Preview Conference Sessions of 2026 Connection Conference

This session is designed to help teachers who want to certify in CTE or industry professionals whose certification comes with deficiencies that must be cleared within 3 years. Teachers in Agriculture Education (AgriScience) are tasked with developing their programs for their respective school districts. The session will concentrate on the needs of the teachers in the first few weeks of school to develop the program’s initial curriculum, Work Based Learning Activities, and CTSO management. Agriculture Education II will explore other unique items for ag educators in the AAEPEI evaluation, FFA evaluation, Extended Contracts and AET management.

This session explores strategies for strengthening partnerships between employers, workforce agencies, and education providers to ensure construction programs align with industry expectations. Participants will learn how to co-develop training and apprenticeship pathways, integrate industry-recognized credentials, use labor market data to shape curriculum, and create feedback loops that keep instruction aligned with jobsite realities. The session also highlights approaches for expanding equitable access to training and employment opportunities across diverse communities.

This session is designed for teachers who incorporate blood spatter analysis into their coursework and want practical strategies for delivering it safely and effectively. Participants will explore the fundamentals of bloodstain pattern analysis—such as passive drops, wipes, cast‑off patterns, and more—and learn how to teach students to interpret what these patterns can reveal about the events of a crime scene. The session will walk educators through classroom‑ready lessons, controlled lab activities, and simple math applications that help students build observation skills and think critically about evidence. Attendees will see how to guide students in documenting patterns, calculating angles and directionality, and connecting scientific concepts to real‑world forensic investigation. By the end of the session, teachers will leave with materials, techniques, and a clear framework for confidently teaching blood spatter analysis in a safe, engaging, and age‑appropriate way.

Closed-toe, closed-heel, long pants, shirts with sleeves (no tank tops) are required. Designed for CTE engineering teachers, this exclusive tour offers an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at CalPortland’s modern cement mining operation. Participants will explore engineering processes, equipment, and process controls, seeing how classroom concepts in engineering and technology are applied in real-world industrial settings. This hands-on experience is an opportunity for teachers to connect curriculum to industry, inspire students, and strengthen STEM education with real-world applications. It's recommended to join the "Beyond Copper: Explore Careers in Mining by Touring CalPortland" preceding this session. For safety reasons, participation in the mine tour requires a reasonable level of physical fitness. The tour may involve walking long distances, uneven or slippery surfaces, low lighting, confined spaces, and climbing or descending stairs or ladders. Participants should be comfortable with these conditions and free from medical conditions that could be aggravated by physical exertion or underground environments. Appropriate footwear and protective equipment must be worn at all times, and all safety instructions from tour guides must be followed. Session will take place from 11am to 2pm. Lunch will be provided.

New agriculture teachers will learn the ins and outs of creating a circuit board to take back to school with them.

Great cinematography starts with great lighting. This hands-on workshop guides high school film teachers through the core principles of three-point lighting, color temperature, and cinematic lighting techniques — from basic classroom setups to more advanced applications. You’ll experience practical student activities firsthand and leave with adaptable lessons that meet students at every skill and budget level.

With all the available options for layout, Adobe InDesign remains the industry standard for document creation. Introduce your students to this powerful tool for layout and publication design. We'll explore essential skills such as working with text and images, using grids and styles, and preparing documents for print and digital formats. Emphasizing design principles alongside technical proficiency, this session will help teach students to create polished, professional layouts while building confidence in visual communication.

Solar and Battery Design Class

This a 2 day course: It is an introduction to the design and use of CTE curriculum. In this highly engaging course teachers will focus on the design and delivery of relevant and engaging lessons. Special emphasis is placed on active participation strategies, a strong introduction to each lesson, clear and appropriate objective(s), a variety of ways to meet the objective(s), and closure to assess learning. These strategies will be woven across the entire workshop. All participants whose districts are members of the AZ CTE Curriculum Consortium and who complete both days of this workshop will receive password-protected access to the Curriculum Connection with its 3500+ bank of outstanding lesson plans for more than 20 CTE programs written by Arizona CTE teachers. This course is excellent for every teacher. Ace your next evaluation! Upon successful completion of the course participants will receive an ADE certificate for 15 professional development clock hours which equates to one (1) semester hour of coursework.

This session is for CTE Directors and Teachers who would like to learn about ADE Program Monitoring requirements for WBL Documentation. The session will include a quick Program Monitoring review, location of WBL Resources, and documentation recommendations for specific monitoring indicators. We will discuss what this documentation can look like at our varying school settings across the state.

This is a 1 day course: Assessing and grading are two different actions. Learn a variety of formative and summative assessment techniques. A major focus is how to assess student work using rubrics. This class will help you create a clear grading policy and develop a variety of ways to assess student learning. How should students in CTE be assessed? How do we set up a fair grading system for both teachers and students? Learn about the wide variety of options that address both of these issues to help you develop both your own philosophy for grading as well as effective strategies for multiple ways to assess student learning and progress. You will also leave with a greater understanding of how to align testing and evaluation to your course outcomes and grading policies that will increase effective feedback for students. Upon successful completion of the course which includes submission of homework, participants will receive an ADE certificate for 15 professional development clock hours which equates to one (1) semester hour of coursework.

This is a 1 day course - This foundational course is designed to equip emerging educators with the essential knowledge and skills necessary to develop a positive learning environment. Participants will explore various aspects of the education profession, including terminology, characteristics of professional conduct, and classroom management strategies. Through a detailed examination, participants will develop clear and enforceable rules that promote respect, responsibility, and safety. Participants will examine the role of consequences in shaping student behavior and promoting accountability while creating and implementing consistent procedures to streamline classroom activities and maximize instructional time. By the course's conclusion, educators will emerge equipped with practical tools and insights to navigate the complexities of classroom management with confidence and professionalism. Upon successful completion of the course which includes submission of homework, participants will receive an ADE certificate for 15 professional development clock hours which equates to one (1) semester hour of coursework.

This is a 1 day course - Create meaningful work-based learning experiences for your students. This course will provide teachers with a variety of models of work-based learning along with the associated forms, agreements, and guidelines. You will select the model that is most appropriate for your situation and create a plan to implement work-based learning as a part of your premier program! Upon successful completion of the course which includes submission of homework, participants will receive an ADE certificate for 15 professional development clock hours which equates to one (1) semester hour of coursework.

The Explore Welding Tour is a specialized mobile educational initiative designed to bridge the skills gap in the welding industry by introducing instructors and the general public to the craft. This traveling showcase provides an immersive, hands-on environment where participants can experience the trade through high-tech simulations and professional equipment.

Session is 1 hour 15 minutes from Westin, so please leave with enough time to arrive at 8:00 AM. Closed-toe and closed-heel shoes, long pants, and shirts with sleeves (no tank tops) are required. Arizona’s mining industry extends far beyond copper—cement and aggregate operations are essential sectors offering diverse, high-demand career pathways for CTE students. Step beyond the classroom for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of CalPortland’s quarry and mill. Participants will observe how raw materials are transformed into cement, understand the difference between cement and concrete, and hear directly from industry professionals about how education connects to real-world operations. This immersive experience equips educators with concrete examples and industry insight to inspire students to explore careers in engineering, skilled trades, environmental stewardship, human resources, and safety management.

Discover how entry-level employees learn to operate some of the largest machines in the world through EmpireCAT’s immersive, simulator‑based training. This interactive session gives participants a firsthand look at the hands‑on instruction new hires experience, demonstrating how classroom learning translates into real‑world career opportunities. Attendees will also explore modern training methods that blend technology, innovation, and safety; learn about EmpireCAT’s ThinkBIG Technician Apprenticeship Program for recent high school graduates; and gain access to free mining‑focused teacher resources, including professional development, classroom visits, and ready‑to‑use student tools.

Open to members with 15+ years of teaching experience. As you advance in the profession, your needs as an educator change and evolve. Come share some of your wisdom and engage with others in your cohort during this session.

This workshop is designed for new graphic design teachers and educators looking to refresh their instructional approach. Participants will explore a variety of effective teaching methods, discover how purposeful bell work can create more time for engaging, hands on activities, and hear practical insights from real classroom experience. We’ll also discuss how to maintain healthy boundaries and avoid taking student behavior personally—so you can focus on creating a positive, creative learning environment.

This Educator Exchange brings together instructors who teach Cosmetology and Therapeutic Massage programs to share lessons, activities, and instructional strategies grounded in authentic experiences. Participants will exchange approaches for teaching Cosmetology and Therapeutic Massage standards. The exchanged lessons may also include strategies to teach teamwork, leadership, and accountability. Attendees are encouraged to actively participate and to share one or more classroom-tested resources from their own programs. Participants will be invited to submit a resource prior to the conference to help spark discussion and idea sharing. Each educator’s contributions play a vital role in the success of this collaborative session.

Empower your students to produce professional‑quality athletic livestreams. This workshop provides a toolbox of practical tips, tech tools, and creative ideas to help them deliver polished, engaging broadcasts for your school community.

Attend this session to deepen your understanding of the bioscience and health sectors through easy-to-use instructional resources and real-world industry insights. Participants will explore aligned classroom resources ranging from short classroom activities to extended projects that connect directly to current workforce trends, career pathways, and in-demand skills. You will review ready-to-use tools that integrate seamlessly into your curriculum while gaining a clearer picture of how industry operates today. Walk away with new instructional resources and industry perspectives designed to spark relevance, curiosity, and expanded career possibilities for your program.

Strengthening Workforce Pipelines Through Collaboration

This session will introduce and educate participants on the use of modern manufacturing tools, including laser cutters, 3D printers, and CNC machines. We will provide an overview of each technology, its primary applications, key differences in the software used, and practical strategies for integrating these tools into your curriculum. Demonstration machines and sample projects will be available, along with proven classroom lesson plans that successfully incorporate their use.

Learn about what’s going on with Arizona FFA as we head into the school year. These important updates will set teachers on the right foot to have an outstanding school year!

