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Summer Quarterly Newsletter | | |
Greetings Work-Based Learning Division Members! | |
Welcome to a new school year!
The ACTE Work-Based Learning (WBL) Division is excited to help you kick off the school year with our first webinar on Sept. 11, “Unlock the Power of ACTE’s WBL Division.” At this webinar we will introduce all the great things that are planned for this coming year. You won’t want to miss it. Register today!
Mark your calendar to join us in person at ACTE's Work-Based Learning Conference 2026 in Providence, Rhode Island, happening April 29–May 1. The Call for Proposals is now open! Go to the conference website to submit your ideas and get details about the conference.
The WBL Division is only as strong as our members. If you’re interested in getting more involved, sharing your voice or contributing your expertise, we’d love to hear from you — take a minute to complete this quick form!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or to share your success stories — we love hearing from you!
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Best regards,
Jan Jardine
VP, ACTE Work-Based Learning Division
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Upcoming WBL Division Webinar
Sept. 11 at 3:00 p.m. ET - Unlock the Power of ACTE’s WBL Division
| If you have webinar ideas or would like to be part of a future panel, contact Sapph Espinoza at sapph.espinoza@cobbk12.org. | |
WBL 2026 Call for Proposals Now Open!
Showcase your work-based learning expertise and innovative model programs at ACTE’s Work-Based Learning Conference 2026, taking place April 29–May 1 at the Rhode Island Convention Center, in Providence, Rhode Island. This premier event is focused on supporting the delivery of high-quality experiences that provide students with hands-on, career-focused learning. The deadline to submit a presentation proposal is Sept. 30.
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Work-Based Learning Division Business Meeting
Register now for the Work-Based Learning Division Business Meeting
Wednesday, Nov. 5
2:00–3:30 p.m. EST
| | Apply Now for the National Leadership Fellowship Program! | | |
The ACTE National Leadership Fellowship Program is designed to empower CTE professionals by enhancing their leadership skills, offering hands-on experience in policymaking and supporting their professional growth. The 2026 cohort will run January–December 2026, with fellows receiving a $1,500 stipend, along with complimentary registration for ACTE’s CareerTech VISION and National Policy Seminar.
Act fast! Applications are open through Sept. 15.
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Join the WBL Community of Practice
Connect with other WBL division members to share ideas, access resources and stay up-to-date on what’s happening in the division.
Go to: ctelearn.org/community-groups/ to sign up.
Contact mconner@acteonline.org for more information.
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Work-Based Learning in the News
Career Z Challenge Winners Announced
The U.S. Department of Education has concluded the third and final phase of the Career Z Challenge, a national multi-phase prize competition designed to expand high school students’ access to high-quality WBL experiences.
The Department is proud to recognize the following nine programs as Career Z Challenge Winners, each of which has demonstrated exceptional innovation and capacity to deliver high-quality, student-centered WBL:
- Atlanta College and Career Academy (GA)
- Kirkwood Community College (IA)
- YouthForce NOLA (LA)
- Grand Forks Public Schools (ND)
- Future Focused Education (NM)
- South Bronx Community Charter High School (NY)
- Educational Service Center of Central Ohio (OH)
- Lorain County Joint Vocational School (OH)
- Roanoke City Public Schools (VA)
Each Winner has met all submission and participation requirements and will receive a portion of the $1.5 million prize pool to further enhance and scale their WBL strategies.
Throughout the 2024–25 school year, the Finalists selected for Phase 3 received comprehensive technical assistance, including personalized coaching, access to virtual collaboration tools, and participation in both in-person and online learning workshops. Their final submissions included robust documentation of sustained partnerships to support WBL ecosystems, student impact, and strategies for long-term viability.
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Get Involved with the ACTE WBL DIVISION!
Consider joining one of the WBL Division committees — advocacy, awards, or professional development — and be part of the great work that is happening nationally.
Email Jan Jardine, WBL Division VP, if you are interested or have questions.
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Discounted Rates for the CTE Event of the Year End Oct. 13!
