Bring the magic of Ratatouille into your classroom with this engaging session. Using the beloved animated film as a springboard, educators will explore creative ways to teach basic food and kitchen concepts. Learn fun and simple ways to introduce cooking skills, food safety, and kitchen teamwork to students. We'll share easy lesson ideas, hands-on activities, and creative ways to connect the film to real-life cooking. Perfect for teachers looking to make learning about food fun and engaging! This session will help you inspire the next generation of chefs-because like Gusteau says, anyone can cook!
With over 15 years of dedicated service to Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS), Kelly Earley is a passionate educator who believes in the power of CTE to transform student lives. After 12 successful years shaping minds at the middle school level, Kelly transitioned to the high school... Read More →
Lead Beyond the Classroom: The Virginia ACTE Fellowship Experience This informational session provides an in-depth look at the Virginia ACTE Fellowship and how it empowers Career and Technical Education educators to expand their leadership, advocacy, and professional impact. Participants will learn about the purpose and structure of the Fellowship, eligibility requirements, expectations, and the application process. The session will explore how the Virginia Association for Career and Technical Education Fellowship develops educators as leaders at the local, state, and national levels through networking, policy engagement, and professional collaboration. Attendees will gain insight into the benefits of participation, including strengthening advocacy skills, building professional relationships, and increasing visibility for CTE programs. In addition, participants will hear practical strategies for preparing a strong application and balancing Fellowship commitments with classroom responsibilities. Whether you are an emerging leader or a seasoned educator ready to broaden your influence, this session will provide a clear roadmap for leveraging the Virginia ACTE Fellowship to lead beyond the classroom and shape the future of CTE.
Early Childhood Education Teacher, Susie G. Gibson Science and Technology Center
Allison Burns is an Early Childhood Education instructor in Virginia. She is passionate about preparing future educators through hands-on, real-world learning experiences that connect theory to practice. A strong advocate for Career and Technical Education, Allison actively promotes... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EDT Cape Charles A
How is Teachers for Tomorrow is working for you and your school division? What do you see as the rewards of the program as well as the challenges? What are you doing that may help others, and what might you take away from this session to make your program even better? Let's turn challenges into opportunities! Come ready to share your thoughts with others.
Presenter: Denny Keffer, Director, Extended and Distance Education, Shenandoah University
Dennis Keffer has dedicated over three decades to public education, serving in various roles such as teacher, coach, principal, and central office personnel. Before joining Shenandoah University (SU), he was an adjunct professor at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), specializing in school... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EDT Mariner A
The CTE Resource Center, your source for Virginia’s public school CTE curriculum, will show how to access your curriculum and any associated resources from the Center’s new website and through Canvas/Virtual Virginia, as well as explore resources for workplace readiness.
The CTE Resource Center is a grant-funded project of the Virginia Department of Education and provides free resources to CTE teachers in Virginia public schools, including curriculum frameworks for all of Virginia's CTE courses.
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EDT Mariner B
Virginia FCCLA Adviser Boot Camp I is designed for any FCS teacher with limited experience with incorporating FCCLA programs and activities into their courses. Participants will gain the know-how and master the tools needed to establish and operate a top-notch chapter. This training will be essential to new teachers and to those who are less experienced in FCCLA, regardless of the number of years teaching. The first Boot Camp I will be held as a post-conference option of the VATFACS Professional Development Institute at the Virginia Beach Wyndham Oceanfront. You may attend Boot Camp only. The event will begin at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, July 22 and conclude by 4:00 pm on the 23rd. Boot Camp will include an off-site evening meal Wednesday, as well as breakfast and lunch on Thursday. Participants will leave with various resources, program ideas, lesson plans, membership recruitment materials, classroom supplies and FCCLA logo items, FCCLA Store items will be available. Registration cost is $200 per participant, due 2 weeks prior to the camp. Wednesday, July 22, 2026 - 3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Thursday, July 23, 2026 - 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:00pm - Thursday July 23, 2026 6:00pm EDT Mariner A
