Nebraska Career and Technical Education Conference 2026: Full Schedule

2:00pm CDT

Planning With the End in Mind: The Semester Project Model

Monday June 8, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT

In this practical, strategy-filled session, teachers will learn how to design a course around a meaningful semester project that requires students to apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout the term. Participants will explore how to use backward design to align standards, daily instruction, and assessments so learning naturally builds toward a culminating application experience. Attendees will leave with a clear framework, planning tools, and examples they can immediately adapt to their own content area to create deeper learning and stronger student engagement.

Speakers

Kris Spath

Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor, Waverly High School

Kris is an agricultural educator with a passion for connecting classroom instruction to authentic, hands-on learning. She teaches a wide range of courses including animal science, veterinary science, large animal management, companion animals, plant science, floriculture, landscape... Read More →

Monday June 8, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT
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Cross Career Field Administrators Agriculture Food & Natural Resources Business Marketing & Management Communication & Information Systems Health Sciences Human Sciences & Education School Counselors Skilled & Technical Sciences WBL Coordinators

3:00pm CDT

Nebraska Agriculture Education Association (NAEA) Board Meeting

Monday June 8, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm CDT

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NAEA Board Meeting

Speakers

Dana Hall

Agriculture Educator, McCool Junction

Dana Hall teaches Agricultural Education at McCool Junction. She is currently the NAEA President.

Monday June 8, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm CDT
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Agriculture Food & Natural Resources

8:30am CDT

Teaching Hydroponics for Career-Ready CTE Programs

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:30am - 9:15am CDT

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Join the Center for Rural Affairs and Nebraska Department of Education Farm to School teams for a practical session on incorporating hydroponics into CTE and agriculture programs. Participants will explore growing media options, basic pest management, and key greenhouse considerations such as space, structure, and climate challenges. This session focuses on what educators need to know before starting or expanding hydroponics instruction in schools, with additional ideas for strengthening Farm to School activities. A Q&A with hydroponic experts will allow time to ask questions, troubleshoot challenges, and gain practical insights.

Speakers

Kirstin Bailey

Senior Project Manager, Center for Rural Affairs

Kirstin Bailey is a Senior Project Manager, at the Center for Rural Affairs. Kirstin is an experienced farmer, beekeeper, and community advocate with over a decade of hands-on expertise in specialty crops and sustainable farming practices. Kirstin specializes in maximizing small agricultural... Read More →

Tom Wheeldon

Greenhouse Consultant, C and T GH Consultants

Tom Wheeldon has a passion for plants and greenhouse operations. Tom has 43 years ofteaching Agriculture Education at Schuyler Central High School and The Career Academy, inLincoln. Tom has 33 years of greenhouse operation and management. Tom’s experiencesinclude bedding plant production... Read More →

Craig Frederick

Greenhouse Consultant, C and T GH Consultants

Craig Frederick grew up in the communities of Creighton and Verdigre and served in the United States Navy. Craig attended the University of Nebraska School of Technical Agriculture at Curtis graduating with an Associate Degree in Agribusiness/Horticulture then worked in commercial... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:30am - 9:15am CDT
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Agriculture Food & Natural Resources

1:00pm CDT

Feeding Curiosity: Hands-On Agriculture Connections for FCS

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT

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Looking to refresh your Family and Consumer Sciences curriculum with engaging, real-world connections? This interactive session introduces educators to a ready-to-use toolkit featuring more than 70 hands-on lessons from the National Agriculture in the Classroom Curriculum Matrix. Participants will explore standards-aligned activities connected to key FCS topics such as nutrition, food systems, sustainability, financial literacy, and career exploration. Designed to be flexible and classroom-friendly, these resources help students connect agriculture to everyday life. Educators will leave with practical strategies, engaging activity ideas, and digital tools ready for immediate classroom use.

Speakers

Brooke Carpenter

Director of Education, Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom

Brooke Carpenter serves as the Director of Education for the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, where she leads a team of educators, oversees the development of educational programs, and coordinates statewide initiatives aimed at advancing agricultural literacy among students and teachers... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT
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Human Sciences & Education

2:00pm CDT

Careers, Content, and Classroom Connections with AITC

Tuesday June 9, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT

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This interactive session highlights classroom-ready Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) resources designed for middle and high school agriculture educators. Participants will explore programs such as Connecting Chapters, Chief Careers, Discover Nebraska Agriculture magazines, and standards-aligned lesson plans, along with support from AITC Educators. Attendees will also learn how to navigate the National AITC Curriculum Matrix to quickly find lessons aligned to state and national standards. The session concludes with collaborative idea-sharing and Q&A focused on practical implementation, student engagement, and program integration.

Speakers

Brooke Carpenter

Director of Education, Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom

Tuesday June 9, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT
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Agriculture Food & Natural Resources

3:00pm CDT

Promoting Your CTE Program: Practical Tools for Teachers

Tuesday June 9, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm CDT

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You know the impact your CTE program has on students—but does your community and administration know it too? This interactive session shares practical strategies for promoting your program and building support. Participants will explore ways to highlight student success through social media, events, and community partnerships. Attendees will review real examples and begin developing a simple, ready-to-use promotion plan for their program.

Speakers

Stacie Turnbull

Lecturer, ALEC Department, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Lecturer, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Tuesday June 9, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm CDT
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10:00am CDT

Educators Rising National Conference Know Before You Go

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am CDT

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Prepare for a successful Educators Rising National Conference experience! This session will provide essential insights and state updates to help you prepare for the conference. Whether you are a first-time attendee or a seasoned teacher leader, this session will ensure you are informed, organized, and ready to thrive at Nationals!

Speakers

Chelsey Greene

Human Sciences & Education Career Field Specialist, Nebraska FCCLA State Adviser, Nebraska Educators Rising State Advisor, Nebraska Department of Education

I’m a Career & Technical Education enthusiast with a passion for turning leadership potential into real-world impact - especially through Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) and Human Sciences & Education pathways. If there’s a way to make leadership development... Read More →

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am CDT
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Human Sciences & Education

11:00am CDT

FCCLA NLC Know Before You Go

Wednesday June 10, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am CDT

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Get ready to make the most of your FCCLA National Leadership Conference experience! This session will provide essential insights and state updates to help you prepare for NLC. Whether you are a first-time attendee or a seasoned adviser, this session will ensure you are informed, organized, and ready to thrive at NLC!
Check out the NLC Know Before You Go for all the information you need to know prior to NLC!

Speakers

Chelsey Greene

Human Sciences & Education Career Field Specialist, Nebraska FCCLA State Adviser, Nebraska Educators Rising State Advisor, Nebraska Department of Education

Wednesday June 10, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am CDT
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Human Sciences & Education

2:00pm CDT

3:00pm CDT

8:30am CDT

1:00pm CDT

2:00pm CDT

3:00pm CDT

10:00am CDT

11:00am CDT

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