2026 K-ACTE Career Tech Summit: Full Schedule

Welcome to the K-ACTE Career Tech Summit 2026: Shaping the Next Generation of Workers!

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

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10:45am CDT

Pitching with Purpose: Bringing Client-Connected Projects into Any Classroom

Monday July 20, 2026 10:45am - 11:35am CDT

Engage students by giving their work purpose beyond the classroom. This session showcases how Speech classes at Gardner Edgerton High School partnered with local government and business professionals to create meaningful, client-connected projects. Students addressed real challenges and pitched their ideas directly to decision-makers. Participants will gain a step-by-step look at how the project was developed, how community partners were engaged, and how student and client feedback shaped the experience. The presenter will also discuss how this framework can be adapted to fit a wide range of courses and disciplines.

Speakers

Jaylene Freeman

CTE and RWL Coordinator, USD 231 Gardner Edgerton

Jaylene Freeman has a background in secondary education and business, with degrees from Kansas State University and Baker University. She’s spent her career helping students connect classroom learning to real-world experiences while teaching a wide range of business and technology... Read More →

Monday July 20, 2026 10:45am - 11:35am CDT
RC 270 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KLCTE, KAAE, KATFACS, KBOA, KHSIA, KTIEA
Session Type Business & Community Partnerships, Student Career Development, Engaging Instructional Methods
Subject All CTE

10:45am CDT

Why Is Career Exploration so Critical Today?

Monday July 20, 2026 10:45am - 11:35am CDT

RC 181

HirePaths Founder and Manhattan mom Kristin Brighton will overview the latest national and state data behind why Kansas and the entire United States need to invest heavily in career exploration, starting with students as young as elementary school. She'll also share her personal story as a parent and entrepreneur and overview HirePaths, which offers free, Kansas-based career resources you can easily integrate into your district's classrooms.

Speakers

Kristin Brighton

Founder, HirePaths

Kristin Brighton is one of the principals and founders of New Boston Creative Group LLC, an integrated marketing communications firm based in Manhattan.

Ms. Brighton is the founder of HirePaths, a marketing campaign to introduce Kansas kids to high-demand careers.

In addition to her professional work, Ms. Brighton is an elected member of the USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden School Board, and she was the 2016 chair of the board for the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce... Read More →

Monday July 20, 2026 10:45am - 11:35am CDT
RC 181 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KLCTE, KAAE, KATFACS, KBOA, KHSIA, KTIEA
Session Type Clusters/Pathways, Engaging Instructional Methods, Student Career Development, Work-Based Learning
Subject All CTE

1:00pm CDT

Building Rural Health Science Pathways: New Funding, Certifications & Pre-Apprenticeships for Kansas Schools

Monday July 20, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

RC 255

Looking to expand or launch health science pathways in your district? Kansas' Rural Health Transformation Plan is rolling out new funding to help rural high schools add courses and certifications, strengthen instructional capacity, and develop health care pre-apprenticeship models with local employers. Walk away with practical steps, funding details, and partnership strategies you can implement immediately.

Speakers

Jaron Caffrey

Director of Workforce and Health Care Policy, Kansas Hospital Association

Jaron serves as the Director of Workforce and Health Care Policy for the Kansas Hospital Association. In this role, he coordinates the association’s federal health policy and advocacy strategy and drives efforts to align national policy with the needs of Kansas hospitals and patients... Read More →

Monday July 20, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
RC 255 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KHSIA, KLCTE
Session Type Assessment/Certification, Business & Community Partnerships, Clusters/Pathways, Student Career Development, Work-Based Learning
Subject Health Sciences

1:00pm CDT

Real-World Personal Finance: Helping Students Navigate Today’s Money Culture

Monday July 20, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

RC 175

Personal finance is evolving faster than most curriculum can keep up. From sports betting and fast fashion to Buy Now Pay Later services and influencer investing, students are making complex financial decisions in real time. This interactive session gives CTE educators practical, classroom ready strategies to address emerging trends while reinforcing core concepts such as risk, credit, incentives, and consumer protection.

Speakers

Ryan Wood

Midwest Partnerships Manager, Next Gen Personal Finance

Ryan supports teachers, districts, and states in delivering engaging, high-impact personal finance instruction. A former business and marketing teacher, he brings firsthand classroom experience to his work with CTE leaders and educators. He focuses on practical implementation by helping... Read More →

Monday July 20, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
RC 175 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KBOA, KATFACS
Session Type Engaging Instructional Methods, Student Career Development
Subject Business & Marketing, Family & Consumer Sciences

1:00pm CDT

Teaching Tomorrow’s Tech: Preparing Students for Cyber, Cloud & AI Careers

Monday July 20, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

RC 232

Step into the future of IT education with an engaging look at the skills students need to succeed in cybersecurity, cloud computing, and AI. This session blends research‑driven workforce insights with practical strategies that educators can apply in a variety of classroom settings. We will examine how modern IT roles are evolving, what early‑career professionals are expected to know, and how teachers can build those foundations with clarity and confidence. The session will include a few light interactive elements and helpful resources to support discussion, but the primary focus will remain on understanding trends and strengthening IT pathways. Participants will leave with practical ideas and a stronger framework for preparing students for tomorrow’s technology careers.

