Sessions of 2026 Connection Conference: Jennifer Al Zaidi
Ms. Al Zaidi, Jennifer
Real Estate Agent
Jennifer Al Zaidi is a licensed Arizona educator with 15 years of experience in Career and Technical Education and a 2024 ACTEAZ Fellow. She holds a degree from Northern Arizona University and has extensive experience in curriculum development, CTSO leadership, and educator training. Having mentored over 1,250 students, she is also the author of Rebuild This House, where she shares practical, purpose-driven strategies for growth and success. She currently works as a real estate agent in Tucson while continuing to support CTE in Arizona.
Sessions:
[5750] Premier Series: Grading & Assessments
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Westin La Paloma
- Interdisciplinary
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.
[5495] Helping Students Find Their Why: A Framework for Pathways and Goals
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Loews Ventana Canyon
- Administration
- School Counseling
This interactive session gives teachers, counselors, administrators, and CTE leaders a practical toolkit to help students identify their “why,” choose the right program or industry, and create a daily action plan for reaching their goals. Using the 5 Whys, guided reflection, behavior mapping, and success planning, participants will learn how to help students overcome barriers, build motivation, and develop habits that support long-term success. Ideal for program selection or the first weeks of school, this framework increases engagement, belonging, and clarity for every learner.
