ACTE's Region II Conference 2026

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.