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2026 Arkansas CTE Summer Conference
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Wednesday, July 22
 

8:00am PDT

Helping Arkansas Students Set and Achieve Their Post-Secondary Goals
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
In this session, participants will learn how to motivate and prepare their students for
post-secondary success. Motivational strategies and activities will be modeled, as will
instructional strategies that have proven effective for teaching test-prep skills and
content. Participants will leave with practical, easy-to-implement, effective tools to
promote goal setting and post-secondary success.
Presenters
avatar for Jessica Flynt

Jessica Flynt

Head Coach, Kids First Education
B.S. Secondary Education
M.A. Gifted Education
Ed.S. Educational Administration
Jessica has 24 years in education and is passionate about helping students reach their
post-secondary goals. She has experience in all grade levels and in the community
college setting. She is currently a... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, All CTE

8:00am PDT

Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Education
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am 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
avatar for Renee Jeffery Smith

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 →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, FACS Division

8:00am PDT

Why Self-Starters Matter in Today's Workforce
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
This session explains what employers mean by “self-starters” and gives practical ways to help students build those skills for school and future careers.
Presenters
RO

Rhina Odom

CEO and Founder, Educator, SkillPathway
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, Counseling and Career Development Division

9:00am PDT

Exploring Pathful - Connecting Students to Real-World Skills and Opportunities
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
Explore how career readiness can be transformed when it is directly shaped by the needs of today’s workforce. This session highlights how Pathful supports students and adult learners by delivering authentic career exploration, work-based learning experiences, and progressive skill development aligned with real industry demand. Learn how partnerships with over 5,000 companies help create meaningful professional connections, strengthen employability skills, and build clear pathways from education to careers that actually exist. Participants will leave with practical ideas for integrating career readiness tools that bridge classrooms with employers and strengthen local workforce pipelines.
Exhibitors
avatar for Alicia Bradley
avatar for Stephanie Lynch
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, Counseling and Career Development Division

9:00am PDT

Helping Arkansas Students Set and Achieve Their Post-Secondary Goals
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
In this session, participants will learn how to motivate and prepare their students for
post-secondary success. Motivational strategies and activities will be modeled, as will
instructional strategies that have proven effective for teaching test-prep skills and
content. Participants will leave with practical, easy-to-implement, effective tools to
promote goal setting and post-secondary success.
Presenters
avatar for Jessica Flynt

Jessica Flynt

Head Coach, Kids First Education
B.S. Secondary Education
M.A. Gifted Education
Ed.S. Educational Administration
Jessica has 24 years in education and is passionate about helping students reach their
post-secondary goals. She has experience in all grade levels and in the community
college setting. She is currently a... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, All CTE

9:00am PDT

Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Education
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am 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
avatar for Renee Jeffery Smith

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 →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, FACS Division

9:00am PDT

iCEV: Bridging the Gap between WorkKeys Prep and Workplace Skills
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am 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
avatar for Steve Davis

Steve Davis

Territory Manager, iCEV
With iCEV, you have everything you need to equip learners with the real-world skills they need. This all-in-one CTE solution provides:
Comprehensive curriculum to teach more than 200 courses across 16 career clustersStandards-aligned prep materials to ready students for certification examsMultiple industry certifications hosted on the iCEV Testing PlatformSoftware to track, compile, and analyze critical student dataRoo... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, Agriculture Education Division

9:00am PDT

PD Powerhouse: The Best Ideas I've Ever Stolen
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
Why spend 45 minutes on one strategy when you can walk away with dozens? This rapid-fire session combines the most impactful ideas, tools, engagement strategies, and classroom hacks gathered from years of professional development, conferences, and classroom experience. Participants will leave with practical, ready-to-use ideas that work across content areas and grade levels, without the fluff. If you love sessions where you leave with pages of notes and ideas you can implement immediately, this one is for you.
Presenters
avatar for Jennifer Holmes

Jennifer Holmes

Medical Professions Teacher, Mountain Home Jr. High
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, All CTE

