ALL Ohio Conference 2026

7:00 AM – 10:00 AM · Hilton Easton

Exhibitor Set Up

Exhibitor Set Up

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Easton Grand

BAC Townhall

BAC Townhall

9:00 AM – 3:30 PM · Coat Room

ALL Ohio Registration

Check in at the registration table and receive your name badge

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM · Columbus

Assembly of Delegates

10:00 AM – 10:40 AM · Regent 2

Business First, Relationship Driven: Building a Successful BAC Model

The Knox County Business Advisory Council (BAC), operating through the Knox County WorkDev framework, succeeds because two critical components work together: ○ A business-first structure that keeps employers at the center of the system. ○ Intentional personal relationships that connect systems to individual people. ○ Neither component works as effectively without the other. Our model demonstrates how economic development leadership and education partners can create a structure that earns the trust of businesses while building meaningful personal connections that translate into real outcomes for students

10:00 AM – 10:40 AM · Regent 3

From Connection to Commitment: How Strong Partnerships Drive Employer Engagement

A strong Business Advisory Council (BAC) is vital—but how do you leverage partnerships to maintain participation and momentum? In this session, Mercer County representatives share how leveraging the three Quality Practices not only frames your BAC’s work, but also keeps employer engagement fresh and participation high.

10:00 AM – 10:40 AM · Regent 1

Learning That Pays Off: How Industry Partnerships Powered Student Innovation

This breakout session will highlight the innovative partnership between Butler Tech’s Mechatronics program and TechSolve, which has transformed a classroom learning experience into a real-world production environment. Through this collaboration, students operate a chip machine directly from their classroom, producing parts for industry while gaining valuable hands-on experience. The partnership has allowed students to generate $25,000 in revenue—funds that directly support their FIRST Robotics team—while building technical skills and understanding modern manufacturing processes.

10:45 AM – 1:00 PM · Westerville

CPSN Meeting (Invite Only)

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM · Juniper A

Ohio CCS Chapter Meeting

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM · Juniper B

Work-Based Learning Division Meeting

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM · Juniper C

PACE Division Meeting

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM · Lilac

Satellite Administrators Division Meeting

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM · Magnolia

Special Education Division Meeting

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM · Columbus

OATFACS Division Meeting

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM · Franklin

Welcome Coffee with Shoemaker Alumni

10:45 AM – 11:25 AM · Regent 2

BAC Breakout Session

The Montgomery County Educational Service Center (MCESC) BAC, in strategic partnership with Learn to Earn Dayton and regional industry leaders, has engineered a transformative ecosystem designed to bridge the gap between student potential and professional reality. By moving beyond traditional career services, this model leverages raw aptitude data to create high-impact, career-connected experiences. Our narrative-driven approach ensures that every student in the Dayton area is afforded a clear, supported, and sustainable on-ramp to a living-wage career through a unique intersection of education, nonprofit advocacy, and business intelligence.

10:45 AM – 11:25 AM · Regent 1

Aligning a Shared Curriculum and Language with Employer Engagement, Student Voice, and CareerConnected Learning

The WCBAC is working to strengthen the alignment between education and workforce needs by ensuring students graduate with the professional skills employers expect. During a discovery session with regional business leaders, employers consistently shared that many graduates enter the workforce not fully prepared for workplace expectations, citing gaps in critical employability skills such as communication, professionalism, teamwork, accountability, and work ethic. This feedback created a clear call to action for educators and employers to collaborate on a more intentional approach to preparing students for career success.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM · Lilac

Student Services Division Meeting

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM · Worthington

Public Relations Division Meeting

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Lunch (On Your Own)

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM · Juniper B

Academics and Instruction Division Meeting

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM · Easton Grand

General Session | Welcome, Ohio ACTE Update, DEW Update

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM

Break

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Easton C

K12 to CTE- Leadership Lessons to Help All Students Succeed

This session focuses on the lessons learned by a Superintendent who has served in both a K-12 and a Career Center and also run his own business. The session will highlight the extraordinary opportunity that exists to transform education, in a real way, based on lessons learned and urgent need to get this right for our businesses, schools, and local communities.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Juniper A

Shoemaker Institute | New CTE Teacher | 2026 Cohort

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Juniper B

Shoemaker Institute | New CTE Teacher | 2026 Cohort

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Juniper C

Shoemaker Institute | New CTE Administrator | 2026 Cohort

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Westerville

CPSN Meeting (Invite Only)

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Regent 1

ODEW | Law & Public Safety | Session 1

This presentation will provide participants with an overview of the Law & Public Safety Career Field standards revision process, including the stakeholder engagement, review, and decision-making steps used to update the career field. Key stakeholder feedback will be summarized to show how input from educators, industry partners, and other stakeholders informed the revisions. The presentation will also highlight significant updates to existing standards, important course-level revisions, and the development of new course and pathway offerings that support stronger alignment to industry expectations and emerging workforce needs.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · New Albany

Work Nook

Take a break from the conference buzz in our quiet Work Nook. Catch up on emails, take virtual meetings, recharge your devices, or focus on work in a calm, productive space.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Regent 3

ODEW | Middle Grade CTE: Exploration, Advising, and Integration

Middle Grade CTE: Exploration, Advising, and Integration

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Magnolia

OSLN | CTE and STEM in Action Together

What happens when CTE and STEM truly come together? Powerful, relevant learning that prepares students for what’s next. In this interactive session, explore how the Ohio STEM Learning Network is supporting CTE educators through hands-on, classroom-ready opportunities. You will dig into the CTE+STEM Innovation Lab, get a glimpse into the Partnership Playbook for building strong employer connections, and learn how the Design Challenge brings real industry problems into student learning. Grounded in the spirit of STEM, this session will model hands-on, engaging explorations that mirror the types of learning experiences we aim to create for students. You will walk away with practical ideas, opportunities for engagement with the STEM community, and new ways to connect your CTE programs with meaningful, real-world STEM learning.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Lilac

Celebrating Employment Through CTE Signing Day

This presentation would explain how Buckeye Career Center conducts a Signing Day event to help other career centers plan something similar. We highlight our military enlistees and students who have committed to full-time employment.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Franklin

Rubrics: Student Success Using Self-Assess

Rubrics are well-associated with use of a scale educators use to assess demonstration of declarative or procedural knowledge that can then be easily associated with students' level of proficiency or readiness. We are aware we should use student-friendly language with concise steps to meet lesson objectives or standards, but how often do we emphasize the use of rubrics that enable students to self-assess their level of readiness by monitoring their individual learning progress? Using "I can" statements related to focus statements or established criteria based on a state standard can help students more accurately determine where they are in their learning progression toward mastery. Structured appropriately, students will not only be able to monitor their progress, but they will be able to develop vital metacognitive skills that help students evaluate study methods and learning styles but also help direct their focus toward areas needing improvement or further review. This presentation will discuss rubric development, structure, verbiage, and the benefits of using self-assessment rubrics as a strategy to increase student success.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Columbus