This workshop helps educators design classrooms where students not only learn content but build the work‑ready mindsets employers and communities demand. Participants will explore practical strategies to cultivate initiative, resilience, accountability, professionalism, collaboration, and reflection — skills that research shows are critical for post‑secondary success and lifelong learning. You’ll walk away with easy‑to‑implement classroom structures, assignment tweaks, and routines that support personally‑driven tasks, time‑bound goals, meaningful SAE integration, and thoughtful reflection on choices and consequences. Through discussion, examples, and planning time, teachers will create a tailored action plan to strengthen student engagement, ownership, and readiness for work and life.

This workshop is designed to teach participants how to transform their graphic designs created in Adobe Illustrator into tangible products by applying them onto textiles. Participants will gain practical knowledge and hands-on experience in heat transfer and screen printing techniques, along with insights on how to create a student-based enterprise to generate revenue through custom-designed spirit wear and athletic jerseys.

Teaching screenwriting for the first time can feel intimidating — especially if you don’t come from a writing background. This session is designed for Film and TV Production teachers who want a clear, practical starting point. We’ll cover foundational screenwriting principles, explore industry practices and participate in ready-to-use classroom activities that help students learn screenwriting.

This Educator Exchange brings together instructors who teach Mental and Social Health programs to share lessons, activities, and instructional strategies grounded in authentic experiences. Participants will exchange approaches for teaching Mental and Social Health standards. The exchanged lessons may also include strategies to teach teamwork, leadership, and accountability. Attendees are encouraged to actively participate and to share one or more classroom-tested resources from their own programs. Participants will be invited to submit a resource prior to the conference to help spark discussion and idea sharing. Each educator’s contributions play a vital role in the success of this collaborative session.

Learn about the newest and upcoming resources from AITC. Whether you are new to teaching or have been around for a while, AZFB AITC has something to help you! The team is continuously working to develop new resources for Ag Teachers. See what we are working on for the next year, including our VR career presentations and test your ag knowledge for some cool prizes!

This session dives into how students can bring stories to life using After Effects. I’ll showcase real classroom projects, including layered, ready-to-animate scenes that teach animation, motion graphics, and storytelling all at once. Attendees will see student examples, learn workflow tips, and get strategies for integrating industry-standard software into any CTE classroom — no prior animation experience required.

The CTE Florence Unified CTE Staff will design a strategic and action plan for the upcoming school year to include, but not limited to, Performance Measures, CTE Assessments, and other CTE related items. Only FUSD CTE staff should register for this workshop with a code.

This session is off site and participants must provide their own transportation. Participants will need to provide the following required tools: a trowel, 2 foot and 4 foot levels, tape measure, jointer, and brush. Participants will choose from beginner, intermediate or advanced masonry projects and build the selected project in the time allowed. Journeyman masons will be present to provide training and teaching tips. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes, pants, sun protection, and come ready to learn about masonry.

Hands-on lessons to take back to your classroom! Join us as we complete activities in mechanics, plant science, animal science and more. Items will be given to each attendee to take home so you can complete this in your own classroom.

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) will take your CTE Program to the next level! This course is designed for first and second year advisors who want to effectively manage a CTSO. During this course advisors will discuss how to seamlessly integrate a CTSO into their curriculum, brainstorm fundraising opportunities, share strategies for conducting awards recognition functions and explore related legal and ethical considerations. Advisors will also be acquainted with CTSO resources available to them. Come and learn about the CTSO that YOU will be advising! Participants who participate in the course and complete the follow-up assignments will have the opportunity to earn 15 CEU hours approved by ADE to be used for your standard CTE certificate or for recertification hours.

3 different classes for 2 different levels of teachers. The full day 2 session class is going for beginners in pipe bending and electrical wiring. the half-day session is for more in depth with pipe bending and some wiring with the more experience teacher.

This session gives teachers an inside look at how masonry skills are taught in both hands‑on and classroom settings. The morning begins with a live block‑laying demonstration, allowing participants to observe foundational masonry techniques in action. Later, instructors will guide teachers through classroom lesson plans, sharing how they train apprentices and how these methods can be adapted for high school programs. Attendees will leave with practical insights they can bring directly into their own classrooms.

Flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) utilizes a continuous tubular wire electrode containing flux, eliminating the need for external shielding gas in self-shielded applications. This process offers high deposition rates and deep penetration, making it ideal for heavy-gauge steel and outdoor construction. During this workshop, you will master machine setup, travel speed control, and electrode angles to achieve sound welds. Emphasis is placed on managing slag inclusion and porosity while improving bead appearance on various joint configurations.

This Educator Exchange brings together instructors who teach Dental Assisting programs to share lessons, activities, and instructional strategies grounded in authentic experiences. Participants will exchange approaches for teaching Dental Assisting standards. The exchanged lessons may also include strategies to teach teamwork, leadership, and accountability. Attendees are encouraged to actively participate and to share one or more classroom-tested resources from their own programs. Participants will be invited to submit a resource prior to the conference to help spark discussion and idea sharing. Each educator’s contributions play a vital role in the success of this collaborative session.

Want students to pay attention faster — and remember more? This practical, hands-on session shows educators how simple design principles can dramatically improve student engagement and understanding. Learn easy ways to use typography, color, layout, and visual hierarchy to make slides, handouts, and digital content clearer and more impactful. No design degree required. We’ll break down what works, why it works, and how to apply it immediately in your classroom. Whether you teach business, marketing, media, or core academics, you’ll leave with straightforward strategies to make your lessons more visually engaging, more organized, and easier for students to process. If you’re ready to level up your materials and energize your classroom, this workshop gives you practical tools you can use the very next day.

This one-day course is designed to provide CTE educators and other interested parties with a broad understanding of special education. During the course of this interactive workshop, we will cover a range of topics include special education law, modifications, accommodations, interventions, supports, the special education process, the Response to Intervention process and more. Our goal is to provide you with the tools you need to serve exceptional students enrolled in CTE courses more effectively. Upon successful completion of the course which includes submission of homework, participants will receive an ADE certificate for 15 professional development clock hours which equates to one (1) semester hour of coursework.

This engaging course was crafted for middle school educators who want to inspire students about career literacy and Career and Technical Education (CTE). Over the course of this multi-day session together, we will explore the CTE delivery model and how it can be incorporated at the middle school level, integrate the eCTE professional skills standards with core academic standards, and design an implementation plan for your school. This is a unique session: the first two days will be all-day sessions, and the third will be a mix of career literacy sessions you chose during the conference sessions.

This session gives Arizona teachers a relaxed, accessible introduction to the basics of mining and its role in everyday life. Participants will learn how mining works, the materials produced in Arizona, and the wide range of high‑quality career pathways the industry offers. The session also highlights how mining connects to safety, communities, the environment, and the economy, helping educators build confidence in discussing these topics with students. Attending teachers will receive a copy of the presentation for classroom use. The presenter is also an exhibitor.

3 different classes for 2 different levels of teachers. The full day 2 session class is going for beginners in pipe bending and electrical wiring. the half-day session is for more in depth with pipe bending and some wiring with the more experience teacher.

3 different classes for 2 different levels of teachers. The full day 2 session class is going for beginners in pipe bending and electrical wiring. the half-day session is for more in depth with pipe bending and some wiring with the more experience teacher.

This session introduces CTE educators to the Animal Decontamination Certification (ADC), an Arizona Department of Education A–F approved credential for Law & Public Safety, Veterinary Science, and Agriculture pathways. Participants will experience a condensed, interactive overview of the certification, including responder safety, contamination zones, PPE selection, animal handling, documentation, and cross-pathway collaboration. The session demonstrates how animal decontamination concepts can be integrated into CTE classrooms to build real-world skills in emergency response, biosecurity, animal welfare, and community safety. Educators will explore curriculum structure, assessment design, and implementation models, and examine how the certification supports pathway completion, CTSO participation, and measurable student outcomes. Presented by a certification provider for informational and professional learning purposes.

Camp M&M (Mentors & Mentees) is a full-day, conference experience designed specifically for CTE administrators at all stages of leadership. This interactive session focuses on mentorship, collaboration, and practical leadership strategies to support both new and experienced directors. Participants will engage in meaningful discussions, share best practices, and build professional networks that extend well beyond the conference. Participants are also encouraged to attend additional ACOVA sessions during the conference, including the Business Meeting and Critical Issues in CTE.

What dangers may be lurking in your venue? Come learn the top ten unsafe things we commonly see when we do inspections and how to make them safer. Includes all areas of technical theater and has some great photos of both what to do and what not to do. This session is great for teachers, administrators and venue managers as well as performers.

Best Practices, Skill-Building, and Classroom-Tested Ideas for Production-Based Learning! This Educator Exchange brings film & television production and digital animation instructors together for a collaborative sharing experience focused on lessons, activities, and instructional strategies that succeed in real production-based classrooms. Participants will exchange ideas for teaching storytelling, camera operation, audio, editing, and crew collaboration while navigating time, equipment, and team dynamics. To support a meaningful exchange, attendees are encouraged to actively participate and to share one or more classroom-tested resources drawn from their own programs. Participants will be invited to submit a resource prior to the conference to help spark discussion and idea sharing. Every educator’s experience—new or veteran—contributes to the success of this session.

This half-day seminar, designed for high school Photography teachers, explores black-and-white photography and editing—one of the most teachable visual disciplines. Monochrome strips images to essentials, sharpening students’ grasp of light, form, contrast, and storytelling—skills that enhance all design work. Rick Burress breaks down techniques from masters like Ansel Adams, Richard Avedon, Joel Grimes, and Platon, delivering clear, classroom-ready methods for Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and Camera Raw. Topics include shooting with monochrome intent, powerful color-to-B&W conversions, mastering shadows/highlights/contrast, the three qualities of light, metering, high-key/low-key, Gestalt principles, and eye magnets. Editing focuses on non-destructive workflows, dodge & burn, histograms/curves, conversion sliders, and shortcuts for consistent looks. Includes samples, handouts, and step-by-step guides.

