Sessions of 2026 Connection Conference: Susan Leon
Mrs. Leon, Susan
WBL Specialist
West-MEC School District #402
Susan Leon is the Work-Based Learning Coordinator for West-MEC, where she connects students, educators, and industry partners to create meaningful career experiences across more than 30 CTE programs. Named the 2024 ACTE Work-Based Learning Division Professional of the Year, Susan recently completed her term as vice president of ACTE’s New and Related Services Division. She also serves as adjunct faculty at Arizona State University, sharing her expertise with future educators. Throughout her career, she has served as a curriculum and instructional specialist, internship coordinator, and classroom teacher—roles that fuel her passion for helping students bridge the gap between education and the workforce. Susan brings energy, creativity, and a deep commitment to expanding opportunities that prepare every student for success.
Sessions:
[5752] Premier Series: Work-Based Learning
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Westin La Paloma
- Education and Training
- Interdisciplinary
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.
[5765] Building Robust WBL Programs: A Step-by-Step Approach
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Loews Ventana Canyon
- Administration
- Interdisciplinary
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.
[5486] Elevating Work-Based Learning: Tech, Partnerships & Purpose
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Westin La Paloma
- Administration
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.
[5623] Work-Based Learning Mastery
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Loews Ventana Canyon
- Administration
- Interdisciplinary
Sharpen your skills and expand your toolkit as you dive into the Work-Based Learning guide. Engage with seasoned WBL 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 WBL concepts. By the end, you’ll leave confident, informed, and equipped to apply your new insights with impact.
