2026 Arkansas CTE Summer Conference: Full Schedule

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

9:00am CDT

Tools, Tips, and Takeaways for New Teachers

Monday July 20, 2026 9:00am - 3:30pm CDT

Jumpstart your journey as a Career and Technical Education teacher with this interactive session designed specifically for new CTE educators. Whether you're transitioning from industry or entering the classroom for the first time, this session will equip you with practical strategies, classroom management tips, and curriculum planning tools to help you start strong. We’ll explore the unique role of CTE in student success, share real-world teaching examples, and connect you with resources and a supportive network of fellow educators. Walk away with ready-to-use ideas and the confidence to make your first year a success!

Presenters

Micah Edwards

Arch Ford ESC

Monday July 20, 2026 9:00am - 3:30pm CDT
SCCTC Room A310

Extended Session

1:00pm CDT

Ed Rising Update

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

SCCTC Room A310

CTSO Update for the 2026-2027 School Year

Presenters

Brenda Ragan

DCTE

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT
SCCTC Room A310

CTSO, FACS Division

2:00pm CDT

One Mission, Many Pathways: Connecting CTSOs to Strengthen CTE Programs

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

SCCTC Room A310

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are not extracurricular clubs—they are co-curricular organizations intentionally integrated into Career and Technical Education (CTE) to provide leadership development, technical skill application, career exploration, employability skills, and authentic workplace experiences. When CTSOs collaborate instead of operating independently, schools create stronger CTE programs, increase student engagement, strengthen industry partnerships, and provide more meaningful leadership opportunities for all students. This interactive workshop equips educators with practical strategies to build a collaborative CTSO culture that advances the shared mission of CTE and student success.

Presenters

Jeana Parker

CTE Teacher, Alma High School

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT
SCCTC Room A310

Breakout Session, All CTE

3:00pm CDT

What I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Teaching CTE

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

SCCTC Room A310

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

Emily Geels

Family & Consumer Science Teacher, Monticello High School

Tuesday July 21, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm CDT
SCCTC Room A310

Breakout Session, New Teachers

8:00am CDT

Workkeys 101

Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am CDT

SCCTC Room A310

This session provides a foundational overview of the WorkKeys assessment system — what it
measures, how it's structured, and why it matters for workforce readiness. Participants will explore
the core skill areas, learn how WorkKeys connects to the National Career Readiness Certificate
(NCRC), and discover how CTE programs can leverage the assessment to better prepare
students for career success.

Presenters

Susan Bartlett

ACT Education Corp

Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am CDT
SCCTC Room A310

Breakout Session, All CTE

9:00am CDT

New Workkeys Curriculum Through Mastery

Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am CDT

SCCTC Room A310

This session provides an in-depth look at the new WorkKeys curriculum through MasteryPrep —
what it covers, how it's designed, and how it integrates into CTE programs. Participants will
explore how the curriculum aligns with the WorkKeys assessment framework and NCRC, and
leave equipped to implement these resources and drive better outcomes for their students.

Presenters

Susan Bartlett

ACT Education Corp

Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am CDT
SCCTC Room A310

Breakout Session, All CTE

10:15am CDT

Administration Division Business Meeting

Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am CDT

SCCTC Room A310

Join your Administration Division fellow members to important information about your division and to elect a new division VP if needed.

Presenters

Shannon Puckett

CTE Coordinator, Southwest Arkansas Education Cooperative

Nicole Gatewood

Admin Division VP, ACTE

I am an educational leader who is passionate about helping others reach their goals. You are invited to visit the CTE programs of Cabot Public Schools and see firsthand what makes Cabot High School a great place to learn and grow as a student and an educator!

Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:15am - 11:00am CDT
SCCTC Room A310

Division Business Meeting, Administration Division

11:45am CDT

Shop Safety for the 21st Century

Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm CDT

SCCTC Room A310

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

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 CDT
SCCTC Room A310

Breakout Session, Agriculture Education Division

12:45pm CDT

Durable Skills

Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm CDT

SCCTC Room A310

Presenters

Gordon Eichelberger

Regional Specialist, DCTE

Becky McCormick

DCTE

Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm CDT
SCCTC Room A310

Breakout Session

2:00pm CDT

Durable Skills

Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT

SCCTC Room A310

Presenters

Gordon Eichelberger

Regional Specialist, DCTE

Becky McCormick

DCTE

Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT
SCCTC Room A310

Breakout Session

3:00pm CDT

Work Ready Communities

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm CDT

SCCTC Room A310

This session provides an overview of the Work Ready Communities initiative — what it is, how it
works, and why it matters for regional economic development. Participants will learn how
WorkKeys and the NCRC serve as the foundation for building a credentialed workforce and
discover how CTE professionals can drive community-wide participation and recognition.

Presenters

Anita Brackin

ACT Education Corp

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm CDT
SCCTC Room A310

Breakout Session, All CTE

9:00am CDT

1:00pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

3:00pm CDT

8:00am CDT

9:00am CDT

10:15am CDT

11:45am CDT

12:45pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

3:00pm CDT

Get help with the event