Creating a Strategic Plan Rooted in Listening, Data, and Action

My first year as Superintendent of Auburn Career Center has been both inspiring and energizing, grounded in a deep respect for Auburn’s long-standing tradition of excellence in career and technical education. From the outset, our work centered on two parallel priorities: understanding the big-picture shifts shaping the future of workforce education, while also acting quickly on insights that could improve student experiences immediately. Over the past several months, Auburn developed a new Strategic Plan designed to guide our growth and impact in the years ahead. This plan was built through a comprehensive, inclusive, and data-driven engagement process that ensured it truly reflects who we are as a community and where we aspire to go. Rather than approaching engagement as a formality, we treated it as a series of authentic listening sessions. I participated in every focus group to better understand not only Auburn’s strengths, but also the opportunities that would allow us to better serve students, families, staff, and regional partners. In partnership with The Impact Group, Auburn conducted extensive outreach that included SWOT analyses with leadership and the Board of Education, fourteen focus groups representing diverse stakeholder groups, four community-wide surveys, and targeted interviews with regional leaders. Together, these qualitative and quantitative inputs provided a clear, shared understanding of Auburn’s mission, challenges, and opportunities within Northeast Ohio’s evolving workforce landscape. The insights gained through this process are already shaping action. We have begun creating stronger connections across programs, deepening partnerships with member districts and business partners, and expanding opportunities that link career-technical education to real-world experiences. These early steps reflect the plan’s core purpose: empowering high school and adult learners with the skills, pathways, and experiences needed for workforce success. This presentation will highlight Auburn’s strategic planning journey as a model for how intentional listening, community alignment, and early action can produce a strategic plan that is not just aspirational, but operational—one that reflects shared values, a unified vision, and a collective commitment to preparing learners for success in an evolving world.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Easton A

Building Ohio’s Life Sciences Talent Pipeline: BioPathways & Career Portal in Action

Ohio’s life sciences industry is rapidly growing, yet many students and educators lack clear, accessible pathways into these high-demand careers. This interactive session will highlight how Ohio Life Sciences is addressing this gap through two connected initiatives: BioPathways and the OLS Career Portal/Talent Network. Attendees will not only explore how these tools align education with workforce needs, provide real-time career navigation resources, and support equitable access to high-quality career pathways—they will actively engage with them. Through guided discussion, small-group reflection, and live exploration, participants will share current challenges, exchange ideas, and collaboratively identify opportunities to strengthen career pathways in their own regions. The session will include practical, participant-driven strategies for integrating these resources into CTE programs, career advising, and work-based learning models. Dedicated time for peer-to-peer dialogue and roundtable discussion will allow attendees to learn from one another and build connections across districts and communities. Participants will leave with actionable, replicable approaches to strengthen career pathway visibility, deepen employer engagement, and support smoother student transitions into high-growth industries, along with a network of peers working toward similar goals.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Worthington

CTE at Your Fingertips: Career Kits for your Partner Schools

Come and discover how ready-to-use career exploration and awareness curriculum kits can engage students while reducing planning time for educators. This session highlights the process of designing standards-aligned, hands-on resources that connect classroom learning to careers. Participants will leave with practical ideas to create impactful career awareness experiences for students in grades K-8.

Jennifer BlackstoneEastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Regent 2

ODEW | Education & Training | Session 1

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Easton B

Bridging the Gap: Using AI to Strengthen CTE Instruction

This session introduces five practical, easy‑to‑use AI strategies that every CTE instructor can implement to improve classroom instruction, from tackling daily lesson planning to developing effective assessments. Geared toward new CTE educators—and any teachers struggling to connect industry expertise to classroom instructional practice, this presentation demonstrates simple ways AI tools can bridge the gap between knowing *what* to teach and knowing *how* to teach it. Participants will learn how to use publicly available AI tools, such as Google Gemini or Microsoft Copilot, to streamline lesson planning, generate differentiated instructional materials, create authentic CTE‑aligned assessments, support classroom management, and personalize learning for diverse students. Each example is grounded in real CTE contexts—from manufacturing to agriculture to IT—so instructors and administrators can see exactly how AI enhances teaching across different career fields. Attendees will leave with ready‑to‑use prompts, classroom-tested workflows, and clear ideas for integrating AI in ways that strengthen instructional quality, student engagement, and career readiness.

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM · Easton C

Aligning IEP Goals and Next Ready Skills in the Classroom

Career and Technical Education classrooms are uniquely positioned to prepare students for both workforce readiness and lifelong learning; yet educators are often asked to balance rigorous career readiness expectations with the individualized supports outlined in students’ IEPs and 504 plans. This session explores how those goals are not competing priorities, but complementary ones. In this interactive, peer-led session, presenters from the Great Oaks Career Campuses will demonstrate how IEP accommodations and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) practices can be intentionally embedded into daily instruction, labs, and lesson planning, without lowering expectations. Participants will examine real classroom and lab-based examples that show how students develop professional behaviors such as communication, adaptability, accountability, and critical thinking while receiving appropriate supports. Using Next Ready Skills which is our district’s shared language for college and career readiness, as an organizing framework, this session helps educators see how accommodations naturally support the same employability skills valued by employers and postsecondary partners. Through guided scenarios, reflection tools, and practical planning strategies, participants will leave with concrete ideas they can immediately apply in academic and CTE settings. This session is designed for educators across content areas and experience levels and emphasizes collaboration between general education, career-technical, and intervention specialists to improve access, equity, and student success.

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM · Regent 1

ODEW | Law & Public Safety | Session 2

This presentation will provide participants with an overview of the Law & Public Safety Career Field standards revision process, including the stakeholder engagement, review, and decision-making steps used to update the career field. Key stakeholder feedback will be summarized to show how input from educators, industry partners, and other stakeholders informed the revisions. The presentation will also highlight significant updates to existing standards, important course-level revisions, and the development of new course and pathway offerings that support stronger alignment to industry expectations and emerging workforce needs.

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM · Regent 2

ODEW | Education & Training | Session 2

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM · Regent 3

ODEW | Integrating CTSO and Program Study

Integrating CTSO and Program of Study

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM · Magnolia

Advanced Technology Consultants | Hack the Future: Why Hands-On Cybersecurity Belongs in Every Classroom

Cybersecurity threats are growing faster than the workforce can handle. This session explores the national skills gap, the limits of traditional instruction, and how hands-on CTE programs prepare students for high-demand careers. Walk away with strategies to champion and expand cybersecurity education in your school or district.

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM · Juniper A

Shoemaker Institute | New CTE Administrator | 2026 Cohort  (Invite only)

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM · Juniper B

Shoemaker Institute | New CTE Teacher | 2026 Cohort (Invite only)

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM · Juniper C

Shoemaker Institute | New CTE Administrator | 2026 Cohort (Invite only)

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM · Westerville

CPSN Meeting (Invite Only)

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM · New Albany

CTE Futures Coalition (Invite Only)

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM · Lilac

Industry Sector Partnerships in Central Ohio: Strengthening CTE Through Regional Collaboration

Central Ohio’s Industry Sector Partnerships (ISPs) bring employers, workforce partners, and educators together to design aligned, high-demand career pathways. This session introduces the structure and purpose of the region’s ISPs including: Supply Chain/Logistics, Healthcare, Manufactoring, Accounting, Insurance, and Ohio Life Sciences and highlights the resources, employer connections, and collaborative supports available to districts. Participants will learn how to access their local ISP, engage in employer-led projects, and leverage regional partnerships to enhance work-based learning and student success.

