420 Disrupting Education in 2026: What CTE Leaders Told Us
Wed Feb 04 2026
What happens when you ask 500+ CTE leaders one simple question: “How are you disrupting education in 2026?”
At ACTE CareerTech VISION in Nashville, Alli Dahl and Peter Hostrawser put that question on the screen, dropped a QR code, and let the field speak. This episode is the result — real responses from real leaders who are done with “CTE as a second choice” and ready to treat schools like talent hubs.
In this conversation, we break down the biggest themes we heard:
CTE isn’t a side pathway — it’s infrastructure for relevance
If learning isn’t real, it doesn’t stick (experience are greater than worksheets)
Industry partnerships are shifting into co-design
AI/VR aren’t “flash” — they’re a force multiplier for personalization (when used with purpose)
The hardest disruption is adult disruption: hard conversations, real accountability, real readiness
Success metrics are getting rewritten (hint: “college enrollment” isn’t the whole story)
If you’re building pathways, work-based learning, youth apprenticeships, or just trying to make school matter again — this one will hit.
🎧 Subscribe for more “Bold 2026” conversations📌 Drop a comment: What’s ONE way you’re disrupting education this year?
www.DisruptEducationPodcast.com
More
What happens when you ask 500+ CTE leaders one simple question: “How are you disrupting education in 2026?” At ACTE CareerTech VISION in Nashville, Alli Dahl and Peter Hostrawser put that question on the screen, dropped a QR code, and let the field speak. This episode is the result — real responses from real leaders who are done with “CTE as a second choice” and ready to treat schools like talent hubs. In this conversation, we break down the biggest themes we heard: CTE isn’t a side pathway — it’s infrastructure for relevance If learning isn’t real, it doesn’t stick (experience are greater than worksheets) Industry partnerships are shifting into co-design AI/VR aren’t “flash” — they’re a force multiplier for personalization (when used with purpose) The hardest disruption is adult disruption: hard conversations, real accountability, real readiness Success metrics are getting rewritten (hint: “college enrollment” isn’t the whole story) If you’re building pathways, work-based learning, youth apprenticeships, or just trying to make school matter again — this one will hit. 🎧 Subscribe for more “Bold 2026” conversations📌 Drop a comment: What’s ONE way you’re disrupting education this year? www.DisruptEducationPodcast.com