On-site workshops
Focused learning built around your district's pathways, people, and immediate challenges.
Build shared language501(c)(3) nonprofitProfessional development for district CTE teams
Your CTE educators shouldn't have to figure it out alone.
Activate CTE partners with districts for a full year of relevant professional learning across CTE instruction, CTSO support, and esports pathways, combining on-site workshops, an educator cohort, and coaching between sessions.
01 / PRACTICAL SUPPORTReal classrooms.
Real pressure.
Real partnership.
Real pressure.
Real partnership.
CTE professional developmentCTSO supportEsports + digital pathways
The district partnership
One partnership.
Three kinds of support.
A workshop can create energy. A support system creates change. We stay with your educators long enough for new practices to be tested, adjusted, and owned.
Monthly online community
Live professional learning and role-alike networking with people who understand the work.
Replace isolationCoaching between sessions
Practical support when educators are applying the work and the real questions begin.
Turn learning into practiceYOUR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING YEAR
ListenLaunchPracticeCoachReflectBuild again
INDUSTRY + COMMUNITY CONNECTION
WORKFORCE READINESS ISN’T A SCHOOL-ONLY RESPONSIBILITY.
Employers cannot wait for students to arrive job-ready while staying outside the learning process. Activate CTE helps districts and local businesses create meaningful career-connected experiences together.
Activate Works connects students with community businesses through supportive, supervised work-based learning projects in marketing and event production.A NATIONAL CONNECTION FOR CTE TEACHERS + ADVISORS
THE WORKSHOP ENDS. THE SUPPORT DOESN’T.
Activate CTE is building a national connection where teachers and advisors can learn together, share resources and solve problems with people who understand the work.
01
MONTHLY VIRTUAL PDCTE-specific learning educators can use now.
02
ROLE-ALIKE CONNECTIONTeachers and advisors meeting people who understand their programs.
03
PRACTICAL PEER SUPPORTShared resources, honest questions and solutions that travel.
AVEL · ACTIVATE VARSITY ESPORTS LEAGUE
ESPORTS IS THE ENTRY POINT. AVEL BUILDS WHAT COMES NEXT.
AVEL turns the energy around competition into educator capacity, student belonging and career-connected pathways in cybersecurity, media, event production and leadership.
01
COACH + ADVISOR PDEquip educators to lead programs with confidence.
02
LEAGUE + EVENT SUPPORTBuild engaging competitive experiences without reinventing the wheel.
03
CAREER-CONNECTED DESIGNConnect play to the technical and leadership skills employers value.
AVEL · LED BY GALEN KIASEsports + events + cybersecurity
ESPORTS · CAREER-CONNECTED LEARNING
ESPORTS ISN’T THE END PRODUCT. IT’S THE ENTRY POINT.
Turn the energy around competition into educator capacity, student belonging and pathways into cybersecurity, media, event production and leadership.
01
COACH + ADVISOR PDEquip educators to lead programs with confidence.
02
LEAGUE + EVENT SUPPORTBuild engaging experiences without reinventing the wheel.
03
CAREER-CONNECTED DESIGNConnect play to the technical and leadership skills employers value.
LED BY GALEN KIASEsports + events + cybersecurity
BELONGING BECAME LEADERSHIP
CTE IS ONE OF THE ONLY SPACES WHERE I EVER FELT LIKE I TRULY FIT.
After an epilepsy diagnosis changed Cooper’s life and the way he imagined his future, CTE and SkillsUSA gave him a place to contribute, connect and lead. He went on to serve as a SkillsUSA National Officer and now advocates for students with disabilities.
READ COOPER’S STORY →
Skills in action · Built for the real world
REAL CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE. STRONGER CTE PROGRAMS.
Student-first strategies that strengthen educators, build sustainable programs and create district-wide impact.
Jason Blackwell · National ACTE Trades Teacher of the Year · Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Grand Prize Recipient
The people behind the partnership
A TEAM THAT SPEAKS CTE FROM MORE THAN ONE ANGLE.
Your district gets practitioners and connectors who understand educators, students, programs and the partners around them.
JB
JASON BLACKWELL
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CTE EDUCATOR
Award-winning trades educator bringing practical classroom insight to professional learning.
CONNECT ON LINKEDIN →CK
COOPER KIAS
STUDENT LEADERSHIP + ADVOCACY
Past SkillsUSA National Officer, disability advocate and political science professional.
CONNECT ON LINKEDIN →GK
GALEN KIAS
AVEL · ESPORTS + EVENTS
Esports and event specialist with a cybersecurity background and career-pathway lens.
CONNECT ON LINKEDIN →HJ
HEATHE JONES
PARTNERSHIPS + CONNECTION
WACE chamber executive with nonprofit leadership experience and deep industry connections.
CONNECT ON LINKEDIN →A better year starts with a real conversation
LET'S BUILD PROFESSIONAL LEARNING YOUR CTE EDUCATORS WILL ACTUALLY USE.
Tell us what your educators are facing. We'll shape a year-round partnership around your district, not a generic catalog.
START A DISTRICT CONVERSATION →
SKILLS IN ACTION · BUILT FOR THE REAL WORLD
NATIONAL RECOGNITION. CLASSROOM ROOTS.
REAL CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE. STRONGER CTE PROGRAMS.
Student-first strategies that strengthen educators, build sustainable programs and create district-wide impact.
Jason Blackwell · National ACTE Trades Teacher of the Year · Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Grand Prize Recipient
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PARTNERSHIP
A TEAM THAT SPEAKS CTE FROM MORE THAN ONE ANGLE.
Your district gets practitioners and connectors who understand educators, students, programs and the partners around them.
JB
JASON BLACKWELL
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CTE EDUCATOR
Award-winning trades educator bringing practical classroom insight to professional learning.
CK
COOPER KIAS
STUDENT LEADERSHIP + ADVOCACY
Past SkillsUSA National Officer, disability advocate and political science professional.
GK
GALEN KIAS
ESPORTS + EVENTS
Esports and event specialist with a cybersecurity background and career-pathway lens.
HJ
HEATHE JONES
PARTNERSHIPS + CONNECTION
WACE chamber executive with nonprofit leadership experience and deep industry connections.
A BETTER YEAR STARTS WITH A REAL CONVERSATION.
LET’S BUILD PROFESSIONAL LEARNING YOUR CTE EDUCATORS WILL ACTUALLY USE.
Tell us what your educators are facing. We’ll shape a year-round partnership around your district—not a generic catalog.
START A DISTRICT CONVERSATION →CTE + ESPORTS NETWORK
BUILD CTE. GROW ESPORTS. STAY CONNECTED.
Join a national network of CTE educators, advisors, esports leaders and industry partners. Get practical professional learning, fresh ideas and opportunities that help students find where they belong.