This presentation will cover the steps of becoming an author of ACTE/CTE Learn courses. CTE Learn is the national online professional development component of ACTE. Course requirements, format template and author support with be shared with the attendees. Subject matter experts will shown how they can contribute to the professional development of their CTE colleagues through the sharing of their knowledge and experience.
Learn how Career and Technical Education (CTE) connects to Nebraska’s Rule 10 Accreditation requirements and the AQuESTT Accountability Model. This session will highlight CTE’s role as an integral part of the school improvement process, not an additional task to address. Discover strategies for approaching CTE program growth as a continuous process with manageable checkpoints and cycles of improvement. Explore how to create evidence-based documentation that supports systemic program development and effectively markets the success of your CTE initiatives. Walk away with actionable steps to enhance CTE programming while aligning with state frameworks and improvement goals.
AI is more than just a set of tools—it’s a powerful partner in learning. In this interactive session, we’ll explore alternative approaches to using AI in the CTE classroom, moving beyond automation to focus on collaboration, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving. Learn how AI can serve as a co-creator rather than a shortcut, helping students engage deeply with their work. Discover ways to use AI to generate real-world challenges, support project-based learning, and encourage analytical thinking. Walk away with fresh ideas and practical strategies to integrate AI meaningfully—without replacing the skills that matter most.
The Student Leadership Blueprint: Skills for Impact and Influence is a dynamic workshop designed to help educators cultivate leadership skills in their students. Participants will explore practical strategies for fostering confidence, critical thinking, and collaboration, empowering students to take initiative and create positive change. Through interactive discussions and real-world applications, teachers will gain tools to nurture a classroom culture of leadership and lifelong success.
Learn how to fall back in love with your job and what it means to live and work in the actively engaged 30% Zone. Leadership expert and professional speaker Kelly Barnes has worked with thousands of professionals for 15+ years and has designed a program that will help your team find the joy and meaning in working with students. Kelly’s strategies include time management, stress management, team building techniques, communication effectiveness and more. This program not only contains tangible, relevant and meaningful content, but is also delivered in a fun, interactive and memorable package.
This interactive session will introduce educators to the engaging and academically enriching world of mock trial. Participants will explore how this dynamic learning experience can be integrated into their curriculum to foster essential 21st-century skills in students. Mock trial, a simulated courtroom experience, offers a unique platform for students to develop critical thinking, public speaking, argumentation, and collaboration skills. It also provides an opportunity for journalists to practice their court reporting skills.
Civic Education Consultant, Nebraska State Bar Foundation
After teaching Social Studies at Johnson-Brock for 23 years, Lori worked at ESU4 as a teaching and learning specialist. Upon retirement, she now works part-time for the NSBF supporting civic education across the state of Nebraska.
This session equips CTE staff with strategies to build industry connections and create career opportunities for students.
Learn how our Career Center developed an Industry Partnership "Menu," offering varying levels of engagement—from minimal involvement to full partnership. In addition, our successful Hiring Fair model will also be outlined, where students participate in mini-job interviews with industry partners.
A step-by-step guide will cover planning, outreach, and execution, ensuring you can implement this initiative in your school. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to: • Build industry partnerships tailored to business needs. • Implement a Hiring Fair that connects students to career opportunities. • Strengthen workforce readiness in CTE programs.
Join this session for practical insights and take-home tools to enhance your school’s career readiness efforts.
"Find The Why!" is a gamified mobile platform where students (middle school to college) compete in 7-day challenges to solve real-world problems, get connected with internships, and earn industry-recognized certifications.
This fast paced life of ours is full of repetition. This hilarious and interactive keynote explores the science and art of habit formation. Kelly guides participants on how to build positive habits that lead to personal and professional growth. Learn how to have the drive and energy to make it happen and how to motivate others to do the same.
AI is more than just a set of tools—it’s a powerful partner in learning. In this interactive session, we’ll explore alternative approaches to using AI in the CTE classroom, moving beyond automation to focus on collaboration, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving. Learn how AI can serve as a co-creator rather than a shortcut, helping students engage deeply with their work. Discover ways to use AI to generate real-world challenges, support project-based learning, and encourage analytical thinking. Walk away with fresh ideas and practical strategies to integrate AI meaningfully—without replacing the skills that matter most.
