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Best Practices for CTE Administrators Conference 2026
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Thursday, October 8
 

7:00am MDT

Breakfast
Thursday October 8, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am MDT

Thursday October 8, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am MDT
Colorado Ballroom

8:00am MDT

CTE Is Shifting. Are You Leading or Watching?
Thursday October 8, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Career and Technical Education is entering a new era — but not every system is moving with it. As expectations around student engagement, meaningful career planning, and long-term student preparation evolve, leadership decisions are increasingly determining which programs move forward and which remain stuck in outdated models.


This session challenges leaders to rethink a long-standing assumption: that CTE exists primarily for workforce development. Incremental fixes and short-term workforce solutions may act like bandages, but lasting impact requires something deeper. Participants will explore how shifting toward an economic development lens — one that anticipates future needs, builds community vitality, and intentionally develops talent — changes how CTE prepares students and defines success.


Inspired by the ideas behind CTE Reimagined, this conversation moves beyond adding new programs or initiatives. Instead, it focuses on leadership choices, system design, and the strategic shifts needed to move from reactive efforts to sustainable, future-focused outcomes.
Speakers
JF

Jeff Frost

Owner, NextGen Consulting
Jeff Frost is a respected Iowa educational leader with more than 35 years of experience advancing Career and Technical Education across diverse school settings. Known for his ability to connect vision with practical implementation, Jeff has led change at the classroom, district, and... Read More →
avatar for Kristy Volesky

Kristy Volesky

Founder and Principal Consultant, Volesky Consulting
Kristy Volesky brings deep experience across education, government, and business partnerships, helping schools, businesses, and communities move from ideas to action through bold vision, strategic alignment, and collective impact.

A national thought leader in systems-level collaboration, Kristy has worked with schools, colleges, organizations, and state agencies across the country to strengthen connections between education, business, and the community. Her work centers on aligning local and regional efforts... Read More →
Thursday October 8, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Mt. Sopris B

8:00am MDT

Federal Policy Update
Thursday October 8, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
This session will provide a deep dive on the federal policy activity currently impacting CTE, including the latest on activities in Congress and the Administration. You will hear more about the implementation of Workforce Pell and new postsecondary accountability rules, proposed changes to the Uniform Grant Guidance, the latest on the federal budget and appropriations process, the looming mid-term elections and other issues on the congressional agenda in the remaining months of the year. We will also discuss ways to share CTE information with policymakers and build long-term support.
Speakers
avatar for Alisha Hyslop

Alisha Hyslop

Chief Policy, Research & Content Officer, ACTE
Dr. Alisha Hyslop has spent 25 years working in career and technical education and is
currently the Chief Policy, Research & Content Officer at the national Association for
Career and Technical Education. At ACTE, Alisha leads the organization’s policy,
advocacy, research, program... Read More →
Thursday October 8, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Mt. Sopris A

8:00am MDT

Leadership as the Foundation: Developing Organizational Capacity to Implement a New Strategic Plan
Thursday October 8, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Recognizing that meaningful change begins with strong leadership, our organization made a deliberate decision: the first action step in implementing the transformation outlined in our strategic plan was to develop our leaders first. Research consistently demonstrates that organizations investing in leadership development experience higher levels of employee engagement, stronger cultures of accountability, improved retention, and significantly greater success in achieving strategic goals. With this evidence in mind, we prioritized leadership development as the foundation for long-term organizational success and sustainable change. This training series was intentionally designed to build the leadership capacity and set foundational expectations required to drive strategic change and to ensure alignment between individual leadership growth and organizational priorities. Administrators, Directors, and Leaders are the audience for this session. Real world case studies will be used for partner discussion. Additionally, sample tools and instruments will be used for audience members to practice and begin seeing how these tools could be used in their daily leadership behaviors.
 
Led by internal peer facilitators and aligned to our organization’s administrator evaluation system, the program provided a cohesive and relevant learning experience for leaders across the organization. Through structured modules—including Leadership Styles, Strategic Thinking, Systems Thinking, Communication, Change Leadership, and Performance Management—participants engaged in deep self-reflection, skill development, and application of new learning to real workplace challenges.


A central outcome of the series was the development of individualized leadership learning plans tailored to each participant’s strengths, growth areas, and future leadership aspirations. By equipping leaders with the tools, mindset, and behaviors essential for effective leadership expectations, the training established a common foundation for sustained organizational change and successful strategic plan implementation. Participants will engage in small group discussion and reflection on developing leadership capacity through identifying and prioritizing leadership levers that align with program or organizational goals. Handouts and slide deck will be provided. 
 
