OREM, Utah — Utah Valley University (UVU) Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Regional Pathways divisions hosted the first annual Utah ACTE PACE Division Great Teachers Movement Mini Summit for Postsecondary CTE Educators on May 15 at the UVU Lehi Campus. The full-day experience aimed to reconnect CTE educators with purpose and peers.
Attendees from across the state, including postsecondary CTE faculty and administrators, participated in faculty-driven conversations about real teaching successes and challenges, collaborated on problem-solving, and reflected on successes. The summit aimed to provide immediate and actionable takeaways for the classroom.
“UVU CTE is proud to have partnered with to host this mini summit, connecting postsecondary educators to advance industry-aligned teaching and support the workforce readiness of Utah’s students. It’s inspiring to see so many committed professionals working together,” said UVU CTE Director Scott Snow. “This was a great opportunity for UVU to support CTE educators and leadership in professional development, collaboration, and networking.”
Inspired by the nationally respected Great Teachers Movement founded by David Gottshall, the conference format emphasized participation, collaboration, and learning, rather than traditional presentations. The summit was facilitated by Tom Cunningham, event coordinator for the Great Teachers Movement.
“We intentionally designed the small-group ‘shop talk’ sessions to maximize diverse perspectives and experiences. The energy and willingness to openly share ideas and challenges created meaningful conversations that will continue to strengthen technical education across Utah,” said Kari Lamoreaux, Utah ACTE PACE Division president. “The summit brought together almost 100 participants from 10 different higher education technical education programs across the state. Collectively, the group brought over 1,000 years of educational experience to the conversations.”
UVU CTE is committed to developing dynamic programs that launch students into the workforce through licensure, certificates, and associate degrees. Strategic initiatives in programming, funding (including administering federal Perkins V grant funds), events, and outreach ensure students thrive in their educational and professional journeys.
“We are grateful to Utah Valley University for hosting the event,” said Lamoreaux. “Their support was essential in making the summit possible by providing an amazing space that allowed these conversations and connections to happen.”
To learn more about CTE at UVU, please visit //uvu.edu/cte.
About Utah Valley University
Utah Valley University believes in the power and potential of every student. Our work is guided by a commitment to exceptional care, exceptional accountability, and exceptional results. We provide a high-quality education that is both affordable and accessible. From certificates to master’s degrees, UVU offers flexible, relevant programs grounded in hands-on learning and real-world experiences, ensuring that students graduate with career-ready skills and are ready to receive a strong return on investment. As an open-enrollment university, we invite students to come as they are, and they leave prepared to make an immediate impact in their careers and communities.