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM · Easton B

The 60 Minute Playdate

Think play is just for kids? Think again. Somewhere between graduating and paying taxes, most of us forgot that our brains are actually wired to ""go out and play."" In this 60-minute high-energy session, we’re ditching the spreadsheets and the ""hustle culture"" to rediscover the biological necessity of play for our own learning and growth. Participants will: • Learn why play is the ""secret sauce"" for beating burnout and boosting your creativity (backed by neuroscience, not just daydreams). • Learn how play impacts the brain (for both adults and students). • Discover their ""Play Personality."" • Participate in short, low-stakes ""play bursts"" designed to wake up your brain without making you feel like you're stuck in an icebreaker loop. • Leave with activities they can implement in their buildings or classrooms to build effective communication, critical thinking skills, and workplace readiness. • Leave with a personalized ""Play Menu"" to help integrate more ""unproductive"" joy into the workweek—which, ironically, makes you a more productive human. Warning: Side effects may include spontaneous smiling, reduced stress, and the sudden urge to buy LEGOs.

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM · Worthington

Teacher Onboarding and Mentorship

Just a few years ago, our onboarding and mentorship program was limited in scope. Since then, we have made intentional and meaningful improvements to create a comprehensive system of support for new teachers. Our enhanced onboarding and mentorship program is designed to smoothly transition educators into the profession by providing structured guidance, coaching, and targeted experiences that promote growth, confidence, and long-term retention. This process begins the moment a candidate accepts a teaching position and continues through their first two years in the classroom. Career-technical and academic instructors move through this journey together, ensuring a consistent, collaborative experience that builds a strong foundation for professional success.

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM · Franklin

Purposeful Scheduling: Aligning CTE and Academic Coursework for Student Success

This conference session will examine how course development can strengthen the connection between Career Technical Education (CTE) programs and related academic classes. Participants will explore approaches for pairing and sequencing academic courses with CTE instruction to reinforce skills, concepts, and real-world application across content areas. Examples will include creating common collaboration periods for intervention specialists and academic co-teachers, developing a Veterinary Science–specific Anatomy course, and designing a Technical Math course to support math skill development within heavy trades labs. This session is designed for administrators, counselors, CTE instructors, and academic teachers seeking strategies for creating related academic courses that are intentional, collaborative, and aligned to both career pathways and academic outcomes.

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM · Columbus

National Healthcareer Association | Pathway to Success: A Complete Guide to Medical Assisting Programs with Stackable Credentials

Medical assistants play a vital role in healthcare, with employment projected to grow 19% by 2029. Building a successful CTE Medical Assisting program requires a clear roadmap. This session guides attendees through stackable credential pathways, covering community outreach, educational pathways, collaboration with NHA and industry credentials, success factors, and lessons learned. Auburn Career Center’s MA Instructor Stacey Yarnell shares practical tips and best practices to help programs thrive. Attendees will leave equipped to develop strong Medical Assisting programs that prepare students for rewarding healthcare careers.

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM · Easton A

Pathways 2 Possibilities: K-6 Career Exploration

Learn how the Pathways 2 Possibilities program introduces K–6 students to careers through fun, hands-on activities and real-world experiences. This session will share simple ideas for helping young students explore their interests and connect learning to future opportunities. Participants will leave with practical strategies they can use to start or strengthen elementary career awareness in their own schools.

5:30 PM – 8:30 PM · PINS

Buckeye Summer Bash (Sponsored by Buckeye Educational Systems)

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM · Easton Foyer

Breakfast

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM · Easton Grand

Keynote: We Got What We Asked For, Now What? 5 Transformational Leadership Tips

Keynote Speaker

9:30 AM – 9:45 AM

Break

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM · Easton Grand

General Session | ODEW: IRC Redesign

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM · Juniper C

Shoemaker Institute | New CTE Administrator | 2026 Cohort (Invite Only)

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM · Juniper A

Shoemaker Institute | New CTE Teacher | 2026 Cohort (Invite Only)

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM · Regent 3

ODEW | Office of Graduate Success

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM · Columbus

Mastery-Based Learning: Shifting the Mindset from Grades to Growth

This session explores how Mastery-Based Learning (MBL) transforms student engagement and achievement by focusing on skill development and understanding rather than traditional grading. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to implement MBL in their classrooms, schools, or institutions, ensuring students progress at their own pace while meeting academic standards. We will provide practical resources, including grading frameworks, progress tracking templates, and communication tools for parents and students. Through interactive discussions, scenario-based activities, and collaborative problem-solving, participants will develop a roadmap to introduce or refine MBL in their settings. This session is ideal for educators and administrators looking to enhance learning outcomes, provide personalized instruction, and align grading with true student mastery. Objective 1: Understand the Principles of Mastery-Based Learning (MBL) – Participants will explore the core concepts of MBL, including how it shifts the focus from grades to skill mastery and student growth. Objective 2: Apply MBL Strategies in Educational Settings – Attendees will learn practical implementation techniques, including grading frameworks, progress tracking, and feedback mechanisms, to integrate MBL into their classrooms, schools, or institutions. Objective 3: Enhance Student Engagement and Learning Outcomes – Educators will discover how MBL fosters personalized learning, allowing students to progress at their own pace while ensuring proficiency in essential skills and standards. Objective 4: Develop a Roadmap for Implementation – Through interactive discussions and collaborative problem-solving, participants will create an actionable plan for introducing or refining MBL in their educational environments.

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM · Easton A

When Programs Are Full, Innovation Begins: Expanding Access to Healthcare Careers

Healthcare occupations across Southwest Ohio, such as Certified Nurse Aide and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, remain in high demand and critical to the regional workforce. According to Ohio’s Top Jobs data, these occupations currently have a vacancy rate of 12.4% and 12.5%, respectfully. This clearly underscores the urgent statewide and regional need for qualified, entry level healthcare professionals. Many high school students who want to pursue these occupations face significant barriers, and career centers are at capacity and are turning away students. We reimagined how to deliver in demand healthcare credentials. This session shares how Great Oaks designed and launched an innovative, student centered model that removes barriers and opens doors to high value healthcare pathways. We created new opportunities for students who otherwise would not have had the chance to earn in demand credentials. Join us to learn what’s possible when access comes first.

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM · Magnolia

Tooling-U SME | Industry Demand for Automation & Robotics: The Polaris Career Center ERA Story

The Polaris ERA Story will detail how leaders at Polaris Career Center used industry and qualitative data to launch a brand new program that provides high demand skills in robotics & automation. This six (6) year journey will be described from ideation to a wait list of students for the fall 2026 pilot class.

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM · Regent 2

ODEW | Office of Graduate Success

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM · Worthington

WHY • WHAT • HOW - BUILDING THE FUTURE WORKFORCE

The manufacturing workforce is changing fast. Learn how apprenticeships and work-based learning can help employers attract, develop, and retain skilled talent. Hear from Andres Brockmann, & Chad Bridgman an expert in apprenticeship program design. -Proven apprenticeship & work-based learning models -How to grow talent from within your organization -Reducing turnover with clear career pathways -“Earn while you learn” education strategies -Engaging the next generation of workers

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM · Lilac

Transforming a Traditional Stakeholder Meeting into a Work-Based Learning Engagement Experience

Stakeholder meetings don’t have to be routine! This session highlights how Ohio Hi-Point reimagined a standard advisory meeting into an interactive Work-Based Learning (WBL) celebration and education experience. Learn how we redesigned our fall professional development day to invite business partners on campus, showcase facilities, host panel presentations, and provide clear pathways for becoming WBL partners. Learn about some of the events hosted by our WBL Coordinators including reverse career fairs, special speaker series, and recognition ceremonies. Participants will also learn how OHP’s ASPIRE Champions Scholarship Fund transforms WBL partners into long-term champions, allowing businesses to invest in students who go directly into their career field, helping to shape the future workforce in their communities.

