ACTE's National Work-Based Learning Conference 2026

I am new to Vermont and always looking to make new connections!

Derek is dedicated to empowering students through meaningful, hands-on learning. Drawing on his expertise in education theory, data analysis, and educational technology, he leverages data-driven strategies to streamline and enhance work-based learning (WBL) programs, ensuring they are both effective and impactful.

George Kerr

As Director of Work-Based Learning, Kirsten is part of a team who provides WBL training, resources, and support to educators, students, and other NAF Network members. Throughout her career, Kirsten has focused on supporting students in achieving their professional and personal goals. After starting out as a general career advisor, she decided to specialize in health-related careers. As Assistant Director of Pre-Professional Programs and Advising at Johns Hopkins University and later, as Director of Health Professions Advising at Franklin & Marshall College, Kirsten guided thousands of students... Read more

Matt Kirchner (pronounced “Kirk-ner”) is an international speaker, author and podcast host on topics of interest to educators, public policy makers and private employers. On a mission to secure the American Dream for the next generation of STEM and Workforce talent, Kirchner hosts the weekly TechEd Podcast, featuring leaders in industry and education and serves as President of ATS/LAB Midwest, the leading distributor of world-class curriculum, eLearning and training equipment.

Kirchner writes monthly leadership columns appearing in Products Finishing and Production Machining magazines and... Read more

I have been a School Counselor for 13 years and have CDE endorsements as a CTE Specialist and WBL Coordinator. I am also a nationally certified School Career Development Advisor through NCDA. I am currently the Work-Based Learning Coordinator at Warren Tech in Jeffco Public Schools.

Rebecca has been involved in education for most of her career, in just about every role from teacher to dean. She spent more than 20 years working in community colleges, and most recently helped create America’s newest community college (in Erie, Pennsylvania) as the founding academic dean, before moving into her specialty as dean of Workforce Development & Career and Technical Education (CTE). In that role, she developed and launched CTE programs in welding, manufacturing, industrial maintenance, IT, entrepreneurship, and more. Rebecca previously served as Associate Dean at Elgin Community College... Read more

Kelli Lancaster brings over 36 years of experience in Career and Technical Education, with a strong focus on workforce readiness and student success. She spent 21 years as a media broadcasting instructor before transitioning to the role of Work-Based Learning Coordinator at the Anderson Districts 1 & 2 Career and Technology Center in Williamston, South Carolina. In this role, she led the implementation of the Microburst Learning EmployABILITY Soft Skills curriculum across 22 programs, impacting both students and instructors.
Kelli has presented at numerous state and regional conferences, as wel... Read more

With over 17 years in EdTech, I’ve dedicated my career to being a trusted partner for school districts navigating large-scale CCR change. I started out as an Onboarding Manager and eventually moved into leadership, overseeing teams that served hundreds of districts across North America. Today, as one of our State Directors at Xello, I manage our relationships with state and regional leadership across various states to ensure our solutions are aligned with the evolving needs of the state, region, and local districts.  

I’m incredibly passionate about how Xello supports WBL pathways because ...

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My name is Scott Mayotte. I’ve spent the past fourteen years teaching high school automotive technology at a regional CTE center after eighteen years in the automotive industry as a Volkswagen technician and shop foreman. Like many tradesmen-turned-teachers, I started with tools in my hands, not lesson plans. I’m passionate about helping new CTE instructors make that same transition with confidence. Talk to me about classroom management, student engagement, and practical strategies that make teaching more effective, real-world tools that help turn skilled tradespeople into skilled teachers...

I bring over 30 years of experience in education and currently serve as a CTE Coordinator, with a true passion for Career and Technical Education (CTE). I love helping students connect what they learn in the classroom to real-world opportunities, especially through Work-Based Learning (WBL). If you’re looking to strengthen your WBL programs, build partnerships, or create meaningful career experiences for students—come talk to me!