Explore with Siemens, cutting-edge engineering education that is transforming today’s CTE classrooms. This session begins with an introduction to emerging initiatives that strengthen high-quality engineering pathways and workforce readiness across schools. Siemens will showcase its Pathway to Learning Engineering (PLE) suite — a comprehensive, project-based curriculum co-developed by Siemens engineering experts and educators. These resources challenge students to collaborate on authentic design problems and prepare for industry-recognized certifications in NX X Essentials and Siemens Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). Participants will learn how to access the curriculum, secure academic software licenses, explore professional development opportunities, and register students for certification exams. The session concludes with a hands-on activity simulating the student experience, offering a practical look at how these tools can be implemented in any classroom to foster innovation and career readiness.

See how my Film and TV students turned a simple idea into The Masked Coyote — our school’s take on The Masked Singer. This student-led project combined live action, motion graphics, and event coverage, giving every student a real production role. I’ll share how we organized the teams, managed limited resources, and kept creativity at the center while meeting CTE standards. Walk away with ideas and templates to launch your own large-scale media project.

This Educator Exchange brings together instructors who teach Rural Health Science programs to share lessons, activities, and instructional strategies grounded in authentic experiences. Participants will exchange approaches for teaching Health Science standards. The exchanged lessons may also include strategies to teach teamwork, leadership, and accountability. Attendees are encouraged to actively participate and to share one or more classroom-tested resources from their own programs. Participants will be invited to submit a resource prior to the conference to help spark discussion and idea sharing. Each educator’s contributions play a vital role in the success of this collaborative session. This session is for Health Science teachers who could not attend any other Educator Exchange session.

As Career and Technical Education continues to evolve, industry-aligned micro-credentials have become essential for validating the real-world skills students need to succeed. JA Inspire now offers a growing collection of student-friendly digital badges within the interactive JA Inspire Studio, each tied to core employability, career exploration, and professional readiness competencies. In this session, participants will explore the full JA Inspire micro-credential ecosystem, including badges focused on soft skills, career navigation, resume readiness, and workplace professionalism. Attendees will learn how these stackable achievements help students demonstrate mastery across middle school exploration, high school CTE programs, and work-based learning experiences. The session also includes a hands-on activity in which CTE educators will earn a mock JA Inspire badge using the same criteria and reflection prompts their students complete. Educators will leave with a clearer understanding of how micro-credentials can fit seamlessly into advisory periods, CTSO activities, and CTE assessments, and how JA Inspire strengthens the real-world readiness work already happening in Arizona classrooms.

As demand grows for access to high-quality career-connected learning, schools must rethink traditional internship models that limit participation and strain industry capacity. This session highlights a micro-internship approach that expands student access to meaningful, credit-bearing experiences while engaging a broader range of industry partners through short, project-based commitments. Attendees will learn how this model aligns student learning with workforce demand, strengthens industry partnerships, and supports pathways that prepare students for postsecondary success.

This session will cover the basics of measurement and the application of quality standards used in Precision Machining. The session will include information on measurement standards, blueprint reading, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and various hand tools used to verify part conformance. This session is designed for individuals with little to no knowledge of these topics, as well as those with some knowledge who wish to learn more or have questions about the subject. An assortment of hand inspection tools will be available for individuals to use and become more familiar with.

Bruce will share about important changes going on in ADE. The AZFFA Foundation will also be sharing about exciting opportunities for the foundation. Lastly, join us an overview of the different committees AATA has and how you can make a positive impact on one!

This workshop introduces designers to the neuroscience behind effective visual communication. Participants will learn how the brain processes visual information and how to apply these insights to graphic design decisions. The session covers visual hierarchy, typography, color theory, and layout techniques through a science-informed lens that makes design more intentional and impactful.

Help your students move from “I have an idea…” to clear, confident communication. This practical, teacher-friendly session focuses on simple, repeatable ways to teach brainstorming, storyboarding, and content planning in any classroom. Learn how to guide students step-by-step through organizing their thoughts, shaping a strong beginning–middle–end, and creating content that actually connects with a real audience. We’ll share easy frameworks, classroom activities, and tools you can use right away — whether you teach media, marketing, design, or another CTE pathway. If you want students who think more clearly, plan before they create, and present their ideas with confidence, this workshop will give you approachable strategies that make storytelling easier to teach — and more fun to learn.

Come to this session to learn how to use CanvaAI to design engaging, standards-aligned WBL simulation games that let students practice job tasks, decision-making, safety, soft skills, and industry-specific problem solving.

This Educator Exchange brings together instructors who teach Pharmacy Support Services and Medical Records Technologist programs to share lessons, activities, and instructional strategies grounded in authentic experiences. Participants will exchange approaches for teaching Pharmacy Support Services and Medical Records Technologist standards. The exchanged lessons may also include strategies to teach teamwork, leadership, and accountability. Attendees are encouraged to actively participate and to share one or more classroom-tested resources from their own programs. Participants will be invited to submit a resource prior to the conference to help spark discussion and idea sharing. Each educator’s contributions play a vital role in the success of this collaborative session.

AI is no longer a future topic—it’s already reshaping how students edit, design, and think creatively. This seminar is built for high school Photoshop teachers who want to confidently understand and teach Adobe’s newest AI‑powered tools. Join Rick Burress for an educator‑focused walkthrough of the latest AI features in Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and Adobe Camera Raw, including Generative Fill with partner models (Gemini, FLUX), Generative Expand, Harmonize, and new upscaling tools. Learn how these features work, where they shine or fail, and why students often struggle. Beyond the “wow factor,” the session emphasizes instructional clarity, ethics, and professional judgment—how to explain AI’s probabilistic nature, set realistic expectations, and teach when AI supports learning and when it undermines craftsmanship. You’ll see how modern AI tools integrate with traditional workflows, along with common student mistakes, quality‑control habits, and classroom-ready strategies. Bonus: attendees receive 400+ ready‑to‑use AI prompts to immediately support classroom instruction!

AI is transforming the world of Business and Marketing. CTE teachers plan curriculum with limited resources, design custom lessons and stay on top of new industry trends while juggling all the classroom responsibilities behind the scenes. Join Andrea, Business & Marketing Curriculum Specialist, and Michelle, AI Strategist, for an exciting session packed with interactive learning and engaging projects and games for your classrooms. The best part? Teachers attending the session receive a FREE digital package with all the AI tools and classroom resources you need to level up your lessons along with promotional campaigns for your school to make you a Rock Star with admin! Laptops are required to practice with AI tools that will help your students design professional quality content and calendars for social media campaigns. As we wrap up, have fun competing with your peers to win prizes while learning about internships opportunities for your students.

This session provides training from ADE to help district data reporters prepare for the FY27 reporting year. Attendees will learn the upload process and requirements for submitting CTSO and Work-Based Learning data in the CTE Data Portal.

Join us to hear directly from experienced teachers as they share how to create and sustain a successful school‑based enterprise and offer practical strategies for teaching plant science in the classroom.

This workshop teaches creative professionals how to integrate instructional design principles into their visual work. Participants will explore cognitive load theory, learning psychology, and how design choices impact comprehension and retention. The session provides practical frameworks for creating work that is both visually compelling and functionally effective for teaching and communication.

The Benson Unified CTE Staff will design a strategic and action plan for the upcoming school year to include, but not limited to, Performance Measures, CTE Assessments, and other CTE related items. Only BUSD CTE staff should register for this workshop.

The SAMA certification from SolidWorks is an excellent entry-level, industry-recognized credential that students can earn. In this session, we will cover the knowledge and skills required to successfully pass the certification exam, and you will take the exam as part of the workshop. All instructional materials and content used in the course will be provided for classroom use, allowing you to incorporate them directly into your curriculum with your students.

The specific title for the second day of a Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) qualification often depends on the governing code (such as AWS D1.1) or the specific training curriculum. Commonly used titles for the second stage or day of testing include: Destructive Testing and Evaluation: Focuses on the physical testing of the weld coupons created on Day 1, such as bend tests or macro-etching. Out-of-Position Qualification: If Day 1 covered flat or horizontal welds, Day 2 often focuses on Vertical (3G) or Overhead (4G) positions to complete an "all-position" certification. Examination and Visual Inspection: A formal review where a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) evaluates the surface quality, height, and potential defects like undercut or slag inclusions.

New yearbook advisers often overextend themselves by trying to oversee every task, solve every problem and catch every mistake. While well-intentioned, this approach quickly becomes unsustainable. In this session, a 20+ year yearbook adviser shares what they wish they had known early on about streamlining their role. The focus is on adviser-level strategies that reduce friction and decision fatigue, including how to set clear systems, simplify workflows, and structure responsibility so the book continues moving forward without constant adviser intervention. Attendees will leave with practical ideas for clarifying their role, tightening processes and building a yearbook program that runs more efficiently while still maintaining high standards.

Enjoy a relaxing, beginner-friendly yoga class designed for every body, then learn how to adapt simple poses and breathing techniques to create calm, focus, and connection in your classroom. Perfect for all experience levels, participants will learn basic breathing exercises and yoga poses that can be easily tailored for the classroom setting. Be invigorated with a 45-minute yoga class followed by 45-minutes of practical tips and mindful movement strategies you can take back to your students to cultivate a more positive, centered learning atmosphere. No equipment is required, though participants are welcome to bring a yoga mat or towel if they’d like to engage in light floor work.

Discover how to transform your CTE classroom with AI tools that save time, enhance student engagement, and streamline lesson planning, all while preserving your personal time. In this hands-on session, we’ll explore how to use ChatGPT to feed into Gamma and then finalize with Curipod. All through the process, demonstrating practical ways to integrate these cutting-edge tools into your teaching practice. Designed specifically for educators in Allied Health, you’ll leave with ready-to-implement strategies that maximize classroom efficiency and boost student engagement.

