Connecting for Success

Presenter Spotlight: Melissa Tobin, Greater Lawrence Technical School!

Join Melissa Tobin for "Making it Click: How to Connect Academic Lessons to Hands-On Training."

In today's workforce, technical skills and academic knowledge go hand in hand. This practical session explores how educators can bridge the gap between classroom concepts and hands-on learning, helping students apply math, science, literacy, and critical thinking skills in authentic technical settings.

Melissa will share actionable strategies for integrating academics into daily shop and lab experiences, giving attendees a framework for making learning more relevant, engaging, and career-connected. Walk away with ideas you can immediately implement to help students see the connection between what they learn and what they'll do in the workplace.

Exhibitor Spotlight 🌟: JFYNetWorks! For more than 20 years, JFYNetWorks has partnered with schools and educators to deliver innovative blended learning programs that help students build the academic skills and confidence needed for success after high school.

Through customized support services, JFYNetWorks helps schools improve student achievement, address learning gaps, and strengthen college and career readiness. Their expertise includes academic support in math, English, and science; Accuplacer, MCAS, and SAT preparation; data-driven instruction and coaching; and blended and remote learning implementation.

As students prepare for an evolving world of work, strong academic foundations and career readiness skills are more important than ever. Stop by the JFYNetWorks booth at to learn how their tailored solutions can help your school or district support student success and future opportunities.

Presenter Spotlight: Joshua Clark, Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School

Join Joshua Clark for "School Discipline Law for Teachers" - Massachusetts school discipline laws are frequently referenced but often misunderstood. In this practical session, Joshua will break down the key provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 71, Sections 37H, 37H½, and 37H¾, helping educators better understand how these laws are applied in real school settings and what administrators consider when disciplinary decisions are made.

Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of their role in the discipline process and leave with knowledge they can apply to real-world situations in classrooms, shops, and school environments. Whether you're a new educator or a seasoned professional, this session offers valuable insights into an important aspect of school leadership and student support.

Exhibitor Spotlight 🌟: Technical Education Solutions Education Solutions! For more than 25 years, Technical Education Solutions has been helping across New England bring industry-grade and into the classroom. We're excited to welcome them to !

From , , and technologies to advanced manufacturing, 3D design, and instructor training, Technical Education Solutions provides the tools, expertise, and support that help schools build impactful Career and Technical Education programs. Their hands-on approach ensures that educators have access to the same technologies and industry practices students will encounter in today's workforce.

As the demand for skilled talent continues to grow, access to modern equipment and industry-relevant training has never been more important. Technical Education Solutions works alongside educators to create learning environments where students can develop the technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and real-world experience needed for future careers in , , and .

Stop by their booth at to learn how their technology solutions, training programs, and industry partnerships can help strengthen your CTE programs and prepare students for tomorrow's opportunities.

Exhibitor Spotlight 🌟: Savvas Learning! As a leader in K–12 learning solutions, Savvas is helping educators prepare students for success through innovative , digital learning platforms, and career-focused educational pathways.

With a growing of Career and Technical Education programs, Savvas provides engaging, industry-relevant that help students explore career opportunities while building the academic, technical, and employability skills needed for future success. From digital technology and healthcare to entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and career exploration, Savvas empowers learners to connect classroom learning with real-world careers. Their interactive learning experiences and flexible digital solutions support both educators and students as they navigate an evolving workforce.

Aligned with this year's theme, "Skill Shift: Preparing Today's Students for Tomorrow's Trades"*, Savvas is helping schools create meaningful pathways that prepare students for college, careers, certifications, and lifelong success. Stop by the Savvas booth at to learn how their innovative CTE and educational solutions can support your students' journey from the classroom to the workforce.

🎤 Presenter Spotlight: Matthew O'Brien, Savvas Learning! Join Matthew O'Brien for "From Classroom to Career: Scaling Certification Success and Breaking the 'Inflexible Curriculum' Cycle" at .

As workforce demands continue to evolve, schools are challenged to provide students with flexible, career-connected learning experiences that lead to meaningful credentials and opportunities. In this session, attendees will explore modern approaches to CTE curriculum design, industry-recognized certifications, and strategies for creating pathways that align with both student interests and workforce needs.

Whether your focus is Agriculture, Construction, Business, Health Services, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Engineering, or beyond, you'll gain insights into how innovative curriculum models can help prepare students for success in today's workforce and tomorrow's careers.

Exhibitor Spotlight: PathfulInc! What happens when students can explore hundreds of careers, connect with industry professionals, and experience a day in the life of a future career—all from the classroom? That's exactly what Pathful delivers.

We're excited to welcome Pathful to ! Through interactive career exploration tools, virtual job shadow experiences, employability skills content, and workforce readiness resources, Pathful helps students discover career pathways that align with their interests, strengths, and goals. Their platform gives learners access to real professionals, real workplaces, and real-world insights that help make future career decisions more meaningful and informed.

For Career and Technical Education programs, connecting classroom learning to career opportunities is more important than ever. Pathful helps educators bring career exploration, work-based learning, and career readiness into everyday instruction—giving students the confidence to take the next step toward their future.

Stop by the Pathful booth at to see how they're helping students turn curiosity into career pathways.

🎤 Presenter Spotlight: DESE! Join Garvey Altine and Nicole Smith from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for "Framework Aligned, Equitable, and Career-Connected CTE Pathways" at .

As districts work toward the June 2027 alignment requirements, this session will provide practical guidance on what alignment looks like in action and how schools can build equitable, career-connected that support . Attendees will explore strategies for documenting enrollment, developing guided academic pathways, strengthening student supports, and creating meaningful partnerships that connect learning to careers.

The session will also highlight grant and funding opportunities, including summer 2026 resources to support scope and sequence development, helping schools move forward with confidence as they prepare students for future success.

Exhibitor Spotlight 🌟: Trivium CTE - We're excited to welcome Trivium CTE to ! As an innovator in immersive learning technology, Trivium CTE is transforming Career and Technical Education through reality experiences that bring real-world career training directly into the classroom.

Their Enggonline Library allows students to step into virtual worksites where they can practice technical skills, solve problems, and gain hands-on experience in safe, engaging environments. Through industry-aligned simulations, performance assessments, and role-specific learning modules, Trivium helps students build confidence, strengthen critical thinking skills, and develop workforce-ready before entering the job site.

Aligned with this year's theme, "Skill Shift: Preparing Today's Students for Tomorrow's Trades", Trivium CTE is helping educators leverage emerging technologies to enhance instruction and accelerate skill development. Stop by their booth at to discover how virtual reality is reshaping the future of Career and Technical Education and preparing learners for success in high-demand careers. 🚀

It's time to start planning your conference experience, and the schedule is now LIVE! SCHED is the official conference platform for Connecting for Success and provides attendees with access to session offerings, conference information, and real-time schedule updates. We encourage all participants to download the SCHED app on their mobile device before the conference so they can:

• Browse session offerings
• Build a personalized conference schedule
• Save favorite sessions
• Receive schedule updates and announcements
• Maximize their time at the conference

Access the 2026 Connecting for Success Conference in SCHED:
https://ow.ly/zShy50Z9cp9