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, she was an Assistant Professor for Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Coordinator of the Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences degree program at Eastern New Mexico University for three and half years. Also, she was a former CTE administrator for two West Texas school districts for 13 years and before then was a secondary... Read more

Golden Path Solutions connects students, schools, employers, and colleges. Through our app Compass, schools manage work-based learning (applications, agreements, job shadowing), access a regional employer database, and guide students in career exploration and personalized learning plans. Students discover careers, employers, and college programs aligned with their skills. Employers share company and career info with schools and students, and highlight their college partnerships. Colleges showcase their programs, amenities, and employer connections to help students make informed choices. We’re excited to develop a platform and an ecosystem that helps everyone prepare for their best future!... Read more

Dr. Timberly Monaghan is a senior education strategist with expertise in instructional systems, curriculum and assessment, organizational improvement, and cross-sector alignment. Her work focuses on helping education leaders strengthen coherence across teaching and learning, accountability, and long-term learner outcomes.With a background in curriculum and instruction, comprehensive needs assessments, instructional coaching, and educator evaluation systems, Dr. Monaghan supports organizations in diagnosing root causes, aligning priorities, and translating data into actionable improvement strategies... Read more

As K12 Director at a national education non-profit, Alisa partners with educators to reimagine profession-based learning for middle and high school students. Her focus is on empowering students to take charge of their education and discover their passions through entrepreneurial thinking. With a background in both teaching and the non-fiction film industry, she brings a unique storytelling perspective to education. She currently co-facilitates the Digital Media Agency (virtual internship), along with several other national initiatives in the network. 

David Moura is the Dean of Students at Uxbridge High School in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. Uxbridge High School  is a public high school in Central Mass.  Dave has  been in education for over 28 years, 26 of them as a Social Studies teacher at both the Middle and High School level.  Dave has also coached football at both the collegiate and high school level as well as various other sports, including track and field and ice hockey for nearly 30 years. His main role as  Dean of Students is coordinating interns for Uxbridge's robust internship program. They currently have over half of the senior...

Jason Van Nus, Georgia's ACTE Teacher of the Year in 2023, ACTE’s 2024 Region 2 Teacher of the Year, and Finalist for ACTE’s 2025 National Teacher of the Year, is the Director of Work-Based Learning (WBL) and Youth Apprenticeship (YA) Programs for Lowndes County Schools in Valdosta, Georgia. With over 21 years of experience teaching Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education (CTAE) in Georgia, Jason is a content expert in multiple instructional areas of CTE. His experience teaching Business Education, Business and Computer Science, Graphic Communication, and Work-Based Learning makes Jason... Read more

Kirsten is passionate about supporting students through meaningful, hands-on learning. As a former CTE teacher, she draws on her classroom experience to build strong connections and design impactful work-based learning opportunities that prepare students for success beyond school.

At Savvas, we believe learning should inspire. By combining new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new ways of interacting, we design engaging, next-generation K-12 learning solutions that give all students the best opportunity to succeed. Our award-winning, high-quality instructional materials span every grade level and discipline, from evidence-based, standards-aligned core curricula and supplemental and intervention programs to state-of-the art assessment tools and the industry’s most innovative portfolio of college and career readiness solutions — all designed to meet the needs of every... Read more

Angie Pommerening, attended the University of Minnesota (Ski-U-Mah) in Crookston and graduated with a degree in Agriculture Education and an Associates in Dairy Science.  She spent 10 years teaching agriculture in Minnesota, Montana, and Utah, and 7 years in Public Safety.  She also earned a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership from Concordia St. Paul and an Educational Administration Certification from Southern Utah University.

Today she is a Work Based Learning Specialist for the Jordan School District, bringing a unique blend of classroom experience and real-world expertise. In he... Read more

Jennifer attended Utah State University and studied Business Management and Marketing. Upon graduation she worked in both finance and marketing positions until taking a break from the work place to stay home and raise her 4 children. Upon her return to the workforce, Jennifer served as the president of an education advocacy non-profit organization. During this time she served on the Utah State Dyslexia Task Force, the Utah State Special Education Advisory Panel, and was an author of the Utah State Dyslexia Handbook. She became passionate about public education and in 2019 entered an alternative... Read more

How their program is working and what they are doing to make it work.