This session will provide you with a strategy to get your students thinking before they even walk in your door! Each weekday you have a way to challenge their brains, get focused, and prepare them to take in the content you have for them that day. This is a hands-on session, practicing the strategy, so you can take it back and immediately use it in your classroom!

This presentation explores the essential components of high-quality Medical Assistant education, emphasizing the importance of validated assessments, meaningful externship experiences, and comprehensive, industry-aligned skills checklists. Participants will gain practical insight into how these elements work together to produce competent, confident, and workforce-ready Medical Assistants.

This is a 1 day course - CTE courses are driven by student-created projects. Rubrics are an evaluation tool that can increase the quality of those student projects while simultaneously giving the teacher a quicker, fairer way to assess their quality. Come to this workshop with one or two student projects that you would like to assess more easily, and you will leave with an excellent rubric that you personalized for your classroom and the confidence and skills to create additional rubrics for the other student projects in your curriculum. Upon successful completion of the course which includes submission of homework, participants will receive an ADE certificate for 15 professional development clock hours which equates to one (1) semester hour of coursework.

This is a 2 day course - This course is an introduction to the design and use of CTE curriculum. In this highly engaging course teachers will focus on the design and delivery of relevant and engaging lessons. Special emphasis is placed on active participation strategies, a strong introduction to each lesson, clear and appropriate objective(s), a variety of ways to meet the objective(s), and closure to assess learning. These strategies will be woven across the entire workshop. All participants whose districts are members of the AZ CTE Curriculum Consortium and who complete both days of this workshop will receive password-protected access to the Curriculum Connection with its 3500+ bank of outstanding lesson plans for more than 20 CTE programs written by Arizona CTE teachers. This course is excellent for every teacher. Ace your next evaluation! Upon successful completion of the course participants will receive an ADE certificate for 15 professional development clock hours which equates to one (1) semester hour of coursework.

Unlock the power of work-based learning (WBL)! This practical workshop guides you through the essential steps of establishing and maintaining robust WBL programs, from campus-wide initiatives to classroom-based experiences. Learn actionable strategies for setup, monitoring, and ensuring program quality. Participants will gain tangible resources applicable across diverse educational settings, including templates and frameworks, engage in interactive activities and leave equipped to implement and scale impactful WBL opportunities for student success.

In this interactive session, by the Arizona Mining Association, participants will explore Dig a Little Deeper, a free virtual lab from the free Dig Into Mining curriculum, where students take on the roles of a geologist, environmental scientist, and mining engineer. Working together, they study data and recommend the best location for a copper mine, considering environmental and economic impacts. The session highlights how real-world problems rely on multidisciplinary collaboration and critical thinking - connecting science, math, engineering, and technology. Educators will receive practical tools and strategies to bring this engaging lesson into their classrooms. Presenter is an exhibitor, sharing free mining education resources.

This is a 1-day course: Whether in a welding lab or a bioscience lab, effective demonstrations are crucial. If done correctly every student can successfully perform the new skill with little or no frustration, without wasted materials, and attain proficiency in a way that will ensure the whole class progresses at an appropriate pace. This is a real career extender! When you are successful in the lab, and the students are successful in the lab, teaching can be very rewarding. An added bonus is that students complete the new skill in a safe environment. Come and learn this four-part demonstration method. Upon successful completion of the course (which includes submission of homework, participants will receive an ADE certificate for 15 professional development clock hours which equates to one (1) semester hour of coursework.

Discover how Teen Court provides students with real-world legal experience while developing critical skills like public speaking, leadership, and collaboration. This session will show attendees how to implement or enhance Teen Court programs as a high-impact work-based learning opportunity in Law and Public Safety education. Teen Court is a student-led program where young people serve as attorneys, jurors, and judges for real cases involving their peers, giving students hands-on experience in the justice system. Attendees will explore practical strategies to connect Teen Court to curriculum goals, track meaningful student outcomes, and engage students in authentic, career-ready experiences. The session includes interactive discussions, real case examples, and hands-on activities that simulate courtroom roles. By the end, attendees will leave with actionable tools to bring Teen Court into their programs and prepare tomorrow’s justice leaders.

Discover the latest advancements and resources in agricultural education with iCEV! This engaging workshop will showcase iCEV's newest courses, industry certifications and offerings designed to empower educators and enhance student success. Join us for an interactive experience where you'll dive into iCEV's upcoming lab and design challenges, designed to bring real-world applications into the classroom. This hands-on component will allow you to explore how these lab challenges can be integrated into your curriculum to elevate student engagement and skill development. We will also explore Credit for Prior Learning and how it can benefit you and your students. Presenter is an exhibitor.

Best Practices, Skill-Building, and Classroom-Tested Ideas for Real-World Publishing! This Educator Exchange brings together instructors who teach digital communications and yearbook courses to share lessons, activities, and instructional strategies grounded in authentic, publication-based classroom experiences. Participants will exchange approaches for teaching storytelling, writing, photography, layout, teamwork, and production while managing deadlines, leadership, and accountability. Attendees are encouraged to actively participate and to share one or more classroom-tested resources from their own programs. Participants will be invited to submit a resource prior to the conference to help spark discussion and idea sharing. Each educator’s contributions play a vital role in the success of this collaborative session.

This half-day seminar targets high school Graphic Design and Photoshop teachers tired of “I lost my file,” “It didn’t save,” or constant restarts. Learn to teach professional habits that prevent chaos: clear naming conventions, logical folder structures, simple versioning, and non-destructive workflows using Smart Objects, adjustment layers, and linked assets. Show students why pros avoid “flatten and pray” so they can experiment fearlessly. Discover high-impact keyboard shortcuts, common timewasters, and fixes that speed work without sacrificing quality. Includes live demos, real classroom examples, handouts, and step-by-step how-to's ready for your lessons. Gain tools and strategies to boost efficiency, confidence, and professional discipline—while keeping your sanity intact.

We will do the AAEPEI review process, which provides AG ED teachers with an opportunity to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their programs. This is accomplished through collecting evidence that highlights all the amazing things your program does within a binder. Benefits of participating in this session and building your binder include: facilitating an efficient way for your school administrators to evaluate all the great things you already do with your program, learning about what other programs do that may be applicable to your own program, and networking with fellow agricultural educators in Arizona.

This 3 hour, hands-on workshop is designed for vocational construction instructors, combining foundational solar theory (how it works) with practical installation techniques. The session is structured to be "classroom-ready" allowing teachers to take the activities and knowledge directly to their students.

This session is designed for instructors who teach courses with a clinical component. Participants will explore how to create hands-on events that build students’ communication skills, professionalism, and confidence. The session also highlights how inviting community members, legislators, parents, and other partners can provide students with valuable real‑world practice in a supportive, authentic setting.

Teaching Story-Driven Reporting: Coverage & Theme in Yearbook Journalism is a professional development course designed for CTE teachers and student publication advisers who guide yearbook, journalism, or media programs. This course focuses on how to teach students to move beyond surface-level coverage and into meaningful reporting that captures both the historical significance and personal experience of a school year. Participants will learn instructional strategies that help students think creatively about coverage, develop strong storytelling habits, and intentionally connect reporting to theme. The course emphasizes yearbook as both a historical record and a deeply personal document, reflecting the voices, moments, and emotions of a school community.

Artificial Intelligence is transforming education. At West-MEC, we're strategically integrating this technology to provide Mock Interviews and expand access to authentic work-based learning experiences. Through our implementation of Immersive Solutions MetaCoach AI technology in our Medical Assistant and Aesthetics programs, we're pioneering a scalable approach to hands-on career preparation. Our initiative will show how AI can access immersive learning through interactive training, virtual workplace scenarios, and 3D modeling of professional environments. By bringing traditionally external experiences inside our classrooms, we can create a blueprint for equitable access to career preparation – particularly in rural communities and programs facing clinical site shortages. Join us for an interactive demonstration and explore how AI-enabled learning environments could help your program scale quality Mock Interviews and work-based learning opportunities. Experience the technology firsthand and discover how emerging tools can break down barriers while maintaining industry standards.

New to teaching Photography and/or Film & TV? We’ve all been there. Join us for practical strategies to make your transition into these CTE classes smoother and less stressful. We’ll cover classroom management, how to start the year off strong (especially if you’re using Mac computers!), and effective ways to introduce camera basics in your classroom.

Is it difficult for your students to stay focused and avoid distractions? Do they struggle with managing their emotions or effectively planning how to complete a task? Self-regulation instruction and practice can help students learn to break down tasks, minimize emotional reactions to challenges, and improve their ability to sustain attention. By learning and practicing self-regulation, students improve their academic success and advance their success in postsecondary endeavors. The College & Career Competencies Project, in partnership with ADE, supports educators in developing self-regulation in their students. In this session, participants will learn research-based Self-Regulation Strategies and practice using the Self-Regulation Performance-Based Observation, a tool for monitoring students’ growth in self-regulation. By attending this session, participants will gain access to free resources to support their self-regulation instruction, like student videos, instructional activities, assessments, individual student supports resources, and family engagement materials.

Join ADE and CTE Stakeholders for the first CTE Administrators meeting of the new school year! Meet your ADE/CTE Staff and find out what's new or improved in CTE! All CTE Secondary and Postsecondary Administrators and CTED Superintendents should attend this informative session! Recommended for all New and Experienced CTE Administrators and Directors.

Teachers share their best ideas in the categories of Classroom Instructions, SAE, and CTSO. Prizes are awarded for the top three entries in each category. Entries must be entered electronically prior to the workshop.

Join us as we put together tools and ideas to help advocate for our program and needs to our administrators and local community.

