4 Skills & 4 Steps to True Career Readiness
Dr. Kevin Fleming
Glacier A/B
Just graduating is no longer enough. There are 4 specific skills all students need; and there are 4 proven steps to ensure alignment between one’s purpose and their future careers.  As the bestselling author of “(Re)Defining the Goal,” producer of 90+ viral animated videos, and our keynote speaker, Dr. Fleming’s inspiring breakout presentation goes deeper and explains tangible action steps to help all learners gain a competitive advantage. Join Kevin for this actionable session as he challenges, invigorates, and equips every learner’s potential for a successful future.

Partnerships that Strengthen CTE Programs
Jon Winter, Wausau School District
Glacier C/D
In this presentation a variety of examples on how community and business partnerships have improved CTE programs and career exploration opportunities for students and staff in the Wausau School District.  You will hear some innovative ideas and examples of how to partner in your community.  

Engagement through Youth Apprenticeship
Nancy Larson, School Counselor & Youth Apprenticeship (YA) Coordinator, Ashland School District
Olivia Dachel, YA Coordinator, CESA 12
Tundra A/B
Youth Apprenticeship (YA) will jump start your student's career aspirations! Learn about the basics of the Wisconsin YA Program and how it connects your ACP and career readiness goals with student engagement. This is a win-win program for students, districts, and employers alike!  YA combines classroom learning & engagement with real-world work experience, develops employability and occupational skills in high-demand fields, while addressing Wisconsin’s future workforce needs. YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP IS KEY!

Making Something Out of Nothing: Designing a Comprehensive Academic and Career Planning District Wide Curriculum
Rachel Steward, Academic and Career Planning (ACP) Teacher, DeForest Area School District
Emily Hendricks, ACP Coordinator, DeForest Area School District
Tundra C/D
Explore the design and implementation of a comprehensive K-12 academic and career planning curriculum.  DeForest Area School District established their program for over 4200 diverse learners, integrating Academic and Career Planning within existing systems (MTSS, PBIS, etc.).

Session includes career exploration, educational planning, and life skills development into a framework focused on agency, self-awareness, and future readiness. Through discussions and hands-on learning, attendees will gain practical ACP strategies for designing lessons fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration and tools to track student progress and career goals. Attendees will be equipped with a comprehensive academic and career planning curriculum for student success.

Udderly Exciting Dairy Careers
Erika Schade, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin
Tundra E/F
Join us for an interactive workshop exploring Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin's new digital escape room—Discover Dairy Careers! Experience the game firsthand as we navigate exciting dairy career puzzles, then dive into additional dairy education resources. Perfect for educators looking to engage students with real-world dairy industry connections. Leave with free tools to spark curiosity about dairy careers in your classroom.

Strengthening CTE and Career Readiness with Catapult Masterclass
Dr. Kevin Fleming
Glacier A/B
We rarely have sufficient funding to provide high quality professional development opportunities to EVERYONE. Sending staff to conferences is great, but expensive. This presentation will discuss a new hybrid approach to K-16 professional development - bringing the best national keynotes to everyone in our buildings and districts – for a fraction of the price. Leveraging Dr. Kevin Fleming’s research and experience, participants will gain a fresh perspective on enhancing professional learning – at scale. Learn to leverage synchronous and asynchronous PD so that we can maximize their bang for our buck, drive institutional change, foster continuous improvement, and galvanize support for CTE and career-connected learning. Join your fellow Education Disruptors as we challenge the conventional and pave the way for a more personalized approach to professional growth.

How to Partner with Local Businesses to Improve Facilities, Equipment, Materials and Tools for Your Students
Michael Snowberry,  Luxemburg-Casco School District
Glacier C/D
In today’s rapidly changing job market, it is crucial for school districts to develop strategic partnerships with local businesses to help students prepare for both academic success and meaningful careers. The Luxemburg-Casco School District has over 250 business partners and has received more than 1.2 million dollars in material, equipment, tools and monetary donations for various programs. This presentation will explore the impact of fostering strong relationships between schools and businesses, demonstrating how these partnerships can enhance students' academic experiences, provide valuable career planning resources, and build pathways to future employment.

We will showcase best practices for cultivating mutually beneficial partnerships that include businesses donating their time, providing in-kind contributions, and offering monetary support for school programs. Through real-life examples, we will highlight how these collaborations have enriched student learning, expanded career exploration opportunities, and facilitated seamless transitions into the workforce.

