2026 K-ACTE Career Tech Summit has ended

Create Your Own Event

2026 K-ACTE Career Tech Summit

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.

arrow_back View All Dates

8:00am CDT

Welcome & Awards Ceremony

Monday July 20, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am CDT

RC 101 - Capital Federal Conference Center

Celebrate excellence in Career and Technical Education at the K-ACTE Awards Ceremony. This session honors outstanding educators, programs, and industry partners who have made significant contributions to the field. Join us to recognize the achievements of your peers, applaud their dedication, and be inspired by their exemplary work.

Monday July 20, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am CDT
RC 101 - Capital Federal Conference Center

Plenary Session

Affiliate KTIEA, KAAE
Session Type Assessment/Certification
Subject Agriculture, Skilled Trades, Engineering & Technology

9:45am CDT

K-ACTE House of Delegates

Monday July 20, 2026 9:45am - 10:25am CDT

NMOCA 217 Hudson Auditorium

The K-ACTE House of Delegates represents members of each affiliate group and is responsible for setting policies, decision-making, representation, oversight, and advocacy. By fulfilling these roles, the House of Delegates ensures that K-ACTE remains responsive to the needs of its members and effectively supports the advancement of career and technical education statewide.

Please note: No food or drink can be taken into this meeting space.

Speakers

Linda Chase

Agriculture Instructor, Wellington High School

Linda has been teaching agriculture for 26 years. Over half her career has been spent managing high school greenhouses and teaching horticulture. She has focused on having great sales and teaching students how to run the greenhouse and run the sale. Her success has lead to her horticulture... Read More →

Laurali Masterson

FACS teacher/CTE Coordinator, Hill City Junior Senior High School

Jamie Manhart

Monday July 20, 2026 9:45am - 10:25am CDT
NMOCA 217 Hudson Auditorium Nerman Museum of Contemporary Arts at Johnson County Community College St, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KAAE, KATFACS, KBOA, KHSIA, KLCTE, KTIEA
Session Type Business Meeting
Subject All CTE

10:45am CDT

AI 201 | Designing Instruction in an AI Enhanced Classroom

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

Once you understand what AI is, the exciting question becomes: how do I use it intentionally and powerfully? This high energy, hands-on workshop moves beyond awareness into real time application. Educators will experiment with classroom ready AI tools, test how they function, and design learning experiences on the spot, including building, refining, and rethinking instructional tasks that elevate student thinking rather than replace it. Expect learning by doing, collaborative problem solving, and practical takeaways you can implement the very next day.

Key Takeaways
Hands on experience using AI tools in real time
Strategies for designing AI supported tasks that increase rigor rather than reduce it
Approaches to strengthen clarity and creativity in instruction
Ready to implement ideas for your classroom

Speakers

Dyane Smokorowski

Digital Literacy & Citizenship Coordinator, Wichita Public Schools

Dyane Smokorowski is an accomplished educator, having been inducted into the National Teacher Hall of Fame in 2019 and named 2013 Kansas Teacher of the Year. As Coordinator of Digital Literacy in the Wichita Public Schools, she fosters a student-centered classroom that builds skills... Read More →

Monday July 20, 2026 10:45am - 11:35am CDT
RC 175 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KAAE, KATFACS, KBOA, KHSIA, KLCTE, KTIEA
Session Type Engaging Instructional Methods
Subject All CTE

10:45am CDT

New Class but NO Curriculum?

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

Are you teaching a new class but have no textbook, lesson plans, or curriculum maps? Do you need to give a current class an overhaul? Fall 2025 I found myself in this exact spot, a brand new class being offered across the state, but no curriculum provided. Come to a hands-on workshop to build the curriculum directly from your course competency using AI products.

Speakers

Shanta' Kemp

Computer Teacher, Ottawa High School

Shanta’ Kemp taught for five years in Wellsville, KS, then left teaching to run a successful Pampered Chef business for 15 years. In 2016, she returned to the classroom via a long term substitute position at Ottawa High School that turned into a full-time position. Currently Shanta... Read More →

Monday July 20, 2026 10:45am - 11:35am CDT
RC 245 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KAAE, KATFACS, KBOA, KHSIA, KTIEA
Session Type Engaging Instructional Methods
Subject All CTE

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

The Student Who Struggles: Why CTE is the Perfect Intervention

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

In every school, there is a student who struggles. They can’t sit still. They miss assignments. They are labeled unmotivated, distracted, or difficult. Traditional classrooms often magnify their deficits, but Career & Technical Education can unlock their potential.
This session explores why many students who struggle academically are not incapable they are experiencing executive function skill gaps, regulation challenges, or learning environments that don’t match how they are wired to succeed. CTE classrooms, with their hands-on structure, real-world application, and built-in accountability, are uniquely positioned to serve as powerful interventions.
Participants will learn practical, shop-ready strategies to support executive function development, embed workforce readiness into daily routines, and design CTE environments that transform struggling students into thriving contributors. This is not about lowering expectations, it’s about building systems that allow students to rise to them.
Walk away with actionable tools you can implement immediately to better serve the student who struggles, and turn potential into performance.

