Professional Development Opportunities
2026-2027 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND CAREER & TECHNICAL STUDENT ORGANIZATION EVENTS
ESU CTE Collaboration Days*
September 30, 2026 – ESU 13 CTE Collaboration Day; Scottsbluff, NE
October 13, 2026 – ESU 4,5,6 Collaboration Day; Beatrice, NE
October 27, 2026 – ESU 1,2,7,8,17 NNNC Collaboration Day; Norfolk, NE
January 19, 2027 – ESU 9,10,11 Collaboration Day; Kearney, NE
*These events are hosted by the ESUs with NDE staff presenting.
National CTE Month
February 2027
Nebraska Career Education Conference (NCE Conference)
June 7-9, 2027; Younes Conference Center South – Kearney, NE
The Nebraska Career & Technical Education Conference is the premier professional development event for CTE teachers in Nebraska! The focus of the conference will be to address current and ongoing themes in Career & Technical Education and support administrators and teachers throughout the state in learning new pedagogical skills and technical content, while expanding their professional network.
For more information and updates, visit: nceconference.com
JumpStart Educator Institute
July 2027; Lincoln, NE
The Nebraska CTE JumpStart Educator Institute is a four-day workshop with two strands:
Incoming CTE teachers working under a Career Education Permit, enrolled in UNK’s Transition to Teaching program, or participating in UNL’s Transitional Certification Program (TCP). This strand of the JumpStart workshop offers practical training and guidance on teaching strategies, lesson planning and assessment, classroom management, legal considerations, and other essential topics.
New to the profession school counselors (who may or may not have started a school counseling graduate program). This strand of the workshop will focus on developing a comprehensive school counseling program, school counselor ethics, and professional standards, deepening an understanding of the role of school counselor in career and technical education and building collaborative working relationships with staff in your buildings.
Technical Skills Workshops
Summer 2027
In collaboration with Nebraska Community Colleges and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Technical Skill Workshops will be offered across the state to provide professional development for Skilled and Technical Sciences and Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources instructors. These hands-on workshops provide specific skill training so that CTE instructors can continue to offer increasingly advanced technical CTE coursework in their district.
CONTACT
Katie Graham, Ph.D.
State Director
(402) 937-2809
katie.graham@nebraska.gov
ESU CTE Collaboration Days*
TBD – ESU 2 AFNR Collaboration Day; Fremont, NE
September 30, 2026 – ESU 13 CTE Collaboration Day; Scottsbluff, NE
October 13, 2026 – ESU 4,5,6 Collaboration Day; Beatrice, NE
October 27, 2026 – ESU 1,2,7,8,17 NNNC Collaboration Day; Norfolk, NE
November 27, 2026 – ESU 7 AFNR Collaboration Day; Norfolk, NE
January 19, 2027 – ESU 9,10,11 Collaboration Day; Kearney, NE
*These events are hosted by the ESUs with NDE staff presenting.
Nebraska State Fair
September 4-7, 2026 – FFA Weekend; Grand Island, NE
September 5, 2026 – State Dairy Judging Event; Grand Island, NE
September 5, 2026 – State Milk Quality and Products Event; Grand Island, NE
Husker Harvest Days
September 15-17, 2026; Wood River, NE
Ignite Leadership Conference
September 22, 2026 – University of Nebraska PREEC; Scottsbluff, NE
(Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center)
September 23, 2026 – Younes North; Kearney, NE
September 25, 2026 – Norris High School; Firth, NE
National FFA Convention
October 21-24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN
Pathways to Careers Conference & Ag Ed Symposium
November 6, 2026 – Younes North; Kearney, NE
SAE Based Awards Program Application Review
February 19-20, 2027 – Younes North; Kearney, NE
National FFA Week
February 21-27, 2027
State FFA Officer Preliminary Interviews
March 17-19, 2027 – Younes North; Kearney, NE
State FFA Convention
March 31 – April 2, 2027; Lincoln, NE
Chapter Officer Leadership Training (COLT)
Session 1 – May 20-21, 2027; Aurora, NE
Session 2 – May 24-25, 2027; Aurora, NE
Session 3 – May 26-27, 2027; Aurora, NE
Session 4 – May 28-29, 2027; Aurora, NE
CONTACT
Sarah Heideman
sarah.heideman@nebraska.gov
(402) 432-2868
www.neaged.org
www.neffafoundation.org
Victoria Brashears
Victoria.Brashears@nebraska.gov
(402) 432-7661
www.neaged.org
www.neffafoundation.org
ESU CTE Collaboration Days*
September 30, 2026 – ESU 13 CTE Collaboration Day; Scottsbluff, NE
October 13, 2026 – ESU 4,5,6 Collaboration Day; Beatrice, NE
October 27, 2026 – ESU 1,2,7,8,17 NNNC Collaboration Day; Norfolk, NE
January 19, 2027 – ESU 9,10,11 Collaboration Day; Kearney, NE
*These events are hosted by the ESUs with NDE staff presenting.
