Associations as the Bridge: Unlocking Partnerships that Last
2025-10-09 14:00 - 15:00 UTC | Virtual
Industry associations and workforce intermediaries are powerful connectors between employers and schools. Join us for Associations as the Bridge: Unlocking Partnerships that Last to learn how Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL)‘s Blueprint for Partnerships and organizations like Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD), National Association of Home Builders, and The Academies of Louisville Alliance make collaboration easier, scalable, and sustainable. Walk away with practical examples you can adapt right away.
Learn more and register here

Getting to Know KnoPro: Free Work-Based Learning for All High School Students
2025-10-15 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
Are you an educator, counselor, parent, or community leader looking for real opportunities to help students build future-ready skills? Join us for Getting to Know KnoPro—an exclusive event designed to introduce you to KnoPro, the nation’s fastest-growing FREE work-based learning platform for high school students.
KnoPro connects teens with real industry challenges from top companies and turns them into career-building experiences. This session will show you how easy it is to bring this powerful opportunity to your students.
What You’ll Learn

How KnoPro Works – A step-by-step walkthrough of the challenge process (from sign-up to submitting a video pitch).
Student Benefits – From earning prizes and scholarships to building in-demand skills and resume experience.
Educator & School Value – Easy integration into classrooms, afterschool programs, or clubs with no cost.
Upcoming Challenges – Get insider details on the Fall 2025 lineup, including AI & Startups, Aerospace Engineering, and Real Estate Investment.
Live Q&A – Ask your questions directly to KnoPro experts and hear success stories from educators and students.

Reserve your spot today and discover how KnoPro is reshaping the future of high school learning.
Exclusive Live Attendee Prizes
Here’s one more reason to join us live on October 15: every attendee will be entered for a chance to win up to $500 in gift cards.

Prize drawings will take place during the event.
Only live participants are eligible to win.
Multiple chances to walk away with a prize while learning about KnoPro.

Attend live, gain valuable insights, and you could also leave with a gift card in hand.
Register here.

Academy Coach Circle
2025-11-06 11:00 - 12:00 UTC
All Phase 4 & 5 communities have an individual at each of their high schools coordinating and facilitating academy/pathway activities, including work-based learning experiences for students and teachers, supporting effective academy teacher teams, working alongside academy principals, and more.
Sometimes this individual has peers in other buildings in your district; sometimes they are the only one in their district doing this work. The Academy Coach Circle is designed to provide all academy coaches and those in similar roles inside the school district with the space and opportunity to come together, network, and learn from one another. It is a space to share solid practices and celebrate successes, as well as to discuss challenges and crowdsource solutions. The Circle is an example that represents the best of the idea of “the power of the network!”
If this sounds like the work you do inside your school district (regardless of title) and a group that you think would be of value to your role, reach out to Beth Grzelak (bgrzelak@fordngl.com), co-facilitator of the Academy Coach Circle, to learn more about the group and to get enrolled!
The 2025-26 sessions are outlined below.

Thursday
September 11, 2025
12 pm – 1 pm ET
Special Session – New Phase 4 Academy Coaches & new to their role Academy Coaches only

Thursday
November 6, 2025
12 pm – 1 pm ET
Highlights from Leadership Council

Thursday
January 8, 2026
12 pm – 1 pm ET
Setting up or Evolving Your Student Ambassador Program

Thursday
March 5, 2026
New Times:

Experienced/OG Academy Coaches 12 pm – 1 pm ET
New Academy Coaches 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm ET

Thursday
May 14, 2026

Experienced/OG Academy Coaches 12 pm – 1 pm ET
New Academy Coaches 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm ET

Partnership Director Circle
2025-11-06 12:00 - 13:15, 2026-01-15 12:00 - 13:15, 2026-03-12 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-05-07 12:00 - 13:15 UTC
Exclusively for Phase 4 and Phase 5 communities, Ford NGL Circles provide a valuable opportunity to network with peers, discuss relevant Roadmap journey topics, learn innovative practices, and receive support for current challenges. If you are a Partnership Director or hold a similar role, responsible for coordinating work-based learning across a multi-high school district and engaging with key business and community organizations, talk with your Ford NGL Coach to see if this Circle is right for you. To enroll, email info@fordngl.com.
The 2025-2026 Partnership Director Circle is invite-only for Phase 4 and Phase 5 Ford NGL communities and will follow the below-noted schedule and topics.