9:00am PDT

Promoting Green Careers in the Natural Resource Sector
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
“Green jobs” - as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, are jobs that produce goods or services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources, or jobs that use more environmentally friendly processes or fewer natural resources - have outpaced jobs in other categories by almost 250 percent over the last decade. At the same time, today’s youth are seeking rewarding careers that help us move towards more sustainable lifestyles and greener economies. The next generation wants to work with purpose. They want to find a job they can be proud of; they want to feel like they are making a difference in our world. Green jobs exist in all education levels. Whether you have a high school degree, technical certification, Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, or a Master’s – opportunities for well-paying jobs exist within the environmental and natural resources career fields.
Presenters
avatar for Rob Beadal

Rob Beadal

Director of Forestry Education/AR Project Learning Tree Cordinator, Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation
With 30 years in the environmental field, Rob Beadel has been the Director of Forestry Education for the Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation since 2008 and serves as the Project Learning Tree State Coordinator. Rob, a Certified Interpretive Guide, has served on several... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, Agriculture Education Division

9:00am PDT

Talking FCCLA Friday: Leadership, Collaboration, and Real-World Application
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
This session demonstrates how to intentionally embed leadership and collaboration into daily instruction through the FCCLA framework. Participants will explore strategies to help students apply the FCCLA Planning Process to real-world issues, while developing and refining STAR Event and National Program projects. Through structured teamwork and project-based learning, students become active problem-solvers—creating meaningful solutions that positively impact their school and community. This approach transforms learning from passive participation into authentic leadership in action.
Presenters
CL

Christina Loyd

FCS and Pre Ed Instructor, Nemo Vista
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, FACS Division

9:00am PDT

Using Early Career Exploration to Connect Students to CTE Pathways
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
Robust high school CTE programs have robust middle school and early high school career exploration programs. These programs encourage students to learn about their own career interests and aptitudes, while providing hands-on exploration activities
Exhibitors
avatar for Gary Udouj

Gary Udouj

Paxton Patterson
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, All CTE

11:45am PDT

Exploring Pathful - Connecting Students to Real-World Skills and Opportunities
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
Explore how career readiness can be transformed when it is directly shaped by the needs of today’s workforce. This session highlights how Pathful supports students and adult learners by delivering authentic career exploration, work-based learning experiences, and progressive skill development aligned with real industry demand. Learn how partnerships with over 5,000 companies help create meaningful professional connections, strengthen employability skills, and build clear pathways from education to careers that actually exist. Participants will leave with practical ideas for integrating career readiness tools that bridge classrooms with employers and strengthen local workforce pipelines.
Exhibitors
avatar for Alicia Bradley
avatar for Stephanie Lynch
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, Counseling and Career Development Division

11:45am PDT

Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Education
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm 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
avatar for Renee Jeffery Smith

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 →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, FACS Division

11:45am PDT

Junior Achievement of Arkansas K-12th Career Readiness; entrepreneurship; financial literacy
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
Empowering young people to own their economic success through hands on experiences. Learn about the many programs Junior Achievement offers for K-12th grade students including JA Inspire and virtual career fair, Future Ready Leader opportunities for 9th-12th grade students, curriculum-based K-5th grade programing, career speaker opportunities and more.
Presenters
EW

Erica Weston

Director of Education, Junior Achievement of Arkansas
AS

Antwantette Smith

Junior Achievement of Arkansas
VD

Valerie Danzy

Junior Achievement of Arkansas
MT

Marcia Thompson

Junior Achievement of Arkansas
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, Counseling and Career Development Division

11:45am PDT

Setting up a Concurrent Consortium
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
ATU-Ozark partners with 20 high schools to offer a variety of concurrent courses in multiple pathways. Dr. Tina Smith will present an overview of their process and various concurrent models, followed by Heather Nelson who will demonstrate a unique partnership using the Supply Chain pathway. This partnership enables students to achieve a Certificate of Proficiency from ATU-Ozark as well as an industry credential. This session will highlight activities that have worked as well as “speed bumps” experienced along the way.
Presenters
avatar for Heather E. Nelson