What's the YA secret?
Jacob Frias, School District of Random Lake
Tundra A/B
Who do we tap into? What is the best approach? Where do we start? When will the 'seeds' grow? Why is YA important? These are all questions that many ask when embarking on career-based learning and YA opportunities. We will share what RLHS has done the last 3 years that has taken our YA numbers from 2-3 students to 30% of our upperclassmen.

Building Future-Ready Learners: The Essential Role of a Portrait of a Graduate
Zak Lenski, i4PL, CESA 1
Tundra C/D
Smart planning starts with a clear destination. This session shows how a ""Portrait of a Graduate"" or “Portrait of a Learner” provides that destination, aligning instructional practices and learning with what skills learners will need in the workforce. Learn what a POG is and how it informs strategic planning, how it’s used in classrooms and in curriculum conversations. We'll examine the critical role of a well-defined POG in aligning education with real-world demands in our communities, rethinking what success looks like, creating genuine career pathways, and fostering productive discussions about how we can revamp and align courses to truly prepare our learners. 

Creating an Education-Industry Collaborative
Bob Hall, LAUNCH - School District of Elmbrook
Tundra E/F
This presentation explores how LAUNCH fosters dynamic partnerships between education and industry to prepare students for the future of work. Learn how we engage employers in real-world, project-based learning that builds critical human skills, career readiness, and innovation. We’ll share best practices for creating sustainable collaborations, including employer engagement strategies, co-designed student experiences, and the impact of industry mentorship. Attendees will gain actionable insights into scaling education-industry partnerships that benefit students, schools, and businesses alike—ensuring graduates are not only career-ready but equipped to thrive in an evolving workforce.

Classroom Meets Industry: Real-World Problem-Solving with Teamship
Dan Gonzalez, CEO & Co-Founder at District C; Alexis Deblitz, Executive Director, Milwaukee Press Club; and Amie Farley, Director of College, Career, and Life Readiness at Elmbrook School District
Main Ballroom
Teamship is a coach-guided program where student teams take on genuine business challenges, work directly with company partners, and pitch solutions that matter. In this session, you’ll hear the story from every angle: Dan Gonzalez—who helped create the model at District C—sets the stage; Alexis Deblitz, drawing on her experience connecting employers to schools in Milwaukee, explains why businesses step up; and Amie Farley of Elmbrook shares what it looks like when a district puts Teamship into practice for its students. Together, they’ll show how a single design can align classroom learning with workforce needs, offer practical tips for getting started, and leave plenty of time for your questions.

Career Readiness and Academic Achievement: The Impact of Student Success Plans
Brooke Marcue, Dual Enrollment Student Success Specialist, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (SWTC)
Kaye Woodke, Student Success Specialist, SWTC
Darla Burton, Academic and Career Plan Coordinator, CESA 3
Glacier A/B
A year ago, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College launched Student Success Plans (SSPs) to support program students. Developed through one-on-one meetings and informed by tools like Xello and the ACP/Career Pathway Map, SSPs include a Career Assessment, Academic Map & Support Services, and a Financial Budget & Plan. Since November, we’ve expanded SSPs to dual enrollment students. By aligning courses with career goals, SSPs provide a transformative experience that empowers students to make informed decisions about their education, financial planning, and future careers. This personalized approach helps students gain confidence, stay on track, and achieve success in their studies and professional journeys. Join us to learn how SSPs support career readiness and student success!

Increasing Male Student Participation in Healthcare Pathways
Nicole Thill, Executive Director & Tyler Schmidt, Pathway Program Coordinator at North Central WI AHEC
Laura Pettersen, Executive Director & Brianna Mowbray, Program Coordinator at Scenic Rivers AHEC
Glacier C/D
The number of male students pursuing healthcare-related career pathways in Wisconsin is significantly lower than female students. To address this, Wisconsin AHEC conducted research to identify effective interventions and developed a toolkit for educators. This toolkit provides strategies to boost male student recruitment, incorporates methods to enhance the design and delivery of curriculum, and offers flexible resources for various school contexts. Attendees will leave the session with practical knowledge, tools, and resources to support increased male student participation in healthcare career pathways at their schools.