Speakers

Hondo Tamez

Assistant Professor of IT/Department Chair, Johnson County Community College

Hondo Tamez is an Associate Professor and the Department Chair of Information Technology at Johnson County Community College. He spends his time exploring the worlds of networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and all the other tech that keeps modern life running. Hondo holds industry... Read More →

Monday July 20, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
RC 232 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KBOA
Session Type Engaging Instructional Methods, Student Career Development, Data & Program Improvement
Subject Engineering & Technology

2:00pm CDT

A Clear Path to Success: Using the IPS Model for Student-Driven Enrollment

Monday July 20, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

RC 181

Learn how to move beyond traditional course catalogs to create a more intentional, student-driven enrollment experience. This session will demonstrate how Iola High School successfully increased buy-in for CTE pathways by merging a new interest-based recommendation system with a redesigned community engagement model. Participants will walk away with actionable strategies for facilitating deeper career conversations between students and parents, ensuring that every course choice is a purposeful step toward a clear future goal.

Speakers

Dana Daugharrthy

CTE Coordinator / Academic Counselor, Iola High School

With a career rooted in the lab and the classroom, Dana is passionate about helping students navigate their future. He currently serves as the CTE Coordinator and Academic Counselor at Iola High School. My background includes teaching everything from robotics to physics, and I still... Read More →

Monday July 20, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
RC 181 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KAAE, KATFACS, KBOA, KHSIA, KLCTE, KTIEA
Session Type Clusters/Pathways, Leadership, Access and Supports, Student Career Development
Subject All CTE

2:00pm CDT

Beyond the Credential: How the "Whole-Scholar" Model Achieves a 75% Persistence Rate

Monday July 20, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

RC 155

Most programs stop at graduation. We don't. Learn how Great Jobs KC uses a 5-pillar ecosystem (Intake to 1-Year Post-Employment Coaching) to achieve a 75% persistence rate and an average salary increase of 176%.

Using recent Mathematica Evaluation data to prove that tuition-free training is only half the battle. That providing on-going Scholar support through one-to-one coaching and robust community services leads to better outcomes and stronger employees.

Takeaways:
The "Scholar Advocate" framework: Moving beyond academic advising to life-barrier removal (transportation, tech, child care).

Using data to track success, not just completion.
Training in a holistic manner with mandatory life skill workshops leads to more well-rounded employee for area employers.
Strategies for building an "Employer Network Team" that guarantees a pipeline, not just a job board.

Speakers

Macenzie Tucker

Senior Director of Workforce Development and Scholar Success , Great Jobs KC

As the Senior Director of Workforce Development and Scholar Success, Macenzie Tucker is responsible for overseeing core programming for the adult workforce development program, Great Jobs KC tuition-free job training. Macenzie Tucker holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from... Read More →

Alex Shaw

Great Jobs KC

Alex is an accomplished professional with a diverse skill set and a huge passion for workforce development. Alex has previously worked in education, behavioral health, county government, IT, and even construction! With experience in different organizations and settings, she has... Read More →

Monday July 20, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
RC 155 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KHSIA, KLCTE, KTIEA
Session Type Access and Supports, Engaging Instructional Methods, Student Career Development
Subject Health Sciences, Skilled Trades

3:00pm CDT

Educator Focus Group for HirePaths' Cool Careers Series

Monday July 20, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT

RC 175

HirePaths is gathering feedback on its free, Kansas-based career video series Cool Careers, which is especially designed for grades 4 through 8. Any educators or administrators who work with elementary or middle school students are invited to participate in this one-hour session to provide feedback on the series and input on marketing efforts.

This session will be capped at 20 participants.

All participants will receive $50 for their time, and a donation will be made to K-ACTE for each educator who participates.

Speakers

Kristin Brighton

Founder, HirePaths

Monday July 20, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm CDT
RC 175 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KAAE, KATFACS, KBOA, KHSIA, KLCTE, KTIEA
Session Type Student Career Development
Subject All CTE

10:45am CDT

10:45am CDT

1:00pm CDT

1:00pm CDT

1:00pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

3:00pm CDT

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