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Thursday, April 30
 

9:45am EDT

From Findings to Action: Engaging Employers & CTE Educators for High-Quality WBL
Thursday April 30, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
This session shares results from a mixed-methods project that examined how an intermediary-network approach can align CTE programs with employer expectations and expand meaningful WBL. We’ll summarize what employers and educators said, what barriers surfaced, and—critically—what we decided to implement: an intermediary model with clear roles, chamber/EDO-supported employer outreach, and a practical toolkit to standardize MOUs, placement processes, and feedback loops. Attendees will see the specific engagement moves, scheduling and incentive tactics that increased participation, and the evaluation elements we’re using to monitor quality and equity. You will leave with streamlined templates and a short action checklist you can adapt immediately.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Cynthia (Cindy) L. Miller

Dr. Cynthia (Cindy) L. Miller

Assistant Professor of Family & Consumer Sciences Education, Texas Tech University
Cindy Miller is an Assistant Professor of Family and Consumer Sciences Education in the College of Health & Human Sciences at Texas Tech University and serves as the Coordinator of the Human Sciences Education & Training Graduate Certificate Program. Prior to coming to Texas Tech... Read More →
Thursday April 30, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
555 AB 1 Sabin Street, Providence, RI

11:15am EDT

Designing Your Experiential Learning Continuum: One Size Doesn't fit All.
Thursday April 30, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
In this session I will share a framework for designing an Experiential Learning Continuum that fits the unique context of your school. Every community has its own strengths and challenges, and experiential learning works best when those are built in from the start. We’ll begin by exploring the key factors and strategies that shape successful programs. Then, you’ll turn to your own school and begin sketching a developmentally appropriate, locally responsive sequence of student experiences. Resources will include a concise slide deck, a customizable planning template, and curated digital tools. You’ll leave with practical strategies and a clear plan to expand experiential learning in your school.
Speakers
avatar for Dan Cocchiola

Dan Cocchiola

Director of Career Pathways and Dual Credit Programming, EdAdvance
I lead strategic development / implementation of innovative educational initiatives that bridge secondary and postsecondary opportunities for high school students. My work focuses on expanding equitable access to rigorous dual credit pathways and degrees by leveraging industry-recognized... Read More →
Thursday April 30, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
555 AB 1 Sabin Street, Providence, RI

1:45pm EDT

Beyond Partnerships: Designing the Future Through Co-Creation and Credentialing
Thursday April 30, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
The future of CTE isn’t just about partnerships - it’s about shared ownership of learning. As industries evolve, education must shift from collaboration to co-creation. This session shows how employer-led training in education and healthcare can be mapped to skills frameworks and transformed into credit-bearing, stackable credentials that serve learner advancement and meet workforce needs. We’ll reimagine employers as co-educators and institutions as credentialing and quality-assurance leaders. We’ll also highlight how programs for these pathways can tap into sustainable funding sources for expansion and equity.


Attendees will leave with strategies to design co-owned learning pathways that improve job placement, retention, and equity. Tailored for CTE educators, administrators, and workforce personnel, this workshop includes a lecture on key concepts and case studies, a breakout for small-group discussion, and a Q&A to address challenges and share experiences. Participants will receive a handout with tools and resources to support future-ready CTE programming.
Speakers
avatar for Brenda Straley

Brenda Straley

Workforce & CTE Advisor, Craft Education
Brenda Straley is a Career & Technical Education (CTE) leader and workforce consultant with more than two decades of experience designing pathways that connect high school, postsecondary, and apprenticeship opportunities. In her current role with Craft Education, she partners with states, employers, and... Read More →
Thursday April 30, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
555 AB 1 Sabin Street, Providence, RI

3:00pm EDT

Maximizing WBL Resources in a Rural Setting
Thursday April 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
This session will explore effective strategies for maximizing work-based learning opportunities in rural Tennessee communities by leveraging local resources, partnerships, and assets. Rural areas often face unique challenges when it comes to providing students with WBL experiences, from limited access to employers and industries to geographic isolation. However, with the right approach, these challenges can also present untapped potential for creating meaningful and impactful learning opportunities.


We will delve into a range of creative solutions that can be implemented at the local level, from developing industry partnerships and utilizing community organizations to innovative use of virtual platforms and regional collaboration. Participants will walk away with practical tools and actionable strategies to enhance their own WBL programs and expand access to high-quality, real-world learning experiences for students in rural communities.
This session would benefit the following: Directors of Schools, CTE Directors, WBL Cooridnators


This session will provide collaborative discussion opportunities, Q&A, and brainstorming to engage participants.


The slide deck will be made available to all participants, along with presenters' contact information.
Speakers
avatar for Suzanne Mitchell

Suzanne Mitchell

CTE Director, Franklin County Schools
Suzanne Mitchell was born in Tullahoma, TN.  She was raised in the Capitol Hill community and attended Townsend, Rock Creek, Decherd, North Junior High, and graduated in 1992 from Franklin County High School.
     From aptitude tests and science projects in middle school, Suzanne thought she would pursue engineering.  However, a summer job at a local nursing home changed her path.  After graduation, Suzanne attended TN Tech University to pursue a degree in Nursing.  It was during... Read More →
avatar for Lori Sexton

Lori Sexton

CTE Director, Bedford County Schools
One teacher truly can make a difference in a student’s life, and this was no different for Lori Sexton.  She began her teaching career in 2008 as a middle and high school English teacher at Newton Local Schools, a rural district in southwestern Ohio. During her tenure, she actively... Read More →
ACTE WBL pptx
Thursday April 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
555 AB 1 Sabin Street, Providence, RI

4:30pm EDT

Building Work-Based Learning Through Strategic Partnerships
Thursday April 30, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
This session will explore how strategic industry partnerships can be leveraged to build high-quality Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities from the very start of program development. Participants will learn how West-MEC integrates research, employer input, and student needs to design programs that embed WBL as a core component rather than an afterthought. Attendees—whether CTE teachers, WBL coordinators, or administrators—will gain practical insights into creating and sustaining strong partnerships that ensure curriculum relevance, provide authentic workplace experiences, and enhance student career readiness.
The session will be interactive, featuring discussion, examples of effective partnerships, and a “Partner Playbook” resource that outlines how to launch and maintain mutually beneficial WBL collaborations. Participants will walk away with actionable strategies, planning tools, and templates they can immediately adapt to strengthen WBL opportunities in their own classrooms, programs, and institutions. 
Speakers
JG

Jarett Guy

Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning, and Campus Operations, Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC)
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Campus Operations at West-MEC, championing high-quality Career and Technical Education across multiple campuses and over thirty programs in Western Maricopa County, Arizona.  Formerly served as Administrator for Learning Systems... Read More →
avatar for Julie Rodriguez

Julie Rodriguez

Director of Program Research and Development, Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC)
Julie Rodriguez's educational journey has taken her from the classroom, where she dedicated 20 years to teaching various subjects and grade levels, to becoming an instructional coach and expanding her expertise at different Career and Technical Education Districts (CTEDs). Her path... Read More →
Thursday April 30, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
555 AB 1 Sabin Street, Providence, RI
 
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