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Welcome to the K-ACTE Career Tech Summit 2026: Shaping the Next Generation of Workers!
Subject: Agriculture clear filter
Sunday, July 19
 

2:00pm CDT

Beginning Educator Support Team (BEST) Kick off Meeting
Sunday July 19, 2026 2:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
RC 145
This session is intended for agriculture teachers who are new to teaching, new to agricultural education, or new to the state of Kansas. We connect you with Team Ag Ed members, ensure you are included in our district and state communication channels, and answer questions you have about being an agriculture teacher in Kansas. 
Speakers
avatar for Brandie Disberger

Brandie Disberger

Associate Professor, Kansas State University
I am a associate professor of Agricultural Education at Kansas State University. I help lead the Beginning Educator Support Team (BEST) program for early career agriculture teachers.
Sunday July 19, 2026 2:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
RC 145 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210
  Concurrent Session

6:00pm CDT

KAAE Executive Board Meeting
Sunday July 19, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm CDT
RC 175
KAAE leaders meet to discuss our organization and action items. 
Speakers
avatar for Mary Beth Fulk

Mary Beth Fulk

Agricultural Education Teacher, Fairfield High School
Mary Beth is an agricultural education teacher and FFA advisor at Fairfield High School. She is also serving as the 2026 KAAE President-elect.
Sunday July 19, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm CDT
RC 175 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210
  Concurrent Session
 
Monday, July 20
 

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

10:45am CDT

Tips and Tricks for Successful Fundraising
Monday July 20, 2026 10:45am - 11:35am CDT
RC 255
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
avatar for Jacob Larison

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

11:40am CDT

KAAE Committee Meetings & Luncheon
Monday July 20, 2026 11:40am - 12:50pm CDT
RC 232
Join KAAE for committee meetings. We will be meeting in our committees to take care of any business that needs addressed. 
Speakers
avatar for Lacie Harshbarger

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

1:00pm CDT

From Rubric to Results: Workshopping Strong SAE Grant Applications
Monday July 20, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
RC 238
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
avatar for Mary Lonker

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

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
avatar for Claire Zimmermann

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

2:00pm CDT

Welding Test for Excel in CTE
Monday July 20, 2026 2:00pm - 3:50pm CDT
WCMT 129
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
avatar for Jeremiah Harmon

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.
GV

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
 
Tuesday, July 21
 

9:45am CDT

NCCER - CTE Trades & Industry and Agriculture Technology Curriculum/Credentials for Kansas Educators and Students ---FREE through AGC and Build Up Kansas
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:35am CDT
RC 181
Come learn about the Build Up Kansas and its NCCER Trades and Ag Tech/Mech curriculum aligned with the KSDE/KBOR Construction and Design Pathway and Agricultural, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) Standards. This opportunity is endorsed by the National FFA Organization and the National Council for Agricultural Education. Construction and Design offer three levels of trades education, in Core, General and Advanced Carpentry. In addition, the Ag. Tech resources offer three levels of training covering content in Construction Tech/Safety, Welding & Fabrication, and Heavy Equipment Operations. In addition, three industry credentials can be earned for each NCCER level completed by students in both pathways.
 
Over the past 4 years, AGC-BUK has provided NCCER resources FREE to 200 plus Kansas schools/districts/colleges. These resources include NCCER training, books/on-line learning platform, testing, and industry credentialing. In addition, YES … it’s still FREE!
Speakers
avatar for PJ Reilly

PJ Reilly

CTE Education Coordinator and NCCER Program Trainer, Association of General Contractors and Build Up Kansas
PJ Reilly is a lifelong CTE educator and CTE adminstrator. He is in his 43rd year of service to Career and Technical Education in Kansas.  He retired in 2023 and went directly to work for AGC and Build UP Kansas as their CTE Coordinator and NCCER school training. For the past 3 years... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:35am CDT
RC 181 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210
  Concurrent Session

