On Saturday, Jan. 31 over 75 DPS Career and Technology Education (CTE) teachers and counselors will gather at John F. Kennedy High School for the 3rd Annual CTE Best Practices Conference. The conference will begin with registration and breakfast at 8 a.m. and run through 2:45 p.m.

The conference will begin with a keynote presentation, “A Thousand Things Went Right Today!” by Ilan Shamir from Your True Nature, Inc. That will begin at 8:45 a.m. Throughout the rest of the day, high school and middle school teachers and counselors will select from among 14 sessions on a variety of topics. Each session will be presented a by colleague who will share knowledge, skills and information.

Some of sessions at this year’s conference will include learning to program by using Lego robots, making the most of your advisory committees, developing effective student organizations, using technology in the classroom as a teaching aid and for creating assessments, increasing literacy in the CTE classroom, troubleshooting computer problems, and computer applications including the new GIS mapping program and Flash.

Teachers will have an opportunity to discuss new, as well as proven, teaching techniques. A student panel from Abraham Lincoln High School will present its award winning travel and tourism plan called One Mile Above. Conference participants will also have time to meet and talk with publishers who will have displays at the conference.

Ilan Shamir is a keynote presenter, author, consultant and trainer. Your True Nature, Inc. headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado was established in 1980 to empower individuals, organizations and events to build and sustain powerful momentum and celebrate the beauty of human nature. As part of the team for 7UP during the highly successful “Uncola” campaign of the early 1970s, Ilan energized the power of business with the dynamics of fun and creativity.

Ilan is the author of “A Thousand Things Went Right Today!” and over thirty other products. His company has a strong commitment to sustainability, demonstrated by the planting of over 50,000 trees to replenish 100 percent of the paper used by the business. Your True Nature is a member of the National Speakers Association and the National Association for Interpretation. Ilan has been featured in over 100 worldwide print and broadcast media including, The Wall Street Journal, “National Public Radio’s - All Things Considered”, Good Housekeeping and the London Times for his unique approach to business and creative living.

John F. Kennedy High School is located at 2855 S. Lamar St. For more information about the conference, please call Karen Ellis in the CTE office, 303-575-4868.