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.

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

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

Affiliate KAAE
Session Type Business Meeting
Subject Agriculture

10:45am CDT

AI 201 | Designing Instruction in an AI Enhanced Classroom

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

RC 175

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

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

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

2:00pm CDT

Be Future Ready: Empowering Tomorrow’s Financial Leaders

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

RC 175

With digitization reshaping the way we bank, pay, and earn, it's crucial to deepen students’ understanding so they can navigate our evolving financial landscape. This session will explore a new online course that delves into the innovative world of finance and technology through a student lens.

The lessons cover digital banking and payments, how to manage one’s digital financial footprint, social trends that intersect with finance, risks associated with digital banking and payments, digital currencies, avoiding financial frauds and scams, and more. The three stand-alone modules offer student-centered activities, built-in assessments, and a comprehensive teacher’s guide, and can also be integrated into existing learning management systems for students to complete independently. Join this session to discover how this new curriculum can help teens take control of their financial future and empower them to make more informed choices in our digital world.

Speakers

Gigi Wolf Neil

Director of Education, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

Gigi Wolf Neil is Director of Education for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, where she coordinates the strategic direction of education outreach throughout Kansas, western Missouri, and the region. She has extensive experience developing curricula related to economics, entrepreneurship... Read More →

Monday July 20, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
RC 175 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

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

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

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

4:30pm CDT

KTIEA Board of Directors meeting

Monday July 20, 2026 4:30pm - 5:15pm CDT

RC 175

Meeting for Board of Directors members only. This meeting is to review Constitution and Bylaws, recommendations for amendments, vote to move recommendations forward for members approval.

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.

Monday July 20, 2026 4:30pm - 5:15pm CDT
RC 175 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KTIEA
Session Type Business Meeting
Subject Engineering & Technology, Media Technology, Skilled Trades

8:45am CDT

Reality U: Innovative, Hands-On Financial Learning

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:45am - 9:35am CDT

RC 175

Reality U is a 75-minute, hands-on simulation where students experience the financial realities of adulthood. Based on their current GPA, they step into the role of a 26-year-old and manage income and debt while navigating real-world financial decisions.

Through interactive booths staffed by local business and community volunteers, students make choices about housing, transportation, insurance, food, and more while balancing a checkbook that cannot dip below zero.

More than an event, Reality U is a powerful instructional tool. Students quickly see how academic performance and decision-making directly impact their financial stability and career pathways.

In this session, each participant will learn how Reality U boosts engagement, strengthens community partnerships, and reinforces career and life readiness skills while providing practical implementation strategies. From small schools to large, Reality U creates an unforgettable, hands-on financial experience for all students.

Speakers

Patrick Sehl

Sr. Director of Reality U, Reality U - The Pando Initiative

Patrick Sehl is the Sr. Director of Reality U at The Pando Initiative. Patrick connects to students across the state of Kansas in middle and high schools by championing the idea that their effort in school really does matter. By engaging students in an interactive way during Reality... Read More →

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:45am - 9:35am CDT
RC 175 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KBOA
Session Type Business & Community Partnerships, Clusters/Pathways, Engaging Instructional Methods, Student Career Development
Subject All CTE

9:45am CDT

From Handshakes to Internships: Building Business Partnerships that Work

Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:35am CDT

RC 175

Developing strong community and industry partnerships is essential to expanding meaningful work-based learning opportunities for students. In this interactive session, Dr. Ceresa Schaffer from De Soto USD 232 will share practical strategies for building and sustaining partnerships with local businesses while increasing student participation in internship programs. Participants will learn how to effectively recruit business partners, market internship opportunities to students, and create systems that support successful placements. Attendees will engage in collaborative discussion and leave with ready-to-use ideas, outreach strategies, and tools they can implement immediately to strengthen business partnerships and expand student access to real-world career experiences.

Speakers

Dr. Ceresa Schaffer

Coordinator of Studen Success, USD 232 De Soto

Dr. Ceresa Schaffer serves as the Coordinator of Student Success for De Soto USD 232 and is currently in her 27th year in education. In her role, she leads several district initiatives focused on student success, career readiness, and postsecondary pathways. Her work includes oversight... Read More →

Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:35am CDT
RC 175 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

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

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

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

Affiliate KAAE
Subject Agriculture

1:30pm CDT

Organizing Your Digital World

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT

RC 175

Are you drowning in all things digital…resources, files, images, emails? Come to a hands-on workshop to create a starting point for digital organization. This will most likely be a beginner level workshop which will include ideas such as bookmarks, folders, email settings, or finding ideas for your organization challenges.

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 →

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
RC 175 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KBOA
Session Type Data & Program Improvement
Subject All CTE

2:30pm CDT

Reimagining Nutrition & Dietetics: Classroom-Ready Strategies for Kansas FCS

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT

RC 175

Kansas FCS teachers are invited to explore the newly revised Nutrition & Dietetics course (formerly Nutrition & Wellness, 19253). This session will provide an overview of the updated curriculum developed through the Kansas Center for Career & Technical Education (KCCTE), highlighting increased rigor, stronger alignment to healthcare pathways, and enhanced career readiness opportunities. Participants will view student samples, classroom-ready activities, and practical implementation strategies designed to support science integration and real-world application in diverse teaching settings.

Speakers

Janet Holden

FCS Teacher, St. Mary's Colgan

Janet Holden is a high school FCS Teacher/FCCLA adviser at St. Mary's Colgan in Pittsburg, KS. She has been teaching 14 years and is an active member of KATFACS, currently serving as the 2025-2026 KATFACS President.

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
RC 175 11190 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210

Concurrent Session

Affiliate KATFACS
Session Type Engaging Instructional Methods
Subject Family & Consumer Sciences

6:00pm CDT

10:45am CDT

11:40am CDT

1:00pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

3:00pm CDT

4:30pm CDT

8:45am CDT

9:45am CDT

11:00am CDT

1:30pm CDT

2:30pm CDT

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