Explore how to strengthen career development and readiness in your 6th-12th grade classroom through Nebraska Career Connections. This session will emphasize the importance of self-awareness, career exploration, and career planning and management as core components of effective career development. Educators will discover how new features and essential tools—such as career assessments, career exploration resources, high school coursework planning aligned with CTE pathways, and work-based learning opportunities—can help students identify their strengths and interests, connect them to relevant careers in the current labor market, and build the necessary skills to manage and plan for their future career goals. Participants will leave with practical strategies for engaging students, tracking their progress, and leveraging powerful reporting features to enhance career development in the classroom.
With the increasing demand for qualified educators, Nebraska's Grow Your Own program offers an innovative solution to the teacher shortage. This session will explore how schools can implement a structured, flexible program aligned to NE CTE and Career Readiness Standards, featuring embedded Work-Based Learning and Educators Rising competitions. Attendees will learn about the three-course (soon to be four course) sequence, dual-credit opportunities, and resources available to support lead teachers and students. Whether you're just getting started or looking to enhance your existing program, this session will provide practical strategies and insights to cultivate the next generation of educators.
Hello! I am passionate about learning and professional growth. My teaching experience is secondary science. My training experience includes continuous improvement, engagement, instructional best practices, and designing high quality learning experiences for all. I love to make connections... Read More →
This session presented by the Nebraska State Bar Foundation will highlight the various resources that the Nebraska State Bar Foundation offers including Mock Trial Competition, Mock Trial Journalist Competition, Law Day, the Age of Majority resources, information about Project Citizen, and much more!
Civic Education Consultant, Nebraska State Bar Foundation
After teaching Social Studies at Johnson-Brock for 23 years, Lori worked at ESU4 as a teaching and learning specialist. Upon retirement, she now works part-time for the NSBF supporting civic education across the state of Nebraska.
Learn great steps to ensure a successful first day, first week, and year of school. Learn to keep the power from the first moment students walk into your room, eliminate most discipline problems, and create a fun, respectful learning atmosphere. Every Monday is the start of school! We will incorporate techniques that help you eliminate most classroom distractions, time ‘stealers’, and problems. Discipline at the Door, Keeping Small Problems Small, Walk the Talk, protect your learning environment, and other great teaching skills will be presented to you in a way that empowers you to control your classroom and motivate your students to be successful.
Discover effective strategies to highlight the value and impact of Career and Technical Education (CTE) through storytelling, community engagement, and program advocacy. This session will empower administrators, educators, and stakeholders to craft and share their unique CTE stories, inspiring others and elevating the profession’s visibility. Participants will also explore the benefits of active professional involvement in enhancing their expertise, building meaningful connections, and driving the advancement of CTE. Join us to learn how to effectively promote CTE and strengthen its role in shaping future-ready students.
In this session, educators will gain strategies to help 6th-12th grade students explore CTE pathways aligned with their career interests through Nebraska Career Connections. Participants will learn how to integrate work-based learning opportunities and hands-on CTE experiences to build relevant skills and prepare students for postsecondary careers. By the end of the session, educators will be equipped to guide students through a process that connects their academic learning to future career success using Nebraska Career Connections.
For students planning to pursue post-secondary education, funding college or trade school can be a major concern for them and their families. This session will provide administrators, counselors, and educators with information on using NEST 529 to help pay for education at public and private colleges and universities, community colleges, and trade, technical, and professional institutions as well as for apprenticeship expenses. Attendees will gain valuable insights to share with students and their families about funding post-secondary education costs.
In this session, we'll discuss the importance of tracking Work-Based Learning (WBL) and distinguish between learning "about" work versus learning "through" work. We'll showcase a detailed spreadsheet for tracking WBL activities and demonstrate how ESU 7 uses Google Data Studio to create reports for students, teachers, parents, and industry leaders. Join us to gain practical tools for effectively monitoring and communicating the impact of WBL programs.
Post-pandemic, our students’ and even our colleagues' cognitive and social capacities have been altered. And despite knowing this truth, far too many school and organizational cultures remain entrenched in systems that produce the opposite of what we desire—competent, confident, people who can thrive personally and professionally.
This inspiring and thought-provoking experience highlights the impact that discoveries in neuroscience are having on motivation and learning, what this means for classrooms and schools, and how learning leaders—administrators, staff, and teachers—can navigate this new reality.
If you want to feel empowered to succeed as part of a team, this breakout rocks it. Join Eddie Slowikowski for a raucous, high-spirited, musical trivia dance party – and learn amazing Teambuilding skills along the way. This breakout promotes an environment of collaboration, creative thinking, innovation and outright fun. A highly motivating experience of interactive teamwork – Eddie uses popular culture, today’s biggest music hits, and teambuilding things to get participants moving, heart’s pumping and the competition flying.