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM · Easton C

How’s Your Emotional Hygiene? Rethinking Educator Well-Being and School Culture

Educator well-being is not just a personal responsibility; it is a culture imperative. In this interactive session, participants will explore the concept of emotional hygiene and reflect on how stress, boundaries, relationships, and daily habits shape how we show up for students and one another. Through guided reflection and practical strategies grounded in gratitude, movement, rest, creativity, and connection, educators will identify small, sustainable actions they can realistically model and normalize in their classrooms and teams. Participants will leave with a simple, actionable framework to care for their own well-being while strengthening trust, belonging, and resilience where they work every day.

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM · Easton B

From Burnout to Blueprint: Turning Teaching Pains into AI Gains

This workshop moves beyond the app of the month approach. Using a human-centered Design Thinking framework, participants will map their own Teacher User Journey to pinpoint their most significant time sucks. We will then prototype a solution by matching those pain points with vetted, education-safe AI tools tailored to their specific ecosystem—whether they are a Google Workspace or Microsoft/Schoology district. Teachers will leave with a personalized, AI-enhanced tech stack designed to reclaim their energy for what matters most: hands-on student coaching.

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM · Franklin

Small Experiences, Big Impact: Using School Based Micro-Internships to Expand Career Readiness for Every Student

Micro-internships are transforming how schools deliver meaningful work-based learning—especially when traditional internships aren’t accessible to all students. This session explores how schools can implement on-campus and virtual micro-internships that build real workplace skills while supporting daily school operations. Attendees will learn how short, guided roles—such as tech support, office assistance, event coordination, media creation, and peer tutoring—can increase student engagement, professionalism, and confidence without transportation barriers or complex employer agreements. Participants will leave with ready-to-use role ideas, staffing structures, and implementation strategies they can immediately apply in middle school, high school, or virtual learning environments.

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM · Westerville

Work Nook

Take a break from the conference buzz in our quiet Work Nook. Catch up on emails, take virtual meetings, recharge your devices, or focus on work in a calm, productive space.

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM · New Albany

Work Nook

Take a break from the conference buzz in our quiet Work Nook. Catch up on emails, take virtual meetings, recharge your devices, or focus on work in a calm, productive space.

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM · Regent 1

ODEW | ICO CTE Program Redesign

This presentation will provide an overview of the Industry Credential Only Programming Redesign project, including the purpose of the redesign, key policy considerations, stakeholder feedback gathered to date, and the proposed direction for updated programming rules. The presentation will highlight how the redesign seeks to expand access, improve alignment to Ohio’s updated Industry Recognized Credential List, strengthen industry connection, and establish clearer expectations for program quality and accountability.

11:30 AM – 11:40 AM

Break

11:40 AM – 12:15 PM · Regent 2

RapidConnect | Central Region

11:40 AM – 12:15 PM · Regent 1

RapidConnect | Northeast Region

11:40 AM – 12:15 PM · Regent 3

RapidConnect | Southwest Region

11:40 AM – 12:15 PM · Easton A

RapidConnect | Northwest Region

11:40 AM – 12:15 PM · Easton B

RapidConnect | Southeast Region

11:40 AM – 12:15 PM · Easton C

RapidConnect | West Region

11:40 AM – 12:15 PM · Juniper A

RapidConnect | East Region

12:15 PM – 1:30 PM · Easton Grand

Lunch

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM · Easton A

The Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Hub: Expanding and Innovating with Miami University Polytechnic and Butler Tech

When Miami University and Butler Tech joined forces in 2024, they focused their partnership on their regions' ability to meet high demand workforce needs in advanced manufacturing. The acquisition of a 300,000 square foot facility doubled the size of the Miami University Hamilton campus while simultaneously expanding Butler Tech's capacity to educate promising young engineers. The facility enables the two institutions to work together closely, putting Butler Tech students in labs alongside university students and professors. The two institutions created an academic pathway to facilitate the seamless transition of Butler Tech graduates into Miami University, resulting in more opportunities for students, more opportunities to drive economic development in our region, and more collaborative opportunities for business and industry partners. This presentation will describe the origins of this partnership, outline some of the challenges and successes, and discuss the next phase of expanding our academic pathways, including the creation of Miami University Polytechnic, a workforce, career, and industry focused arm of Miami University. Looking ahead, Miami University invites Career-Technical Planning Districts, Career Tech Centers, and secondary CTE programs across the state of Ohio to engage in this next phase of collaboration. Through Miami University Polytechnic, institutions have the opportunity to work together to develop articulation and bilateral agreements that recognize applied learning, technical coursework, and industry credentials—creating scalable, statewide pathways from high school to high-value degrees.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM · Regent 3

ODEW | Office of Graduate Success

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM · Regent 1

ODEW | Office of Graduate Success

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM · Regent 2

ODEW | Office of Graduate Success

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM · Lilac

Buckeye Educational Systems | Business Presentation

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM · Juniper A

Shoemaker Institute | New CTE Teacher | 2026 Cohort (Invite Only)

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM · Juniper C

Shoemaker Institute | New CTE Administrator | 2026 Cohort (Invite Only)

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM · New Albany

Work Nook

Take a break from the conference buzz in our quiet Work Nook. Catch up on emails, take virtual meetings, recharge your devices, or focus on work in a calm, productive space.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM · Magnolia

USI | Business Presentation

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM · Westerville

Work Nook

Take a break from the conference buzz in our quiet Work Nook. Catch up on emails, take virtual meetings, recharge your devices, or focus on work in a calm, productive space.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM · Columbus

Leveraging School-Based Enterprises for Work-Based Learning

School-based enterprises can serve as structured, high-impact work-based learning experiences within career-technical programs. Learn how Ohio Hi-Point operates student-run businesses, and hear from teachers who lead enterprises such as The Nest coffee shop and MIBN broadcasting studio to provide real-world learning directly connected to students’ career pathways. This model expands access to WBL opportunities, especially within OHP's satellite programs at our partner districts. Walk away with practical ideas to create hands-on experiences that deliver a career-ready education.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM · Easton B

Improving Student Technical Skill Attainment Using WebXam Data

If you are looking for a way to improve technical skill attainment for students in your district, this is the session for you. CETE Staff will discuss WebXam data and its use for identifying gaps in knowledge and possible methods and techniques for closing those gaps resulting in increased student performance.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM · Easton C

Students, Parents, and Partnerships... Oh My

In this engaging session, learn how Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools has worked to create a culture of accountability and support for all stakeholders. From "meeting students where they are" to partnering and building trust with our associate districts, the impact of positive relationships is key to student success and access to opportunities. This session will provide actionable ideas and practical procedures that will increase trust and accountability among all stakeholders.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM · Franklin

Improving Schoolwide CTE Outcomes Through Effective Learning Environments and Career-Connected Learning | Brittany Covalt

Improving CTE outcomes requires both effective classroom practices and intentional school leadership. This session explores how teachers and leaders can work together to create learning environments that increase student engagement, strengthen career connections, and support continuous improvement across an entire CTE program. Participants will examine research-based strategies that help students see the relevance of their learning while building systems that support educator collaboration, data-informed decision-making, and sustainable improvement. Attendees will leave with practical tools and implementation strategies that can be applied immediately in both classrooms and schoolwide improvement efforts.

