Best Practices for CTE Administrators Conference 2026: Full Schedule

9:45am PDT

CTE & Core Content Subjects Unite Through Contextual/Integrated Learning

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

As highlighted in the ACTE publication “Synergizing Success: Academic and Career Integration for CTE” by Richard D. Jones and Jill Ranucci, innovative CTE and math teachers collaborated to teach two distinct courses that integrate math standards into CTE programs. Join us in exploring AMPED on Algebra and Geometry in Construction. Each program combines the best aspects of Project-Based and Work-Based Learning, awarding math credit through CTE. Since 2005, this contextual/integrated model has positively impacted students nationwide and is utilized within our school district as the exemplary model for High School Reimagined work and attaining students' Durable Skills.

These programs include robust, hands-on activities that go beyond simple simulations. Participants will also receive links to curricular materials, enabling them to experience these proven activities and teaching strategies firsthand. Our mission for every student is mastery through authentic projects that bring learning to life and positively impact the community.

Speakers

Scott Burke

Coordinator of Contextual Learning & Teacher at Green Mountain High School, Jefferson County Public Schools

Scott Burke is in his 26th year as an administrator, classroom teacher, and an innovative pioneer in contextual/integrated learning. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with others to develop three contextual programs: Geometry in Construction - est. in 2005 AMPED on Algebra... Read More →

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

Concurrent Session

2:45pm PDT

How To Keep New Teachers from Industry from quitting so soon

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

Mt. Oxford

Career professionals bring real-world credibility into classrooms—but many leave teaching within their first few years due to culture shock, unclear expectations, and lack of targeted support. This session explores why teachers transitioning from industry struggle, what administrators often overlook, and practical steps leaders can take to improve retention of CTE and career-pathway educators.
Who benefits: School and district administrators, CTE/CTAE directors, instructional coaches, and program coordinators who supervise or support teachers entering education from industry.
How it helps: Attendees will learn actionable strategies to adjust onboarding, mentoring, communication, and evaluation practices to better support career-field teachers—without lowering expectations.
Engagement: The session includes brief discussion prompts, real-world scenarios, and reflection activities grounded in actual transition experiences.
Deliverables: (Potential opportunity for a book if published in time) Participants receive a slide deck, a new-teacher support checklist, and a practical planning tool administrators can immediately implement in their programs.

Speakers

Richard Trinkwalder

Teacher, Gwinnett County Public Schools

Richard "Rich" Trinkwalder is a seasoned educator and law enforcement professional with almost three decades of experience in public safety and criminal justice. He currently serves as a Law and Public Safety Teacher at the Grayson Technical Education Program within Gwinnett County... Read More →

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

Concurrent Session

4:00pm PDT

Career Insights Academy: Partnering with your Chamber of Commerce to Strengthen Business and Industry Partnerships

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

Mt. Oxford

Bentonville Schools Career and Technical Education Department and the Bentonville Chamber of Commerce collaborate to provide strong business and industry partnerships for our students and teachers. Through an annual event called the Career Insights Academy, educators and partners engage in industry tours and collaborative workshops that result in high level internships for students, externships for teachers, and strong partnerships for all of our 16 career pathways. Partners learn the value of serving as mentors, mock interviewers, pitch competition judges and intership facilitators.

Speakers

Melinda Bunyard

Director of Career and Technical Education, Bentonville School District

Melinda Bunyard is the Director of Career and Technical Education for Bentonville School District in Bentonville, Arkansas. With 25 years of experience in education, she has taught at the elementary, secondary, and higher education levels in both traditional and virtual learning... Read More →

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

Concurrent Session

8:00am PDT

Fueling the Future: Positive Leadership, Student Voice, and Creative CTE Innovation

Thursday October 8, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT

Mt. Oxford

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

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 →

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

Concurrent Session