Teaching Visual Journalism: Photography for Yearbook is a professional development course designed for CTE teachers and student publication advisers who teach or support yearbook, journalism, or media programs. This course equips educators with the instructional strategies, curriculum frameworks, and practical tools needed to teach photography effectively within a publication-driven environment. Participants will explore how to teach foundational photography skills, guide students in creating intentional and varied coverage, and design authentic learning experiences that support yearbook and journalism outcomes. Emphasis is placed on accessibility, engagement, and real-world application so educators can confidently implement photography instruction with diverse student skill levels.

Pieces of Me – The essential starting point of making connections with others is a solid sense of self. In this session you will walk through the seven pieces of who you are by looking at where you’ve been, the place you find yourself in now, and what you see ahead of you. We’ll walk through the entire strategy together so you can immediately apply it to both your personal and professional endeavors. Pieces of You – As we make connections, giving and receiving feedback naturally becomes part of that working relationship. In this session you’ll walk through a strategy that will help you and your students to give and receive supportive feedback. You’ll be able to immediately apply this strategy in your classroom as well as apply it to personal and professional relationships.

Unlock the Career and Technical Education potential for students with disabilities through interagency collaborative partnerships and cooperation transition planning between Students, Families, Special Education, Educators, Vocational Rehabilitation and others. Empower students with the supports, knowledge and skills to build a self determined career while understanding the steps they need to take for successful career development. Learn how to partner for early engagement in pre-employment transition activities like job exploration counseling and fostering self-advocacy skills to complement school provided activities. Learn about some of the partners available that can provide pathways and resources to develop a student’s skills in career development areas like advocating for their needs, understanding the demands of various job environments, evaluating educational institutions and opportunities, and help students understand their unique strengths. Discuss how an interagency approach can affect the outcomes of students with disabilities in Career and Technical Education.

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Educator Exchange brings together instructors who teach all JROTC programs to share lessons, activities, and instructional strategies grounded in authentic experiences. Participants will exchange approaches for teaching terminology, practices, and other JROTC Driven Standards. The exchanged lessons may also include strategies to teach teamwork, leadership, and accountability. Attendees are encouraged to actively participate and to share one or more classroom-tested resources from their own programs. Participants will be invited to submit a resource prior to the conference to help spark discussion and idea sharing. Each educator’s contributions play a vital role in the success of this collaborative session.

What does it look like when counselors and teachers become the steady support for students whose lives are shaped by constant change? How do we ensure military-connected students feel seen, understood, and empowered to pursue meaningful career pathways? What does it truly mean to be a nationally recognized Purple Star School through ADE—and how can that commitment transform school culture beyond a designation? How might deeper partnerships with military representatives, military-connected families and staff, and community organizations open doors to CTE career pathways that engage every student? In what ways can CTE certifications and technical skills translate into real military career advancement and increased pay, giving students clarity and confidence in their future? And how do we, as educators, respond with empathy and intention to the unique demands military-connected families face so that every student feels supported, valued, and prepared for what comes next?

The State 48 Graduate Profile was developed by a coalition of educators, business leaders, and community members. This collaborative framework represents a unified definition of student readiness. Essential human and workforce skills prepare K-12 students for career, college, career, and community life. It serves as a blueprint to strengthen instruction and bridge technical skills with durable, adaptable competencies. The profile connects technical skill attainment (taught in CTE) and is aligned to the AZ CTE Professional Skills Standards. State 48 Graduate Profile can strengthen instruction, support student readiness, and ensure graduates are prepared for their future success. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the profile's framework, where they can be demonstrated within the CTE standards, and learn how to highlight these vital connections in daily teaching and learning.

This fast-paced, hands-on half-day seminar is crafted for high school teachers of Graphic Design, Photography, and Visual Communications using Adobe tools. Gain practical, time-saving tips and best practices across Photoshop, Bridge, Lightroom Classic, Camera Raw, InDesign, and After Effects. Focus on efficiency, organization, and professional habits that prepare students for real-world success. Live demos use real samples, with clear handouts and step-by-step how-tos ready for your classroom. Tackle common challenges: tight schedules, mixed abilities, and shifting students from button-pushers to intentional designers. Examine AI’s impact on teaching, creativity, and careers—while blending it with timeless fundamentals. Leave with actionable ideas, resources, and stronger Adobe workflow knowledge for confident, effective instruction.

Jobs EQ is a market labor data tool provided to Perkins entities free of charge. Labor market information is a critical component in planning, designing, and implementing high-quality CTE programs. Come learn how to use live labor market data to help shape the decisions and outcomes of your district!

This session provides an ADE-led overview of CTE data reporting in the CTE Data Portal. Designed for novice and intermediate users, it prepares attendees for the FY27 reporting year by covering key processes, requirements, and best practices.

Career readiness isn’t just about knowing where you want to go—it’s about being prepared to get there. This session showcases how embedding financial literacy and the Earn to Learn model into CTE programs can boost student engagement, confidence, and long-term success. Participants will explore digital tools, advising frameworks, and partnership strategies that elevate career literacy while fostering responsible savings behaviors and informed decision-making. We will share examples of how Arizona schools and partners are leveraging matched savings, scholarship alignment, and early financial education to help students access postsecondary pathways with reduced debt and more clarity about their future.

Join us for the NAVIT CTED Only Welcome Session as we kick off the 2026 Connection Conference! This informal gathering is designed to greet our NAVIT CTED attendees and set the tone for an impactful week of learning and collaboration. This session will bring together NAVIT CTED educators and staff for a brief yet meaningful connection before the full conference begins. Come ready to engage, be inspired, and align around our shared mission for the year ahead.

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Step into an engaging virtual robotics platform designed to help students build real programming and problem-solving skills through gamified learning. Built for K–12 classrooms, this online solution offers multiple levels of challenge to support differentiated instruction and meet students at their individual skill levels. The platform is easy for teachers to implement, requires minimal setup, and provides structured lessons that support STEM and CTE learning goals. Students stay motivated through interactive challenges while educators gain a powerful tool to introduce coding, robotics concepts, and critical thinking skills that align with workforce readiness initiatives.

This session provides a practical, real-world learning opportunity for CTE Construction teachers to explore current industry practices related to electrical service entrance panels, grounding and bonding, conductor sizing, overcurrent protection, and load calculations in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC). Participants will examine how to perform basic residential load calculations, including general lighting loads, small-appliance and laundry circuits, demand factors, and service sizing using NEC methodology. This session also highlights how electrical concepts are taught, applied, and aligned with CTE standards and workforce expectations, supporting classroom instruction, lab activities, and apprenticeship pathways. This session is designed specifically to support CTE Construction and Electrical educators, and is hands-on and instructional. Attendees must wear closed-toe shoes suitable for a lab or training environment.

In today’s consumer-driven world, students are constantly encouraged to spend but rarely taught how to make wise financial decisions. This interactive session equips middle school CTE teachers with ready-to-use activities that introduce essential money concepts through real-world scenarios which can be integrated into exploratory or life-skills courses. Participants will walk away with practical tools and strategies to help students build a strong foundation for financial responsibility long before their first paycheck.

Career and Technical Education professionals are uniquely positioned to shape the future of schools, not only through instruction, but through leadership. This session is designed for CTE professionals who are curious about, preparing for, or actively pursuing school administration roles and want to amplify their impact on students beyond the classroom. Participants will explore how the strengths that define high-quality CTE: real-world relevance, deep industry and community partnerships, and an unwavering focus on student success translate directly into effective, future-ready school leadership. Through reflection and practical examples, attendees will examine why CTE educators make strong administrators, how a workforce-readiness mindset strengthens whole-school outcomes, and how to leverage the credibility and results of CTE to lead with confidence, clarity, and vision.

This is for creatives who would like to learn about Blender and get an introduction to the opportunities of 3D software. Attendees would receive digital notes about how to use Blender Basics, and introductory tutorials.

Does grading color and layout ever feel like a battle of opinions? Let’s take the guesswork out of the lab by leaning into the "science of seeing." This workshop offers a warm, step-by-step roadmap to mastering design software through the lens of teachable models that students can easily grasp. We’ll explore how Gestalt principles, design principles, and professional color models provide students with proven structures to build upon. By giving them these logical frameworks, you empower them to justify their own creative choices and fix "quirky" designs with confidence. You will leave with a clear, professional vocabulary to make your feedback more constructive and your students' portfolios more professional.

In this interactive session, we’ll explore strategies to strengthen CTE classrooms and labs to boost student success, enhance focus and motivation, and support diverse learning needs while meeting industry expectations. Participants will also gain a clear, teacher-friendly understanding of ADA, Section 504, and IDEA, and learn how these laws impact credentialing, safety, accommodations, and everyday teaching practices.

With simple starting points to leverage AI in your classroom, join AZSTRUT as they show you some of the ins and outs of where to start. This session breaks down essential AI tools, shows real classroom applications, and helps teachers avoid common risks so they can use AI with confidence.

Educator Exchange brings together instructors who teach Law and Public Service (LPS) programs to share lessons, activities, and instructional strategies grounded in authentic experiences. Participants will exchange approaches for teaching terminology, practices, and other LPS standards. The exchanged lessons may also include strategies to teach teamwork, leadership, and accountability. Attendees are encouraged to actively participate and to share one or more classroom-tested resources from their own programs. Participants will be invited to submit a resource prior to the conference to help spark discussion and idea sharing. Each educator’s contributions play a vital role in the success of this collaborative session.

Explore the latest technological advancements transforming the welding industry. This session highlights the rising adoption of collaborative robots (Co‑Bots) and the rapid emergence of handheld laser welding systems, offering insight into how these innovations are reshaping workflows, improving precision, and expanding what’s possible in modern welding environments.

During this interactive session, counselors, career specialists, and district leaders will explore practical strategies to strengthen fair, equitable recruitment and enrollment in CTE programs. Participants will gain actionable tools and processes that empower schools to connect learners with high-quality CTE. Leave equipped to support ALL students in confidently pursuing their Faster Way Forward toward career and postsecondary success.