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM · Worthington

Empowering Students Through Service-Learning: The Grant Career Center Model

At Grant Career Center, we are dedicated to developing students’ skills, purpose, and community engagement through service-learning. This session explores how we integrated hands-on service projects into our curriculum, including The Grant Give Back and an immersive outreach experience performing service both locally and out-of-town. Attendees will gain actionable strategies for implementing service-learning in their own schools, fostering student leadership, and building community partnerships. We will share templates, planning guides, and logistics resources to support replication and scalability. Participants will engage in collaborative discussions, problem-solving activities, and resource-sharing to tailor service-learning models to their unique settings. Whether you're starting from scratch or refining an existing program, this session will equip you with practical tools to make service a cornerstone of student learning and career preparation. Objective 1: Demonstrate the Impact of Service-Learning – Participants will explore how integrating service-learning into career and technical education (CTE) enhances student engagement, leadership, and workforce readiness. Objective 2: Provide Practical Implementation Strategies – Attendees will receive templates, planning guides, and logistical frameworks to help them develop and scale service-learning projects in their own schools or institutions. Objective 3: Foster Collaboration and Problem-Solving – Through interactive discussions and resource-sharing, participants will brainstorm solutions to challenges in implementing service-learning and create actionable plans tailored to their unique educational settings.

2:15 PM – 2:45 PM · Easton Foyer

Coffee and Dessert Break (Sponsored by Garmann Miller)

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Regent 2

Career Pathway Support Networks: A regional model for career connected learning

This session explores how regional Career Pathway Support Networks can move beyond fragmented initiatives and compliance-driven work to create coherent, sustainable systems that align education, workforce, and post-secondary partners around shared outcomes. Grounded in real implementation experience, the session highlights practical strategies for middle grades CTE expansion, regional planning aligned to labor market demand, and building trust-based partnerships that outlast grant cycles. Participants will leave with a clear framework they can adapt to their own state or region — regardless of governance structure. This approach directly reflects the goals and required outcomes outlined in Ohio’s FY26–27 Career Pathway Support Network model

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Easton B

From Compliance to Impact: Empowering Building Leaders in Special Education

Move beyond paperwork and mandates to meaningful leadership. Participants will examine leadership practices that strengthen collaboration, ensure legal integrity, and improve outcomes for students with disabilities.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Lilac

iCEV | Consistency Without Compromise: Scaling High Quality CTE Across Every Pathway

How do you create a consistent student experience when every teacher brings a different level of experience, teaching style, and expertise? Join us to see how educators are using iCEV to support teachers, strengthen instruction, and create engaging learning experiences across every CTE pathway while maintaining the flexibility teachers value. Hear practical examples of how iCEV is being woven into existing courses to save teachers time and enhance student learning. You'll leave with a better understanding of how iCEV aligns to your CTE pathways, practical ideas you can take back to your district, and new ways to support your teachers while building a stronger, more consistent CTE program.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Worthington

Compliance to Excellence: Making Sense of the CTE Administrator Role

Stepping into a Career-Technical Education leadership role can feel overwhelming. New CTE administrators are immediately immersed in a world of acronyms (QPR, CCWMR, EMIS, CTSOs, WBL, CTPDs), regulatory expectations, workforce partnerships, licensure requirements, and instructional leadership—often with little time to build a mental map of how it all fits together. This interactive seminar provides a clear umbrella view of the CTE administrator role, helping participants make sense of both the what and the why behind the work. Using a systems-based leadership framework organized into seven essential learning buckets, participants will explore the full scope of CTE leadership responsibilities—from program compliance and funding to curriculum quality, staffing, student outcomes, and workforce alignment. Through guided discussion, real-world scenarios, and hands-on artifact analysis, participants will translate CTE acronyms into practical leadership actions. The session intentionally demystifies state and federal expectations, clarifies daily job duties, and highlights how strong systems reduce risk, improve program quality, and support student success. Rather than treating compliance as a checklist, this session positions the CTE administrator as a systems leader—someone who understands how governance, instruction, data, and partnerships work together to create high-quality, sustainable programs. This session is ideal for new and aspiring CTE administrators, assistant principals, CTPD leaders, and district administrators seeking clarity, confidence, and a practical roadmap for the role.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Magnolia

EF Tours | Business Presentation

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Regent 1

Early Access Pathways with Higher Education Partnerships

High School students have more and more options when it comes to their academic and career path choices. Many students at Butler Tech Bioscience Center are focused on obtaining certifications and preparing for various nursing programs across the state and nation. Butler Tech has developed two special programing models partnering with both Butler Tech Adult Education (Early access LPN) and Miami University Nursing Regionals (BSN). Come learn about the partnerships we have developed, the mistakes we have made to help us fine tune the process, and the successes we have had for our students!

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Easton C

Students are a Fingerprint: Empower Your Students to Personalize their Portfolios

Just like a fingerprint, every student is unique. Shouldn’t their resume and portfolios reflect that individuality? Help your students find their voice and give them the confidence to tell their professional story in a digital age. In this session, we break down barriers and show you how to guide your students towards the marketing skills and confidence they need to succeed after their time in their programs. Leave with resources and strategies to help students identify their fingerprint and stand out in the crowd.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Regent 3

Building a Climate-Resilient Workforce: Addressing Education and Training Needs for Ohio’s Great Lakes Communities

How can career-technical programs in agriculture and environmental sciences support the unique needs of Ohio’s Great Lakes communities? To address this, The Ohio State University has formed a partnership with water industry employers, education and training providers, and community organizations. In support of advancing a climate-resilient workforce, the partnership is focused on preparing a diverse workforce with specialized expertise in areas such as water quality monitoring, geographic information systems, stormwater infrastructure, and environmental management as well as placing prepared students in in-demand jobs. In this interactive session, we will share the partnership’s progress to date, highlighting skills identified by employers. Then, in small groups, we will gather feedback from participants to better understand how the skills align with current CTE programs, and we will explore opportunities for new programs, jobs, and student experiences.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Juniper B

Being Frank: Relationships Determine Results, Connections Build our Future

Attendees will be engaged through story and hearing applicable ways to connect with all stakeholders in your schools and communities. With a focus on relationship building through the lens of the importance of career workforce development. Attendees will learn beyond the box thinking of just standard school activities. Exciting ways to engage community and students through sharing of practices implemented.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Easton A

Are You Using AI to Save Time or to Sharpen Your Thinking?

AI Is Not a Search Engine; It's a Strategic Thought Partner. AI, when used appropriately, doesn't replace critical thinking; it enhances it. In this session, participants will explore how AI can be used not just to work faster, but to think more clearly, supporting goal-setting, planning, and progress monitoring rather than constant firefighting. Educators will be introduced to the CRIT framework: Context, Role, Interview, and Task, developed by author and leadership strategist, Geoff Woods, which helps users design prompts that clarify purpose, perspective, and next steps. Through practical examples and guided application, participants will practice designing their own prompts and leave with an approach they can immediately apply to real work, real decisions, and real priorities.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Juniper A

Integrated Strategies for CTE and Academic Partnership

This presentation explores effective strategies for integrating Career and Technical Education (CTE) with academic instruction to create meaningful partnerships between educators. Attendees will learn how to align curriculum, collaborate on interdisciplinary projects, and leverage shared resources to enhance student learning and engagement. By bridging academic concepts with real-world career applications, this approach prepares students for success in both college and the workforce. Participants will leave with practical tools and insights to foster collaboration between CTE and academic teachers, driving innovation and equity in education.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Juniper C