Work-Based Learning and Youth Apprenticeship for Students with IEPs
Valerie Brooks, CTEC & Brooke Holbrook, Director of Career and Life Ready Department/YA Coordinator, CESA 8
Mallory Bryan, Business Services Consultant- Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
Tundra A/B
Explore how Work-Based Learning can open doors for students with IEPs! This session highlights Youth Apprenticeship as an ideal pathway to career success. We’ll discuss critical supports from DVR, WIOA, and Special Education to ensure access to meaningful work experiences. Learn collaborative strategies and resources to empower students for successful transitions into the workforce and beyond.

Additive Manufacturing in the Classroom
Benjamin Peters & Marcus Wilcox, School District of Nekoosa
Tundra C/D
Additive Manufacturing in the Classroom" highlights the successful implementation of a new type of classroom, the "CADFABLAB" at the School District of Nekoosa, where students at each TechEd workstation have individual access to high-speed 3D printers. This one-to-one setup has significantly increased student engagement, making teaching more efficient and hands-on. It encourages students to develop CAD (Computer Aided Design) skills, essential for future engineers and designers worldwide, by offering real-time design and fabrication opportunities in the classroom.

Oriole Ventures: How Student-Run Businesses Thrive in CTE
Stephanie Fox & Kurt Wismer, School District of North Fond du Lac
Tundra E/F
The School District of North Fond du Lac’s Career and Technical Education department boasts multiple student-led businesses, including Food 4 Thought Café, Oriole Enterprises, Oriole Outfitters, and more! These ventures provide hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, business management, marketing, and industry-specific skills. Join us to explore how our students run restaurants, create and sell goods, and manage real-world enterprises—all within the school setting. Learn how to implement similar programs and inspire student innovation in your district!

CLNA Roundtable: Best Practices for Grant Writers
Joel Mindham, CESA  5
Glacier A/B

A collaborative space for  Wisconsin's Perkins grant writers to share ideas and processes for how they approach their district or consortium's CLNA process. Bring your CLNA challenges, ideas, and tools that have worked for you to share with and learn from your colleagues. 

Education = Workforce Development
Sara Greenwood, Assistant Principal/Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Mishicot High School
Glacier C/D
This session will highlight how Mishicot High School integrates real-world business experience into education through three student-run enterprises: Mishicot Floral, Mishicot Enterprise, and Mishicup. Attendees will explore how school-based enterprises (SBEs) provide students with essential career skills as they actively manage areas such as finances, human resources, supply chain, and quality assurance. These businesses help students develop strengths in customer service, leadership, and time management, effectively preparing them for future careers. CTE teachers and high school principals will gain valuable insights into implementing similar experiential learning opportunities that bridge the gap between education and industry, with examples in floral design, manufacturing, and barista services.

Launching a Successful Job/Career Fair for Students
Crystal Huset, High School Counselor & Megan Dietzenbach, Elementary School Counselor, Pardeeville Area School District
Tundra A/B
This session will guide attendees through the process of designing, launching, and sustaining an effective job and career fair tailored to student success. By focusing on practical steps, best practices, and real-world examples, this session will empower participants to create valuable networking opportunities for students and bridge the gap between academic life and professional careers. Examples for reaching elementary and middle school students as part of the fair will be explored.

Reimagining your Educational System to include a Career, Community, and Life Readiness Focus
Tundra C/D
Moderator: Scott Carr, CESA 2
Panelists:

• Brian Henning, Superintendent

• Chloe Evans, Intermediate Math Teacher from Waterloo School District

• Mike Snowberry, Director of Learning Services from Luxemburg-Casco School District.

• Mike Trimberger, Superintendent of Random Lake School District

Join this engaging panel discussion of innovative Wisconsin education leaders who have successfully revisioned and reimagined their districts through a career, community, and life readiness lens. Discover how they've broken traditional barriers and created dynamic learning environments that prepare students for real-world success. Moderated by Scott Carr, Career, Community, and Life Readiness Coordinator, this interactive session invites you to:

• Learn from real success stories

• Ask questions about implementation strategies

• Gain practical insights for transformation

• Connect with innovative district leaders

Creating an Engaged Personal Finance Classroom
Kerri Herrild, De Pere High School
Tundra E/F
In this session, you will learn where to find free curriculum resources that can be used to hook students into wanting to learning more in your personal finance class.  Spark curiosity in your students through movement, simulations, and story telling.  You will have a chance to ask questions from an experienced educator ready to share her passion for the subject.

