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ACTE's Region III Conference 2026
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Comfortable with Discomfort: Building an innovative school in a system not built for it
Wednesday June 17, 2026 9:45am - 10:35am PDT
MSC Willow/Walnut - 1st Floor
Comfortable with Discomfort: Building an Innovative School in a System Not Built for It outlines the vision, lessons, and strategic approach behind launching a Career and Technical Education (CTE) high school designed to meet evolving workforce demands and changing diploma requirements. Grounded in the mission to personalize learning within a restorative environment, the model prioritizes resilience, excellence, and real-world readiness while ensuring every student is known, loved, and flourishing.
The presentation details five core lessons learned: starting small with focused pathways and strong partnerships; anticipating operational and safety challenges; centering student agency as a driver of culture and leadership; navigating the slow pace of industry systems through creative problem-solving; and recognizing innovation as ongoing legacy work rather than a finite initiative. Emphasis is placed on workforce alignment, industry collaboration, youth apprenticeship alternatives, school-based enterprises, and cultivating diverse talent to sustain innovation.
Ultimately, this work demonstrates that building an innovative CTE high school requires strategic risk-taking, deep relationships, operational clarity, and a commitment to continuous adaptation. The model serves as a practical guide for school leaders seeking to bridge middle and high school, empower students as leaders—not just workers—and design systems that prioritize long-term student success.
Speakers
avatar for Taundra Miles-Cranor

Taundra Miles-Cranor

CTE Director, The Match High School and Career Center
Taundra Miles-Cranor is the founding CTE Director of the Match High School and Career Center.  Her background includes 15 years of progressive Human Resources experience as well as over 10 years of classroom experience.  She is responsible for all career programs and instructors... Read More →
avatar for Sam Schmelzer

Sam Schmelzer

Director of Workforce Development, The Match High School and Career Center
Sam Schmelzer is a skilled education and workforce development professional and advocate for career-connected learning. His background spans higher education, statewide youth apprenticeship expansion and planning, nonprofit administration, and personalized career coaching.
Wednesday June 17, 2026 9:45am - 10:35am PDT
MSC Willow/Walnut - 1st Floor University of Wisconsin-Stout, 302 10th Ave E, Menomonie, WI 54751
  Concurrent Session

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