Date
Major (30 minutes)
Minor (15 minutes)

September 4, 2025 (12-1:15 pm ET)
Experiential Learning:
1. District Job Shadow Day
2. Adulting Day & Student Voice
Academy Coach Professional Development or Partnerships

Nov 6, 2025 (12-1:15 pm ET)
PoG integration into business engagement activities
Deepening Partnerships via Impact Effort Matrix
Highlights from LC

Jan 15, 2026 (12-1:15 pm ET)
Building Convener Role Org Capacity
Connecting the Dots: Aligning Business & Education
(foundation for Teaching thru Lens and Experiential Learning goals and impact)

Mar 12, 2026 (12-1:15 pm ET)
How Partners can help with Teaching Thru the Lens
Partner Recruitment Strategies

May 7, 2026 (12-1:15 pm ET)
Program Evaluation: Student Impact
Next year’s priorities survey

Learn more about all of our Ford NGL Circles here.

Akron in Action: A Ford NGL Experience
2025-11-12 - 2025-11-14 | Akron, Ohio
Join us November 12-14, 2025 for a three-day event showcasing how Akron Public Schools united the Akron community to create and sustain the College & Career Academies of Akron (CCAA). You’ll explore the unique opportunities and challenges of a mid-size urban district and experience the academies in action through school and nonprofit partner tours. Engage with students, educators, and business partners to learn about CCAA’s foundations, and discover how Akron Public Schools designs and monitors its PreK-12 academy model to ensure student success. Customize your experience with breakout sessions tailored to your interests on Day 3.
The event is scheduled to begin tentatively at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, November 12, with an opening event and conclude on Friday, November 14, at 3:00 PM.
Learn more here!

District Transformation Leaders Circle
2025-11-21 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago), 2026-01-16 11:00 - 12:00 UTC, 2026-03-13 11:00 - 12:00 UTC, 2026-04-24 11:00 - 12:00 UTC
Every community identifies a key individual who is responsible for leading the community-connected transformation efforts on a daily basis. Communities have various positions that fulfill this role such as an Assistant Superintendent, Director, Coordinator, etc. Whatever your title is, if you have the responsibility for overseeing the implementation and progress monitoring of your community-connected transformation, this is the circle for you! We encourage all Phase 4 and Phase 5 Ford NGL Designated Community District Transformation Leaders to engage, contribute and collaborate in our circles to continually innovate and improve the school experience for all students.
The 2025-26 sessions are outlined below.

Friday, September 19, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 PM (ET)

• Establishing a Documentation System
•Onboarding New Instructional Staff

Friday, November 21, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 PM (ET)

• Communicating Roles and Responsibilities

Friday, January 16, 2026
12:00 – 1:00 PM (ET)

• Managing Community Partnerships

Friday, March 13, 2026
12:00 – 1:00 PM (ET)

• Monitoring the Implementation

Friday, April 24, 2026
12:00 – 1:00 PM (ET)

• Ensuring Community-Connected Ownership

For more information about this circle, please email Lisa Oleski, Ford NGL Community Coach and Circle Facilitator, at loleski@fordngl.com