11:00am CDT

Creating engaging, student-centered learning experiences
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
RC 175
This professional development workshop helps teachers learn how to facilitate engaging, student-centered learning experiences using instructional strategies inspired by the DELTA Conference approach to education. Participants will explore practical techniques such as giving effective directions, economy of language, and brain based techniques used to create learning environments that promote critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration while building stronger classroom culture and meaningful learning experiences that can be immediately implemented across a variety of content areas and grade levels.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Kelly Hoelting

Dr. Kelly Hoelting

Agricultura Education Teacher, Mission Valley USD #330
I am beginning year 26 at Mission Valley teaching agricultural education. I love being an Ag teacher and mom. I love helping other teachers in the classroom and learning how to teach every student, every day.
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
RC 175 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210
  Concurrent Session

11:00am CDT

CTE Meet Literacy: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Do It Tomorrow
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
RC 181
Literacy is already happening in your CTE classroom—this session helps you make it intentional and impactful. Explore how key ELA standards naturally align with CTE tasks and learn simple, high-leverage strategies to support students in reading technical texts, writing with purpose, and communicating their thinking.
Through real examples and quick application, you’ll walk away with practical tools and a ready-to-use plan you can implement tomorrow—no extra prep required.
Speakers
avatar for Mary Lonker

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 →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
RC 181 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210
  Concurrent Session

1:30pm CDT

Agricultural Education Program Updates
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
RC 245
2026-2027 KSDE Ag Ed Program Updates -- overview of KSDE updates for the 26-27 school year and sharing resources for Ag Educators!
Speakers
avatar for Anthony Meals

Anthony Meals

Agricultural Education Program Consultant and Kansas FFA Advisor, KSDE
KSDE Agricultural Education Program Consultant and Kansas FFA Advisor
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
RC 245 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210
  Concurrent Session

1:30pm CDT

From Compliance to Collaboration: Building Advisory Boards That Actually Drive CTE Programs
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
RC 255
Advisory boards are required for most CTE programs—but too often they function as compliance checkboxes rather than strategic workforce partners. This session will explore how secondary and postsecondary CTE leaders can transform advisory boards from routine meetings into meaningful collaborations that drive program innovation, strengthen workforce alignment, and create direct student opportunities.
 
Drawing from practical experience in rural community college CTE leadership and high school level CTE programs, participants will learn how to recruit the right members, structure high-impact meetings, leverage labor market data, and turn advisory conversations into actionable outcomes. The session will provide ready-to-use strategies, templates, and implementation ideas that can be adapted to both high school and community college programs.
 
If your advisory board feels stagnant—or if you're ready to elevate it to the next level—this session will provide practical, replicable tools to make it happen.
 
Speakers
avatar for Sara Sutton

Sara Sutton

Agriculture Department Chair, Perkins Co-Coordinator, Faculty Member, Fort Scott Community College
Sara Sutton is the Agriculture Department Chair, Perkins Co-Coordinator, and faculty member at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, Kansas. A proud graduate of Fort Scott Community College, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Kansas State University, a master’s... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
RC 255 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210
  Concurrent Session

2:30pm CDT

OSHA 10: The Credential of Value for CTE Students Entering the Workforce
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
RC 238
Industry-recognized credentials are becoming increasingly important in Career and Technical Education programs as schools work to better prepare students for employment after graduation. This session will explore the value of the OSHA 10-Hour safety credential as a foundational certification for students entering a wide range of career pathways.


Participants will learn how OSHA 10 helps students develop a strong understanding of workplace safety while also reinforcing professional habits that employers expect. The session will highlight how safety training supports workforce readiness, increases student confidence, and provides students with a credential that is recognized across multiple industries including construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics.


Attendees will leave with practical ideas for implementing OSHA 10 within their programs and strategies for connecting safety training to broader workforce preparation goals.
Speakers
avatar for Justin Williamson

Justin Williamson

Sales Executive, CareerSafe
Justin Williamson is a Sales Executive with CareerSafe, where he works with school districts, technical colleges, and workforce development programs across the country to expand access to OSHA safety training and workforce readiness credentials. With 17 years of experience in education... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
RC 238 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210
  Concurrent Session
 

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