Getting a GRIP on a High School Diploma: Making CTE Accessible to All Students Transforming Adult Practices to Make CTE Accessible and Equitable
Jen Hilgendorf, Implementation and Improvement Statewide Project Coordinator, Transition Improvement Grant (TIG)
Robin Scholz, Implementation and Improvement Specialist, TIG
Barbara Tenin, Special Education Supervisor at Marshall High School, Milwaukee Public Schools.
Glacier A/B
The National Dropout Prevention Center’s meta-analysis cites CTE as an evidence-based intervention having the largest impact for students at risk of dropping out of high school. Additionally, the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition the Collaborative cites CTE in several of its post-school success predictors for youth with disabilities. This session focuses on one school’s continuous improvement journey to increase CTE enrollment. The school developed an action plan using the Wisconsin Graduation Rate Improvement Planning tool and engaged in professional development and coaching to increase CTE involvement for youth with IEPs, particularly those at risk of not graduating.

Partnering with Tech Colleges, Industry and Trades for Apprenticeships
Christina Jungwirth,  Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Glacier C/D
Join this dynamic breakout session to discover how strategic collaboration among Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, technical colleges, industry partners, CESAs, and local chambers of commerce can create powerful pathways connecting students with real-world employment opportunities. Learn how to build and sustain impactful partnerships, explore the vital roles of CESAs and Youth Apprenticeship Consortiums, and see how chambers of commerce help bridge education and industry. Through shared success stories and interactive discussions, participants will gain practical insights and tools to strengthen CTE initiatives and empower the future workforce.

Career & Technical Education Association of Wisconsin Kick-Off

Greg Granberg, CTE Coordinator, Sun Prairie School District

Dana Lampe, ACTE Leadership and Awards Director
Tundra A/B
Come celebrate the initial steps in launching our state association, with an update on accomplishments. Learn about how you can become a member and participate in the program of work for the next year.

Money Path in Action: Connecting Career Experiences to Real-World Financial Decisions
Jennifer Andreas, SecureFutures, will co-present with CTE educators
Tundra C/D
Are you ready to help students connect Career-Based Learning Experiences (CBLEs) with real-world financial decisions? In this hands-on session, you’ll use Money Path to step into the shoes of a student completing a CBLE. Explore career options, compare salaries, and build a financial plan for life after high school. Discover how Money Path reinforces financial planning alongside career preparation. You'll leave with ready-to-use resources, including a Lesson Guide and Career Readiness Standards Alignment document. Whether integrating career planning into a CTE class or CBLE, this session offers an engaging, easy-to-implement solution for student success.

The Science of GRiT—Building Career-Ready Students Through Neuroscience & Relational Intelligence
Kurt Wismer, School District of North Fond du Lac
Tundra E/F
Career readiness requires more than technical skills—students need resilience, emotional intelligence, and leadership to succeed. This session explores the intersection of neuroscience, relational intelligence, and career preparation, equipping educators with strategies to develop workplace-ready students. Backed by evidence-based data from the GRiT program, attendees will learn how fostering mindset growth, emotional regulation, and self-leadership improves attendance, behavior, and engagement. Walk away with practical tools to integrate neuroscience-backed strategies into career pathway programs, ensuring students are prepared for both employment and post-secondary success in today’s evolving workforce.

Transform K-12 Education with Career-Connected Learning
Karin Smith & Kevin Anderson, WI DPI
Glacier A/B
Discover the transformative potential of Career-Connected Learning (CCL) and how it bridges classroom learning with real-world career opportunities, fostering student success and engagement. Participants will:

•  Delve into practical strategies and hands-on activities that seamlessly integrate career connections into your curriculum.

•  Examine case studies from Wisconsin schools that have effectively implemented CCL, providing actionable insights for your own educational setting.

•  Learn methods to enrich nationally developed instructional materials in literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies by incorporating local career pathways, ensuring relevance and community engagement.

**Note: Attend this session if you plan to attend the "Become a Career-Connected Learning Leader” session.**

The Purpose Blueprint: Building Academic and Career Connections
Cyndi Pavelski , CESA 6 & Jennifer Hager, Neenah High School
Glacier C/D
Join Neenah High School as they share their ongoing journey to develop a more connected, schoolwide approach to Academic and Career Planning (ACP). Discover how they are leveraging insights from a recent career readiness audit to engage educators, collaborate with the business community, and create meaningful opportunities for students. This session provides a real-world perspective on what’s working, what’s evolving, and how schools can take practical first steps toward lasting change.

