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2025 ISBE Career Connections Conference
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Tuesday, June 17
 

10:20am CDT

Building Rural CTE through Energy & Climate Resilience
Tuesday June 17, 2025 10:20am - 11:10am CDT
Rural areas around Illinois struggle to grow and sustain strong CTE programs. However, rural schools and communities live in the intersection of key sectors that are critical to the future success of Illinois and the world: energy and the environment. Rural communities are at the frontlines of clean energy production, and are also disproportionately impacted by the changing climate. In this panel discussion, The Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools & The Rural IL CTE Project will host Trane, Inc., rural education leaders, and rural CTE educators to discuss how rural schools can utilize energy and the climate to build innovative and robust CTE opportunities for all students.
Speakers
avatar for John Glasgow

John Glasgow

Associate Director, Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools
John Glasgow serves as the Program Director for the Association of Illinois Rural and Small Schools. He leads the Rural IL CTE Project in partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education. The Project is a state-wide effort to understand and address the needs and equity gaps... Read More →
Tuesday June 17, 2025 10:20am - 11:10am CDT
South Pavilion 4

10:20am CDT

Integrating Career and Technical Education Pathways and Instructional Leadership Team: A Case Study at Curie High School
Tuesday June 17, 2025 10:20am - 11:10am CDT
Integrating Career and Technical Education Pathways and Instructional Leadership Team: A Case Study at Curie High School
Speakers
AA

Araceli Aponte

Curie High School
avatar for Alexander Kmicikewycz

Alexander Kmicikewycz

Assistant Principal, Curie High School, Chicago Public Schools
Araceli Aponte is the Career and Technical Education at Curie High School. She brings nearly 10 years of experience connecting students and young adults with work and job placements through the Chicago Archdiocese and Chicago Public Schools. She holds a bachelors degree in Latin American... Read More →
Tuesday June 17, 2025 10:20am - 11:10am CDT
South Pavilion 5

10:20am CDT

Taking Career Readiness to New Heights with Drones
Tuesday June 17, 2025 10:20am - 11:10am CDT
In this hands-on session, attendees will explore the use of drones as powerful tools for teaching career and technical education (CTE) in fields like agriculture, construction, media, and engineering. Drones provide unique opportunities for students to engage in coding, engineering design, and problem-solving, skills that are directly aligned with career readiness in emerging industries. Through live demonstrations, educators will learn how to incorporate drones into their classrooms, from autonomous flight coding to exploring drone applications in multimedia and other CTE-related fields. Participants will understand key drone terminology, career pathways, and FAA certification requirements. This session will also cover resources and project ideas to get started, ensuring that drones enhance student learning and better prepare them for the workforce. By the end of this session, CTE educators will have practical knowledge on integrating drones into their programs and be equipped with strategies to elevate student engagement and career readiness.
Speakers
avatar for Eric Santos

Eric Santos

Regional Educational Technology Coordinator, Chicagoland, Learning Technology Center
Eric Santos is a National Board Certified Teacher with expertise in STEM education, AI integration, and curriculum development with a technology focus. Extensive experience keynoting, facilitating workshops, and consulting on AI in education. Proven track record in designing STEM... Read More →
Tuesday June 17, 2025 10:20am - 11:10am CDT
South Pavilion 6

12:10pm CDT

16 and 17 Year olds: The Truth About Employment and Internships
Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
Examine Illinois state and US Department of Labor employment law concerning 16 and 17 year-olds. Learn what the law allows 16 and 17 year-olds to do in employment and internships in a variety of industries. Leave with written guidance from Illinois and the US DOL to support your requests with employer partners to host interns and employ 16 and 17 year-olds.
Speakers
CB

Cassie Blickem

Director, VALEES
Cassie Blickem is the Director of Valley Education for Employment System (VALEES, EFE #130) serving 17 member districts and two Area Career Centers in the southern portion of Kane County and parts of DeKalb, Kendall, LaSalle and Lee Counties.
Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
South Pavilion 5

12:10pm CDT

Bridging Skills and Opportunities: Integrating the Seal of Biliteracy within CTE programs
Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
In this presentation, we will provide an overview of the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy, a valuable credential recognizing students’ bilingual skills. We will explore how school districts can integrate students’ bilingual abilities and world language studies into CTE programs. By aligning CTE with bilingualism, districts can create unique opportunities that promote bilingual career pathways, helping students stand out in an increasingly diverse, global, and competitive workforce. This session will highlight the benefits of bilingualism in CTE, offering strategies for administrators to enhance their programs and prepare students for successful, bilingual careers.
Speakers
KS