Finding and Establishing work based learning for students can be challenging. Join presenters to explore school based enterprises, collaborative planning with educational partners and supporting employers with tools and evaluations. Planning documents and examples will be provided. Objectives: Identifying partners Including Special Populations in School Based Enterprises Supporting employers for successful WBL placements.
Hello! My name is Michalla Schartz and I am the Southeast Regional Transition Facilitator and Instructor with Project CRAVE (Career Readiness and Vocational Education). I serve ESU 4, 5, 6 and 18/LPS with support Transition and Special Education. I have enjoyed a career in Special... Read More →
Tuesday June 10, 2025 10:00am - 10:45am CDT Diamond
In this session, you’ll get a chance to explore the ASCA National Model and discover how to bring it to life in your own school setting. Whether you're just starting out in school counseling or have years of experience, this session will provide a solid understanding of the ASCA National Model, offering practical tools to enhance your program, improve student outcomes, and elevate your role in the school community. The four core components of the ASCA National Model—Define, Manage, Deliver, and Assess—will be explained, with strategies on how to apply them in real, actionable ways. You’ll learn how to build a data-driven, comprehensive school counseling program—from laying a strong foundation to developing a systematic delivery plan, and creating ways to measure success. Come ready to learn and leave with a renewed sense of purpose and a toolkit to advance your counseling practice! Who should attend? This session is perfect for school counselors, district-level counseling coordinators, school administrators eager to collaborate and enhance their counseling programs, and teachers looking to partner with counselors in supporting career development across the school setting.
Attendees will hear about how Boone Central has integrated work based learning into our Career Academy model to allow students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the workplace. While one model isn't going to work for every school, we hope that teachers and administrators can gain ideas about ways to implement work based learning into their schools for the benefit of all students.
CTE Learn is the part of ACTE that offers over three hundred short courses to CTE educators to enhance their professional development. These courses are authored by CTE subject matter experts from throughout the United States. In addition, CTE Learn offers an Individual Development Plan for each person that enrolls in a course. These courses cover all the subject matter areas of CTE as well as topics such as using AI in instruction and utilizing technology to individualize learning opportunities. Participants will be shown how they can set up their own IDP and contribute to the professional development of their CTE colleagues through the sharing of their knowledge and experience by writing courses for inclusion in CTE Learn.
What is truly valuable in life? What do you believe in? It’s time to find out what lies underneath your actions. Take a powerful journey of self-discovery with Eddie Slowikowski by grappling with the biggest challenges in your life. Establish your priorities, identify your strengths and overcome your fears to come face-to-face with “the real you.”
In this session, you’ll get a chance to explore the ASCA National Model and discover how to bring it to life in your own school setting. Whether you're just starting out in school counseling or have years of experience, this session will provide a solid understanding of the ASCA National Model, offering practical tools to enhance your program, improve student outcomes, and elevate your role in the school community. The four core components of the ASCA National Model—Define, Manage, Deliver, and Assess—will be explained, with strategies on how to apply them in real, actionable ways. You’ll learn how to build a data-driven, comprehensive school counseling program—from laying a strong foundation to developing a systematic delivery plan, and creating ways to measure success. Come ready to learn and leave with a renewed sense of purpose and a toolkit to advance your counseling practice! Who should attend? This session is perfect for school counselors, district-level counseling coordinators, school administrators eager to collaborate and enhance their counseling programs, and teachers looking to partner with counselors in supporting career development across the school setting.
MBA Research's course guides and instructional modules help your middle school students explore future career paths. In this session, discover how these ready-to-use instructional tools can help students explore career pathways, develop essential skills, and support student growth. Learn how to access these FREE materials and integrate them into your classroom to better prepare your students for success. Join us and take home valuable tools to inspire and empower the next generation!
Vice President of Professional Learning, MBA Research and Curriculum Center
Tammy Cyrus is the Vice President of Professional Learning for MBA Research. She has presented at numerous state and national conferences. She was a previous Business Administration teacher in North Carolina. Tammy received her Master of Arts in Business Education and National Board... Read More →
Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT Diamond 2
Providing CTE educators with new ideas/options to allow for students with disabilities to gain skills and understanding in their courses while providing them appropriate modifications and accommodations to ensure the student is engaged in the learning process.
Explore the key aspects of CTE funding in this comprehensive session. We’ll cover the history of Perkins funding, its connection to Nebraska, and the distribution process. Compare Perkins funding with Nebraska’s State CTE Grant, and discover how both can be leveraged to strengthen programs. Learn the value of a needs and wants assessment to prioritize spending and maximize the impact of these essential funding sources. This session offers practical insights to support strategic planning for career and technical education success.