Heather E. Nelson

Program Chair, Arkansas Tech University
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, Counseling and Career Development Division

11:45am PDT

Shop Safety for the 21st Century
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
This workshop may be one of the most valuable professional development opportunities you attend. Led by experienced Career and Technical Education educators with extensive backgrounds in shop safety, participants will gain practical knowledge and proven strategies for operating a safe and effective instructional shop environment. Whether you teach agricultural mechanics, woodworking, metalworking, construction, manufacturing, or other hands-on shop-based courses, this session will provide practical tools to help improve safety and reduce risk. Have you ever wondered about your liability in the event of an accident in your shop? Participants will explore essential safety procedures, best practices, and risk-reduction strategies designed to help create safer learning environments for both students and instructors.
Presenters
JG

Jonathan Grimes

Founding Partner, Safety First
Jonathan Grimes is an Agricultural Education teacher at Fort Chiswell High School with over 15 years of experience teaching agricultural mechanics, welding, woodworking, shop safety, and career and technical education. He is passionate about providing hands-on learning experiences... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, Agriculture Education Division

11:45am PDT

Using Early Career Exploration to Connect Students to CTE Pathways
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
Robust high school CTE programs have robust middle school and early high school career exploration programs. These programs encourage students to learn about their own career interests and aptitudes, while providing hands-on exploration activities
Exhibitors
avatar for Gary Udouj

Gary Udouj

Paxton Patterson
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, All CTE

11:45am PDT

Where Does FCS Fit? Understanding FCS in the AR Success Ready Pathways
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
This session explores how Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) pathways remain relevant within AR Success Ready Pathways and continue to prepare students for high-wage, high-demand careers. Participants will examine how FCS programs align with the modernized Career Clusters and support the three E’s to post-graduation success: Enrollment, Enlistment, and Employment. The session will highlight how FCS courses connect students to meaningful postsecondary opportunities and industries that align with their interests, helping educators better understand and communicate the value of FCS within today’s evolving Career and Technical Education landscape.
Presenters
avatar for Jenny Maroquin

Jenny Maroquin

CTE Director, Siloam Springs School District
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, FACS Division
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12:45pm PDT

Clean Communities, Cultivated Careers: Service Learning with Keep Arkansas Beautiful
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
Discover how to transform environmental stewardship into a powerful vehicle for career readiness. This session introduces Keep Arkansas Beautiful’s newly structured, standards-aligned education framework, designed to take students from foundational classroom knowledge to high-impact community action. Learn how the program’s structured service-learning projects integrate with Arkansas graduation requirements, offering students measurable project management experience in litter prevention, recycling, and conservation.
Exhibitors
KD

Kim Drake

Education Coordinator, Keep Arkansas Beautiful
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, Agriculture Education Division

12:45pm PDT

Exploring Pathful - Connecting Students to Real-World Skills and Opportunities
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
Explore how career readiness can be transformed when it is directly shaped by the needs of today’s workforce. This session highlights how Pathful supports students and adult learners by delivering authentic career exploration, work-based learning experiences, and progressive skill development aligned with real industry demand. Learn how partnerships with over 5,000 companies help create meaningful professional connections, strengthen employability skills, and build clear pathways from education to careers that actually exist. Participants will leave with practical ideas for integrating career readiness tools that bridge classrooms with employers and strengthen local workforce pipelines.
Exhibitors
avatar for Alicia Bradley
avatar for Stephanie Lynch
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, Counseling and Career Development Division

12:45pm PDT

Getting Students College and Career Ready with Stackable, Industry-Recognized Credentials
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
This session focuses on the importance of digital skills in today’s workforce and how certifications can help close the skills gap. Participants will learn how to use industry-recognized, stackable certifications to help students build and prove essential skills for college and careers.
Exhibitors
avatar for Brent Offerdahl