Don’t miss ACTE’s CareerTech VISION 2025, the premier event for CTE professionals! Join 5,000+ educators, administrators, business leaders and industry experts this Dec. 9–12 (Tuesday–Friday) at the stunning Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. You'll have the opportunity to experience:
- Hundreds of high-impact sessions on teaching strategies, curriculum design, strategies for improving student success and more
- Inspiring keynote speakers and thought leaders sharing insights on the latest trends in CTE
- A bustling CareerTech Expo showcasing innovative tools, technologies and classroom resources
- Pre-conference workshops and local tours for deeper learning on focused topics
- The ACTE Awards Gala, honoring excellence across the CTE community
Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned educator, VISION offers something for everyone. Register by Oct. 13 to secure discounted rates!
| | A Heartfelt Thanks: Incoming & Outgoing Board Members | | |
ACTE is excited to welcome our new board members:
- Robert Torres, President
- Brandon Russell, President-Elect
- Carrie Giles, Past President
- Jonathan Walker, Business Education Division Vice President
- Karin Davis, Family and Consumer Sciences Education Division Vice President
- Rich Trinkwalder, New and Related Services Division Vice President
- Martin Hanley, Region III Vice President
We look forward to their leadership and collaboration in advancing CTE nationwide.
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Please join us in celebrating and thanking ACTE’s outgoing board members for their dedicated service:
- Chaney Mosley, Past President
- Sean Crevier, Business Education Division Vice President
- Katy Blatnick-Gagne, Family and Consumer Sciences Education Division Vice President
- Susan Leon, New and Related Services Division Vice President
- Brandon Russell, Region III Vice President
We are truly grateful for their leadership and professional expertise and for the lasting impact they’ve made on the CTE community
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SC ACTE Unifies with National ACTE
ACTE is pleased to announce that the South Carolina (SC) ACTE has officially unified with the national Association. Through this unification, CTE educators in South Carolina can now simultaneously join both their state and national professional associations. Members will also gain access to ACTE’s robust suite of benefits, including premier professional development resources, federal public policy advocacy and leadership development opportunities. SC ACTE will now benefit from a variety of organizational and association management services provided by ACTE, such as online membership processing, electronic communications tools and more. At the national level, this unification enhances ACTE’s engagement with the CTE community in South Carolina and strengthens collaboration on key federal public policy and shared advocacy priorities.
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Calling All CTE Administrators
Mark your calendars for the Best Practices and Innovations in CTE Conference 2025, taking place Sept. 24–26 at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark in St. Louis, Missouri. Hosted by ACTE and the National Council of Local Administrators, this event offers cutting-edge strategies, innovative solutions and best practices designed to support CTE educators.
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Transformative Career Impact at the Postsecondary CTE Summit
Shape the future of CTE alongside fellow innovators at the premier gathering for postsecondary career and technical educators. The Postsecondary CTE Summit 2025, happening Oct. 5–8 at the Hilton Austin Airport in Austin, Texas, brings together practitioners, researchers and industry leaders who are redefining how we prepare students for tomorrow's workforce.
What awaits you:
- Cutting-edge professional development tailored to current industry needs
- Transformative presentations from CTE leaders driving real change
- Evidence-based strategies for emerging sectors and breakthrough technologies
- Dynamic networking with a vibrant community of forward-thinking professionals
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Travel & Entertainment Discounts for Members!
Don’t forget to take advantage of our new Member Deals program — your new portal to travel savings and unforgettable entertainment experiences! As an ACTE member, you now have access to discounts on theme parks, movie tickets, hotels, rental cars and more. To start exploring your perks, log in to your member profile from the ACTE homepage and click the Member Deals icon.
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Make the Most of Your ACTE Benefits: Update Your Member Profile
Make sure you’re getting the most out of your ACTE membership by keeping your member profile up to date, so you never miss important news, resources or professional development opportunities.
Quick steps to update:
1. Log in at acteonline.org
2. Click the “Profile” tab
3. Confirm or update your personal email and mobile number
Tip: A personal email helps ensure you stay connected, even during job changes. For extra peace of mind, add your home contact info under “My Addresses” at the bottom of your profile page.
Take a moment today to stay connected and make the most of your ACTE benefits!
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Association for Career and Technical Education
1410 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
703-683-3111
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