Karen Skinner

Principal Consultant, Illinois State Board of Education
Karen Skinner is a Principal Consultant with ISBE where she has worked for the past three years to coordinate the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy and assist districts with implementing world language and English learner programs. With a background in Spanish teaching and counseling... Read More →
Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
Samuel Tinley

12:10pm CDT

Building Skills That Add Up: Mathematics Integration in CTE
Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
Unleash the potential of Career and Technical Education (CTE) by integrating mathematics into your programs. This session will explore the natural alignment between math and CTE disciplines, highlighting how these connections can deepen student understanding and foster real-world applications. Participants will gain practical strategies and implementation tools to incorporate math seamlessly into CTE instruction, making it both accessible and meaningful for students. With a focus on actionable takeaways, this session will provide real examples you can bring directly to your classroom, helping students see the relevance of math in their career pathways. Whether you’re looking to strengthen math integration in your existing curriculum or searching for new ideas, this session offers the support, inspiration, and resources needed to make it happen. Prepare to transform your approach to teaching and empower your students to connect math concepts to their future success! "
Speakers
GF

Gina Fulton

Principal Consultant, ISBE
Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
North Pavilion 1

12:10pm CDT

Exploring the Game of Life: Making it Fun, But Keeping It Real
Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
How do you make career exploration and development fun? Well…you dress up for your career, put up a wheel, and create a GIANT-sized Game of Life! Our CTE team will share our experiences engaging with high school students and captivating audiences through student-focused events. Utilizing key concepts from The Game of Life, students enter the game, pick a career card, spin the wheel, and answer questions to further their knowledge about what their future could look like. Keeping the spirit of the game alive, but making conversations real is the true key to our success. Resources as well as tips for modification in various settings and audiences will be shared with the group.
Speakers
avatar for Kathy Wight

Kathy Wight

Director of Career and Technical Education, Regional Office of Education #33/Delabar CTE System EFE #280
"Kathy Wight is the Director of Career and Technical Education for the Regional Office of Education #33 and Delabar CTE System EFE #280. Kathy taught business for 15 years to middle/high school students and 5 years at the local community college. Currently, she leads the CTE Department... Read More →
Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
North Pavilion 2

12:10pm CDT

Stay Lit: Unlocking the Secret to Keeping High Schoolers Engaged
Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
In this interactive session, educators will explore the LIT method, Listen, Interact, and Transform, as a powerful approach to engaging high school students. Khayla will walk attendees through practical strategies for transforming their lessons to meet the needs of today’s learners, while encouraging an environment where mistakes are embraced as opportunities for growth. The session will tackle common challenges such as balancing engagement without overdoing it, updating outdated lessons, and navigating the fine line of being the ""cool"" teacher. Participants will collaborate, sharing lessons they struggle with and learning ways to make them more engaging and impactful. Khayla will discuss how education has evolved from pre-COVID to now and offer handouts that include the LIT method along with resources for finding trending teaching ideas. Teachers will leave with tools and strategies to better understand and meet the diverse needs of their students.
Speakers
KK

Khayla Kelley-Morton

Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher, Homewood Flossmoor High School
"Khayla is a dedicated CTE teacher specializing in FCS, with a focus on Culinary and Interior Design. She also brings expertise in Nutrition, Child Development, and Financial Literacy, helping students gain practical knowledge for success. Recognized as Teacher of the Quarter and... Read More →
Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
North Pavilion 5

12:10pm CDT

The Current State of CS CTE in Illinois: Findings and Future Directions
Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
This session will share findings and future directions from a state-wide analysis of high school computer science (CS) coursework. We will highlight CTE’s pervasive influence on CS education in Illinois. We first outline the prevalence of CTE in the most enrolled CS courses, identify the CS CTE sequences, and compare enrollment patterns across student groups to CS non-CTE courses. Further, our work identifies potential “gateway” courses that can diversify CS CTE sequences, highlighting their role in shaping equitable student access. Lastly, we discuss who teaches CS CTE, including a student’s likelihood of having a qualified teacher. Our research underscores that CTE serves as an important and viable pathway to engage students in CS that broadens access to high quality education.
Speakers
CY

Chen Ying

Senior Research Associate, Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative - University of Illinois System
"Speaker’s Bio Ying Chen Dr. Ying Chen is a Senior Research Associate at the Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative (IWERC). He specializes in measurement, psychometrics, and STEM education, with published articles in leading STEM education and measurement journals... Read More →
Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CDT
South Pavilion 3