Speakers

Stacey Jones

Director, Highland Community College

Director of Highland Community College's Western Center a Technical Education Campus for both high school students through Excel in CTE and for Post Secondary Students.

Monday July 20, 2026 10:45am - 11:35am CDT
RC 232 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KTIEA, KAAE, KLCTE
Session Type Engaging Instructional Methods
Subject All CTE

10:45am CDT

Tips and Tricks for Successful Fundraising

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

Fundraising doesn't have to be complicated. Do it right so that you only have to worry about it once per year. Mr. Larison will share ideas and strategies that have helped his students build a fundraiser that exceeds $70,000 per year in sales and allows the FFA Chapter to give back to the community on a regular basis.

Speakers

Jacob Larison

Ag Ed Instructor, Riverton High Schools

Mr. Larison has taught Agricultural Education and has been an FFA Advisor for over 30 years, with the last 25 years at Riverton High School in Southeast Kansas.

Monday July 20, 2026 10:45am - 11:35am CDT
RC 255 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KAAE
Session Type Career & Technical Student Organizations (CTSO)
Subject Agriculture

10:45am CDT

Why Is Career Exploration so Critical Today?

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

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

10:45am CDT

Work-based Learning Fundamentals

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

Whether you are navigating Work-based Learning experiences for students in your CTE pathways for the first time or if you are a seasoned pro; this session will support looking at sharing best practices, resources, and partnerships as we create these meaningful learning opportunities for our students.

Speakers

Anthony Meals

Agricultural Education Program Consultant and Kansas FFA Advisor, KSDE

KSDE Agricultural Education Program Consultant and Kansas FFA Advisor

Monday July 20, 2026 10:45am - 11:35am CDT
RC 238 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KLCTE, KAAE, KATFACS, KBOA, KHSIA, KTIEA
Session Type Work-Based Learning
Subject All CTE

11:40am CDT

KAAE Committee Meetings & Luncheon

Monday July 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:50pm CDT

Join KAAE for committee meetings. We will be meeting in our committees to take care of any business that needs addressed.

Speakers

Lacie Harshbarger

Agricultural Education Teacher, Norwich Schools

Lacie Harshbarger is the Agricultural Education Teacher and FFA Advisor at Norwich High School. Lacie also serves as the KAAE Inservice Coordinator.

Monday July 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:50pm CDT
RC 232 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KAAE
Session Type Business Meeting
Subject Agriculture

1:00pm CDT

From Rubric to Results: Workshopping Strong SAE Grant Applications

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

Take the guesswork out of SAE grant applications. In this hands-on session, Ag educators will break down the grant rubric, analyze sample applications, and identify what makes a proposal stand out. Participants will work collaboratively to strengthen ideas, align to scoring criteria, and draft key components of their own application. Leave with practical tools, clearer direction, and a stronger plan for submitting a competitive SAE grant.

Speakers

Mary Lonker

ELA Program Manager, Kansas State Department of Education

Mary Lonker has spent 30 years in English Language Arts education, teaching both middle and high school students. She taught 8th grade English as well as over 20 years of high school English, including a decade in AP Language and Composition, and is certified to teach AP Seminar... Read More →

Monday July 20, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
RC 238 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KAAE, KTIEA
Session Type Engaging Instructional Methods
Subject Agriculture, Skilled Trades

1:00pm CDT

Stronger Together: Turning ACTE & Kansas ACTE Membership into Meaningful Impact

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

ACTE and Kansas ACTE work in partnership to provide members with a wide range of benefits—but understanding how to fully leverage those benefits is key to maximizing their impact. In this interactive session, ACTE and Kansas ACTE leaders will highlight how national and state-level efforts align to support professional growth, leadership development, advocacy, and career success. Participants will actively explore member benefits, hear real-world examples, and leave with practical strategies for engaging more intentionally with both organizations throughout the year.

Speakers

Linda Chase

Agriculture Instructor, Wellington High School

Linda has been teaching agriculture for 26 years. Over half her career has been spent managing high school greenhouses and teaching horticulture. She has focused on having great sales and teaching students how to run the greenhouse and run the sale. Her success has lead to her horticulture... Read More →

Kelli Diemer

Senior Director of Membership, ACTE

Laurali Masterson

FACS teacher/CTE Coordinator, Hill City Junior Senior High School

Monday July 20, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
RC 181 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KAAE, KATFACS, KBOA, KHSIA, KLCTE, KTIEA
Subject All CTE

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

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

AI as a Teaching Tool: Practical Applications for Every CTE Program

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

Artificial intelligence is already embedded in the industries our students are entering. CTE educators do not need to become AI developers, but they do need to understand how AI tools can enhance instruction, improve efficiency, and better prepare students for modern workplaces.

This interactive session focuses on practical, hands on applications of AI tools that educators across all CTE pathways can implement immediately. Participants will explore how AI can support lesson planning, rubric creation, technical documentation, troubleshooting simulations, formative assessment, and student skill development. Rather than emphasizing coding or technical AI development, the session centers on what AI can realistically do, where it adds value, and how to guide students in using it professionally and ethically.