Refining C-TEC’s CTSO Local Competition Day for Greater Student Impact

Following our 2025 presentation on C-TEC’s CTSO Local Competition Day, this session provides an update on how the event has evolved and the impact it has continued to have on students, staff, and community partners. Building on the foundation established—when all students participated in CTSO-aligned competitions and selected from more than 30 interest-based sessions—C-TEC has refined logistics, expanded partnerships, and strengthened student voice and engagement. This presentation will highlight lessons learned from the initial implementation, adjustments made to improve scheduling and participation, and measurable outcomes observed in student engagement, career awareness, and community involvement. Attendees will gain practical insights into how CTSO-centered events can move beyond a single day experience to become a scalable model that connects classroom learning, career readiness, and community collaboration.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Columbus

Building Student Voice and Leadership in CTE: A Scalable Student Ambassador Model

Student voice plays a powerful role in career technical education. When intentionally structured, student leadership can strengthen recruitment efforts, enhance program visibility, support equity and access, and deepen engagement across CTE pathways. This session will highlight the Butler Tech Student Ambassador Program as a case study in designing and sustaining a structured, scalable leadership model embedded within CTE. Participants will learn how Butler Tech recruits, trains, and supports student ambassadors; establishes clear leadership expectations; and intentionally develops students as confident representatives of career technical education. Ambassadors serve as visible advocates for their programs—engaging prospective students and families, supporting new student onboarding, and representing CTE in interactions with business partners, elected officials, and community stakeholders. This structured approach has expanded student-led outreach capacity, strengthened consistency across campuses, and reinforced leadership skill development aligned to workforce readiness. The presentation will share practical strategies for aligning ambassador responsibilities to district priorities, including strengthening recruitment pipelines, improving early engagement, and advancing student retention across CTE pathways. Through guided discussion and workshop-style collaboration, participants will identify actionable steps to elevate student voice and leadership within their own districts.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · New Albany

Work Nook

Take a break from the conference buzz in our quiet Work Nook. Catch up on emails, take virtual meetings, recharge your devices, or focus on work in a calm, productive space.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Westerville

Work Nook

Take a break from the conference buzz in our quiet Work Nook. Catch up on emails, take virtual meetings, recharge your devices, or focus on work in a calm, productive space.

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM · Franklin

Sp. Ed. 101: Leading Inclusive CTE Programs — A Practical Administrator’s Guide

A practical, administrator-focused session on supporting students with disabilities in CTE—without compromising safety, rigor, or program expectations. This session provides CTE administrators with a practical introduction to supporting students with mild to moderate disabilities in career and technical education programs. Focusing on Specific Learning Disabilities, high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, and ADHD, participants will examine how these disabilities commonly present in classrooms and lab settings, establish realistic instructional expectations, and review effective accommodations that maintain safety, rigor, and compliance. The session also connects school-based practices to ADA-aligned workplace accommodations, equipping administrators with actionable strategies to support staff, strengthen programs, and ensure equitable access to career pathways.

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM

Break

3:45 PM – 5:15 PM · Easton Grand

Awards & Recognition Ceremony

5:15 PM – 6:30 PM · Easton Bar/Lobby

Networking Event

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM · Easton Foyer

Breakfast

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM · Easton Grand

Alumni Presentation: From Struggling Student to Skilled Trades Advocate

What happens when a student who feels lost in the traditional classroom finds their purpose under the hood of a welding helmet? Join Josh Wolfe, a veteran Welding Instructor at Laurel Oaks Career Campus, and a leading digital advocate for the skilled trades, as he shares the powerful influence Career Technical Education (CTE) had on him. In this keynote, Josh shares his personal evolution from a student who struggled to find his place in the classroom to a teacher leading a national conversation on craftsmanship. He will detail the pivotal influence of the educator who first believed in him and explain how that experience now fuels his mission to engage, inspire, and elevate his own students

9:30 AM – 9:45 AM

Break

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM · Regent 1

Expanding Access to CTE: A Career/Workforce Readiness Design Incubator Model

The challenges in our CTE context include limited space and programming capacity to meet growing demand in CTE pathways. In this session, we highlight a collaboration among a CTE program, regional school districts, a nonprofit education organization, and several nonprofit community organizations to design and deliver a high-impact career and workforce readiness professional learning experience. The primary goal of the learning experience was the redesign of the content curriculum for students in grades 5–12 with opportunities to learn “beyond the classroom.” Together, we developed and implemented a professional learning model that expanded the reach of CTE programming in Delaware County to nearly 100 general and special education who created career and workforce-ready learning experiences for over 6,000 middle and high school students. The students gained and practiced vital durable skills, explored careers, and used modern workforce processes, such as design thinking, to solve real problems for a real community partner. We call the model a Career/Workforce Readiness Design Incubator. Design incubators emphasize teacher creativity and design thinking to address the limitations of traditional curricula that often lack an intentional focus on workforce and durable skills such as leadership, creativity, problem-solving, and communication. The goal of an incubator is to generate opportunities for students to learn their academic content while also engaging with future work skills and practices, including awareness of generative AI and automation (McGowan & Shipley, 2018). To this end, teachers learn practical strategies for aligning their academic content with the needs of community and business/industry collaborators, which is an approach we call learning beyond the classroom. This approach centers learning on the content while solving a genuine problem alongside a community partner. It’s within this real-world process that students gain practical workforce skills, and, even a simulated work experience. To make this a curricular and pedagogical reality, teacher participants learn and apply authentic learning models, such as design thinking and service-learning, to up-skill and modernize curriculum in which students solve real problems for real audiences, gain critical workforce skills, and explore careers and future pathways in the process. The incubator provides wrap-around support to teachers with dedicated time to collaborate with CTE, teachers from other districts, and pedagogical experts; and, network with industry partners, gain knowledge and skill in organizing simulated work experiences, and engage in panels and gamified resource fairs that give them confidence and capacity to take learning beyond the classroom. This model is replicable and scalable, and we will share the core components that enable others to adapt and implement it in their own contexts. Participants will be active, able to reflect on these core components with pre-planned discussion and idea generation for their own contexts. Future work requires a future-ready education.

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM · Westerville

Work Nook

Take a break from the conference buzz in our quiet Work Nook. Catch up on emails, take virtual meetings, recharge your devices, or focus on work in a calm, productive space.

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM · New Albany

Work Nook

Take a break from the conference buzz in our quiet Work Nook. Catch up on emails, take virtual meetings, recharge your devices, or focus on work in a calm, productive space.

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM · Easton C

From Vision to Alignment: How Structured Curriculum Days Strengthen Districtwide Instruction

What does it take to move from isolated program planning to true districtwide instructional alignment? In this session, Ohio Hi-Point’s Teaching and Learning Department will share the goals that shaped the development of curriculum days and the systems implemented to make the work sustainable. Hear from teachers how this work directly impacted their teaching in their classroom and created strong alignment across departments. Participants will walk away with replicable planning documents, coordination strategies, and practical frameworks designed to improve instruction and positively impact student outcomes.

