Best Practices for CTE Administrators Conference 2026: Full Schedule

9:45am PDT

An EPIC Focus: Building a High Quality Instructional Playbook

Wednesday October 7, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am PDT

What if every instructor, coach, and administrator could walk into any classroom and instantly name three indicators of high-quality instruction—without a rubric? This session tackles the challenge of inconsistent feedback, PD overload, and instructors (veteran and new) uncertainty of what good instruction looks like in a CTE facility. At EPIC Campus, we place a high value on hiring instructors straight from industry and this session explores how administrators and coaches can create a shared instructional playbook to ensure high-quality learning in every classroom. Grounded in John Hattie’s Visible Learning, The New Teacher Project’s Opportunity Myth and Opportunity Makers, EPIC’s Instructional Look-Fors and Colorado Department of Education’s High-Quality Instructional Routines, participants will examine what effective instruction looks like, why consistency and coherence matter, and how to support instructional growth across diverse programs and instructors.
Participants will engage with research from TNTP and John Hattie on teacher clarity and participate in interactive activities to analyze how to use this tool. Attendees will leave with practical tools to develop or refine an instructional framework that strengthens teaching practices, supports new and veteran educators, and improves student outcomes.

Speakers

Anne Krause

Instructional Coach, Teacher Cadet Instructor, EPIC Campus - Littleton Public Schools

Anne Krause is an Instructional Coach and Teacher Cadet instructor at EPIC Campus in Littleton Public Schools, where she partners with educators, industry instructors, and district leaders to design forward-focused, equitable learning experiences. With more than 27 years in education... Read More →

Wednesday October 7, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Maroon Peak

Concurrent Session

2:45pm PDT

The Human Advantage: Emotional Intelligence and AI-Assessed Durable Skill Development

Wednesday October 7, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm PDT

Maroon Peak

As technology accelerates, workplaces are demanding more than technical expertise, they require human skills that machines cannot replace. Emotional Intelligence (EI) has become a defining factor in adaptability, leadership, collaboration, and long-term workforce success. Yet, these skills have often been undervalued because they are difficult to measure and teach with precision.
This session introduces a new approach to strengthening and measuring these critical human capabilities through AI-powered Durable Skills Assessment. Participants will explore how emotional intelligence, adaptability, communication, and self-awareness can be both developed and measured using intelligent tools that provide actionable insights. This session bridges the gap between human-centered skill development and cutting-edge assessment technology to better prepare individuals for the future of work.

Speakers

Sera Anello

Partner Engagement and Growth, IMAGO

An adventure seeker and mountain explorer at heart, Sera Anello brings the same spirit of curiosity to her work in education. She began her career as a classroom teacher and Climate and Culture lead, where she discovered the power of brain-based strategies, soft skills, and human... Read More →

Wednesday October 7, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm PDT
Maroon Peak

Concurrent Session

4:00pm PDT

Bring the E to CTE: Energy | Engagement | Empowerment

Wednesday October 7, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Maroon Peak

Bring the E to CTE is a movement fueled by energy, engagement, and empowerment—created to elevate Career & Technical Education and the leaders behind it. Jason delivers more than a keynote; he creates a high-energy, story-driven experience that reignites purpose and challenges educators to lead boldly.
His dynamic sessions blend real stories, practical strategy, and interactive engagement to move schools from compliance to culture—and from programs to purpose. Through lived examples of launching academies, building industry partnerships, and leading culture change in real time, participants see what energized pathways truly look like.
Expect compelling stories, actionable strategies you can implement immediately, and interactive moments that spark reflection, laughter, and momentum.
Designed for CTE educators, school and district leaders, counselors, and industry partners, every session equips participants to align energy, engagement, and empowerment with intention.
Attendees leave re-energized, confident, and ready to tell the story of CTE boldly—because CTE isn’t a fallback, it’s a launchpad.

Speakers

Jason Mattick

Principal | Conference Speaker | Workshop Leader, Academy of Arts, Careers, and Technology, Washoe County School District, Reno, NV

I’m an innovative school leader who believes education should feel alive—energizing, relevant, and deeply connected to the real world. As Principal of Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology (AACT), I’ve built my work around a simple but powerful idea: when you intentionally align... Read More →

Wednesday October 7, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Maroon Peak

Concurrent Session

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

Maroon Peak

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

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 →

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

Concurrent Session