Loading…
ACTE's Region III Conference 2026
Type: Concurrent Session clear filter
arrow_back View All Dates
Tuesday, June 16
 

9:00am CDT

A Scalable Fundraising Model for Sustainable Workforce Solutions
Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Learn how Mid-State Technical College successfully raised $23 million to build and equip the Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, and Apprenticeship (AMETA™) Center. This was achieved through a scalable, grassroots fundraising campaign, demonstrating the power of public-private partnerships, strategic planning, and a dedicated team. The campaign addressed a critical need for skilled manufacturing workers in central Wisconsin, driven by workforce shortages, student outmigration, and the need for up-to-date training facilities. The success of this campaign offers valuable lessons in community engagement, resourcefulness, and persistence for other institutions facing similar challenges.
Speakers
avatar for Ryan Kawski

Ryan Kawski

Dean, School of Applied Technology, Mid-State Technical College
Ryan Kawski is the Dean of the School of Applied Technology at Mid-State Technical College.  Mid-State is one of 16 technical colleges in the Wisconsin Technical College System with campuses in Wisconsin Rapids, Stevens Point, Marshfield, and Adams, Wisconsin.  In his seventh school... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
MSC Birch - 1st Floor University of Wisconsin-Stout, 302 10th Ave E, Menomonie, WI 54751

9:00am CDT

Broadcasting Brilliance: Equipping Students to Lead School Media on Air, On Screen, and Online
Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Learn how student‑created media can strengthen school communication and media literacy, while building real‑world skills. This session explores workflows, storytelling, and basic production ideas for school broadcasts, scoreboards, and social media, empowering students to become skilled, creative, and responsible digital communicators in their communities.
Speakers
avatar for Don Goble

Don Goble

Don Goble is an award-winning CTE educator with almost 30 years of experience designing and leading high school broadcast and digital media programs. A strong advocate for media literacy and workforce-aligned instruction, he set the standard for student-run broadcast productions and... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
MSC White Pine - 1st Floor University of Wisconsin-Stout, 302 10th Ave E, Menomonie, WI 54751

9:00am CDT

Creating "The Great Race" in Your Classroom: Harnessing the Power of Team-based Challenges
Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Team-based challenges provide motivation as students work together from start to finish, sharing their ideas and problems-solving skills. In this session, you will brainstorm and design innovative learning activities that can be transformed into an exhilarating “Great Race” competition format.  Then you will participate in a simulated Great Race activity, gaining first hand experience and building confidence to integrate similar challenges in your classroom.  Walk away equipped with practical insights and a toolkit of ideas that will spark enthusiasm and teamwork among your students.
Speakers
avatar for Robin Palmer

Robin Palmer

Education Specialist, Take Charge Today
I am a 30-year Arizona CTE educator who specializes in entrepreneurship and financial math. I love bringing real-life skills to students. I was a DECA Advisor for over 20 years, developed curriculum for local, state, and national organizations, and was nominated as Arizona Teacher... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Ballroom - 2nd Floor

9:00am CDT

Multiple Pathways to Teaching: Innovative Approaches to Recruiting the Next Generation of CTE Teachers
Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
CTE teacher shortages continue to challenge districts across the region, requiring creative, flexible, and scalable recruitment pathways. This session highlights how UW–Stout is addressing this need through a multi‑pathway model that includes fully online programs, traditional on‑campus routes, and accelerated boot‑camp options. Together, these pathways allow candidates from diverse backgrounds, career stages, and geographic locations to enter the profession in ways that fit their lives.
In addition to program structure, the session will feature innovative recruitment strategies such as the Tag‑a‑Teacher campaign, the Program Ambassador Program, efforts to innovate with AI, the growth of Credit For Prior Learning, approaches to transfer agreements, and UW–Stout’s work toward a shared pedagogical framework across CTE educator‑preparation programs.
This session is intentionally solution-oriented and interactive. Participants will be invited to share what is happening in their own states, compare regional licensure practices, and discuss what recruitment and preparation strategies are proving most effective. Through shared conversation, attendees will leave with practical ideas, collaborative insights, and new approaches that can strengthen CTE teacher pipelines across the region.
Speakers
avatar for Amanda Drews

