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Best Practices for CTE Administrators Conference 2026
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Thursday, October 8
 

7:00am PDT

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

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

8:00am PDT

CTE Is Shifting. Are You Leading or Watching?
Thursday October 8, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
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evolve, leadership decisions are increasingly determining which programs move forward and which remain stuck in outdated models.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 PDT
Mt. Sopris B

8:00am PDT

Fueling the Future: Positive Leadership, Student Voice, and Creative CTE Innovation
Thursday October 8, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
What happens when positive leadership becomes the engine for innovation? At Springfield-Clark CTC, we reimagined systems, not just programs, to build energy, momentum, and a forward-thinking culture across our campus. Through creative scheduling, student-voice-driven programming, SEL integration, expanded career awareness, and data-informed decision-making, we’ve moved beyond the traditional “factory model” of education toward flexible, future-ready learning structures.


Participants will explore how initiatives like Future Ready Friday, READY Period (SEL advisory), Career Awareness Menus and Kits, LEAD, Senior Academy, Pathway Mapping, and Opportunity Fairs were strategically implemented to elevate student voice while strengthening staff culture and community partnerships. Attendees will leave with practical frameworks to ignite positive leadership, amplify campus voices, and design innovative CTE systems that are career-ready, college-ready, and life-ready.
Speakers
avatar for Michelle Carn

Michelle Carn

Fueling the Future: Positive Leadership, Student Voice, and Creative CTE Innovation, Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center
Michelle Carn has served as the Compliance Administrator at the Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center since 2007. With nearly two decades of experience in career and technical education, she oversees regulatory compliance, state and federal reporting, grant management, and policy... Read More →
avatar for Michelle Patrick

Michelle Patrick

Superintendent, Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center
Michelle Patrick has served as Superintendent of the Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center since 2017. A forward-thinking and innovative leader, she has guided the organization through significant growth and transformation. Under her leadership, Springfield-Clark CTC has expanded programming to... Read More →
Thursday October 8, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Mt. Oxford

8:00am PDT

Leadership as the Foundation: Developing Organizational Capacity to implement a new Strategic Plan
Thursday October 8, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
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 PDT
Maroon Peak

8:00am PDT

Make Education Relevant with Catapult Masterclass
Thursday October 8, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
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 PDT
Mt. Princeton

8:00am PDT

Strategic Credit with Intention in High Schools
Thursday October 8, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
High schools across the country are expanding access to dual/concurrent enrollment, AP, IB, and industry credential opportunities—but without a strategic plan, these options can become fragmented and inequitable. This session provides a practical framework for designing intentional college credit pathways that align with student goals, workforce needs, and postsecondary partnerships.
Drawing on implementation experience collaborating with high school administrators, counselors, and teachers, this session will share adaptable planning templates, decision-making tools, and communication strategies that support sustainable program growth. Participants will learn how to audit current offerings, identify gaps in access and alignment, and build a multi-year roadmap that prioritizes both equity and academic rigor.
Lessons learned from cross-functional leadership teams will highlight common challenges, including master scheduling constraints, staff credentialing, student advising, and data tracking. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use planning templates and concrete next steps to move from scattered opportunities to a cohesive, student-centered college credit strategy.
Speakers
avatar for Jenn Edgar

Jenn Edgar

College Credit Coordinator, Jeffco Public Schools
Jenn Edgar has spent the past 20+ years in education, and during that time, has spanned many roles. From being a high school teacher to a postsecondary advisor, CTE director to program administrator, she currently leads all college credit opportunities for Jeffco Public Schools. Providing... Read More →
Thursday October 8, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Mt. Sopris A

9:15am PDT

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

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

9:15am PDT

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

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

9:15am PDT

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

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

9:15am PDT

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

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

9:15am PDT

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

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

9:15am PDT

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

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

9:15am PDT

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

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

10:30am PDT

Friday Closing General Session Ryan Lavarnway
Thursday October 8, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
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
Thursday October 8, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Colorado Ballroom
 
Best Practices for CTE Administrators Conference 2026
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