Social Justice, Inequality, Corruption

David Rademacher – EFE Director, Marion, Clinton & Washington Counties
David Rademacher serves as the Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Education for Employment (EFE) Director for Marion, Clinton, and Washington Counties in Southern Illinois. With a deep commitment to preparing students for high-wage, high-demand careers, David oversees regional efforts to align secondary CTE programs with local labor market needs and postsecondary pathways. He partners closely with school districts, community colleges, employers, and workforce organizations to expand work-based learning opportunities across the career awareness, exploration, and experience continuum. David...
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YouScience is the leading college and career readiness technology provider, addressing the skills gap with AI-driven insights to help students discover their aptitudes, validate industry skills, and create personalized career pathways. YouScience empowers students, educators, and employers with data-driven guidance for education and career success.

Kelly is a strategic leader dedicated to advancing students through work-based learning. With expertise in community partnerships and workforce development, she leverages data-driven insights to create meaningful opportunities and engage local businesses in preparing the next generation for career success.

Ellsworth is just beginning our WBL journey. My goal is develop a program that will benefit our small, rural district to thrive into the future.

CTE Consultant

Cindy Schluckebier is an experienced educator and workforce innovator with a strong track record of helping students connect their classroom learning to real-world career opportunities. With more than a decade in education, Cindy designed and led CTE-aligned programs that integrated The DeBruce Foundation’s Agilities© tools, giving students practical skills to navigate career pathways and thrive in work-based learning experiences.
Her work in the classroom sparked a passion for helping young people overcome obstacles and prepare for the workforce, which she has carried into her current role ... Read more

I develop business and community partnerships for CTE and Work-Based Learning in Thompson School District.  We utilize the Xello platform for our Career & College Readiness as well as Work-Based Learning.  We are part of the NoCo K-12 WBL Collaborative which represents the school districts, schools, and business partners in Region 2 (Larimer and Weld Counties) that share our regional Xello WBL Platform and work collaboratively together to develop WBL opportunities for K-12 students region-wide.

 Dr. Chris Shaw is a Career Technical Education Supervisor with the Jefferson County School District in Alabama.  Dr. Shaw has over 15 years of experience as a CTE business education teacher, work-based learning coordinator, post-secondary adjunct instructor, and CTE supervisor.  He earned his Bachelor’s in Business/Marketing Education as well as his Master’s and Educational Specialist degrees in Instructional Leadership from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama.  He earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama in 2023...

I’ve been teaching 28 years with 17 years as a WBL Coordinator. The schools I serve are Arabia Mountain and DeKalb Early College Academy. I LOVE 💕 what I do!

Most platforms bolt on career readiness as an afterthought. At Pathful, it's the entire mission.

I spent about 25 years in Tennessee education as a CTE teacher, assistant principal, principal, district supervisor of instruction, and CTE director before joining Pathful, first as a customer. I've sat in the seats your administrators, counselors, and teachers sit in. I know what it feels like need one solution that serves students AND provides compliance to administrators.

Pathful & Jobready360 delivers the full career readiness & development ecosystem; CRD, CTE, counseling, advisement, and work-ba...

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Excited to be here for my 3rd ACTE Work-Based Learning Conference!

My work at Kaptivate sits at the intersection of open innovation, community activation, and workforce development. I get to work on some really fun initiatives, including the U.S. Department of Education’s Career Z Challenge and Connecting Talent to Opportunity Challenge, the Catalyze Challenge (Round 5), and TalentSHIFT: Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative.

Hands-down, though, my favorite part of the job is working with our incredible student interns. Kaptivate’s internship program is an incubator for innovation. It’s yea...

