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

Benefits of Membership

  • Take part in a support system for CTE
  • Participate in leadership skill development
  • Have grass roots input in legislative platforms
  • Expand your professional network
  • Participate in staff development activities
  • Access to curriculum and resources
2025-2026

MnACTE Leadership Team

MNACTE OFFICER:
– President
– Nominating Committee INTERIM chair
Ms. Holly Strand-Rysgaard

HSE

Moorhead High School
Moorhead, MN

MNACTE OFFICER:
– President-Elect
.
Ms. Sarah Shanley

Admin

NE Metro 916 Intermediate
Saint Paul, MN

MNACTE OFFICER:
– Past-President

.
Vacant

MNACTE OFFICER:
– treasurer
– Executive Director
– Professional Committee co-chair
Dr. Lavyne Rada

Admin, FCS, WBL

Minnesota CTE
Litchfield, MN

MNACTE OFFICER:
– Secretary & ACTE REgion III REP
– Membership, Professional development, & Audit Committee chair/Co-Chair
Mr. Ethan Dado

Admin, AFNR

Eden Prairie ISD
Eden Prairie, MN

Administration Division:
– MACTA Representative
.
Ms. Sarah Shanley

Admin

NE Metro 916 Intermediate (Admin)
St. Paul, MN

Agricultural Education Division:
– MAAE representative
.
Ms. Nikki Flaaen

AFNR

Zumbrota-Mazeppa ISD
Zumbrota, MN

Agricultural Education Division:
– MAAE representative (100+ Members)
.
Mr. Eric Sawatzke

AFNR

West-Central Area ISD
Barrett, MN

Agricultural Education Division
– MAAE Representative (200+ Members)
– awards Committee Chair
Ms. Jessica Daberkow

AFNR

Heron Lake-Okabena ISD (AFNR)
Okabena, MN

Agricultural Education Division
– MAAE Representative (300+ Members)
.
Mr. Mike Miron

AFNR

Forest Lake ISD
Forest Lake, MN

Agricultural Education Division:
– MAAE Representative (400+ Members)
.
Ms. Pam Koenen

AFNR

Alden-Conger ISD
Alden, MN

Business Education Division:
– MBITE representative
.
Mr. DJ McDonald

B&M

Hermantown ISD
Hermantown, MN

Counseling and Career Dev. Division:
– GCD Representative
.
Vacant

Engineering and Technology EDU. DIVision:
– MTEEA representative
.
Mr. TJ Hendrickson

STEM

Shakopee ISD
Shakopee, MN

Family and Consumer SCI. EDU. Division:
– MAFCS representative
.
Dr. Inas Elansary

FCS

Anoka-Hennepin ISD
Anoka, MN

Family and Consumer SCI. EDU. Division:
– MAFCS representative (100+ Members)
.
Ms. Maxine Peterson

FCS

Retired
MN

Health Science Education Division:
– HSE representative
.
Mr. Greg Summers

HSE

Mankato ISD
Mankato, MN

New and Related Services Division:
– MN ACTE-For All (SPED) representative
.
Ms. Brandi Anderson

NRS

My Path
Minneapolis, MN

Postsec., Adult, and Career EDU. Division:
– pace Representative
– Audit Committee Co-chair
Mr. Robb Lowe

Post-Secondary

MN State – System Office
St. Paul, MN

Trade and Industrial Education Division:
– T&I representative
.
Vacant

Work-based Learning Division:
– WBL representative
– BYLAWS COMMITTEE INTERIM CHAIR
Dr. Zane Sheehan

WBL, Admin

Minnesota CTE
Minneapolis, MN

APPOINTED:
– COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
.
Wright Braudt

Admin

SouthWest Metro Intermediate 288
Shakopee, MN

APPOINTED:
– policy COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
.
Troy Haugen

Admin

Minnesota CTE
Fergus Falls, MN

Liaison (NON-VOTING):
– MN STATE Representative
.
Vacant

Government Liaison

Minnesota State – System Office
St. Paul, MN

Liaison (NON-VOTING):
– MDE Representative
.
Vacant

Government Liaison

MN Department of Education,
Minneapolis, MN

Resources and Documents

MnACTE Governance Documents

MnACTE Awards

MnACTE Historical Records

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.