DECA Fall Leadership Conference
October 14, 2026 – Creighton University; Omaha, NE
DECA Ultimate Power Trip
November 20-22, 2026; Louisville, KY
DECA State Career Development Conference
March 18-19, 2027 – Cornhusker Hotel and Conference Center; Lincoln, NE
2026-2027 National Business Education Conference
March 31 – April 2, 2027 – National Business Education Conference; Omaha, NE
DECA International Career Development Conference
April 17-20, 2027; Anaheim, CA
FBLA Fall Leadership Conference
September 22, 2026; Kearney, NE
September 23, 2026; Fremont, NE
FBLA National Fall Leadership Conference
November 5-7, 2026; Washington, DC
FBLA State Leadership Conference
April 14-16, 2027; Kearney, NE
FBLA National Leadership Conference
June 23-26, 2027; Columbus, OH
CONTACT
Jacqui Garrison
jacqui.garrison@nebraska.gov
(531) 530-7648
www.education.ne.gov/nce/cis
www.nebraskafbla.org
Maggie Schneider
DECA State Advisor
maggie.schneider@nebraska.gov
(531) 530-7842
www.nedeca.org
Shaun Young
shaun.young@nebraska.gov
(402) 326-7304
www.education.ne.gov/nce/cis/
ESU CTE Collaboration Days*
September 30, 2026 – ESU 13 CTE Collaboration Day; Scottsbluff, NE
October 13, 2026 – ESU 4,5,6 Collaboration Day; Beatrice, NE
October 27, 2026 – ESU 1,2,7,8,17 NNNC Collaboration Day; Norfolk, NE
January 19, 2027 – ESU 9,10,11 Collaboration Day; Kearney, NE
*These events are hosted by the ESUs with NDE staff presenting.
Community Impact Summit with Educators Rising, FCCLA, & HOSA
October 12, 2026 – Western Nebraska Community College; Scottsbluff, NE
HOSA Fall Leadership Conference
October 14, 2026; York, NE
National HOSA Week
November 2-6, 2026
HOSA’s Bryan Discovery Day
November 18, 2026; Lincoln, NE
HOSA State Leadership Conference
March 7-9, 2027 – Creighton University; Omaha, NE
HOSA International Leadership Conference
June 23-26, 2027 – Baltimore Convention Center; Baltimore, MD
CONTACT
Jamelyn Denny
jamelyn.denny@nebraska.gov
(531) 229-3156
www.education.ne.gov/healthscience
Human Sciences & Education Fall Workshops
October 5, 2026 – Focus: Culinary Arts & Event Planning; Hastings, NE
October 8, 2026 – Focus: Child Development Associate (CDA); La Vista, NE
ESU CTE Collaboration Days*
September 30, 2026 – ESU 13 CTE Collaboration Day; Scottsbluff, NE
October 13, 2026 – ESU 4,5,6 Collaboration Day; Beatrice, NE
October 27, 2026 – ESU 1,2,7,8,17 NNNC Collaboration Day; Norfolk, NE
January 19, 2027 – ESU 9,10,11 Collaboration Day; Kearney, NE
*These events are hosted by the ESUs with NDE staff presenting.