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM · Juniper C

Shoemaker Institute | New CTE Administrator | 2026 Cohort (Invite Only)

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM · Juniper A

Shoemaker Institute | New CTE Teacher | 2026 Cohort (Invite Only)

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM · Easton A

CTE Leadership Summit for Superintendents, Directors, and Treasurers

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM · Magnolia

Garmann Miller | Where Do We Start? A Practical Guide to CTE Facility Planning

Career-technical leaders often recognize the need for expanded, renovated, or more flexible facilities long before a project is clearly defined. This session will help CTE professionals and district leaders understand where to start before design begins, including how to identify facility needs, engage the right partners, involve staff and stakeholders, plan for flexible program space, and build early alignment around a realistic project path. Using Miami Valley Career Technology Center as an example, MVCTC Superintendent Dr. Nick Weldy, along with Garmann Miller’s lead planner and construction specialist Monica Bruaw; and architect Matt Hibner, AIA; from the facility planning and design team, will share practical lessons on moving from facility need to project planning with clarity, collaboration, and future workforce needs in mind.

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM · Regent 2

How an Open-Enrollment STEAM School Delivers High-Impact CTE to Every Student

This session shares the real-world practice of Horizon Science Academy Columbus High School, the first STEAM-designated charter school in Ohio to offer Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses to all students, not a selected group. Our school operates under a fully open-enrollment model—we do not screen, test, track, or select students for admission or for CTE participation. Every student, regardless of background or prior achievement, has access to CTE coursework, work-based learning experiences, and career exploration. Despite this inclusive approach, the school has earned 4.5 out of 5 stars on the Ohio School Report Card for two consecutive years, demonstrating that strong outcomes and equity-driven access can coexist. In addition, we are actively partnering with Horizon Science Academy Columbus Middle School to strengthen vertical alignment between middle and high school CTE programming. This collaboration focuses on introducing structured career exploration as early as 6th grade, ensuring students enter high school with awareness, confidence, and informed pathway interests. We are also prepared to expand this model to additional middle schools in our region that regularly send students to our high school, creating a shared, community-based CTE pipeline. Participants will learn how we designed and implemented schoolwide CTE pathways aligned to STEAM principles, employer engagement (WBL and Internships), and student voice. The session highlights how data-informed decision-making and educator-guided uses of artificial intelligence support student reflection, career planning, and continuous program improvement, without replacing professional judgment or instructional intent. Students (on short videos) will share firsthand experiences of participating in CTE and work-based learning within an inclusive, non-selective environment, offering authentic insight into engagement, leadership growth, and postsecondary readiness. Attendees will leave with replicable strategies, structures, and planning tools adaptable across rural, urban, and suburban contexts.

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM · Lilac

From Burnout to Breakthrough: Curating Your Personal Library for Actionable Leadership, Organization, and Self Care Strategies for the Career-Tech Educator.

This presentation is filled with ideas to reframe how the CT educator (or any teacher) might make life as a teacher easier. Drawing from: Doing Few Things Better (Angela Watson), Attitude Is a Choice (Sam Glenn), The Energy Bus (Jon Gordon), Eat That Frog (Brian Tracy), Rigor Unveiled (Fisher, Frey, & Marshall), and The Highly Effective Teacher (Jeff C. Marshall), this presentation highlights actionable strategies related to leadership, mindset, time management, rigor, and self-care—specifically through the lens of the career-technical educator. I would ask for audience participation to share ways they could use the tips in their classroom or add to a google doc of books which the rest of the audience will have access too. For those willing to share their own "tips" I will also raffle off a copy of some of these books as gifts for participation. This will offer participants a practical “Cliff Notes” experience focused on real-world application. This session could serve as a launching point for future book studies, professional learning communities, or networking events focused on Career Technical Education, leadership development, and educator wellness.

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM · Franklin

Transforming the CTE Application Experience Through CRM Technology and Customer Service

Many career technical education schools struggle with application systems that don't reflect the professional, student-centered experience they provide. This session would share our school's journey from basic application that relied on Google Sheets to utilize, to a customer relationship management (CRM) system that transformed how they connect with prospective students and families. We'll share the honest and mostly unfiltered story of why we made the change, how we implemented a new system, and what we learned in our first year. We strived for a customer service mindset, creating multiple touchpoints with families throughout the application process through branded, personalized communications. Our goal wasn't just to collect applications- it was to identify students who genuinely wanted to attend our programs and had the family support to succeed. This presentation would offer practical insights into selecting and implementing an application system or CRM, designing communication workflows, measuring success, and addressing the inevitable challenges that arise. We'll share what worked, what didn't, and the adjustments we're making for next year.

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM · Easton B

WebXam Annual Update

Join the Center on Education and Training for Employment (CETE) for an annual update on CTE exams administered through CETE’s WebXam secure testing platform. Topics include the upcoming school year’s testing calendar; how to contribute to test development; free resources and WebXam features to guide instruction and improve test performance; the new retake policy and other important policies; WebXam interface and reporting changes; and field testing and its impact on test length and testing deadlines.

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM · Columbus

The Secret Society of Success(ful) CTE Educators: Combating Burnout and Building Soft Skills in CTE

In a world obsessed with the Spotlight Mindset, how do we steer our students, and ourselves, toward the fulfillment of service-driven leadership? Join 2025 Lead4Change Fellow, Chef Katie Mosher, for an interactive session that bridges the gap between technical excellence and the soft skills students often lack. Inspired by Tim Shurrer’s The Secret Society of Success, this session explores why even the most service-oriented teachers are burning out and how shifting our focus to a Service-Driven Mindset can revitalize our programs. Through collaborative brainstorming and small-group breakouts, you’ll discover how to use Lead4Change’s free resources to build student confidence, crush insecurities, and develop the leaders of tomorrow. Learning Objectives: Identify the difference between the Spotlight Mindset and Service-Driven Leadership and its impact on student engagement. Implement free Lead4Change curriculum tools to integrate leadership training into any technical specialty. Develop personal strategies to mitigate educator burnout by aligning classroom culture with service-driven success.

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM · Worthington

From Curiosity to Career: Hands-On Discovery Kits

"Spark your curiosity and learn how to create and promote career discovery kits to K-12 schools. Walk through the step-by-step process to building and creating various career kits for K-5, 6-8, beginner, and advanced. Learn ways to incorporate discovery kits into your curriculum with various tools such as an activity sheet, learning outcomes, extended activities, hands-on tools and supply. We will experience career clusters kits firsthand; become a Chef and build a charcuterie board or a detective and collect fingerprints"

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM · Regent 3

Don’t Find a Tool, Build One: Designing AI Chatbots from Scratch

AI tools are often introduced as planning or grading assistants, but their real classroom power lies far beyond those tasks. This interactive session invites participants to explore innovative, classroom-ready applications of chatbots that support authentic learning and real-world problem solving. Participants will examine use cases such as student-facing customer service tools, inquiry-based discussions, and enterprise-style, cross-curricular challenges that mirror workplace scenarios. Participants will engage in guided discussion and hands-on collaboration to walk through the full design process: identifying authentic problems, curating and structuring source data, and iteratively refining prompts to shape chatbot behavior. The session is intentionally tool-agnostic, focusing on transferable concepts rather than specific platforms. Together, the group will co-create a functional chatbot model and leave with practical frameworks, templates, and resources to design their own AI-powered solutions for teaching and learning.

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM · Regent 1

New to CTE: Building a Thriving Classroom from Day One

New to Career and Technical Education? This high-energy, interactive breakout session is designed to help you launch a confident and successful start in your CTE classroom. Through engaging rapport-building games, collaborative teamwork challenges, and real-world scenarios, participants will experience strategies they can immediately replicate with their own students. Together, we will explore practical lesson-planning tips that connect technical content to authentic industry skills, increase student engagement, and support diverse learners. You’ll leave with ready-to-use tools for establishing classroom culture, building strong relationships, and designing lessons that balance hands-on learning with academic rigor. Whether you're transitioning from industry or new to teaching, this session will equip you with the mindset, strategies, and support network needed to create a classroom where both teachers and students thrive.