Brent Offerdahl

Business Development Manager, Tosa by Isograd
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, All CTE

12:45pm PDT

Hospitality, Tourism, and Culinary Education
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm 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
avatar for Renee Jeffery Smith

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 →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, FACS Division

12:45pm PDT

LAUNCH for Students: Tools, Resources, and Student Success Planning
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
This session explores how Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) pathways remain relevant within AR Success Ready Pathways and continue to prepare students for high-wage, high-demand careers. Participants will examine how FCS programs align with the modernized Career Clusters and support the three E’s to post-graduation success: Enrollment, Enlistment, and Employment. The session will highlight how FCS courses connect students to meaningful postsecondary opportunities and industries that align with their interests, helping educators better understand and communicate the value of FCS within today’s evolving Career and Technical Education landscape.
Presenters
avatar for Lindsay Reed

Lindsay Reed

Director of School Counseling, Arkansas Department of Education
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, Counseling and Career Development Division

12:45pm PDT

Using Early Career Exploration to Connect Students to CTE Pathways
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
Robust high school CTE programs have robust middle school and early high school career exploration programs. These programs encourage students to learn about their own career interests and aptitudes, while providing hands-on exploration activities
Exhibitors
avatar for Gary Udouj

Gary Udouj

Paxton Patterson
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, All CTE

2:00pm PDT

Building Your Own Comprehensive Pacing Guide
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
If pacing your courses feels overwhelming, you are not alone. In this interactive work session, you will create a customizable pacing guide designed for real classrooms and real interruptions. We’ll work step-by-step to organize standards, lessons, grading periods, missed days, and reflections on what worked best throughout the year. Leave with a practical tool you can continue using and refining year after year. Bring your laptop and come ready to build!
Presenters
avatar for Emily Geels

Emily Geels

Family & Consumer Science Teacher, Monticello High School
Wednesday July 22, 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

Enroll, Employ, Enlist: Your Future Starts Here
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
This workshop will provide high school educators with practical strategies for strengthening college and career readiness through the three postsecondary pathways: Enroll, Employ, and Enlist. Participants will explore engaging classroom activities, career exploration tools, workforce readiness lessons, and student-centered planning strategies that help students confidently prepare for life after graduation.

The session will also highlight the use of ACT WorkKeys and the National Career Readiness Certificate as valuable tools for measuring workplace skills and increasing student employability. Educators will gain ideas for incorporating career readiness standards, employability skills, and real-world preparation into their classrooms while helping students connect their strengths and interests to future opportunities in education, the workforce, and military service.
Presenters
avatar for Misty Christian

Misty Christian

College and Career Readiness Teacher, Mountainburg High School
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, Counseling and Career Development Division

2:00pm PDT

From Empty Classroom to Thriving Program-Building a Medical Class from Scratch
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
No curriculum. No equipment. No budget. No problem.

Join an Arkansas ACTE New Teacher of the Year as she shares how she transformed an almost-empty healthcare classroom into a thriving program filled with hands-on learning, community partnerships, grant-funded technology, and an active HOSA chapter. Participants will learn strategies for finding curriculum, acquiring equipment without breaking the budget, building industry relationships, securing grant funding, creating engaging classroom experiences, and developing student leadership opportunities through CTSOs. Walk away with real-world tips, resources, and lessons learned that can help you grow any CTE program.
Presenters
avatar for Jennifer Holmes

Jennifer Holmes

Medical Professions Teacher, Mountain Home Jr. High
Wednesday July 22, 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

Resources, Competitions, Opportunities...Oh, My!
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
Join this fast paced session to learn about Economics Arkansas ready to use resources, student competitions tied to courses (with prizes for students), grants and other opportunities... Oh, My! Plus, leave with a free resource of your choice!
Presenters
avatar for Marsha Masters

Marsha Masters

Associate Director, Economics Arkansas
Marsha serves as Associate Director at Economics Arkansas. She brings more than 25 years of public school experience. Marsha manages programming at Economics Arkansas and offers many professional development learning opportunities around the state.
Wednesday July 22, 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

