2026 Arkansas CTE Summer Conference

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7:15am PDT

Registration

Tuesday July 21, 2026 7:15am - 8:15am PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

Tuesday July 21, 2026 7:15am - 8:15am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

Registration

8:30am PDT

General Session - Opening; Awards/Scholarships; Keynote, Sandy Zimmerman; DCTE Updates, Ross White

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Auditorium, SCCTC

We are excited to announce that Sandy Zimmerman will be joining us as the keynote speaker for the Arkansas ACTE Summer Conference!
Sandy is a nationally recognized educator, coach, and motivational speaker best known for her inspiring journey as a competitor on American Ninja Warrior. Her message of perseverance, leadership, and pushing past limits has inspired audiences across the country.

Presenters

Ross White

Director, DCTE

Katie Robertson

Past-President, Arkansas ACTE

Molly Bennett

President, Arkansas ACTE

Sandy Zimmerman

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Auditorium, SCCTC

General

9:00am PDT

CASE Briefcase - Ag-X (Intro to Agriculture Course/Middle School Ag Course)

Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

Teachers will leave this training certified to teach the CASE AgXplore course. Designed for middle school agriculture programs, AgXplore introduces students to the daily impact of agriculture through engaging, hands-on lessons and projects. Participants will explore curriculum topics including plants, natural resources, recycling, energy, animals, food systems, and agricultural careers. The course also incorporates laboratories, games, questioning activities, and Exploratory SAE project development to create an interactive and student-centered learning experience.

Presenters

Dr. Marsh

Arkansas Tech University

Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

Extended Session

9:00am PDT

CASE Briefcase - Animal Health (CASE Vet Science certification)

Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

Animal Health and Veterinary Science (AHVS) is a semester-long program focused on inquiry-based learning and hands-on technical skill development in veterinary science. Students explore the factors that impact animal health while building essential skills in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment through interactive activities, projects, and real-world case studies. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and practical application, preparing students for success in animal health care and related career pathways.

Presenters

Dr. Marsh

Arkansas Tech University

Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

Extended Session

1:00pm PDT

DECA Update

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

CTSO Update for the 2026-2027 School Year

Presenters

DCTE Staff

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

CTSO, Business/Marketing Division

1:00pm PDT

Ed Rising Update

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

CTSO Update for the 2026-2027 School Year

Presenters

Becky McCormick

DCTE

DCTE Staff

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

CTSO, FACS Division

1:00pm PDT

FBLA Update

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

CTSO Update for the 2026-2027 School Year

Presenters

DCTE Staff

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

CTSO, Business/Marketing Division

1:00pm PDT

FCCLA Update

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

CTSO Update for the 2026-2027 School Year

Presenters

Mary Beth Ivie

DCTE

DCTE Staff

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

CTSO, FACS Division

1:00pm PDT

HOSA Update

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

CTSO Update for the 2026-2027 School Year

Presenters

Cathy Gunter

DCTE

DCTE Staff

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

CTSO, Health Science Division

1:00pm PDT

JAG Update

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

CTSO Update for the 2026-2027 School Year

Presenters

Janice Robinson

DCTE

DCTE Staff

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

CTSO, JAG

1:00pm PDT

SkillsUSA Update

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

CTSO Update for the 2026-2027 School Year

Presenters

Keith McKnight

DCTE

DCTE Staff

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

CTSO, Agriculture Education Division

1:00pm PDT

TSA Update

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

CTSO Update for the 2026-2027 School Year

Presenters

DCTE Staff

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

CTSO, Engineering and Technology Division

2:00pm PDT

3D Printing in Schools: Beyond the Hype, Real Results

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

What does it actually take to make 3D printing work in a real classroom—not a highlight reel, not an idealized pilot program, but with real students, real budgets, and real time constraints? This session cuts through the hype and delivers the honest, classroom-tested knowledge educators need to build a program that lasts. Attendees will learn when 3D printing genuinely transforms learning and when it's just an expensive distraction, plus the foundational skills—materials, slicer settings, bed adhesion, and maintenance—that separate thriving programs from dusty printers in the corner. We'll also explore the exciting shift toward AI-assisted CoreXY systems and multi-toolhead printing that are reshaping what's possible in schools. And yes—we'll show how you can use 3D printing to raise real money for your STEM programs. Leave with practical strategies and information you can put to work immediately.

Presenters

Michael Herren

Computer Science / Robotics Teacher, Lake Hamilton Middle School

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

Breakout Session, Engineering and Technology Division

2:00pm PDT

ArACTE Fellows: A Year in Reflection

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

What have we been up to this past year? Come see all the fun, exciting things we learned and amazing connections we made.

Presenters

Deanna Reed

Fellows Cohort 5

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

Breakout Session, All CTE

2:00pm PDT

Breaking Barriers, Building Nurses: How Partnerships Created a High School LPN Pipeline

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

Learn how Little Rock School District’s Metropolitan Career Technical Center partnered with Baptist Health College of Little Rock, healthcare industry leaders, and community stakeholders to launch one of Central Arkansas’s first high school Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) programs. This session will highlight the strategies used to remove barriers for students, align secondary and postsecondary systems, secure funding, and create authentic healthcare experiences that prepare students for high-skill, high-wage careers.

Participants will explore lessons learned in program development, student recruitment, concurrent credit alignment, clinical experiences, and sustainability planning. Presenters will also share early outcomes from the inaugural cohort of graduates and discuss how cross-sector partnerships can strengthen the future healthcare workforce pipeline while expanding access and opportunity for students.