Discover how P2C Career Explorer can help you empower students to explore their potential and make informed career decisions. Participants will dive into career exploration, employability skills, and career story lessons that connect learning to real-world opportunities in this engaging and interactive session. Participants will also engage with P2C career tools, including the Career Data Tool, My Career Page, and the ROI Analyzer, to guide students in discovering high-value careers in which they are aligned. Learn how the P2C career assessments help students set meaningful goals by aligning their interests, values, and skills with high-value career pathways, empowering them to take purposeful steps toward their future. Participants will leave the session with actionable strategies and resources to inspire and equip students for success!
Join this session to learn more about the apprenticeship landscape in the state of Nebraska and how your students can get involved in this earn and learn pathway even while they are still in high school.
Apprenticeship Director, Northeast Community College
Kim Andersen is the Registered Apprenticeship Director at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska. She has spent the last 5 years of her career working with apprenticeship and growing the apprenticeship system in Northeast Nebraska. Her first experience with apprenticeships... Read More →
Conference attendees are invited to learn about JAG Nebraska's tiered approach to employer engagement. Discover how employer partnerships are leveraged to create meaningful on- and off-campus engagement opportunities, helping students explore and define their career paths.
Explore the key aspects of CTE funding in this comprehensive session. We’ll cover the history of Perkins funding, its connection to Nebraska, and the distribution process. Compare Perkins funding with Nebraska’s State CTE Grant, and discover how both can be leveraged to strengthen programs. Learn the value of a needs and wants assessment to prioritize spending and maximize the impact of these essential funding sources. This session offers practical insights to support strategic planning for career and technical education success.
Post-pandemic, our students’ and even our colleagues' cognitive and social capacities have been altered. And despite knowing this truth, far too many school and organizational cultures remain entrenched in systems that produce the opposite of what we desire—competent, confident, people who can thrive personally and professionally.
This inspiring and thought-provoking experience highlights the impact that discoveries in neuroscience are having on motivation and learning, what this means for classrooms and schools, and how learning leaders—administrators, staff, and teachers—can navigate this new reality.
Join me for a discovery session of how to best equip the next generation of entrepreneurs for their very own business journey. Statistics show that this is the most entrepreneurial generation we have seen. In this session, we will explore instructional strategies and highly engaging activities to better serve, teach, and prepare them. Learn what we can do to support this next generation of entrepreneurs and set them up for success!
Denise Leigh has spent her career empowering young people as a high school business education teacher for 28 years in rural Pennsylvania. Denise has taught 12 different business education classes over the years from Career Exploratory to Accounting, Computer Applications, and Entrepreneurship... Read More →
Tuesday June 10, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT Diamond 4
This session will present the ESU6 ReVision grant process and outcomes. This includes identifying and addressing barriers hindering the full participation of students with disabilities in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and Work Experience. Key objectives include providing sustained professional development for CTE teachers, counselors, and secondary special education teachers to foster collaboration and ensure student success. Additionally, the grant developed training for potential employers to enhance work-based learning opportunities. By improving preparedness and support for educators and employers, this project's goal is to increase inclusive enrollment, participation in work based learning, and successful completion of CTE courses for students with disabilities, strengthening the overall CTE system.
Hello! My name is Michalla Schartz and I am the Southeast Regional Transition Facilitator and Instructor with Project CRAVE (Career Readiness and Vocational Education). I serve ESU 4, 5, 6 and 18/LPS with support Transition and Special Education. I have enjoyed a career in Special... Read More →
Nichole Wetjen is employed at ESU 6. There she has been a team member of two Transition Programs. The first was the ESU 6/York General Project SEARCH program in 2012 and the other the ESU 6/SCC-Milford CRAVE Transition program in 2018. She has been in education for over 20 years working... Read More →
Wednesday June 11, 2025 9:00am - 9:45am CDT Crystal 2
We’ll explore the world of Universal Design for Learning with Artificial Intelligence as a companion. Takeaways for attendees will include educational ownership opportunities for students, commonly utilized & “favorite” AI platforms, and examples and tips for best practices.
Join this interactive session to discuss best practices, challenges, and innovative ideas in Work-Based Learning (WBL). Connect with fellow educators and WBL coordinators, ask questions, and share insights to strengthen workplace partnerships and student experiences. Whether you're looking for fresh strategies or have success stories to share, this session is your space to collaborate and grow Nebraska’s WBL efforts!
