2026 AAEA Summer Conference: Full Schedule

10:15am CDT

From Creating Opportunity to Creating Coherence: The Work in Front of Rural Education

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am CDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Rural schools have worked hard to expand opportunity for students through pathways, partnerships, credentials, concurrent credit, regional collaboration, and local innovation. But creating opportunity and helping students successfully navigate it are not the same thing. This session makes the case for the next phase of rural education work: building coherent systems that make opportunities visible, understandable, and usable — for students and families, and for the educators and leaders trying to serve them.

Speakers

Justin Neel

Principal, Caddo Academy

Passionate and excited lead learner focused on bringing the real world into the classroom. I believe that strong community engagement fosters opportunities for student-focused learning.

Dr. Austin D. Eubanks

Assistant Director of Research and Programming, Office of Innovation for Education

After graduating out of Valley View in Jonesboro, I spent six-and-a-half years in the United States Marine Corps (first as an infantryman, then as a formal marksmanship instructor). I then began honing my expertise in research methodology, statistics, and human behavior at the University... Read More →

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Yell I-II (SCC)

Curriculum/Instruction/Assessment, Breakout Session 1

Company AACTEA

1:20pm CDT

Durable Skills for CTE Pathways - What Does This Mean For My District?

LIMITED

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT

Yell I-II (SCC)

Limited Capacity seats available

The newly revised CTE Pathways for the 2026-2027 school year includes a focus on durable skills such as problem-solving and communication that are essential across all career fields. Come hear from DCTE on what this will look like in your district.

Presider

Shantelle Raper

Assistant Superintendent, Rivercrest School District

Speakers

Ross White

State Career and Technical Education Director, Arkansas Department of Education

Ross White, director of Career and Technical Education (CTE), has served as the state CTE director since May 2021, bringing extensive experience in secondary and statewide CTE leadership. He has led the update of the state Perkins V plan, the implementation of Success Ready Gradu... Read More →

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Yell I-II (SCC)

Curriculum/Instruction/Assessment, Breakout Session 4