The Kansas Annual CTE Conference: Connect the Dots offered 500 educators the opportunity to learn more about Individual Plans of Study (IPS) and work-based learning and to hear from two national guest speakers. 

Attendees, including CTE teachers, CTE coordinators, counselors, administrators and representatives from postsecondary institutions, also were able to network with peers and select from 80 breakout sessions. 

The conference, sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and the Kansas Association of Educational Services Agencies (KAESA) took place Feb. 6-8 at the Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center in Manhattan. 

Keynote speakers on Tuesday, Feb. 7, were: 

• Brooks Harper, an author, speaker and career expert from South Carolina. His presentation was “Passionately Preparing the Next Generation.” 
• Danny Rubin, author, speaker and business skills expert from Virginia. His presentation was “How Employability Skills Open Any Door; Knock Down Every Wall.” 

Staff members from KSDE also offered their expertise and led sessions. 

“KSDE has been well-represented,” said Dr. Stephen King, STEM education program manager for KSDE. “Most of the CTE team is on site.” 

Natalie Clark, assistant director of KSDE’s Career, Standards and Assessment Services (CSAS) team, participated in the welcome session at the conference; led a CTE coordinator session and a work-based learning session; and participated in IPS preconference sessions. 

“We all participated in networking regional WBL (work-based learning) sessions with workforce and pathway networking sessions,” Clark said.