A workforce development and business management professional who cultivates relationships and activates collaboration among business, government, and community partners.Program Development | Project Management |Training | Facilitation | CoachingAdvocate of high-quality Career & Technical... Read More →
Wednesday June 11, 2025 9:00am - 9:45am CDT Ruby 5
So you want to get to know Canvas, do you? Whether you’re designing posters, presentations, or social media graphics, this session is for you! No need to feel Grinchy if you’re new to Canva or unsure how to use tools like background removers. Being a beginner means endless possibilities, and we’re here to help you unlock your full creative potential. Let’s turn your ideas into visuals you’ll love so much more!
This session will present the ESU6 ReVision grant process and outcomes. This includes identifying and addressing barriers hindering the full participation of students with disabilities in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and Work Experience. Key objectives include providing sustained professional development for CTE teachers, counselors, and secondary special education teachers to foster collaboration and ensure student success. Additionally, the grant developed training for potential employers to enhance work-based learning opportunities. By improving preparedness and support for educators and employers, this project's goal is to increase inclusive enrollment, participation in work based learning, and successful completion of CTE courses for students with disabilities, strengthening the overall CTE system.
Hello! My name is Michalla Schartz and I am the Southeast Regional Transition Facilitator and Instructor with Project CRAVE (Career Readiness and Vocational Education). I serve ESU 4, 5, 6 and 18/LPS with support Transition and Special Education. I have enjoyed a career in Special... Read More →
Nichole Wetjen is employed at ESU 6. There she has been a team member of two Transition Programs. The first was the ESU 6/York General Project SEARCH program in 2012 and the other the ESU 6/SCC-Milford CRAVE Transition program in 2018. She has been in education for over 20 years working... Read More →
Wednesday June 11, 2025 10:00am - 10:45am CDT Crystal 2
This interactive session explores the benefits of joining professional organizations, including access to resources, mentorship, networking opportunities and skill development. Ideal for attendees seeking career growth, the session uses live polls, group discussions and scenario-based activities to help attendees reflect on their goals and identify how organizations can support their success. Participants will gain actionable insights on evaluating and selecting organizations that align with their needs, strategies for maximizing membership value, and a renewed perspective on the importance of professional connections.
Learn great steps to ensure a successful first day, first week, and year of school. Learn to keep the power from the first moment students walk into your room, eliminate most discipline problems, and create a fun, respectful learning atmosphere. Every Monday is the start of school! We will incorporate techniques that help you eliminate most classroom distractions, time ‘stealers’, and problems. Discipline at the Door, Keeping Small Problems Small, Walk the Talk, protect your learning environment, and other great teaching skills will be presented to you in a way that empowers you to control your classroom and motivate your students to be successful.
Are you a list person? How about sticky notes? If yes, this is for you. If not, this might be for you. Google Keep is one of my absolute favorite tools to stay organized, and I would love to share it with you. Bring your device, your Google account, and your caffinated beverage of choice because in this session, you will not only learn about Google Keep, you will personalize yours and be ready to roll with it in just 45 minutes. This is a tool for you to use, but also a great organizer to share with your students!
Business Educator, Valentine High School, MPCC (adjunct instructor)
Alana Cardinal is one of two business teachers at Valentine High School. After working in the business world for several years, Alana completed the transitional teaching program at UNK and also finished her Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction (May 2017). She is now teaching... Read More →
How will you prepare your students with the skills they need to be successful beyond high school? How can you educate them about and inspire them to pursue different career paths? Educators will receive access to FREE student-driven digital resources that will give students the skills they need to be successful now and beyond high school. They’ll learn about different career pathways, financial literacy, how to be an entrepreneur and other soft skills. Self-graded assessments are built into the program and the content aligns to state standards.
Jacky Marino is an implementation specialist for EVERFI based in Omaha, NE. She grew up on Amelia Island, FL, and graduated from Florida State University with a BA in Theater and Communications. Her passion for performing initially landed her in Omaha working as a teaching artist... Read More →
Wednesday June 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am CDT Ruby 5
In this session, we will dive into the multifaceted landscape of mental health professions, offering invaluable insights and guidance for educators, administrators, and curriculum developers who work closely with students contemplating a career in counseling and mental health.
Prevention System Specialist, Region 3 Behavioral Health Services
Shyanne Adams currently serves as the Prevention System Specialist for Region 3 Behavioral Health Services and oversees the Regions Prevention System. She has worked in the Prevention field for the past three years and prior to that has experience working in Disaster Behavioral Health... Read More →
Wednesday June 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am CDT Ruby 4