Join the Arizona Department of Education for an interactive session designed to bring the secondary transition plan’s course of study to life for students with disabilities. This session will clarify how to create a meaningful, individualized course of study that promotes skill development and growth aligned to each student’s future goals. Through real-world examples and collaborative discussion, you’ll discover how to connect student schedules, transition goals, and activities into a cohesive plan. Learn practical strategies for tailoring coursework pathways throughout high school to support successful postsecondary outcomes.

This session highlights a scenario-based, semester-long project designed for sports medicine courses, with the flexibility to be adapted for any healthcare class. The three-part project guides students through the process of working with a simulated client, requiring them to develop appropriate workouts, treatments, and recommendations. Through this experience, students build critical thinking and decision-making skills that closely mirror real-world professional practice.

This Educator Exchange brings together instructors who teach Bioscience programs to share lessons, activities, and instructional strategies grounded in authentic experiences. Participants will exchange approaches for teaching Bioscience standards. The exchanged lessons may also include strategies to teach teamwork, leadership, and accountability. Attendees are encouraged to actively participate and to share one or more classroom-tested resources from their own programs. Participants will be invited to submit a resource prior to the conference to help spark discussion and idea sharing. Each educator’s contributions play a vital role in the success of this collaborative session.

Join this session to learn simple, practical ways to respond when a test shows your students’ performance is not meeting industry expectations. We will start by looking at what your results tell you in combination with what classroom observations add. Together these results give a clearer picture about how responding to results is both an art and a science. Then we will show easy, classroom ready ways to act on that information. The main activity uses realistic CTE data scenarios: work in small teams to read results, pick responses, create a one week plan, and leave with steps you can use right away. Great for CTE teachers who want straightforward, usable strategies to help students improve.

Join ADE/CTE for updates and an overview of sessions provided for school counselors and related staff. We encourage you to come network with your fellow school counselors before the day begins. Grab some breakfast and join us for a warm welcome!

This is a 1 day course - The CTE Delivery Model is THE premier educational system for all students. CTE Essentials will give you an overview of each of the four components of this outstanding model, and allow you time to process how you can incorporate each element into all of your instructional units as you plan your program’s calendar. It will also provide some insight into the many roles a CTE teacher plays in the course of any school day, where to find support to meet those expectations, and how to transition between each of them. CTE Essentials is truly a must have course for the teacher who is looking to build a strong program for students. Upon successful completion of the course which includes submission of homework, participants will receive an ADE certificate for 15 professional development clock hours which equates to one (1) semester hour of coursework.

This session coaches teachers to allow time for students to think critically, use estimation strategies, apply modeling techniques, and foster collaboration. Real-world CTE scenarios require proficient problem-solving skills. Teachers are encouraged to use the AZ CTE Professional Skills to integrate strategies by designing relevant thinking activities, assessing understanding through diverse methods, and developing individualized student goals to enhance performance. Modelled activities include unpacking program specific math that allow students to really think through practical problems.

This session explores the concept of “leading up”—the ability to influence, communicate, and advocate effectively with supervisors and decision-makers. Educators and administrators will learn practical strategies for presenting ideas clearly, respectfully, and confidently while building trust and navigating organizational dynamics. The session reinforces that strong ideas have value regardless of title and that leadership influence is not limited to formal authority. Through real-world examples and reflection, participants will gain perspective, resilience, and tools to lead with purpose during times of change. Drawing from established leadership research and professional experience, this session supports growth at every level of leadership.

Are you new to Career and Technical Education (CTE) and feeling overwhelmed by all the acronyms, programs, and ideas at the ACTEAZ Connection Conference? This session is designed just for you! We’ll break down the essentials of CTE, help you make sense of what you’ve learned, and give you practical strategies to take back to your classroom or program. You’ll leave with actionable steps, a clear roadmap for success, and—most importantly—a network of peers from across Arizona who can support you throughout the year. Whether you’re a teacher, counselor, or administrator, this session will empower you to start strong and thrive as a CTE professional.

This session is perfect for educators who want to strengthen CTSO integration without overwhelming their schedules. By focusing on three straightforward steps - understanding the value of CTSOs, building student buy-in, and increasing engagement - this course will help you foster a vibrant CTSO culture in your classroom that keeps students motivated and involved all year long. You'll leave with the confidence and resources to implement new strategies that will make a real difference for your students and their CTSO experience.

Join us AVID and eCTE to learn new strategies to boost middle school career exploration education. Gain instruction strategies to build relational capacity, self awareness, and communication skills in students.Review resources for creating interest inventories, portfolios, and individualized paths, linking learning to real-world careers, and improving instructional/relational skills for higher engagement, ultimately leading to better student discovery of interests, skills, and future options.

Best Practices, Skill-Building, and Classroom-Tested Ideas for Teaching Visual Storytelling! This Educator Exchange connects digital photography instructors in a collaborative environment centered on sharing lessons, activities, and teaching strategies that have proven effective in CTE classrooms. Participants will exchange ideas for teaching composition, lighting, camera control, editing, critique, and creative problem-solving across a range of student skill levels. Attendees are encouraged to actively participate and to share one or more classroom-tested resources drawn from their own teaching experience. Participants will be invited to submit a resource prior to the conference to help seed discussion and idea sharing. The session is designed to support both new and experienced educators through shared practice and peer learning.

Join the ATIEA for the return of the New Teacher Survival Series! This session begins with a panel discussion featuring ATIEA members at different levels of experience in teaching a CTE program. After the panel discussion, breakout sessions will be focused on CTE content areas including CTSOs.

Discover innovative ways to strengthen your college and career counseling programs by connecting Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways with postsecondary opportunities—both locally and across the nation! This engaging session will share proven strategies for developing lasting relationships with colleges and universities, increasing on-campus visits from institutions nationwide, and enhancing your students’ exposure to a wide range of postsecondary options. Participants will explore how Valley Vista High School has successfully built meaningful partnerships with higher education institutions and developed programs that empower students to transition seamlessly from high school to college and career success. Learn how to replicate these models in your own schools to create sustainable, student-centered college pathways that expand opportunity and access.

Join us as we tour local agriculture business in Tucson!

Apprenticeships are shaping the workforce of tomorrow. Learn how hands-on training, mentorship, and real-world experience through this statewide program open paths into high-demand construction trades—and discover how you can be part of creating these career opportunities for your students and early-career professionals.

This session highlights how intentional partnerships between industry, secondary and postsecondary CTE programs can create clear, structured pathways into registered apprenticeships and entry-level employment. Participants will explore effective strategies for partnering with CTE programs to develop and strengthen pre-apprenticeship opportunities aligned with industry needs. Attendees are encouraged to bring examples from their own programs or organizations to support discussion and shared learning. We will examine key components of successful pre-apprenticeship models, including curriculum alignment, employability skills, safety training, industry-recognized credentials, work-based learning, and articulation to apprenticeship programs. This session is provided at no cost to attendees and is designed to support CTE educators, industry partners, and workforce development stakeholders.

As technology reshapes education, Arizona educators are embracing AI-driven tools to save time, personalize learning, and expand access to career-connected opportunities for every student. In this session, Pima JTED will share how their educators are integrating Magic School AI and My Future AZ to enhance career-connected learning, streamline teacher workflows, and expand equitable access for Arizona students. This session will explore how two education tools can work together to save teachers time while deepening student engagement in career exploration and employability skill development. Participants will see how Magic School AI can be used to create and customize My Future AZ-aligned activities such as career reflections, goal-setting prompts, resume writing, and ECAP documentation. Presenters will also demonstrate how My Future AZ, which will also be featured as an exhibitor at the conference, connects students to Arizona-specific career pathways, labor market data, and postsecondary opportunities, making it easier for teachers to meet state requirements while supporting personalized student journeys.

High school photography teachers will dive into creative storytelling techniques, including double exposure, environmental portraiture, and the power of editing—showing how one image can tell two different stories simply through editing and series cohesion.

In today’s fast-paced technological landscape, preparing students for careers in the semiconductor industry requires cutting-edge training tools that bridge theoretical concepts and hands-on application. This session by Advanced Technologies Consultants will showcase innovative semiconductor training equipment, designed to empower educators with the resources needed to deliver engaging and impactful learning experiences. Join us to discover how these tools can transform classrooms into dynamic semiconductor training environments, equipping the next generation with the skills to succeed in a high-tech future. Presenter is an exhibitor.

In this workshop, attendees will learn how to teach Adobe Illustrator as a structured vector design system, emphasizing shape construction, hierarchy, typography, branding, and professional workflows—including the responsible use of Illustrator’s AI‑assisted features. Participants will analyze lesson structures, project sequences, and classroom strategies that build strong Illustrator skills from beginner through advanced levels. The session focuses on teaching Illustrator the way designers actually use it, helping students create clean, scalable, production‑ready vector work.

Please join Arizona DECA in an update session for the 2026-2027 school year!

Please join HOSA for an update session for the 2026-2027 school year!

Schools are implementing Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) to ensure that every student receives the academic, social-emotional, and behavioral support they need. However, even the most well-designed systems can fall short when educator and student support roles aren’t clearly defined or effectively aligned. This session will take a practical look at how schools can strengthen MTSS implementation through clarity and collaboration. Participants will explore strategies to define the unique roles of teachers, counselors, administration and other support professionals within each tier, evaluate current practices, and build systems that promote shared responsibility for student success. Participants will: ✔️ Clarify their specific role within an MTSS framework ✔️ Examine how supports are delivered across tiers ✔️ Strengthen communication and collaboration among team members ✔️ Take away tools to engage staff, families, and community partners in MTSS practices

This workshop delivers a practical, high-impact approach to improving student engagement and performance in CTE classrooms through intentional culture-building. Drawing from real classroom experience and a coaching-informed mindset, Coach L’Shawn Rhodes shows how clear identity, shared language, and consistent expectations shift programs from task-based instruction to purpose-driven learning. Rather than relying on motivation alone, participants gain transferable systems that build student ownership, professionalism, and belief across any CTE pathway. Educators leave with immediately applicable strategies that strengthen classroom culture, increase buy-in, and support long-term student success—without adding to their workload.