ABCs of Academy Branding and Strategic Communication
2025-12-03 12:00 - 13:00 UTC
Are you ready to unlock the untapped potential or build upon the current successes of your school district’s real-world learning experiences? When it comes to supporting authentic learning, districts are posed with the challenge of not only supporting each and every student but also connecting with their families, gaining buy-in and continual growth from staff, and fostering a sense of value and connection from critical business partners. With four target audiences and various dynamics within each, it’s more important than ever that districts seek to continually connect these groups.
Whether you’re leading a sprawling district or a smaller-scale Academy model, and regardless of your budget, this session offers tangible strategies to build thriving learning communities.
The Academies of Shakopee, which is one of only two in the State of Minnesota and part of the Nationwide Ford NGL network, will spark ideas by sharing tools that have helped simplify engagement with businesses and illuminate the profound impact businesses can have on the student learning experience.
Learn practical communication and marketing techniques to add to or build upon your current strategies. Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your partnerships and build a stronger, more connected future for your students, staff and greater community.
Registration required. Sign up here.
Session Learning Objectives
1. Identify key barriers hindering effective communication and collaboration among students, families, staff, and business partners to support real-world learning experiences.
2. Understand the components and application of a partnership matrix for streamlining business engagement and clarifying partnership opportunities as well as supportive strategies and assets.
3. Evaluate the potential impact of diverse business partnerships on student learning experiences and community connection.
Gain knowledge of how the Academies of Shakopee capture contributions of time, talent, and resources from business partners.
4. Recognize the importance of demonstrating ROI and ROR, and the future, to business partners through effective partnerships and communications.
Registration required. Sign up here.

ACTE CareerTech Vision
2025-12-09 - 2025-12-12 | Nashville, TN, United States
The Ford NGL team will be attending ACTE’s CareerTech VISION, and we look forward to connecting with you onsite! Throughout the conference, our team will host several Career Academy Section sessions along with opportunities to network, learn, and share with peers from across the country. Whether you’re implementing the academy model or exploring what’s possible for your district, these sessions are designed to offer insights, practical takeaways, and inspiration.
If you’re attending this year, let us know—we’d love to connect and keep you updated on Ford NGL meetups happening throughout the conference.
We also encourage you to consider joining the ACTE Career Academy Section. It’s an excellent way to engage with peers, access valuable resources, and deepen your involvement in the academy community.

Ford NGL–Led Sessions
December 11

10:00 AM – Creating a System To Scale Business-Education Partnerships for All StudentsFeaturing Ford NGL Community, Knox County, TN.

10:00 AM – All Eyes on Impact: Amplifying Career Academies Through Strategic CTEFeaturing Ford NGL Community, Louisville, KY.

11:00 AM – From Vision to Victory: District Transformation Powered by Community-Connected LearningFeaturing Ford NGL Community, Fort Wayne, IN.

1:00 PM – Be Bold, Be Transformational: Career Academies and Community Connected LearningPresented by Cheryl Carrier, Ford NGL President.

December 12

8:30 AM – Building Powerful Partnerships: How Educators Can Leverage Local Industry Associations (Like NAHB) for Work-Based Learning SuccessPresented by NAHB and Ford NGL Strategic Initiatives Lead, Jenn Edge.

Learn more and get registered here.

Academy Coach Circle
2026-01-08 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-05 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-14 11:00 - 12:00 UTC
All Phase 4 & 5 communities have an individual at each of their high schools coordinating and facilitating academy/pathway activities, including work-based learning experiences for students and teachers, supporting effective academy teacher teams, working alongside academy principals, and more.
Sometimes this individual has peers in other buildings in your district; sometimes they are the only one in their district doing this work. The Academy Coach Circle is designed to provide all academy coaches, and those in similar roles inside the school district with the space and opportunity to come together, network, and learn from one another. It is a space to share solid practices and celebrate successes, as well as to discuss challenges and crowdsource solutions. The Circle is an example that represents the best of the idea of “the power of the network!”
If this sounds like the work you do inside your school district (regardless of title) and a group that you think would be of value to your role, reach out to Beth Grzelak (bgrzelak@fordngl.com), co-facilitator of the Academy Coach Circle, to learn more about the group and to get enrolled!
The 2025-26 sessions are outlined below.

Thursday
September 11, 2025
12 pm – 1 pm ET
Special Session – New Phase 4 Academy Coaches & new to their role Academy Coaches only

Thursday
November 6, 2025
12 pm – 1 pm ET
Highlights from Leadership Council

Thursday
January 8, 2026
12 pm – 1 pm ET
Setting up or Evolving Your Student Ambassador Program

Thursday
March 5, 2026
New Times:

Experienced/OG Academy Coaches 12 pm – 1 pm ET
New Academy Coaches 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm ET

Thursday
May 14, 2026

Experienced/OG Academy Coaches 12 pm – 1 pm ET
New Academy Coaches 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm ET

Onboarding Academies Experience In Nashville
2026-03-23 - 2026-03-24 | Hermitage, TN, 4022 Sells Drive, Hermitage, TN, 37076
Are you new to the career academies model or do you need a refresher? This event is great for educators, school and district leaders, community and business partners, academy coaches and more. This event is useful for both individuals and community teams.

