VATFACS INSTITUTE

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9:00am EDT

FCCLA Competitions: Where Leaders Are Made

Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

FCCLA competitive events aren't just about trophies — they're a direct expression of the discipline we teach every day. In this session, presented by FCCLA Virginia state staff, participants will explore how the six career pathways connect to and strengthen competitive event preparation across the full range of FCCLA competitions. Whether you're a seasoned advisor or just getting your chapter off the ground, you'll leave with a clearer picture of how to align your program's pathway focus with meaningful competitive experiences for students.

Speakers

Bobbi Comer

FCCLA State Adviser, VA FCCLA

Connie Rhoton

FCCLA State Staff, VA FCCLA

VA FCCLA

State staff, VA FCCLA

Career Pathways provide the background for FCCLA competitions

Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Cape Henry C

Educational Session

global Y

10:15am EDT

Integrating Social Work Perspectives into Family and Consumer Sciences Education

Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT

Cape Henry C

Where Family Science Meets Human Need: Integrating Social Work Perspectives into FCS Education

Family and Consumer Sciences has always been about the whole person — and so has social work. In this session, participants will explore the powerful intersection between FCS education and social work frameworks, building understanding of key concepts and why they belong in our classrooms. We'll examine the social, emotional, and economic factors shaping the lives of our students and their families, and explore practical strategies for supporting student well-being without stepping outside our lane. Participants will also consider how to build intentional collaborative relationships with families, community partners, and available resources. Because FCS educators have always seen the whole child — this session gives us a sharper vocabulary for what we already do.

Related Courses:
Child Development and Parenting (19255-36/8232)
Early Childhood, Education, and Services I (19153-I/8285)
Early Childhood, Education, and Services II (19153-II/8286)
Family and Human Services I (19999-II/8265)
Family and Human Services II (19999-I/8264)
Family Relations (19259-36/8225)
Introduction to Early Childhood Education (19153-36/8234)
Introduction to Family and Human Services (19001-36/8238)

Speakers

Amy Herrmann

School Social Worker, Hanover County Public Schools

"Integrating Social Work Perspectives into Family and Consumer Sciences Education"

Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
Cape Henry C

Educational Session

global Y

1:15pm EDT

AAFCS Pre-PAC Broad Field FCS Credentialing Exam - Preregistration Required

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT

Cape Henry C

Feedback Survey

Pre-registration and an additional fee are required for this exam.

AAFCS Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) credentials are comprehensive assessments of the knowledge and skills in the Family and Consumer Sciences content areas and are central to career areas involving human service; consumer services, protection; and advising; education and training; and social and community services.

The Broad Field FCS credential is a Virginia Board of Education-approved industry recognized credential for teachers with an FCS endorsement who need to meet the industry credentialing licensure requirement.

Related Career Clusters:

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:30pm EDT
Cape Henry C

Credentialing Session, Credentialing Block

2:45pm EDT

Learning Just Got Sweeter – Print Graphics onto Cookies with Eddie®, the Edible Ink Printer

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT

Cape Henry C

For the past eight years, Kelli Gedart has been a passionate advocate for bringing innovative technology into the classroom. In this engaging session, she introduces Family and Consumer Sciences educators to the creative possibilities of the Eddie® Edible Ink Printer and Freddie® the Robotic Frosting Machine.
Kelli is passionate about helping teachers integrate hands-on technology into their programs by blending creativity, design, and culinary arts to engage students in exciting and meaningful ways. Participants will discover innovative strategies for incorporating emerging technologies that inspire student creativity, enhance learning experiences, and bring real-world applications into the FCS classroom.

Related Courses
Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow I (19151-I/9062)
Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow II (19151-II/9072)
Child Development and Parenting (19255-36/8232)
Early Childhood, Education, and Services I (19153-I/8285)
Early Childhood, Education, and Services II (19153-II/8286)
Family and Consumer Sciences Exploratory I (19903-18/8208)
Family and Consumer Sciences Exploratory II (19904-18/8263)
Family and Consumer Sciences Exploratory III (19251-36/8245)

Speakers

Kelli Gedart

Inside Sales Representative, Primera Technology, Inc.

For the past eight years, Kelli Gedart has been a passionate advocate for bringing innovative technology into classrooms. At Primera Technology, Inc., she helps educators discover how the Food Production Tech Ed Program can enhance FCS and culinary curricula. This grant-eligible program... Read More →

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Cape Henry C

Educational Session

4:00pm EDT

In my FCS Era: Baby Steps to Big Learning - Using 35 Years of Infant Simulation to Share the Future of Teaching

Tuesday July 21, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Cape Henry C

Step into your FCS Era as we blend decades of infant-simulation wisdom with the innovative tools shaping today’s classrooms. This session offers teacher-tested tips, practical strategies, and real-world insights to help your RealCare Baby or Child Care Experience Program run smoothly, meaningfully, and with maximum impact.
Learn how to streamline logistics, confidently troubleshoot common challenges, and transform simulation data into powerful, future-ready learning experiences. By honoring what has worked for more than 35 years while elevating it with modern FCS practices, educators will discover fresh approaches to deepen students’ understanding of caregiving, responsibility, and essential life skills.
Perfect for both experienced infant simulator users and educators exploring how simulation programs can enhance and modernize their FCS classrooms.

Related Courses
Early Childhood, Education, and Services I (19153-I/8285)
Early Childhood, Education, and Services II (19153-II/8286)