1:10pm CDT

Claim Your Future: Linking Today’s Educational Choices to Future Careers and Financial Stability
Tuesday June 17, 2025 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
Claim Your Future (CYF) is a proven, engaging educational game that encourages students to explore career pathways, financial decision making, and the future return on investment of postsecondary education and training. The game can be played online or in-person with elementary, middle, and high school students. Join this session for a live demonstration of the newly enhanced CYF game and learn how you can get access to your FREE kit today!
Speakers
avatar for Manuel Talavera

Manuel Talavera

Professional Development Specialist, Illinois Student Assistance Commission
"Manuel was born and raised in the southwest side of Chicago to immigrant parents from Mexico. Manuel, a first-generation college student, graduated from Roosevelt University with a B.A. in International Relations and holds an MPA from the University of Illinois Springfield. Manuel... Read More →
Tuesday June 17, 2025 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
Bremen

1:10pm CDT

Exploring STEM Careers with Learning Blade: A Free Resource Illinois Educators
Tuesday June 17, 2025 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
In this session, Colleen will introduce educators to Learning Blade, a free resource accessible to all schools in Illinois, specifically designed to engage students with real-world missions and career pathways in STEM. Colleen will demonstrate how Learning Blade connects classroom learning to real-world challenges, helping students see how their academic skills directly relate to STEM careers. Through online lessons and offline hands-on activities, Learning Blade exposes students to a wide variety of STEM careers, helping them understand how their skills and interests align with real-world opportunities. With her background in equity-focused education, Colleen will show how Learning Blade helps make STEM careers accessible to historically underrepresented populations. Funded in Illinois by a collaboration with the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base and BlueForge Alliance, Colleen will also demonstrate how Learning Blade can support Illinois students in exploring career opportunities in the state’s submarine manufacturing sector.
Speakers
CR

Colleen Ross

Illinois Manager, Learning Blade
Colleen Ross is the Illinois Manager for Learning Blade and a passionate advocate for making STEM, Computer Science, and Career and Technical Education more accessible and equitable for students across Illinois. With a master’s degree in Equity in Education and certifications in... Read More →
Tuesday June 17, 2025 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
Samuel Tinley

1:10pm CDT

First Impressions Matter: Equipping Teachers to Guide Students for Job Interviews
Tuesday June 17, 2025 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
Equipping youth with the skills and knowledge needed to make a great first impression is the initial step in helping youth ace their first interview. Join 4-H Youth Development Educators, Martha Ebbesmeyer and Kelly Lafferty, for an active workshop experience and explore activities designed to help build your student’s confidence while preparing for an apprenticeship application or a summer job interview. Help youth showcase their skills effectively through preparation and practice with simple, ready-to-use resources.
Participants will also gain knowledge about free workforce development programs available statewide from University of Illinois 4-H Extension staff. By the end of the session, attendees will be equipped with practical tools and ideas to enhance their classroom lessons.
Speakers
ME

Martha Ebbesmeyer

4-H Youth Development Educator, University of Illinois 4-H
Martha Ebbesmeyer, University of Illinois 4-H Youth Development Educator, works with youth in Carroll, Lee, and Whiteside counties. She provides programming support to 4-H members, volunteers, and staff. She works with local schools and community organizations to deliver hands-on... Read More →
Tuesday June 17, 2025 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
North Pavilion 5

1:10pm CDT

Framework for Standing Up and Growing a Work-Based Learning/Internship Program
Tuesday June 17, 2025 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
Join us for an insightful session that will describe how one Illinois school district is standing up and growing their WBL/Career Internship program. Our WBL/Career Internship course is designed for students in career pathways working toward an Illinois College and Career Pathway Endorsement (CCPE). Explore how our district aligned our program to state initiatives and the many resources we use, including Schoolinks and AI, to ensure that our students have unique and meaningful Work-Based Learning experiences. This session is designed for educators, administrators, and career development/WBL professionals wanting to build and/or grow their Work-Based Learning/Internship program.
Speakers
avatar for Brett Thompson

Brett Thompson

Career Internship Teacher and Program Coordinator, Naperville CUSD 203
Tuesday June 17, 2025 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
South Pavilion 3

1:10pm CDT

Leverage Free Statewide EdTech Services to Maximize Impact
Tuesday June 17, 2025 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
Join the Learning Technology Center (LTC) as we introduce you to free and low-cost services and support available to all K-12 educators and districts. Partially funded by the Illinois State Board of Education, the LTC helps districts, schools, and educators harness the power of technology to empower student learning. This session will provide resources to address specific technical needs in a variety of CTE areas and will also address implementing CTE across the content areas. The LTC provides a wide range of services, including custom professional learning for staff, consulting, and district planning on topics like technology integration, computer science, and makerspaces and manages EdTech cooperative purchasing to save districts money. Whether your classroom focus is in a particular CTE area or you are a district leader, this session will equip you with the knowledge to enhance technology-enhanced teaching and learning for your whole organization.
Speakers
avatar for Melinda Fiscus

