Sessions of 2026 Connection Conference: Patti Pastor
Ms. Pastor, Patti
Career Exploration Coordinator
Flagstaff Unified School District, No. 1
Patti Pastor serves as Career Exploration Coordinator and Instructor at Flagstaff Unified School District, bringing more than 20 years of leadership across education and business. Formerly Chief Operating Officer of a small business for over two decades, she led hiring and training, financial management, marketing, and community relations, experience that informs her practical, workforce-driven approach to education. In her current role, Patti advances Career & Technical Education (CTE) and career-connected learning through innovative programming, strong employer partnerships, and hands-on student experiences. She is a founding member of the Northern Arizona Healthcare Workforce Planning Committee and a long-standing partner of the Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA), helping align regional education and workforce priorities. Patti holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Career and Technical Education and is passionate about creating equitable pathways from classroom to career.
Sessions:
[5860] CTE 101: From Foundations to Futures
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Loews Ventana Canyon
- Interdisciplinary
Whether you’re new to Career and Technical Education or looking to strengthen your understanding, this dynamic session brings clarity to the power and purpose of CTE. The presenters will unpack how CTE drives student achievement, strengthens school letter grades, and creates seamless transitions from middle school to high school and into community college and careers. You’ll gain a clear view of Arizona’s CTE delivery model and funding structure—demystifying how it all works and why it matters. More importantly, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how CTE is not just a program, but a strategy for student success and economic mobility. If you’re ready to connect the dots between education, workforce, and opportunity—this session is your starting point.