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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 leads statewide workforce development efforts that strengthen Missouri’s economy by aligning education with labor market needs. In collaboration with the United States Department of Labor and the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, she advances Registered Apprenticeship... Read more

Dr. Ni’Shawn L. Stovall, a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a passionate educator and leader dedicated to advancing student achievement and workforce development. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Southern University and A&M College, a Master of Natural Science from Louisiana State University through the LaMSTI program, and a Doctorate in Science and Math Education from Southern University.
Currently serving as Workforce Development Coordinator and Adjunct Mathematics Instructor at Southern University and A&M College, Dr. Stovall has also held various leadership roles within the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, including Administrative Director, Magnet Recruiter, Project Manager for Special Programs, and Instructional Specialist for STEM. She is a two-time Teacher of the Year and was honored as the district’s High School Teacher of the Year for 2012–2013. Her work includes developing district-wide initiatives that expand access to advanced coursework, strengthen workforce... Read more

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 education systems to align career pathways and build apprenticeship models in healthcare and education. With a strong emphasis on equity, student-centered design, and human-centered systems, Brenda is committed to helping learners navigate clear, supported pathways that lead to meaningful careers... Read more

School Counselor/Lead SPED

Over the past 20 years, I've been a Social Studies teacher, English teacher, FACS teacher, CTE teacher, an interventionist for 9th-grade students as they transition from middle school to high school, and a Dean of Behavior and Attendance. Now I oversee Work-based Learning and teach Career Development and Exploration. I should stop answering my phone two weeks before school start, though it does offer adventure.

Connecting business & industry to young, skilled and talented workforce. Career technical education works, and so do our students!

Tony has been at UVCC since 2002 with several roles since his start. In 2012, Tony transitioned to the district Pre-Apprenticeship Coordinator where he now focuses on engaging business partners with the career center programs, instructors and students. Tony is excited to serve on the REGION 1 ACTE WBL/YA Policy Committee.

Jeanne Turner brings over 25 years of educational leadership experience and currently serves as North Carolina’s Work-based Learning Consultant. She leads initiatives that ensure work-based learning is meaningful, sustainable, and aligned with the state’s vision, while fostering collaboration among educators, business leaders, and government partners. Ms. Turner provides guidance and technical support to strengthen North Carolina’s work-based learning ecosystem and create lasting impact for students in grades 6–12.

I am the Work-Based Learning Coordinator for Albertville City Schools in Alabama, where I support students at both Albertville High School and Albertville Innovation Academy. With over a decade of experience in Career & Technical Education, I focus on building strong industry partnerships that create meaningful workplace experiences for students and building innovative programs that connect students to real-world opportunities, including launching the Young Entrepreneurs of Albertville program and partnering with Citizens Bank & Trust to operate a student-run branch on our campus.

I also advise Future Business Leaders of America and coordinate with multiple student-run enterprises that strengthen employability skills, leadership development, and entrepreneurship. Outside of school, I love adventuring with my husband, Jake, and our three children, Declan, Evelyn, and Eleanor, whether that’s traveling, cheering them on in sports and dance, or finding the next fun family experience together. My passion is helping students bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace readiness, so they are prepared to thrive in high-demand careers and become future leaders in the... Read more

I get to work with Charleston County School District to connect students with career exploration opportunities like job shadowing, internships, and apprenticeships. Working together with 10 Career Specialists, we empower 50,000+ students in 80+ schools & programs with the GOOD NEWS: High Demand, High Wage careers await them in the thriving Charleston, SC region!

Carlos Vazquez is the Founder and President of Miami EdTech, a nonprofit dedicated to closing the digital divide and expanding access to computer science, workforce development, and teacher professional learning. A Bronx native and former fifth-grade teacher, Carlos has spent more than 20 years at the intersection of technology and education, designing pathways that connect K–12, postsecondary, and employers to high-demand careers. He is also an adjunct professor at Miami-Dade College's School of Engineering and Technology. 
He founded GoSprout, a career readiness and work-based learning man... Read more

An experienced educator with 29 years of dedicated service. She has been a passionate advocate for CTE, having served as an Agriculture Education Instructor,  Department Chair, and Division CTE Liaison. Her visionary leadership and strategic planning have resulted in improved student outcomes, increased enrollment, and enhanced partnerships with local businesses and industries.
Sue was promoted to Director of CTE and Adult Education. She oversees the development and implementation of CTE programs across the division, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to be life-ready... Read more