Are you looking to advance your current Work-Based Learning? Learn how West-MEC, a leader in Career and Technical Education, is elevating Work-Based Learning through innovative systems, strong industry partnerships, and impactful student experiences. This session will explore strategies to strengthen program infrastructure with digital tools, embed service and reflection to deepen learning, and design authentic opportunities that connect students, employers, and communities. Walk away with practical ideas to advance your own WBL program.

Educator Exchange brings together instructors who teach Automotive Tech, Collision, Diesel programs to share lessons, activities, and instructional strategies grounded in authentic experiences. Participants will exchange approaches for teaching terminology, practices, and other Automotive Standards. The exchanged lessons may also include strategies to teach teamwork, leadership, and accountability. Attendees are encouraged to actively participate and to share one or more classroom-tested resources from their own programs. Participants will be invited to submit a resource prior to the conference to help spark discussion and idea sharing. Each educator’s contributions play a vital role in the success of this collaborative session.

Career exploration sticks when it starts with what students already bring into the room - their interests, strengths, questions, and a whole lot of curiosity. In this session, I’ll share how I design hands-on, low-prep career exploration activities that move beyond surveys and screenshots and actually get students doing something. From a freshman-teacher perspective, you’ll see how simple student insights can turn into short, meaningful “career discovery” moments that fit into real classrooms with real time constraints. Participants will try a quick demo activity, explore flexible planning tools, and build a small, adaptable activity they can take back and use right away. This workshop is designed for educators supporting career exploration in grades 7–12 and focuses on practical, classroom-level strategies that work.

This workshop, "Iron Sharpens Iron: Instructor Synergy for National SkillsUSA Success," is designed to transform individual teaching excellence into a collaborative engine for producing national welding champions. By focusing on the shared technical standards of the SkillsUSA Championships, instructors will align their training methods with the rigorous benchmarks required for national victory.

The healthcare classroom is full of diseases... Diseases that students need to learn about, and hopefully not catch, of course! In this informative session, come learn some creative ways to teach your students about the diseases they will see in the field. This session will help you find new ways to teach the signs, symptoms, diagnostics and treatment. The examples being used will be from a veterinary assisting classroom, but can be easily updated to be used in your classroom, no matter what healthcare topic you teach.

New to CTE leadership or teaching? Join this interactive session to connect standards, resources, and assessments into a practical framework designed for student success. Through discussion and real-time problem solving, you’ll interpret technical standards, select instructional resources to streamline teaching, and analyze Technical Skills Assessment (TSA) data to draw insights about student learning. See how alignment supports industry certification, career readiness, and postsecondary pathways. Bring your questions and leave with tools and clarity you can apply immediately.

As college enrollment declines and workforce demands accelerate, traditional “college-first” pathways no longer reflect student needs or labor market realities. This session uses Maricopa County as a case study to explore the “leaky funnel” from 9th grade to employment and why the traditional school → college → career sequence succeeds for only 6% of students. Participants will examine 20 years of CTE research, living-wage labor market data, and a proven delivery model that boosts graduation, credential attainment, and career-aligned outcomes. Attendees will leave with practical strategies and powerful narratives to advocate for expanding high-quality CTE pathways in their own communities.

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how students work, research, and create, but most students don't know how to use it effectively. Learn how to move students beyond casual AI use with a proven framework for teaching effective prompt engineering. This session introduces the AI Prompt Engineering Hub—an organized Google Site that guides students through progressively advanced skills, from foundational prompting to structured approaches for complex, multi‑step tasks. Attendees will see real classroom examples across marketing, business, and other content areas, demonstrating how students apply AI responsibly and strategically. Participants will leave with ready‑to‑use lesson frameworks, project templates, and full access to the Hub so they can immediately integrate prompt‑engineering instruction into their own courses.

Discover how high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs open doors to a wide range of postsecondary opportunities. This session explores the seamless transitions from high school CTE pathways to career training and certificate programs, local community college degrees, university bachelor’s (and even post-baccalaureate options), and the College Board’s AP Kickstart program. Learn how these aligned pathways prepare students for high-demand careers while earning valuable credentials and college credit—empowering every learner to build a clear, achievable plan for success beyond graduation.

Strong CTE programs are built on strong teams. In this interactive session, participants will explore how a Strengths-Based leadership approach can improve teamwork, communication, and collaboration across CTE departments and campus teams. Bring your team to learn practical strategies for leveraging strengths to build a positive culture, increase efficiency, and drive student success. Participants are encouraged to complete the CliftonStrengths® assessment prior to the session. A $25.00 fee is associated with this session.

Taking over an established classroom presents unique leadership and classroom management challenges as students adjust to new expectations and a new instructional leader. This session shares field-tested strategies from a teacher who successfully transitioned into an existing Veterinary Science program after a leadership change. Participants will learn practical approaches—including strategic seating, intentional student pairing, consistent follow-through, and trust-building techniques—to reclaim instructional time, reset classroom culture, and confidently lead when inheriting an established classroom.

Middle school is a pivotal stage in a student's journey—where curiosity, identity, and aspirations begin to take shape. It's during these years that students start to ask, "Who am I?" and "Who can I become?.” Connecting current interests to future career possibilities, helps students bridge classroom learning with real-world applications. Implementing eCTE Career Exploration in this developmental stage allows students to move from concrete to abstract thinking, improving engagement and preventing dropout. As educators, supporting this transition is essential for fostering lifelong learning and career readiness.

Learn business operations 101 and how that impacts our CTE programs. Enhance your skills with business engagement techniques and how to manage the partnership. In this session we will provide you with the knowledge and best practices of developing a strong business relationship and sustaining the partnership.

This will be an open discussion for planning the 2026 SkillsUSA Automated Manufacturing, Robotics and Automation, Mechatronics, and Additive Manufacturing. We will look at the national contest and state level contest from this year and give suggestions for your students that will be potentially competing in this contest.

All school counselors and related staff are invited to our annual luncheon. Join fellow school counselors for an engaging luncheon focused on the vital role counselors play in shaping students’ career pathways through Career and Technical Education (CTE). This is your chance to connect, collaborate, and leave with renewed energy and actionable ideas to make a lasting impact.

Join the members of Arizona Health Careers Education Association (AZHCEA) for their annual meeting and luncheon, and help us celebrate the Healthcare Teachers of the Year. Non-AZHCEA Members are welcome! AZHCEA is an instructor-led networking organization for health career CTE instructors.

ROS was created at Stanford University in 2007 and has become a leading force in open-source robotics and innovation. The SBA and US Bureau of Labor Statistics forecast that 600k small businesses will automate over the next 10 years. This represents a tremendous job growth opportunity for today's students; tomorrow's workforce. The session will include ROS history, data points, growth forecasts, hands-on demonstrations, and an introduction to ATMAR.org CIRP (Certified Industrial Robotics Programmer) credential for open-source robotics.

General Business meeting for all ATIEA Members. Member Registration will be present.

This session will be a beginner's look at commercial electrical wiring. Instructors will be demonstrating the correct way to run a four-way switch.

Participants will learn practical strategies for teaching journalistic writing (leads, quotes, structure, captions, revision), creating authentic assignments and using a layered feedback system that builds student leadership while keeping writing manageable in production-based classrooms like yearbook and digital media.

We’ve all seen it: a student paralyzed by a blank screen, terrified of making a "wrong" move. Years of standardized testing have conditioned them to seek a single right answer, creating "invisible fences" that kill creativity. This workshop offers a way out. Discover the Effort over Outcome philosophy—a friendly, empathetic approach that shifts the focus from "Art" to "Ideas." Learn how to lower the mental stakes and transform your classroom into a professional studio where students feel safe to fail, experiment, and grow. You’ll leave with a ready-to-use "Studio Contract" that builds the creative confidence every student needs to succeed.

Students with disabilities do not need lowered expectations—they need access, belief, and different pathways to reach the same standards. This session challenges deficit-based thinking and explores how educators can maintain rigor while creating supportive, inclusive classrooms. Led by a Communication Media Technologies CTE educator with hearing loss, the presentation blends personal experience with practical strategies for building systems that support diverse learners. Attendees will examine how to design instruction, routines, and projects that honor student strengths, promote independence, and reduce overwhelm for both students and teachers. Participants will leave with a renewed mindset and concrete tools to ensure all students are seen for their ability, not their disability.

With a combined 50 years of experience teaching ELA and CTE, Heidi and Jen will guide you in discovering practical, ready-to-use resources for integrating professional writing into your CTE classroom and CTSO activities. Explore strategies to support students as they navigate these tasks, even with limited experience, so they are well-prepared for the next steps in their career pathways. Learn how to apply these approaches to CTSO events requiring résumés, cover letters, and professional emails, while also leveraging AI tools responsibly and effectively.

This Educator Exchange brings together instructors who teach Sports Medicine and Emergency Medical Services programs to share lessons, activities, and instructional strategies grounded in authentic experiences. Participants will exchange approaches for teaching terminology, anatomy, and other Sports Med and EMS standards. The exchanged lessons may also include strategies to teach teamwork, leadership, and accountability. Attendees are encouraged to actively participate and to share one or more classroom-tested resources from their own programs. Participants will be invited to submit a resource prior to the conference to help spark discussion and idea sharing. Each educator’s contributions play a vital role in the success of this collaborative session.

Opportunity for CTED specific student support staff to collaborate and build relationships with other CTEDs across the state by sharing best practices for Central Program recruitment and retention. Mini presentations from multiple CTEDs with same day takeaways.