Create structural change
Implement new roles
Re-think the daily classroom
Build school and community partnerships

Participants will be introduced to the building blocks of a successful transformation through a series of highly rated, interactive Nashville Hub learning sessions. Additionally, participants will visit an Academies of Nashville school and will interact with Nashville Hub practitioners and Academies of Nashville leaders and partners.
Registration for each event is $999. Take advantage of an EARLY BIRD discount and pay just $899 if you register by November 30.
Learn more and register here.

Critical Thinking and Creative Problem-Solving for Career Academies with Context Maps
2026-03-26 11:00 - 12:00 UTC
Each year, Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL) hosts several webinars in partnership with the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE). As the sponsor of ACTE’s Career Academy Section, we aim to provide valuable resources and deeper learning opportunities on topics impacting educators, administrators, and partners working in the career academy space.
We’re kicking off this year’s series with a session focused on practical tools for navigating complex challenges in career academies. Join us for Critical Thinking and Creative Problem-Solving for Career Academies with Context Maps
March 26, 2026, from 11 AM CST- 12 Noon CST
Presenters: Deborah Parizek, Executive Director, and Theodore Kozerski, Assistant Director of Social Innovation, Henry Ford Learning Institute (HFLI)
About: Complex, messy problems are a fact of life—for students, teachers, school leaders, and industry partners. We all need a way to approach them with strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving tools and skills.
Join us for an interactive webinar in which we’ll visually map a problem common in career academies; analyze it for interdependencies, possible assumptions, and areas of leverage; reflect on and discuss possible use opportunities; and draft a plan for how to bring the approach to your classroom, career academy, or district.
Participants will leave with access to additional resources available from our online bank and contacts for follow-on coaching.
Registration is required. Sign up here.
For questions please email: Info@FordNGL.com

Advanced Academies Experience In Nashville
2026-03-30 - 2026-03-31 | Hermitage, TN, 4022 Sells Drive, Hermitage, TN, 37076
Calling all school districts and communities in year 3+ of academy implementation. This event is for you! This learning event is all about sustaining and continuously improving your career academies model. This event is useful for both individuals and community teams.

Understand common challenges
Build on early successes
Navigate inevitable change
Maintain robust partnerships

Participants will experience an Academies of Nashville school visit, participate in highly rated Nashville Hub learning sessions and interact with others in collaborative workshops. Come visit the nearly 20-years strong Academies of Nashville, and let’s share our challenges and celebrations with each other.
Registration for each event is $999. Take advantage of an EARLY BIRD discount and pay just $899 if you register by November 30.
Learn more and register here.

Career Exploration, Middle School Style!
2026-04-22 12:00 - 13:00 UTC
Join Ford Next Generation Learning on April 22, 2026 for, Career Exploration, Middle School Style!
Career exploration in middle school isn’t about scaling down high school academies—it’s about designing experiences that are developmentally responsive, engaging, and deeply connected to community.
Join us for a live webinar that highlights how two communities are approaching this work differently. Instead of replicating high school structures, they are:

Building Portrait of a Graduate competencies through authentic learning experiences
Partnering with nonprofit and philanthropic organizations to expand students’ awareness of career pathways
Creating meaningful, community-connected opportunities that spark curiosity and purpose

You’ll hear practical examples of how these partnerships were formed, what student engagement looks like in action, and how these efforts support both career awareness and long-term pathway development.
Walk away with ideas and strategies you can adapt to your own middle school context—whether you’re just getting started or refining an existing approach.
Come ready to explore what’s possible when middle school career exploration is designed with intention, partnership, and a focus on the future.
Registration is required. Sign up here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/_P55CCRfTBCvjMLKn0k0Uw