Presenters

Shameka Montgomery

Director of Career Education, Little Rock School District

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

Breakout Session, Health Science Division

2:00pm PDT

Building Student Ownership Through Community Connections

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

Creating a culture of student growth requires more than quality projects and activities. It starts with building student ownership of learning, strengthened through meaningful community engagement and support. For educators who are not members of the communities they serve or new to community projects, finding authentic connections can feel intimidating.

In this session, we will explore practical tools and strategies any classroom can use to leverage community relationships, promote student growth, and increase student ownership of learning.

Presenters

Jason Blake

Director Of Training Services, EAST Initiative

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

Breakout Session, All CTE

2:00pm PDT

Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Education

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

Explore curriculum resources available to teachers utilizing nationally recognized certifications through the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) and the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). Participants will learn strategies for connecting students with industry professionals through guest speakers, internships, and work-based learning opportunities while gaining insight into career pathways and job opportunities within the hospitality industry. Leave with practical ideas and resources to strengthen your hospitality and tourism programs and create meaningful real-world experiences for students.

Exhibitors

Renee Jeffery Smith

Director of Education, Arkansas Hospitality Association

AHA serves as an umbrella organization for the Arkansas Lodging Association, the Arkansas Restaurant Association and the Arkansas Travel Council. AHA also offers an Associate membership for vendors and an Education membership for secondary and postsecondary schools. AHA is... Read More →

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

Breakout Session, FACS Division

2:00pm PDT

Leading Through Transformational Change: Building Systems, Culture, and Capacity

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

Educational transformation requires more than new initiatives—it requires leaders who can build a shared vision, strengthen culture, and develop systems that create lasting impact. This session will explore practical strategies for leading teams through meaningful change by honoring current successes, creating collective ownership, and aligning people, programs, and resources toward a common purpose. Participants will examine how intentional leadership, clear communication, and a focus on continuous improvement can turn challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth. From shifting mindsets to sustaining momentum, transformational leadership is about developing people and building the capacity needed to move organizations forward.

Presenters

Justin Neel

Principal, Caddo Hills School

Passionate and excited lead learner focused on bringing the real world into the classroom. I believe that strong community engagement fosters opportunities for student-focused learning.

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

Breakout Session, All CTE

2:00pm PDT

Navigating Multiple Preps!

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

The ACT WorkKeys assessment measures essential workplace skills through the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). Achieving higher certificate levels requires advanced multi-step reasoning, complex document interpretation, and layered data analysis. Learners often struggle to reach these advanced levels because they view these skills as abstract testing concepts rather than practical career tools. iCEV bridges this gap by embedding these critical competencies directly into career pathways, transforming abstract testing concepts into concrete workplace skills.

Exhibitors

Lindi Kocher

Executive Director, Cutting Edge Curriculum

Cutting Edge Curriculum is a non-profit established by educators to provide complete curriculum materials.

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

Breakout Session, Agriculture Education Division

2:00pm PDT

Resillience/Wellness - With AWARE

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:00pm - 3:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

Presenters

Arkansas AWARE

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

Breakout Session, All CTE

3:00pm PDT

Connecting Students to Industry Through Guaranteed Experiences

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

Students in grades 9-12 are strategically connected to industry in meaningful ways to encourage deep college and career exploration that empowers students to select career pathways and to set goals for their futures.

Presenters

Xerlotta Jones

Career & Technical Education Instructional Specialist, LRSD Career and Technical

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

Breakout Session, All CTE

3:00pm PDT

How to Enhance the Activities of Medical Detectives

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

Project Lead the Way Gateway program for 6-8th grade has many activities in the curriculum. Many times these are dry and not very creative. My session would describe ways the teacher can enhance their instruction with different types of hands-on projects that can be done as a group, pairs or individually.

Presenters

Tommie Campbell

Medical Detectives Teacher, Lake Hamilton Middle School

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

Breakout Session, All CTE

3:00pm PDT

Soybean Science Challenge

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

The Soybean Science Challenge has engaged thousands of students and educators across the nation by connecting classroom science to real-world agricultural applications. This session will highlight how the program leverages a blended learning model that includes in-service teacher training, virtual field trips, classroom laboratory instruction, mentoring, and independent research opportunities. Attendees will explore how these experiences culminate in student participation in competitive science fairs, with opportunities for recognition and awards tied to soybean and agricultural research.

Presenters

Keith Harris

Program Associate, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

Breakout Session, Agriculture Education Division

3:00pm PDT

Verbal De-escalation / Emotional IntelligenceCTE Without Limits: Expanding Access Through Virtual Arkansas

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

Training in diffusing situations or confrontations that have the potential to become violent. Learn to read body language and emotional mood swings of agitated individuals and techniques to deal with them. Learn about your own individual triggers or emotions might block you from being able to diffuse yourself or other during a high stress situation.

Presenters

Michael A. Brown

Criminal Justice Teacher, Academies of West Memphis

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015

Breakout Session, All CTE

3:00pm PDT

What I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Teaching CTE

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT

Saline County Career and Technical Campus

Whether you are new to CTE or simply looking for fresh ideas, this session will cover the practical side of teaching that often goes unspoken. Learn strategies for managing labs and hands-on classrooms, teaching professionalism and employability skills, building routines, balancing CTSOs, creating systems for organization, and navigating the many hats CTE teachers wear. Leave with actionable ideas and resources designed to make your job easier and your classroom stronger.

Presenters