Amanda Drews

Assistant Professor Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Stout
Sciences Education at the University of Wisconsin Stout. With over 25 years of K–12 teaching experience in Wisconsin, she is passionate about preparing future educators, advancing Career & Technical Education, and strengthening the impact of Family and Consumer Sciences and CTE... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Mike Mills

Dr. Mike Mills

Assistant Professor Technology Education, University of Wisconsin-Stout
Mike is an Assistant Professor of Technology Education and serves as the Program Director for the Family and Consumer Sciences Education (FCSE), Marketing and Business Education (MBE), Technology Education (Tech Ed) programs.  Mike taught high school cabinetmaking/woodworking for... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Debbie Stanislawski

Dr. Debbie Stanislawski

Professor Career and Technical Education, University of Wisconsin-Stout
Debbie is a Professor in the School of Education at UW-Stout. She teaches methods, curriculum, assessment, and instructional technology classes. In addition, she is the Program Director for the BS Career, Technical Education, and Training, MS Career and Technical Education, and Ed.D... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
MSC White Pine - 1st Floor University of Wisconsin-Stout, 302 10th Ave E, Menomonie, WI 54751

10:00am CDT

Automation Leadership Degree Built on Industry-Recognized Credentials
Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
What if your students could earn industry-recognized certifications that build a portfolio of real, validated skills that not only open doors to careers but also directly translate into college credits?
The University of Wisconsin-Stout’s B.S. in Automation Leadership is a groundbreaking program that allows students to turn Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) certifications into college credit, creating a seamless transition between career and technical education and a university degree.

Students can earn up to 61 college credits toward this degree through SACA certifications. And because those certifications can be earned in high school, at a technical or community college or at work, students can stack up credentials (degree credits), accelerate their degree, and avoid the added cost of university tuition.
This session will explore how you can integrate SACA certifications into your existing programs to create stronger, more flexible career pathways connecting high school, technical college, and university systems into one cohesive pipeline.

You’ll learn how to:
  • Embed SACA certifications into your current courses and labs
  • Give students a portfolio of evidence that validates their skills to employers
  • Create pathways that support both immediate employment and continued education
  • Align your program with a degree pathway in high-demand automation careers

Speakers
Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
MSC Badger - 1st Floor University of Wisconsin-Stout, 302 10th Ave E, Menomonie, WI 54751

10:00am CDT

Bridging Two Worlds: Navigating Leadership Across Secondary and Postsecondary CTE Finding Your Leadership Voice: A Guide for Emerging CTE Administrators
Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Career and Technical Education leaders often work at the intersection of secondary and postsecondary systems, navigating different expectations, cultures, and leadership structures while working to support student success. For emerging CTE administrators, the transition into leadership can require developing a new leadership voice, building credibility with faculty and staff, and understanding how to effectively lead programs across multiple educational environments.


This session will explore the leadership skills and strategies needed to successfully bridge the gap between secondary and postsecondary CTE. Participants will examine common leadership challenges faced by new administrators, including navigating relationships with faculty and K–12 partners, balancing operational and instructional leadership, and leading collaborative workforce-focused initiatives. Through practical examples and guided discussion, attendees will learn approaches for building trust, communicating effectively across systems, and developing confidence in their leadership role.


Participants will leave with practical leadership strategies and tools that will help them navigate complex CTE environments, strengthen partnerships across secondary and postsecondary education, and lead programs that support both student success and workforce needs.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Brigitta Altmann

Dr. Brigitta Altmann

Dean, Schools of University Transfer & General Education and Applied Technology, Mid-State Technical College
I currently serve as the Dean of Wisconsin Rapids Campus and Schools of Applied Technology & General Education at Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. In my role, I collaborate with faculty, secondary partners, and industry leaders to strengthen career and technical... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Ballroom - 2nd Floor

10:00am CDT

Building Career Pathways for Emerging Technology Careers
Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Students are more engaged when learning clearly connects to a future career. As emerging technologies continue to shape the Midwest workforce, Career and Technical Education programs must create pathways that show students where their learning can lead and how to get there.
This session focuses on why building clear, connected career pathways matters for student success and workforce development. Without intentional design, programs risk becoming isolated experiences rather than stepping stones to meaningful careers. Strong pathways provide direction, purpose, and a connection to real opportunities.
Participants will explore how work-based learning, including Registered Apprenticeship, can serve as a bridge between classroom instruction and employment. Examples from current implementation efforts will highlight how schools and employers are working together to support credential attainment and career progression in emerging technology fields.
Attendees will leave with practical ideas for strengthening pathway design, building employer partnerships, and creating experiences that help students move confidently from education into the workforce.
Speakers
avatar for Chris Gagnon

