MnACTE
The Minnesota Association for Career and Technical Education (MnACTE) is a representative, statewide, professional, umbrella organization of and for individuals who teach, administer, coordinate, and offer support services to students in secondary and post-secondary career and technical education.
MnACTE is a unified voice representing Minnesota Career and Technical Education teachers to provide high quality CTE programs. Working to increase the awareness of the value of CTE to ensure every student has career success.
MnACTE Annual Conference 2026
February 2026
Best Western Kelly Inn, 100 4th Avenue South, St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301
Join us for the MnACTE Annual Conference, a gathering that serves as a collaboration space for Career and Technical Education professionals. Hosted at the Best Western Kelly Inn in the heart of St. Cloud, Minnesota, the conference promises a stimulating environment for discussions, networking, and the exchange of new ideas in the field of career and technical education.
Our MnACTE Annual Conference will offer a rich program featuring speakers from across the state, insightful discussions, and interactive workshops, all designed to provide attendees with the latest trends and innovations in education. See our full schedule. Registration closes January 31.
Whether you are an educator, student, or simply an education enthusiast, the MnACTE Annual Conference is an invaluable opportunity to engage with thought leaders and peers in the field. We look forward to welcoming you to this enriching event.
Past Conference Dates:
February 17, 2025 (St. Cloud, MN)
MnACTE Award Recipients 2025
MnACTE Leadership Team
– President
Ms. Holly Strand-Rysgaard
Moorhead High School
Moorhead, MN
– President-Elect
Ms. Sarah Shanley
NE Metro 916 Intermediate Schools
Saint Paul, MN
– Past-President
– nominating committee chair & bylaws committee co-chair
Mr. Brent Olinger
Former North Hennepin College
Saint Paul, MN
– treasurer
– Executive Director
– Professional Committee co-chair
Dr. Lavyne Rada
Minnesota CTE
Litchfield, MN
– Secretary & ACTE REgion III REP
– Membership, Professional development, & Audit Committee chair/Co-Chair
Mr. Ethan Dado
Eden Prairie Schools
Eden Prairie, MN
– MACTA Representative
Ms. Sarah Shanley
NE Metro 916 Intermediate
St. Paul, MN
– MAAE representative
Ms. Nikki Flaaen
Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School
Zumbrota, MN
– MAAE representative (100+ Members)
Mr. Eric Sawatzke
West-Central Area High School
Barrett, MN
– MAAE Representative (200+ Members)
– awards Committee Chair
Ms. Jessica Daberkow
Heron Lake-Okabena High School
Okabena, MN
– MAAE Representative (300+ Members)
Mr. Mike Miron
Forest Lake High School
Forest Lake, MN
– MAAE Representative (400+ Members)
Ms. Pam Koenen
Alden-Conger High School
Alden, MN
– MBITE representative
Mr. DJ McDonald
Hermantown High School
Hermantown, MN
– GCD Representative
Vacant
– MTEEA representative
Mr. TJ Hendrickson
Shakopee High School
Shakopee, MN
– MAFCS representative
Dr. Inas Elansary
Anoka-Hennepin Schools
Anoka, MN
– MAFCS representative (100+ Members)
Ms. Maxine Peterson
MAFCS
MN
– HSE representative
Mr. Greg Summers
Mankato High School
Mankato, MN
– MN ACTE-For All (SPED) representative
Ms. Brandi Anderson
My Path
Minneapolis, MN
– pace Representative
– Audit Committee Co-chair
Mr. Robb Lowe
Minnesota State – System Office
St. Paul, MN
– T&I representative
Vacant
– WBL representative
Vacant
– BYLAWS COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
Dr. Zane Sheehan
Minnesota CTE (MACTA)
Minneapolis, MN
– COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
Wright Braudt
SouthWest Metro Intermediate 288 (MACTA)
Shakopee, MN
– policy COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
Troy Haugen
Minnesota CTE (MACTA)
Fergus Falls, MN
– MN STATE Representative
Vacant
Minnesota State – System Office
St. Paul, MN
– MDE Representative
Vacant
MN Department of Education,
Minneapolis, MN
Resources and Documents
MnACTE Governance Documents
MnACTE Awards
MN ACTE-For All (SPED) – formerly MN ACTE-SNP Governance Documents
Note: MN ACTE-For All is a division of MnACTE, but the two are technically separate organizations.