 
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Steve Gerhard

Dr. Steve Gerhard

Educational Consultant, Chester County Intermediate Unit
Before his retirement in 2025, Dr. Steve Gerhard served as assistant executive director of the Chester County Intermediate Unit, overseeing the divisions of career, technical and customized education, student services, and Brandywine Virtual Academy.In his nearly 30 years working... Read More →
avatar for Danielle Hawkins

Danielle Hawkins

Assistant Director of Human Resources, Chester County Intermediate Unit
Ms. Danielle Hawkins offers over two decades of impactful experience in special education, culminating in her current role as Assistant Director of Human Resources for Employee Development at the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) since 2022. In this capacity, she spearheads... Read More →
Thursday October 8, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Mt. Columbia

8:00am MDT

Make Education Relevant With Catapult Masterclass
Thursday October 8, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
The heart of any educational transformation lies not with programs or policy alone, but with educators themselves. We must empower and equip educators to lead change locally to Make Education Relevant so that all students graduate world-ready with a competitive advantage. This will require a new hybrid-flexible approach to our K-16 professional development to evolve both mindsets and metrics. Leveraging Dr. Fleming’s research and experience, participants will gain a fresh perspective on new teacher induction and enhancing professional learning – at scale.  Gain insight into how Catapult Masterclass drives institutional change, foster continuous improvement, and galvanizes support for career-connected learning. 
Speakers
avatar for Kevin Fleming

Kevin Fleming

CEO, Catapult Masterclass
Dr. Kevin Fleming received the 2025 ACTE Postsecondary Leadership Award and serves as the Founder and CEO of Catapult Masterclass.  A 25+ year administrator, he has also produced multiple, viral animation videos including Success in the New Economy, and authored four books including... Read More →
Thursday October 8, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Mt. Oxford

8:00am MDT

Scaling Equitable WBL Experiences Across Your District
Thursday October 8, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
This session is sponsored by School Links. If you're trying to scale work-based learning to reach every student, this session is for you. Two district leaders will share how they're growing WBL access at scale despite real differences in size, budget, and staffing. You'll hear how they're thinking about employer partnerships, staff capacity, and data as levers for reaching more students equitably and growing a framework that works district-wide. Walk away with a strategic view of what it takes to scale WBL sustainably, no matter your district's size or starting point.
Speakers
avatar for Aaron Arnold

Aaron Arnold

Coordinator, Work-Based Learning, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Aaron Arnold is a Work-Based Learning Coordinator at Virginia Beach City Public Schools. He is dedicated to enriching the community ecosystem that connects academic learning to industry and meaningful work and life.
avatar for Gina Schuyler

Gina Schuyler

District Administrator of Community Partnerships, Grayslake High School District 127
Gina Schuyler is an Administrator of Community Partnerships at Grayslake Community High School in Illinois. She speaks to a deep-seated passion for workforce development. Her expertise in work-based learning and community partnership building is evidenced by the robust networks she... Read More →
Sponsors
avatar for SchooLinks

SchooLinks

Events, SchooLinks


Thursday October 8, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Mt. Princeton

9:15am MDT

Facilitated Role-Based Discussion
Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MDT

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MDT
Mt. Sopris B

9:15am MDT

Facilitated Role-Based Discussion
Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MDT

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MDT
Colorado Ballroom

9:15am MDT

Facilitated Role-Based Discussion
Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MDT

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MDT
Mt. Sopris A

9:15am MDT

Facilitated Role-Based Discussion
Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MDT

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MDT
Mt. Oxford

9:15am MDT

Facilitated Role-Based Discussion
Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MDT

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MDT
Mt. Columbia

9:15am MDT

Facilitated Role-Based Discussion
Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MDT

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MDT
Mt. Princeton

9:15am MDT

Facilitated Role-Based Discussion
Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MDT

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MDT
Maroon Peak

10:00am MDT

Break
Thursday October 8, 2026 10:00am - 10:15am MDT

Sponsors
avatar for CTEPromoVideos.com

CTEPromoVideos.com

We help your CTE programs rapidly increase enrollment and engagement, maximize program funding, engage industry and postsecondary partners and attract/retain top teachers.

Our signature CTE Promo Videos have been created for over 228 CTE programs from coast to coast since 2018.

Check out our brand new CTE Recruiting and Demand Visibility Engine - called AscendCTE™ or stop by our booth for a live demo... Read More →

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:00am - 10:15am MDT
Colorado Foyer

10:30am MDT

Friday Closing General Session Ryan Lavarnway
Thursday October 8, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Why Not You? Leading the Next Century of CTE
How everyday decisions, habits, and ownership drive student success and workforce impact
Ryan Lavarnway is proof that resilience, adaptability, and determination can lead to incredible success- no matter the odds.
As someone who’s been added to and removed from Major League Baseball rosters more than anyone else in history, Ryan’s story isn’t just about success—it highlights the power of perseverance. Overcoming every obstacle, he built an impressive 10-year MLB career as a catcher, became a World Series Champion, and competed as an Olympian.

Ryan’s journey started at Yale University, where he was an NCAA Batting Champion and All-American. Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2008, he went on to play for some of baseball’s most iconic teams, setting records and leaving his mark on the sport.

On the international stage, Ryan proudly represented Israel in the World Baseball Classic and the 2021 Olympics. As the first captain of Team Israel’s National Team, he earned MVP honors and led with passion and purpose, cementing his place in baseball history.

Now, Ryan’s taking his winning mindset beyond the diamond. As a sought-after speaker and mentor, he’s helping corporate teams, sales professionals, and aspiring athletes unlock their own potential. Drawing from his personal journey, Ryan shows how embracing challenges, staying adaptable, and fostering an unshakable belief in yourself can create success.

With humor, humility, and real-world experience, Ryan doesn’t just inspire—he empowers audiences to take bold steps toward big goals, no matter where they’re starting from.



Speakers Sponsors

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Colorado Ballroom
 
Best Practices for CTE Administrators Conference 2026
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