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.

arrow_back View All Dates

11:40am CDT

KHSIA Awards Luncheon

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

RC 175

KHSIA invites members to come celebrate our affiliate award winners and induction of officers!

Monday July 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:50pm CDT
RC 175 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KHSIA
Session Type Affiliate Awards
Subject Health Sciences

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

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

2:00pm CDT

Including Culture in Health Care

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

RC 255

Including culture in health care is a teaching mindset that creates a positive and inclusive learning environment that includes students' culture allowing them to lean into their learning. You will receive lessons and visuals to take back to your classroom.

Speakers

Danielle Espinosa

Science Teacher, USD259

Danielle Espinosa is a dedicated educator with 14 years of experience, currently teaching Biology and Biomedical Pathway courses at Wichita North High School. Passionate about project-based learning, CTE, and edtech, she fosters innovative, transformative experiences that empower... Read More →

Paige Tillotson

Science Teacher, USD259

Paige Tillotson is a Health Science and Biomedical educator at Wichita North High School. Her focus goes beyond content. Within her classroom, she wants her students to walk away knowing they are capable of doing hard things and growing through the process. She prioritizes teaching... Read More →

Jill Pelz

Science Teacher, USD259

Jill Pelz has been in education for 18 years, where she has spent the last 8 years at Wichita North High educating students in biology, the biomedical pathway, health science, and sports medicine. She is passionate about preparing students for careers in healthcare through hands-on... Read More →

Monday July 20, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
RC 255 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session