Setting up a Concurrent Consortium
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
ATU-Ozark partners with 20 high schools to offer a variety of concurrent courses in multiple pathways. Dr. Tina Smith will present an overview of their process and various concurrent models, followed by Heather Nelson who will demonstrate a unique partnership using the Supply Chain pathway. This partnership enables students to achieve a Certificate of Proficiency from ATU-Ozark as well as an industry credential. This session will highlight activities that have worked as well as “speed bumps” experienced along the way.
Presenters
avatar for Heather E. Nelson

Heather E. Nelson

Program Chair, Arkansas Tech University
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, Counseling and Career Development Division

2:00pm PDT

Soybean Science Challenge
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm 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
KH

Keith Harris

Program Associate, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, Agriculture Education Division

3:00pm PDT

Building Student Ownership Through Community Connections
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm 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
JB

Jason Blake

Director Of Training Services, EAST Initiative
Wednesday July 22, 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

LAUNCH for Students: Tools, Resources, and Student Success Planning
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
This session explores how Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) pathways remain relevant within AR Success Ready Pathways and continue to prepare students for high-wage, high-demand careers. Participants will examine how FCS programs align with the modernized Career Clusters and support the three E’s to post-graduation success: Enrollment, Enlistment, and Employment. The session will highlight how FCS courses connect students to meaningful postsecondary opportunities and industries that align with their interests, helping educators better understand and communicate the value of FCS within today’s evolving Career and Technical Education landscape.
Presenters
avatar for Lindsay Reed

Lindsay Reed

Director of School Counseling, Arkansas Department of Education
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, Counseling and Career Development Division

3:00pm PDT

Leading Through Transformational Change: Building Systems, Culture, and Capacity
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm 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
avatar for Justin Neel

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.
Wednesday July 22, 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

Resources, Competitions, Opportunities...Oh, My!
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
Join this fast paced session to learn about Economics Arkansas ready to use resources, student competitions tied to courses (with prizes for students), grants and other opportunities... Oh, My! Plus, leave with a free resource of your choice!
Presenters
avatar for Marsha Masters

Marsha Masters

Associate Director, Economics Arkansas
Marsha serves as Associate Director at Economics Arkansas. She brings more than 25 years of public school experience. Marsha manages programming at Economics Arkansas and offers many professional development learning opportunities around the state.
Wednesday July 22, 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

Setting up a Concurrent Consortium
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
ATU-Ozark partners with 20 high schools to offer a variety of concurrent courses in multiple pathways. Dr. Tina Smith will present an overview of their process and various concurrent models, followed by Heather Nelson who will demonstrate a unique partnership using the Supply Chain pathway. This partnership enables students to achieve a Certificate of Proficiency from ATU-Ozark as well as an industry credential. This session will highlight activities that have worked as well as “speed bumps” experienced along the way.
Presenters
avatar for Heather E. Nelson

Heather E. Nelson

Program Chair, Arkansas Tech University
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, Counseling and Career Development Division

3:00pm PDT

Setting up a Concurrent Consortium
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
ATU-Ozark partners with 20 high schools to offer a variety of concurrent courses in multiple pathways. Dr. Tina Smith will present an overview of their process and various concurrent models, followed by Heather Nelson who will demonstrate a unique partnership using the Supply Chain pathway. This partnership enables students to achieve a Certificate of Proficiency from ATU-Ozark as well as an industry credential. This session will highlight activities that have worked as well as “speed bumps” experienced along the way.
Presenters
avatar for Heather E. Nelson

Heather E. Nelson

Program Chair, Arkansas Tech University
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Saline County Career and Technical Campus 13600 I-30, Benton, AR 72015
  Breakout Session, Counseling and Career Development Division
 
2026 Arkansas CTE Summer Conference
From $25.00

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Auditorium, SCCTC
Saline County Career and Technical Campus
  • Breakout Session
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