Educators Rising Teacher Leader Webinars
August 18, 2026 – Welcome Back!
November 2, 2026 – Competitive Events
December 1, 2026 – Recognition Opportunities + Supporting State Officer Candidates
January 5, 2027 – SLC Registration & Details
March 2, 2027 – Preparing for Nationals
April 13, 2027 – Reviewing National Competitors
Educators Rising Chapter Officer Leadership Academy
September 10, 2026; Virtual
Community Impact Summit with Educators Rising, FCCLA, & HOSA
October 12, 2026 – Western Nebraska Community College; Scottsbluff, NE
Educators Rising Fall Leadership Conference
October 14, 2026 – UNO Milo Bail Student Center; Omaha, NE
National Educators Rising Week
February 1-5, 2027
Educators Rising State Leadership Conference
February 22-23, 2027 – Younes South Conference Center; Kearney, NE
Educators Rising National Leadership Conference
June 17-20, 2027; Columbus, OH
FCCLA Adviser Webinars
August 19, 2026 – Welcome Back!
October 7, 2026 – Competitive Events
December 16, 2026 – Supporting SPOT, State Officer, & National Officer Candidates
January 6, 2027 – FCCLA Week + Recognition Opportunities
February 3, 2027 – SLC Registration Details & Opportunities
April 14, 2027 – NLC Information
FCCLA Fall Leadership Conference
September 16, 2026 – Wayne State College; Wayne, NE
September 24, 2026 – University of Nebraska Kearney; Kearney, NE
September 28, 2026 – University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus; Lincoln, NE
Community Impact Summit with Educators Rising, FCCLA, & HOSA
October 12, 2026 – Western Nebraska Community College; Scottsbluff, NE
FCCLA Chapter Adviser Summit
January 13-17, 2027 – Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk; San Antonio, TX
National FCCLA Week
February 8-12, 2027
FCCLA State Leadership Conference
April 4-6, 2027 – Pinnacle Bank Arena; Lincoln, NE
FCCLA National Leadership Conference
June 22-26, 2027; San Antonio, TX
CONTACT
Miranda Bright
miranda.bright@nebraska.gov
(402) 937-5095
www.education.ne.gov/nce/hse/
Chelsey Greene
chelsey.greene@nebraska.gov
(531) 207-3104
www.nebraskafccla.org
ESU CTE Collaboration Days*
September 30, 2026 – ESU 13 CTE Collaboration Day; Scottsbluff, NE
October 13, 2026 – ESU 4,5,6 Collaboration Day; Beatrice, NE
October 27, 2026 – ESU 1,2,7,8,17 NNNC Collaboration Day; Norfolk, NE
January 19, 2027 – ESU 9,10,11 Collaboration Day; Kearney, NE
*These events are hosted by the ESUs with NDE staff presenting.
SkillsUSA Advisor Training
July 20-21, 2026 – Fairfield Inn & Suites; Grand Island, NE
SkillsUSA Mid-America Leadership Conference
October 25-28, 2026 – DoubleTree Downtown; Omaha, NE
STS Fall Workshops
November 2026 – Held in conjunction with the SkillsUSA
Fall Leadership & Districts Conferences.
SkillsUSA Fall Leadership & District Conference
November 4, 2026 – Southeast Community College; Lincoln, NE
November 13, 2026 – Northeast Community College; Norfolk, NE
November 18, 2026 – Central Community College; Hastings, NE
November 20, 2026 – Metropolitan Community College; Omaha, NE
SkillsUSA Middle School Championship
December 9, 2026 – East, Kroc Center; Omaha, NE
February 10, 2027 – West, Heartland Event Center; Grand Island, NE
SkillsUSA State Leadership & Skills Championship
April 8-10, 2027 – Fonner Park; Grand Island, NE
SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference
June 21-25, 2027; Atlanta, GA
CONTACT
For a printable version of the 2026–2027 Nebraska CTE Professional Opportunities click the image below to download.