One Strategy for Retaining CTE Teachers In A Challenging Climate
2026-06-11 11:00 - 12:00 UTC | Virtual
Recruiting and retaining CTE educators is challenging and critical to the quality and success of CTE programs for students. We know this and that you have tried many strategies to address this real challenge. Once you hire them, how can you keep and engage them? Like so many of us, CTE teachers want to feel that they belong. How do we help them feel connected to their immediate colleagues, as well as to the larger school staff and community? How might we address their individual needs along with developing a strong, inclusive culture for all?
Together, we’ll review what teachers have identified as essential elements for that culture and key leadership moves that drive connection and alignment. We’ll explore a collaborative strategy to envision, then enact a set of interventions that address the problem of CTE educator retention and engagement. You’ll have the opportunity to learn from us and one another in the moment, as well as leave with some immediate next steps and access to our bank of online resources.
Participant Outcomes:

A framework that identifies elements of educator belonging and effective leadership practices that support CTE teacher retention
A new approach to identifying possible solutions to complex problems
A working list of possible solutions explicitly connected to addressing teacher retention and engagement
2-3 steps you might take immediately to build or strengthen your school’s culture of belonging
Access to additional resources supporting adaptive leadership for educators

Join Deborah Parizek, Executive Director of Henry Ford Learning Institute, and her co-facilitator, Beth Grzelak, Community Coach and Learning Design Lead at Ford Next Generation, for this quick, interactive, generative session designed to expand your tools for retaining and engaging your CTE educators.
Registration is required. Sign up here.

National Forum on Education Policy
2026-07-08 - 2026-07-10 | Washington, DC
At a pivotal moment in education policy, the Education Commission of the States was created to ensure that states could work together, sharing evidence, exchanging ideas and addressing complex challenges without sacrificing state leadership, diversity or judgment.
Join Cheryl Carrier, President, Ford NGL, onsite for this sold-out event.
Learn more here: https://2026nationalforum.vfairs.com/en/

Design Thinking for Deeper Student Learning
2026-08-05 09:00 - 2026-08-07 16:00 UTC
Join Henry Ford Learning Institute for their upcoming summer workshop, Design Thinking for Deeper Student Learning, August 5-7, 2026.
Design Thinking for Deeper Student Learning is a 3-day immersive workshop designed to introduce educators from all disciplines to design thinking tools and methods they can use to create and facilitate powerful and equitable learning experiences for their students and colleagues.
Learn more and get registered here:
https://hfli.org/design-thinking-for-deeper-student-learning-2026/

Christian County Ford NGL Designation and Ribbon Cutting
2026-08-06
We’re celebrating the opening of the new Christian County High School! Stay tuned to our social media channels for details on this exciting opening. Cheryl Carrier and team will be onsite to celebrate with the community.
Learn more here: https://www.whvoradio.com/2026/07/30/christian-county-high-school-on-track-to-open-aug-19-as-final-preparations-continue/news-edge/

Partnership Director Circle
2026-09-10 12:00 - 13:15 (America/Detroit) | Virtual
Exclusively for Phase 4 and Phase 5 communities, Ford NGL Circles provide a valuable opportunity to network with peers, discuss relevant Roadmap journey topics, learn innovative practices, and receive support for current challenges. If you are a Partnership Director or hold a similar role responsible for coordinating work-based learning across a multi-high-school district and engaging with key business and community organizations, talk with your Ford NGL Coach to see if this Circle is right for you.
To enroll, email Info@FordNGL.com.
The 2026–2027 Partnership Director Circle is an invite-only offering for Phase 4 and Phase 5 Ford NGL communities. Sessions will be held on Thursdays from 12:00–1:15 p.m. ET on the following dates:

September 10, 2026
November 12, 2026
January 14, 2027
March 11, 2027
May 13, 2027

Learn more about all of our Ford NGL Circles here.