Through structured peer collaboration, attendees will design one AI integrated classroom activity tailored to their own program area. By the end of the session, participants will leave with a drafted implementation plan, example prompts aligned to their field, and a clear framework for integrating AI as a productivity and learning tool within existing coursework.

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 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
RC 238 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KAAE, KATFACS, KBOA, KHSIA, KLCTE, KTIEA
Session Type Engaging Instructional Methods, Data & Program Improvement
Subject All CTE

2:00pm CDT

Leveling Up Your Labs with iCEV

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

Take your hands‑on learning to the next level with iCEV! This session highlights quick, practical ways to enhance your classroom labs using iCEV’s built‑in activities, projects, and management tools. Learn how to customize labs, integrate industry‑aligned skills, and streamline prep time while boosting student engagement. Perfect for educators looking to modernize and simplify their lab-based instruction.

Speakers

Dr. Calee McElwain

Territory Manager, iCEV

Dr. Calee McElwain is the iCEV Territory Manager for Kansas and Missouri. She spent 25+ years in public education in a variety of roles including classroom teacher, instructional coach, and curriculum director. She has experience in both rural and suburban school districts. Dr... Read More →

Monday July 20, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
RC 270 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KLCTE, KAAE, KATFACS, KBOA, KHSIA, KTIEA
Session Type Clusters/Pathways, Engaging Instructional Methods
Subject All CTE

2:00pm CDT

Recruiting and Supporting Special Populations in CTE

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

Join us as we explore strategies to recruit and support special populations in your CTE pathways. You'll have the opportunity to see specific strategies being used at Maize Career Academy to successfully promote participation in all CTE pathways available at Maize USD #266 and Maize Career Academy.

Speakers

Dr. Lindsay King

Director of College and Career Readiness, Maize USD #266

Dr. King serves as the Director of College and Career Readiness at Maize USD #266

Andy Ewing

Consultant, KSDE

KSDE Special Populations Consultant

Monday July 20, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
RC 245 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KAAE, KATFACS, KBOA, KHSIA, KLCTE, KTIEA
Session Type Access and Supports
Subject All CTE

2:00pm CDT

Tour of JCCC's Center for Sustainability's Open Petal Farm

Monday July 20, 2026 2:00pm - 3:50pm CDT

Open Petal Farm

NOTE: Participants are encouraged to wear closed toed shoes and bring a water bottle. Highly recommend participants drive to the Horticultural sciences building on campus (it's a good 20 minutes walk from the Regnier Center out to the farm). Highly recommend driving to the farm rather than walking. Park in the JCCC Police Academy parking lot W1.

Join us for a tour of Johnson County Community College's Open Petal Farm. Tour four acres of specialty crop production, managed under production systems that encourage the biological health of the soil, and fueled by the campus' on site composting project. Open Petal Farm serves as a living laboratory for students in the Sustainable Agriculture Certificate Program to gain practical skills in crop production systems, and soil health practices. Visit the farm website at: https://growinggrowers.org/host-farms/jccc-open-petal-farm/

Speakers

Claire Zimmermann

Campus Farm and Outreach Manager, Johnson County Community College

Claire Zimmermann is the farm manager for Open Petal Farm and an instructor for the Sustainable Agriculture Certificate Program at JCCC. After studying agriculture at Truman State University, she has been working with Kansas City farmers, gardeners and students for over 10 years... Read More →

Monday July 20, 2026 2:00pm - 3:50pm CDT
Open Petal Farm N Campus Dr, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KAAE
Session Type Tour
Subject Agriculture, Energy & Natural Resources

2:00pm CDT

Welding Test for Excel in CTE

Monday July 20, 2026 2:00pm - 3:50pm CDT

NOTE: Please meet at the doors at the bottom of the stairs in the Regnier Center lobby to meet Amy Sellers who will walk participants over to the WCMT building.

This session is to help instructor prepared students for completing the weld test connected to Excel in CTE. Attendees will receive some classroom instructions, then conduct the weld test using either GMAW or SMAW. This session is not designed to teach you how to weld but how to help instruct students so that they are prepared for taking the test. Attendees should leave with a good understanding on how to prep material prior to weld, understand hold points, measure and visually inspect welds, prepare material for bend test, conduct bend test, and how to inspect the bend coupons.

Speakers

Jeremiah Harmon

Welding Instructor, HCTEA

Thirty years experience in welding and metal working. Have been in education for 17 and a Certified Welding Inspector and Educator since 2014.

Grant Von Lunen

Associate Professor, Metal Fabrication/Welding, Johnson County Community College

AWS CWI and CWE

Monday July 20, 2026 2:00pm - 3:50pm CDT
WCMT 129 12345 College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS, USA

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KTIEA, KAAE
Session Type Assessment/Certification
Subject Agriculture, Skilled Trades, Engineering & Technology

3:00pm CDT

Educator Focus Group for HirePaths' Cool Careers Series

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

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

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 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