with a practical framework for identifying readiness gaps, engaging industry and postsecondary partners, and building a sustainable model that helps students show up prepared, confident, and market-ready.



Full Session AbstractTechnical skill remains essential in CTE, but it is not enough on its own. Employers are increasingly looking for students who can represent themselves, their programs, and their future workplaces with professionalism from the first interaction. MyCareerCloset’s 2025 research with hiring managers and career center directors found a 20–30% perception gap between what employers expect and what students believe matters in professional readiness. Employers rated business etiquette at 4.8 out of 5, while students rated its importance closer to 3.0. The research also identified persistent gaps in professional dress, email etiquette, virtual presence, interview preparation, and employer-facing communication. 


For CTE students, these gaps often become visible at the exact moments that matter most: career fairs, internship interviews, apprenticeship placements, clinicals, employer site visits, networking events, and first days on the job. The issue is not simply “manners.” Employers increasingly define professionalism as applied workplace readiness: the ability to read the room, communicate clearly, ask informed questions, follow up, dress appropriately for context, and build trust with supervisors, clients, and teammates.


This session reframes the career closet as a strategic CTE readiness tool. Traditional career closets often focus narrowly on donated clothing inventory. A modern model can combine attire access, employer expectations, career coaching, etiquette education, and partnership development. This approach helps institutions connect professional attire to broader outcomes, including student confidence, persistence, work-based learning participation, employer trust, and equitable access to career pathways.


The session will also address the equity dimension of professional readiness. For many first-generation, low-income, adult, rural, and working learners, workplace norms are part of a hidden curriculum that more privileged peers may absorb through family, professional networks, or prior exposure. Professional wardrobes can cost upwards of $500, making access to the “look” of success economically gated. Without explicit instruction and access, students are often left to guess at norms around dress, email, networking, follow-up, and workplace conduct. 


Through a practical readiness-mapping activity, participants will identify where students at their own institutions may be losing confidence, credibility, or access before employer-facing opportunities. They will leave with a partnership framework they can use with employers, alumni, foundations, postsecondary partners, student success teams, and community organizations to build or strengthen a career closet model that supports both equity and workforce outcomes.

What if every rural student, not just a select few, could access cutting-edge career pathways in biotechnology and AI? The Niswonger Foundation has done exactly that, building two financially sustainable, academically integrated pathways serving hundreds of students across rural Appalachian Tennessee. Designed to fit within existing school structures, these pathways blend core academics with career-focused learning, meet students at every aspiration level, and pay for themselves through state funding. Attendees will explore both models in depth, examine real challenges and solutions, and use a planning framework to envision what's possible in their own district, including free curriculum and support available to get started.

Having trouble increasing engagement in your courses? CTE courses are already interactive and hands-on. But sometimes, things can get chaotic if best practices and systems aren't in place. In this session, participants will learn how to use instructional best practices and effective classroom systems for maintaining student engagement and effectiveness. Materials will include how to implement student accountability systems, project-based assessments, warm-up activities, technology platforms, group activities, and class assignments which promote student engagement and keeps order in your classroom.


Participants will be able to leave with lesson plan resources to be able to use with their students and teachers in their department. Materials are adaptable to be used for various courses under the CTE umbrella.