Melinda Fiscus

Director of Government Affairs, Learning Technology Center of IL
Melinda Fiscus is the Director of Government Affairs for the Learning Technology Center of Illinois. In this role, she provides networking opportunities, consulting services, and professional development for IL school districts. She also serves as one of the IL State E-Rate Coordinators... Read More →
Tuesday June 17, 2025 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
South Pavilion 6

1:10pm CDT

Maximizing EFE Systems: Roles, Benefits, and Collaboration Strategies
Tuesday June 17, 2025 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
This presentation provides an in-depth exploration of Illinois' Education for Employment (EFE) systems and their pivotal role in advancing Career and Technical Education (CTE). Attendees will gain insights into the essential services EFEs offer, including fiscal oversight, program approval, teacher and student support, and fostering partnerships with industry and education stakeholders. The session highlights strategies to maximize EFE system collaboration, such as leveraging grants, engaging in professional development, organizing career events, and developing innovative programs tailored to local workforce needs. Participants will learn practical tips for connecting with EFE Directors, sharing success stories, and enhancing their involvement to create impactful CTE experiences for students. Real-world examples of successful EFE initiatives, such as dual credit agreements, industry advisory committees, and career exploration events, will be shared. This presentation is ideal for educators, administrators, and industry partners seeking to elevate their understanding and use of EFE systems.
Speakers
KS

Kaleb Smith

Director, Madison County CTE
Kaleb Smith serves as Director of the Madison County Career and Technical Education (CTE) System, overseeing the administration of diverse CTE programs across 11 high schools in Madison and Macoupin Counties. With expertise in developing high-quality talent pipelines and fostering... Read More →
Tuesday June 17, 2025 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
North Pavilion 3

1:10pm CDT

Policy to Practice: Guidelines, Strategies, and Challenges of Applying for and Implementing CCPEs
Tuesday June 17, 2025 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
This session is designed to guide participants through the process of applying for and implementing College and Career Pathway Endorsements. Participants will gain an understanding of the essential guidelines and theoretical foundations behind these endorsements.
In addition, the steps in the application process will be broken down and application experiences and tips will be shared. The session will also address common challenges faced by schools in obtaining and implementing endorsements.
By the end of the session, attendees will be better equipped to support the development of college and career pathways in their districts. Attendees will also be provided with resources and templates to assist in the process.
Speakers
BO

Ben Owen

Director of Career and College Readiness, SD308
"Ben is is a versatile professional with a unique blend of business acumen and passion for education. Prior to starting his professional career, he earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational management and an M.B.A. Ben’s career in the business industry spanned five years, during... Read More →
Tuesday June 17, 2025 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
South Pavilion 5

1:10pm CDT

Reimagining Internships: Portfolio-Based Approaches
Tuesday June 17, 2025 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
Portfolio-Based Internships will present an in-depth exploration of a collaboration between Round Lake Area School District 116 and Lake County Tech Campus, as the organizations developed a pilot program for HBS students to complete a portfolio-based internship in the Human and Public Service Pathway, specifically Law Enforcement and School Safety. The internship was built through a portfolio of School Safety and Law Enforcement experiences facilitated by Round Lake District Safety personnel, who acted as the employer and team of industry experts. Students developed HBS Technical Competencies and Essential Employability Skills through their experiences with diverse facets of School Safety and its role in supporting a positive school and community climate. The experiences collectively  totaled 60 hours. Issues around transportation equity were addressed with students completing the internship in their home district. The Portfolio-Based Internship is a valuable model for districts and CCR Stakeholders to potentially customize and scale across all seven Career Pathways.
Speakers
avatar for Carolyn Corcoran

Carolyn Corcoran

College & Career Readiness and CTE Curriculum and Instruction Specialist, Round Lake Area School District 116
Carolyn Corcoran is a dedicated College and Career Readiness (CCR) and Career Technical Education (CTE) Specialist with extensive experience supporting postsecondary success for students in grades 6-12. Her innovative work includes advancing School-Based Enterprises, Career Development... Read More →
Tuesday June 17, 2025 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
North Pavilion 2

2:40pm CDT

Achieving a 100% Quality Program of Study: The Nine Components
Tuesday June 17, 2025 2:40pm - 3:30pm CDT
This presentation focuses on optimizing and completing the nine essential components of a Program of Study submission to ensure a comprehensive, high-quality educational experience that leads to 100% quality achievement. This session should help guide Educator for Employment System Directors (EFE) and administrators to elevate their program and ensure that students achieve their career and academic goals. ISBE staff will also share information about the upcoming roll out of the digital platform to support continuous improvement for each component of the Program of Study Submission system.
Speakers
SS