SMAC- CTE in a Student-Run Market
Mary Smith and Erin Hischke, Suring Public Schools
Tundra A/B
Suring Market and Agriculture Center (SMAC) is Suring's answer for how to implement CTE in small schools where distance from youth apprenticeship opportunities is prohibitive. The SMAC follows agriculture through to the plate or into the market in a rural food desert. The SMAC market is open to the public and staffed by students in and out of class time. Come see us for the what, why and how of the SMAC.

Evaluating the Career Readiness System Through An Equitable Lens
Alicia Rhinehard & Alisia Marquez, WI DPI
Tundra C/D
Join us as we engage in conversation and strategies around evaluating the career readiness system and exploring existing opportunities and resources to build capacity and sustainability in career readiness efforts across the state of Wisconsin, making every student career ready. In this session, we will highlight equitable practices, key stakeholders to connect with, and discuss communication strategies, tools and resources to empower your advocacy around career readiness in your district, school and community.

Maximizing Opportunities: Understanding Act 59 /Technical Incentive Grant
David Gordon & Lindsay Allen CESA 7
Tundra E/F
Looking to make the most of the Act 59 Technical Incentive Grant in your district? This session will walk you through the basics of the grant, how it can be effectively leveraged, and which industry-recognized certifications are eligible for reimbursement. Attendees will explore the state’s updated reporting system and leave with a ready-to-use tracking template to streamline local processes. We will also highlight low-cost options and best practices to expand certification opportunities and increase student access.

Career & Technical Education Association of Wisconsin Elections
Dr. Deanna Schultz
Main Ballroom

Become a Career-Connected Learning Leader
Karin Smith & Kevin Anderson, WI DPI
Glacier A/B
If you have discovered the transformative potential of Career-Connected Learning (CCL) and are ready to lead this work in your school and/or district this session is your next step! Learn how you can play a pivotal role in helping core content teachers integrate Career-Connected Learning (CCL) into their classrooms.  You will even walk away with a CCL presentation template and CCL action plan template that will get you started!

**Note: Before attending this session, participants should attend the "Transform K-12 Education with Career-Connected Learning” session.

Exploring Applications of Generative AI within Education
Dr. Kathy Brock, UW - Stout
Glacier C/D
With the recent growth in the accessibility of generative AI we are facing the early stages of a major technological revolution impacting education.  Session participants will:

• Acquire familiarity with common generative AI programs such as Chat—GPT, CoPilot, and Magic School. Review the differences in the outputs of several generative AI applications. 

• Learn about how CTE educators indicated they were using AI. 

• Develop well-written prompts.

• Identify specific uses for generative AI that can support instructors in completing tasks and planning instruction, focusing on higher order thinking skills.

• Examine ethical considerations for the use of generative AI within the educational setting. 

From Extra to Essential: Embedding CTSOs in Career Pathways and District Success
Christina Patrin, Health Science Education Consultant
Sally Ladsten, Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education Consultant
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Tundra A/B
What makes Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) essential—not optional—in a thriving school district? This session explores how CTSOs serve as a powerful framework to support Career Pathways, meet Perkins V goals, and integrate seamlessly into the school day. Learn how CTSOs amplify student voice, promote access to non-traditional careers, and connect learners with industry-recognized credentials. We’ll examine real examples of districts leveraging CTSOs to drive community engagement, equity, and career-connected learning. Walk away with tools to highlight CTSOs’ value in your own district. Let's shift the narrative: CTSOs aren't extra, they're essential.

ACP Game Plan: 4th Grade "Drafting" Success in Entrepreneurship!
Tundra C/D
Academic and Career Planning (ACP) scored big at an elementary school near Green Bay, where 4th-grade students at Bay Harbor Elementary took the field to develop their entrepreneurial skills. Following the College and Career Readiness playbook, they huddled up to design a winning food truck concept for the NFL Draft, hosted in Green Bay in April 2025. With support from a food truck partner, community members, and a media team, these young players worked together to call the right plays and execute their game plan—culminating in a touchdown moment when one of their food truck ideas became a reality during the big event.

Tool Kit for ACP with Industry Partners
Ann Franz, NEW Manufacturing Alliance
Tundra E/F
This session will equip ACP coordinators, educators, and administrators with a practical toolkit to bring career-connected learning to life in the classroom. Participants will gain access to engaging career videos, as well as math and science content that highlights how classroom learning is applied in real-world careers. The session will also explore strategies to enhance career fairs and will feature best practices from the NEW Manufacturing Alliance (www.newmfgalliance.org).