Chris Gagnon

Assistant Director, SJSD
Chris is the director of Hillyard Technical Center
avatar for Linda Stinson

Linda Stinson

Career Pathways Manager, MO Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
Dr. Linda Stinson serves as the Career Pathways Manager for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), where she leads statewide efforts to align education with workforce needs through initiatives such as Career Pathways Teacher Grants and Registered Apprenticeships.She... Read More →
avatar for Christi Waggoner

Christi Waggoner

Apprenticeship Coordinator, Hillyard Technical Center, St. Joseph School District
Christis is the Apprenticeship Coordinator and Counselor at Hillyard Technical Center.  If approved more information to come.
Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
MSC White Pine - 1st Floor University of Wisconsin-Stout, 302 10th Ave E, Menomonie, WI 54751

10:00am CDT

Ethics as an Enabler: What Student Data Reveals About AI Adoption
Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
As generative AI tools become increasingly embedded in higher education and the workplace, faculty and institutions continue to grapple with questions of ethics, equity, and appropriate use. Much of the current discourse frames ethics as a constraint on AI adoption—emphasizing policy enforcement, academic integrity, and risk mitigation. This presentation offers a research-informed reframing.
Drawing on pre-experimental research conducted across multiple two-year college contexts, this session examines how explicit ethics instruction functions not as a barrier, but as an enabler of responsible AI adoption. Quantitative and qualitative student data from an AI-infused writing curriculum reveal that when ethical expectations are clearly articulated and instruction is intentionally scaffolded, students report increased confidence, more favorable attitudes toward AI use, and stronger intentions to engage with AI tools responsibly. Importantly, students describe ethics instruction as reducing uncertainty and cognitive load, particularly for learners with uneven prior access to technology.
While the study is situated in a writing course, the findings extend beyond composition. The presentation will explore implications for curriculum design, faculty development, and workforce readiness across disciplines, emphasizing ethical judgment, transparency, and accountability as transferable competencies. Participants will leave with research-based insights and practical strategies for integrating ethical AI instruction in diverse instructional contexts.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Desiah Melby

Dr. Desiah Melby

Communicaton Instructor, Mid-State Technical College
I am a Communication Instructor and faculty leader in two-year higher education with over 20 years of experience in teaching, instructional design, and faculty development. I recently completed a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Career and Technical Education Leadership, where my research... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
MSC Birch - 1st Floor University of Wisconsin-Stout, 302 10th Ave E, Menomonie, WI 54751

10:00am CDT

From “Kids Love This Class” to "Our District Needs This Program" - How to strengthen your program and build administrator support
Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Career and Technical Education often provide some of the most engaging learning experiences for students. However, strong programs are sustained not only by student enthusiasm, but also by support from administrators, community members, and industry partners. This session focuses on practical strategies teachers can use to move their programs from “students love it” to “administrators need it.”
Participants will explore three key approaches: effectively sharing classroom success through social media and marketing, leveraging business and industry partners to help advocate for their programs, and demonstrating continuous improvement to maintain credibility and support. Attendees will leave with simple, actionable ideas they can implement immediately, including a manageable social media posting plan, strategies for engaging business partners, and ways to highlight program growth and impact.
The goal is to help educators build visibility, strengthen partnerships, and develop the support needed to make their programs indispensable within their schools and communities.
Speakers
avatar for Greg Granberg

Greg Granberg

Career and Technical Education Coordinator, Sun Prairie Area School District
Greg Granberg, the Career and Technical Education Coordinator for the Sun Prairie Area School District, brings over two decades of educational leadership to his role. A dedicated advocate for preparing students for the ever-changing job market, Greg focuses on aligning curriculum... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
MSC Willow/Walnut - 1st Floor University of Wisconsin-Stout, 302 10th Ave E, Menomonie, WI 54751

11:10am CDT

CTE Educator Recharge: Lead with Confidence, Re-Discover the Joy
Tuesday June 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:00pm CDT
As CTE Teachers we know we are uniquely positioned to engage our students…when we feel empowered to lead with authority and confidence we experience greater job satisfaction, thus improving overall teacher retention. Do you have what you need to “go the distance” in teaching?