Shaista Saiyed

CTE - HST Principal Consultant, ISBE
"Shaista Saiyed is the Health Science and Technology (HST) Principal Consultant for the Career and Technical Education (CTE) department at the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). In this role, Shaista provides leadership, expertise, and support within ISBE and other agencies... Read More →
Tuesday June 17, 2025 2:40pm - 3:30pm CDT
North Pavilion 4

2:40pm CDT

Embracing the Power of Cooperative Purchasing with the Illinois Learning Technology Purchasing Program (ILTPP)
Tuesday June 17, 2025 2:40pm - 3:30pm CDT
Tired of the cumbersome traditional bid process for technology procurement? Join us for an informative session on the Illinois Learning Technology Purchase Program (ILTPP), a service of the Learning Technology Center (LTC)! This session is perfect for anyone in a purchasing role at their building. Witness firsthand how ILTPP simplifies your district's technology acquisition, empowers you to leverage the strength of collective agreements, and ultimately optimizes your technology landscape. This session will reveal the easy-to-navigate path to membership and unlock a world of technology solutions. Get hands-on guidance through the user-friendly joining process and explore the vast partner directory. Say goodbye to time-consuming bidding processes and embrace the efficiency and convenience of cooperative purchasing with the NEW ILTPP Marketplace, streamlining procurement and taking the manual work out of using a purchasing cooperative.
Speakers
AB

Amanda Bruns

Member Engagement Manager, Illinois Learning Technology Purchasing Program
Amanda Bruns is the Member Engagement Manager for the Illinois Learning Technology Purchasing Program (ILTPP). Amanda leads the LTC’s efforts to attract, engage, and support the purchasing cooperative members. She also works closely with ILTPP’s program director to develop new... Read More →
avatar for Melinda Fiscus

Melinda Fiscus

Director of Government Affairs, Learning Technology Center of IL
Melinda Fiscus is the Director of Government Affairs for the Learning Technology Center of Illinois. In this role, she provides networking opportunities, consulting services, and professional development for IL school districts. She also serves as one of the IL State E-Rate Coordinators... Read More →
Tuesday June 17, 2025 2:40pm - 3:30pm CDT
South Pavilion 6

2:40pm CDT

Explore Multiple Paths: D128's Multi-Prong Approach to College & Career Readiness
Tuesday June 17, 2025 2:40pm - 3:30pm CDT
Learn how District 128 (Libertyville & Vernon Hills High Schools) is building district-wide college and career readiness systems and programs for its students. Our collaborative work includes weaving together College & Career Pathway Endorsements, a dual credit strategy, a career exploration framework, workplace internships, the PaCE Framework, and more. We'll touch on using the digital platform SchooLinks and how it is critical to ensure our systems and efforts align.
Speakers
BR

Benjamin Rodriguez

Director of College & Career Readiness, CHSD 128: Libertyville & Vernon Hills High Schools
"Ben Rodriguez is the Director of College and Career Readiness at Community High School District 128. In his role, he leads efforts related to career exploration, work-based learning, postsecondary planning, early college programming, community engagement, and more. Through the... Read More →
Tuesday June 17, 2025 2:40pm - 3:30pm CDT
North Pavilion 3

2:40pm CDT

Guiding Teen Girls to Leadership Success: Strategies for Developing Leader Identity
Tuesday June 17, 2025 2:40pm - 3:30pm CDT
Discover practical strategies to help teen girls develop their leader identity and reach their full potential. This session equips educators with tools to guide students in recognizing their strengths, building confidence, and embracing leadership roles while exploring career pathways. Participants will explore research-based techniques to foster a growth mindset, promote self-advocacy, and encourage meaningful goal-setting.
Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, attendees will explore toolkits and resources that inspire young women to lead with purpose and resilience. This session offers actionable insights to empower the next generation of female leaders. Join us to uncover the path to peak performance while helping students develop their career pathways and thrive in leadership and beyond.
Speakers
KC

Kimberly Clayton-Code

Professor, Northern Kentucky University
Kimberly Clayton-Code, PhD is a professor in the College of Education at Northern Kentucky University, where she teaches courses in gifted and talented education and educational foundations. A passionate educator and curriculum designer, she has authored nationally recognized, award-winning... Read More →
Tuesday June 17, 2025 2:40pm - 3:30pm CDT
North Pavilion 5
 
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