10:30 AM – 10:40 AM

Break

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM · New Albany

Work Nook

Take a break from the conference buzz in our quiet Work Nook. Catch up on emails, take virtual meetings, recharge your devices, or focus on work in a calm, productive space.

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM · Easton B

The AI Toolbox: Sharpening Teacher Instruction and Student Workforce Skills

In the fast-paced CTE environment, AI is more than a productivity shortcut- it is a critical workplace competency. This session introduces a "dual-action" approach to AI, balancing teacher efficiency with student empowerment. First, we explore how instructors can master AI prompting, in addition to using AI to automate administrative tasks, differentiate lab instructions, and generate industry-aligned rubrics. Second, we pivot to student-facing strategies using a structured "AI-Validation Rubric" designed to grade the process of AI interaction, forcing students to "interrogate" outputs for technical accuracy. Through bite-sized strategies and peer discussion, you will leave with concrete, "Monday-ready" templates to transform your classroom into a future ready innovation lab where students flex their Next Ready muscles.

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM · Regent 1

Supporting Teachers and Students Through Grief and Turbulent Times

1 out of every 10 Ohio students will lose a parent or sibling to death by the age of 18. In today’s schools, grief, loss, and uncertainty are no longer rare interruptions—they are realities many teachers and students carry into the classroom every day. This breakout session provides practical, compassionate strategies for supporting learning communities through grief, trauma, and emotionally turbulent times while maintaining hope, connection, and academic momentum. Participants will explore appropriate age responses to grief, ways to create psychologically safe classrooms, and tools educators can use to support students and themselves without feeling overwhelmed or unprepared. Attendees will leave with actionable practices, conversation starters, and a renewed sense of confidence in leading with empathy during life’s hardest moments.

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM · Franklin

Admin Olympics

Admin Olympics was a powerful culture and climate–building event for both students and staff. It provided a great opportunity for collaboration between administration, instructors, and students. Throughout the event, students and instructors were able to showcase their skills, labs, and teaching strategies while also providing opportunities for meaningful teach-backs. Administration visited each lab, where students used a rubric and specific event criteria to evaluate us on the skills being taught. In several labs, students even presented small trophies that represented their programs, which added a fun and meaningful touch. Here at C-TEC, we truly had a great time with this event. It allowed us to see our students in a different light and gave us the opportunity to step back and genuinely appreciate the incredible work our instructors do every day. At the same time, students were able to see administration in a different setting, which created a positive and memorable experience for everyone involved. Not only was the event competitive for the administrative team, but the students fully bought into the day as well, making it a successful and engaging experience for all.

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM · Columbus

Help! My Teacher is an Expert (But Not at Teaching, Yet)

When a master mechanic or a veteran nurse enters the classroom, they bring years of expertise. They also face a massive culture shock. Managing a project on a job site is one thing; managing a room of 25 teenagers is another. To keep these talented professionals in our schools, we need to recognize that they are experts and provide on-going support that actually makes sense. Join the Great Oaks Career Campuses team as we share our network of support that helps industry experts turn their on-the-job knowledge into great teaching. No education speak here! You will get to see the “big picture,” as well as leave with resources and practical strategies you can implement tomorrow to support teachers from their first year and beyond.

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM · Worthington

The Patrol Car to the Principal's Office - Cultivating Leadership Through Relationships

This 45-minute interactive session explores how leadership behaviors and professional relationships directly impact workplace culture, employee buy-in, and productivity in Career technical Education (CTE). Drawing from law enforcement, classroom teaching and high school administration experience, Robin Magyar connects leadership lessons across high-pressure environments to practical strategies educators and administrators can apply immediately. Participants will examine how trust, respect, and consistency influence adult culture and learn how to address resistance, disengagement, and conflict through relationship-centered leadership. Objectives: Understand how everyday leadership behaviors shape school culture Learn strategies to increase buy-in without relying on authority Identify practical ways to strengthen professional relationships Apply leadership frameworks to real-world CTE challenges Session Format: Short, story-driven leadership lessons Real-world examples from law enforcement, teaching, and school leadership Scenario-based small group activity (The Culture Builder Lab) Individual reflection and action planning Scenario-Based Learning Exercise: Participants work in small groups to analyze realistic CTE workplace scenarios involving resistant staff, disengaged colleagues, and interdepartmental conflict. Groups identify relations challenges, discuss leadership response, and develop practical actions that build trust and improve culture. The activity reinforces the ideas that leadership is demonstrated through behavior, not position. Key Takeaway: Strong school cultures are not created by mandates or programs - they are built through intentional relationships and everyday leadership behaviors.

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM · Regent 3

Coach, Not Commander: Building Culture Through the Teacher Lens

Culture isn’t something that happens to a school; it’s something built through every interaction. This session explores how shifting from a traditional top-down authority to a coaching mentality can radically transform your school’s environment. By viewing leadership through a teacher lens, we will identify practical ways to empower staff, increase student engagement, and create a sustainable culture of growth. Attendees will walk away with a "Culture Playbook" of coaching prompts and reframing techniques they can implement Monday morning.

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM · Easton A

CTE Leadership Summit for Superintendents, Directors, and Treasurers

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM · Juniper A

Shoemaker Institute | New CTE Teacher | 2026 Cohort (Invite Only)

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM · Juniper C

Shoemaker Institute | New CTE Administrator | 2026 Cohort (Invite Only)

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM · Regent 2

Creating LEADers: A New Pathway to Alternative Licensure in Ohio

The demand for high-quality Career Technical Education instructors continues to grow, and alternative licensure pathways are more important than ever. This session will introduce the LEAD (Learning, Excellence, Advancement, and Development in Career and Technical Education) Program, designed to support industry professionals as they transition into successful educators. Participants will learn the “why” behind the development of the LEAD program, including the challenges we aimed to solve and the vision that guided our work. We will share insights from our first year of implementation: what worked, what we adjusted, and what we learned along the way. Attendees will also hear directly from current participants as they share their experiences, challenges, and successes in the program. In addition, we will provide an overview of the LEAD curriculum, support structures, and strategies for developing confident, effective instructors. This session will offer practical ideas, honest reflections, and inspiration to support alternative licensure options.

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM · Easton C

Grow Your Leadership Team

In this session, EFCTS District Leaders will share how they are preparing CTE leaders of the future. From succession plans to professional growth opportunities, we will be discussing processes and procedures that allow district leaders to grow their leadership teams, create consistency, and build capacity. Come prepared to share ideas and thoughts regarding the future leadership of career and technical education.

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM · Magnolia

Paxton Patterson | Business Presentation

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM · Westerville

Work Nook

Take a break from the conference buzz in our quiet Work Nook. Catch up on emails, take virtual meetings, recharge your devices, or focus on work in a calm, productive space.

11:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Break

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM · New Albany

Work Nook

Take a break from the conference buzz in our quiet Work Nook. Catch up on emails, take virtual meetings, recharge your devices, or focus on work in a calm, productive space.

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM · Westerville

Work Nook

Take a break from the conference buzz in our quiet Work Nook. Catch up on emails, take virtual meetings, recharge your devices, or focus on work in a calm, productive space.

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM · Easton A

CTE Leadership Summit for Superintendents, Directors, and Treasurers