This session will rejuvenate and refresh you to do just that -  you will learn explicit ways to teach behavioral procedures so expectations stick, learn strategies to diffuse conflict, eliminate repeated warnings, and develop your calm for smoother days.  These research-based strategies will leave you excited to return to your classroom for immediate implementation with very little preparation required!


Participants will:
  • Gain tools and strategies to minimize classroom disruptions to help you maximize instructional time
  • Learn how to quickly create, manage, and assess behavioral expectations and procedures that really work
  • Create a more structured, purposeful and positive classroom environment
Speakers
avatar for Wendy Plehn

Wendy Plehn

Family & Consumer Sciences/Health Sciences Teacher, Three Lakes Schools
UW-Stout graduate and accomplished educator with over 30 years of subject matter expertise - I have reimagined three high school Family & Consumer Science programs to develop strong Teaching & Training and Health Sciences career pathways. As a collaborative leader and lifelong learner... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:00pm CDT
MSC Birch - 1st Floor University of Wisconsin-Stout, 302 10th Ave E, Menomonie, WI 54751

11:10am CDT

Smarter Approach to Tracking Work-Based Learning: Tools, Processes, Best Practices
Tuesday June 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:00pm CDT
This session will highlight practical tools and strategies for streamlining processes, reducing administrative workload, and improving overall efficiency in managing work-based learning programs. Participants will also hear directly from a school district about how they have strengthened their WBL programs through improved organization, better management practices, and easier access to placement data, while also receiving practical tips and advice from long-time WBL coordinators.


Work-based learning (WBL) is a critical component of Career and Technical Education (CTE). However, managing these student opportunities can be complex and may require significant staff time that could otherwise be dedicated to supporting students and program development. Effective systems for managing documentation, tracking hours, maintaining employer and placement records, coordinating site visits, and organizing apprenticeship information can help streamline these responsibilities. Access to clear reporting and data also plays an important role in demonstrating the impact WBL has on student outcomes and workforce development, helping educators share meaningful results with stakeholders.
Speakers
avatar for Popy Graham

Popy Graham

WBL Specialist, Hour Republic
Popy and her team have spent the past decade collaborating with work-based learning teachers. Their company, Charity Republic, started by supporting charities and non-profits, and naturally evolved into work-based learning through the development of their hour tracking and document... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:00pm CDT
MSC White Pine - 1st Floor University of Wisconsin-Stout, 302 10th Ave E, Menomonie, WI 54751

11:10am CDT

Using student-centered data collection and empathy to foster continuous improvement in CTE programming.
Tuesday June 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:00pm CDT
Our work is based on the Stanford d.school Design Thinking Process, a hands-on, human-centered approach to continuous improvement. Design Thinking encourages us to empathize with students and industry partners, define challenges clearly, brainstorm creative solutions, and test ideas in real-world settings. For career and technical education, this means using data and feedback to shape programs that stay relevant, responsive, and sustainable—helping learners thrive while meeting the evolving needs of employers and communities.  Participants will see how we developed data collection tools to pinpoint student needs and create program changes in our wall-to-wall career pathway model at Burnsville High School in Burnsville, MN.  Participants will leave with a sample survey and implementation timeline.
Speakers
avatar for Matt Deutsch

Matt Deutsch

Teacher, CTE Coordinator, Burnsville High School
Culinary Arts and Education Pathway teacher at Burnsville High School, a wall-to-wall 9-12 high school in Burnsville, MN.  Our CTE teacher team works mostly on our continuous improvement plans, we will share our continuous improvement structure and results in this session. 
SN

Sarah Noble

Associate Principal, CTE Director, Burnsville High School
Sarah is an associate principal and CTE administrator at Burnsville High School.  She works directly with our continuous improvement planning and all aspects of CTE. 
Tuesday June 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:00pm CDT
MSC Willow/Walnut - 1st Floor University of Wisconsin-Stout, 302 10th Ave E, Menomonie, WI 54751
 
ACTE's Region III Conference 2026
Register to attend
Share Modal

Share this link via

Or copy link

Filter sessions
Apply filters to sessions.
Filtered by Date -