Career-connected learning should be more than ECAP compliance — it should be part of a district’s culture, identity, and long-term strategic vision. In this session, Gilbert Public Schools will share how they designed an approach to career exploration that honors the uniqueness of each school while still aligning with Continuous District Improvement goals. District CTE leader Renita Miller will introduce three innovation pillars used to drive this work: embedding career exploration into core content areas, creating site-specific annual progression metrics, and beginning career learning even earlier in junior high. Participants will see how My Future AZ supports this approach through pathway exploration, labor market data, and ECAP documentation that genuinely works for educators and students. The session will also highlight how data is used to drive program development and align with strategic plans across the district. Most importantly, attendees will explore how shifting the language and mindset around ECAP can move districts away from “checking boxes” and toward building a culture of connected learning. This model is flexible, replicable, and built to meet schools where they are — while helping students imagine where they could go.

Educator Exchange brings together instructors who teach Air Transportation, Mechanics and sUAS Drones programs to share lessons, activities, and instructional strategies grounded in authentic experiences. Participants will exchange approaches for teaching terminology, practices, and other Air Driven Standards. The exchanged lessons may also include strategies to teach teamwork, leadership, and accountability. Attendees are encouraged to actively participate and to share one or more classroom-tested resources from their own programs. Participants will be invited to submit a resource prior to the conference to help spark discussion and idea sharing. Each educator’s contributions play a vital role in the success of this collaborative session.

This workshop bridges the gap between the welding bench and the blueprint, providing essential mathematical tools for precision fabrication. Participants will master the fundamental skills needed to interpret designs and execute accurate welds without the "overthinking" often associated with technical math

Led by the SEMI Foundation, the session explore how educators and workforce partners can prepare learners for high-growth careers in the semiconductor industry through career-connected, hands-on experiences. Participants will learn how to integrate industry-informed career pathways, leverage free workforce development tools, and connect students to earn-and-learn opportunities across the semiconductor ecosystem. The session will also showcase practical resources—such as career exploration platforms, curriculum supports, and employer engagement strategies—that attendees can immediately apply within their classrooms, campuses, or organizations.

CTE instruction improves standardized math and ACT scores by making math relevant through problem-based learning, teaching students to think critically, and using tools like estimation, modeling, and fostering collaboration. Math concepts are embedded within real-world CTE scenarios, making them more relevant and easier for students to understand and retain. Applying the AZ CTE Professional Skills framework to integrate these strategies by designing relevant thinking activities, assessing understanding through diverse methods, and developing individualized student goals to enhance performance.

Transition from teacher led educational method to student led learning encourages engagement and ownership of the learning. The objectives of this session include an introduction to the Flipped Classroom Model, defining the approach and exploring the supporting theories behind it. Participants will examine current evidence on the method, including its benefits and challenges. The session will also present various examples and strategies for implementation. Attendees will engage in a modeled mini-lesson using the method and have the opportunity to participate. The session will conclude with a Q&A.

Looking for ways to fill your CTE student pipeline? It starts with early career literacy where students explore career options and connect them with CTE opportunities. This session introduces strategies to bring career awareness into K-8 classrooms. When integrated into daily instruction, they expand career discovery, encourage career exploration, and provide opportunities for students to experiment with careers in hands-on ways. They also make room to celebrate career literacy success. This activity-packed session will share resources and ideas for engaging students in meaningful ways. Participants will receive a variety of hand-outs and a free book from the Bright Futures Press middle grade career exploration collection.

Join our session to get ideas to help your students master essential "soft skills" without adding hours to your workload. These skills are essential to student success that need to be intentionally taught and assessed. We’ll walk you through our no-prep courseware and ready-to-use worksheets which is aligned to the AZ CTE Professional Skills Standards. Walk away with a complete toolkit you can use in your classroom tomorrow. The Learning Prism is a Google Non-Profit built and marketed by university students.

Skip the formal presentation and jump straight into hands-on discovery of the redesigned CTE Curriculum Connection. Bring your device because this session is ideal for users interested in browsing the thousands of published resources by CTE teachers for CTE teachers. Whether you’re searching for program-specific units and projects, instructional resources, or professional skills lessons, you’ll receive individualized support and leave with saved materials, practical navigation tips, and ready-to-use tools designed to support high-quality instruction and meaningful student learning.

Sharpen your skills and expand your toolkit as you dive into the Work-Based Learning guide. Engage with seasoned Work-Based Learning professionals, explore proven best practices, and see how every component fits together with purpose. Gain clarity on the “why” behind the work—along with the equally important “why not.” Discover what success truly looks like and spark new ideas through collaboration with others. Work-Based Learning is a team sport, so come ready to participate, contribute, and bring your best. Throughout this session, we’ll challenge your thinking, deepen your understanding, and strengthen your grasp of core Work-Based Learning concepts. By the end, you’ll leave confident, informed, and equipped to apply your new insights with impact.

ATIEA presents a Round Table meeting event to facilitate Industry partners and Educators collaboration. There will be food and drinks. Come join us for a time of collaboration and refreshment. We will also have an auction fundraiser as well as taking membership signups.

In this workshop, attendees will learn how to teach Photoshop using professional image‑editing workflows, including non‑destructive editing, compositing techniques, resolution fundamentals, and the intentional integration of Photoshop’s AI‑powered tools. Participants will review project examples, instructional strategies, and classroom approaches that help students understand when and why various Photoshop tools—including AI features—are used. The session emphasizes teaching Photoshop with purpose, helping students build strong editing habits while using AI tools to support, rather than replace, thoughtful design intent.

Start your year off right with resources and best practices for theme development, staff training, grading practices and a proven production plan to ensure your yearbook staff stay on track.

Welding Teachers: Join this interactive session to connect standards, resources, and assessments into a practical framework designed for student success. Through discussion and real-time problem solving, you'll interpret technical standards, select instructional resources to streamline teaching, and analyze Technical Skills Assessment (TSA) data to draw insights about student learning. See how alignment supports industry certification, career readiness, and postsecondary pathways. Bring your questions and leave with tools and clarity you can apply immediately.

Join us as we explore how a strong community culture can support the needs of every learner. Through meaningful partnerships with students, families, and community partners, West-MEC’s Community of Growth model provides comprehensive support at every level. In this session, attendees will learn how to design impactful events and touchpoints that engage all stakeholders in advancing student learning. Using data-driven strategies, we will demonstrate how a well-developed Community of Growth ensures that students are prepared—both academically and personally—for their next steps in college, career, and life.

This session is perfect for educators who want to strengthen CTSO integration without overwhelming their schedules. By focusing on three straightforward steps - understanding the value of CTSOs, building student buy-in, and increasing engagement - this course will help you foster a vibrant CTSO culture in your classroom that keeps students motivated and involved all year long. You'll leave with the confidence and resources to implement new strategies that will make a real difference for your students and their CTSO experience.

Join us AVID and eCTE to learn new strategies to boost middle school career exploration education. Gain instruction strategies to build relational capacity, self awareness, and communication skills in students. Review resources for creating interest inventories, portfolios, and individualized paths, linking learning to real-world careers, and improving instructional/relational skills for higher engagement, ultimately leading to better student discovery of interests, skills, and future options.

CAD/CAM/CNC whether interdisciplinary integration between Ag, woods, welding and fabrication or one of these areas you will learn the techniques to raise funds for your program while training your students for in demand careers with very competitive income potential. Take away skills and projects for Routing, Plasma, Lasers for wood and metals.

This session introduces instructors to the basic principles of EMT conduit bending and proper placement for classroom and lab instruction.

This session will be a continuation of session "5641: Beginner Commercial Electrical Wiring" and will offer instructors knowledge of commercial electrical wiring. Instructors will be demonstrating the correct way to run a four-way switch.

This Educator Exchange brings together instructors who teach Nursing Services and Home Health Aide programs to share lessons, activities, and instructional strategies grounded in authentic experiences. Participants will exchange approaches for teaching terminology, anatomy, and other Nursing Services and Home Health Aide standards. The exchanged lessons may also include strategies to teach teamwork, leadership, and accountability. Attendees are encouraged to actively participate and to share one or more classroom-tested resources from their own programs. Participants will be invited to submit a resource prior to the conference to help spark discussion and idea sharing. Each educator’s contributions play a vital role in the success of this collaborative session.

This intensive workshop provides hands-on training with Lincoln Electric robotic automation systems. Participants gain practical experience using the Classmate® Robotic Trainer, an industry-standard cell featuring FANUC® robots

New to CTE leadership or teaching? Join this interactive session to connect standards, resources, and assessments into a practical framework designed for student success. Through discussion and real-time problem solving, you’ll interpret technical standards, select instructional resources to streamline teaching, and analyze Technical Skills Assessment (TSA) data to draw insights about student learning. See how alignment supports industry certification, career readiness, and postsecondary pathways. Bring your questions and leave with tools and clarity you can apply immediately.

This session coaches teachers to allow time for students to think critically, use estimation strategies, apply modeling techniques, and foster collaboration. Real-world CTE scenarios require proficient problem-solving skills. Teachers are encouraged to use the AZ CTE Professional Skills to integrate strategies by designing relevant thinking activities, assessing understanding through diverse methods, and developing individualized student goals to enhance performance. Modelled activities include unpacking program specific math that allow students to really think through practical problems.

Best Practices, Skill-Building, and Classroom-Tested Ideas for Teaching Visual Communication! This Educator Exchange brings graphic design instructors together for a collaborative sharing experience centered on lessons, activities, and instructional strategies that truly work in CTE classrooms. Participants will exchange favorite projects, skill-building exercises, and assessment approaches that support student growth in visual communication, design thinking, and professional practice. To ensure a rich and meaningful experience, attendees are encouraged to actively participate and to share one or more classroom-tested resources drawn from their own teaching. Participants will be invited to submit a resource prior to the conference to help spark discussion and idea sharing. Whether new to teaching design or highly experienced, each educator’s contributions are essential to the success of this session.

Attendees will explore the industry landscape, gain insights into IES organization, delve into Tech 1 R&R, and receive comprehensive training on installation best practices. Participants will have the opportunity to acquire practical skills and knowledge essential for success in the field, empowering them for future endeavors. Learn about terminating both fiber and copper cabling.