Beyond Ambassadors: Elevating Student Voice and Leadership in Career Academies
2026-09-16 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | Virtual
Join Ford NGL on Wednesday, September 16 at 12, Noon CST (1 PM EST) for, Beyond Ambassadors: Elevating Student Voice and Leadership in Career Academies. Co facilitated by Metro Nashville Public Schools’ Academy Coach, Thommye Davis and Ford NGL Community Coach, Terri Jackley.
If students are truly going to be ready for the Monday after graduation, their high school experience must do more than prepare them academically. It must cultivate leadership, strengthen ownership of learning, and create meaningful opportunities for contribution within their academies.
At Ford Next Generation Learning, this belief is so central that it’s embedded as a dedicated tactic within our Framework.
Many career academies have student ambassador programs—but authentic student voice and agency can go far deeper.
Join fellow members of the Ford NGL network and ACTE’s Career Academy Division for an interactive live webinar where we will:

Explore what meaningful student voice and leadership look like in action
Learn how schools are expanding beyond ambassador roles to create shared ownership and authentic influence
Examine structures that empower students to shape their academy culture and learning experiences
Exchange ideas and strategies with peers committed to developing confident, capable young leaders

This session is designed to be collaborative. Come ready to share what your school is doing, gather new ideas, and consider how to elevate student voice as a core element of your career academy model.
Together, let’s ensure students graduate not only prepared for their next step—but equipped with the confidence and leadership skills to thrive wherever that step leads.
Registration is required. Sign up here.

Academy Coach Circle
2026-09-17 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Detroit) | Virtual
All Phase 4 & 5 communities have an individual at each of their high schools coordinating and facilitating academy/pathway activities, including work-based learning experiences for students and teachers, supporting effective academy teacher teams, working alongside academy principals, and more.
Sometimes this individual has peers in other buildings in your district; sometimes they are the only one in their district doing this work. The Academy Coach Circle is designed to provide all academy coaches, and those in similar roles inside the school district with the space and opportunity to come together, network, and learn from one another. It is a space to share solid practices and celebrate successes, as well as to discuss challenges and crowdsource solutions. The Circle is an example that represents the best of the idea of “the power of the network!”
If this sounds like the work you do inside your school district (regardless of title) and a group that you think would be of value to your role, reach out to Beth Grzelak (bgrzelak@fordngl.com), co-facilitator of the Academy Coach Circle, to learn more about the group and to get enrolled!
Sessions will be held on Thursdays from 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET on the following dates:

September 17, 2026
November 19, 2026
January 21, 2027
March 4, 2027
May 6, 2027

Learn more about all of our Ford NGL Circles here.

The Academy Coach Institute
2026-09-21 08:00 - 2026-09-22 17:00 UTC | Nashville, TN, United States
The Academy Coach Institute, September 21-22, 2026, is a two-day learning experience for coaches at all levels, providing opportunities for both differentiated and collaborative learning. New academy coaches will learn how to serve as liaisons between district, school, business, and civic leaders by developing understanding and appreciation of all critical roles within and without their schools. Experienced academy coaches will hone their skills in maintaining successful relationships and partnerships, navigating leadership and program change, and facilitating effective school and community teams. Participants will interact with Nashville Hub practitioners and Academies of Nashville academy coaches through learning sessions, interactive work and a school visit.

Differentiated learning experiences for beginners and advanced coaches
Dive into planning, day-to-day logistics, and school-level relationships
Explore topics such as pathway selection and finding business partners
Spend time in an Academies of Nashville school
Interface with Nashville academy coaches, school leaders, and community leaders
Full agenda coming soon!

Learn more and get registered at: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/EVEQKDMTNCKOC/home

Questions? Email info@nashvillehub.org

Ford NGL Superintendent's Council Meeting
2026-10-19 - 2026-10-20
Annually, Ford Next Generation Learning brings together our visionary network of superintendents for the Ford NGL Superintendents Council. This dynamic 1.5-day event is intentionally designed to cultivate an environment of shared learning and mutual support, empowering district leaders to drive impactful change in their communities. To learn more about this experience, reach out to us at Info@FordNGL.com.

SC members, please save the date! The event will kick off with an opening session at 6:00 PM on Monday, October 19, and wrap up at 4:30 PM on Tuesday, October 20, in Knox County, TN.
For questions about the Ford NGL SC Council, please email us at Info@FordNGL.com
