The Palmetto Education Summit 2026

Career readiness is no longer the responsibility of Career and Technical Education alone—it is a shared priority across all classrooms, grade levels, and subject areas. This engaging, high-energy session equips educators, administrators, and community partners with practical, classroom-ready strategies to embed career readiness skills into everyday instruction, without adding to an already full plate. Participants will explore how to intentionally integrate essential employability skills, such as communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and professional behavior, into core academic subjects, advisory periods, and school culture. Through real-world examples attendees will learn how to connect learning to workforce relevance in ways that increase student engagement, motivation, and long-term success.

Industry-recognized credentials are becoming increasingly important in Career and Technical Education programs as schools work to better prepare students for employment after graduation. This session will explore the value of the OSHA 10-Hour safety credential as a foundational certification for students entering a wide range of career pathways. Participants will learn how OSHA 10 helps students develop a strong understanding of workplace safety while also reinforcing professional habits that employers expect. The session will highlight how safety training supports workforce readiness, increases student confidence, and provides students with a credential that is recognized across multiple industries including construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics. Attendees will leave with practical ideas for implementing OSHA 10 within their programs and strategies for connecting safety training to broader workforce preparation goals.

Disagreements happen in every classroom and workplace, but they don’t have to lead to negative consequences. This interactive session equips educators with practical strategies to help students navigate differing opinions with confidence and respect. Through engaging activities, role-play scenarios, and “game-style” challenges, participants will learn how to teach active listening, emotional regulation, and constructive communication. Discover how teaching active listening and conflict resolution will improve behavior in your classroom and prepare students for the world of work. Walk away with ready-to-use tools and activities.

Join us for an educator-focused session on how WIN Learning’s Career Readiness Solutions are helping strengthen CTE programs and drive student success. Hear how schools and programs across South Carolina are using WIN’s Academic and Soft Skills courseware and credentials to build employability skills, increase student confidence, and support stronger placement, progression, and retention within CTE pathways. During this session, we’ll highlight implementation strategies from educators and workforce professionals across the state. You’ll see how WIN is integrated into daily instruction, career exploration, and program design—along with key insights on the measurable impact on both students and employers. Whether you’re new to WIN or looking to enhance your current implementation, you’ll leave with practical strategies, fresh ideas, and actionable insights you can immediately apply in your classroom or program.

Across rural South Carolina, many students lack access to high-quality enrichment and career exposure during the critical hours after school. Yet research shows the hours immediately following the school day are pivotal for learning, safety, and long-term development.
For the past decade, the Original Six Foundation has partnered with public schools across South Carolina to deliver no-cost, educator-led afterschool programming for students in rural and under-resourced communities. What began as a small pilot has grown into a collaborative model serving more than 1,000 students annually across 13 schools, combining academic support, hands-on STEAM learning, and meaningful career exploration opportunities.
The session will begin with Original Six Foundation Executive Director Kara Gormley Meador, Program Director Nick Washington, and Program Coordinator Angelica Tyler sharing how the O6 Afterschool model is helping rural students thrive. Together, they will discuss why high-quality afterschool programming is a necessity—not a luxury—in rural communities and how strategic partnerships with schools, businesses, and community organizations are creating new pathways to success for students.
Participants will learn how the Original Six model has evolved over the past 10 years to connect students with professionals, workplaces, and career experiences that broaden horizons and inspire future goals. From classroom career speakers to behind-the-scenes visits at companies such as Boeing, Honda, manufacturing facilities, law firms, and colleges, O6 is helping students see what is possible long before they enter the workforce.
Following a brief presentation, Kara Gormley Meador will moderate a dynamic panel discussion featuring leaders from education, workforce development, and industry who are helping shape South Carolina's future talent pipeline. Panelists will share insights on workforce trends, career readiness, employer engagement, and the importance of exposing students to career opportunities early.
Panelists include:

• Debbie Jones, Pee Dee Regional Workforce Advisor, South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce
• Robert Wingard, Honda
• Stacey McDonald, Principal, Palmetto Middle School, Marion County School District
• Nick Washington, Original Six Foundation 

Attendees will leave with practical strategies for designing nimble, responsive afterschool programming that aligns with school priorities, strengthens community partnerships, and equips students with the awareness and skills needed for future success.

Join a panel of business leaders to learn how working with schools helps businesses build a future-ready workforce, while providing students with authentic career exposure, internships, and skill-based learning. This session will provide strategies for educators to engage local industry and for businesses to deepen their impact on education.

Come hear the voice of South Carolina's young leaders! In this unique session, Growing Leaders thought-leaders will present alongside select Maxwell Leadership Student Ambassadors. These students are unique to South Carolina and have been working together to create impact in their communities. Together, we will help them discuss how leadership development is preparing them for their careers, what impact they have already made in their communities as a student ambassador and leader at their school, and what they would like to see from their education system to further prepare them for real life.

South Carolina has built a strong foundation for tracking student progress through Palmetto Pathways. Now, the introduction of the Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) tool represents a significant step forward, shifting the work from monitoring progress to actively guiding students’ post-secondary planning. This session will begin with an overview of recent updates to Palmetto Pathways, highlighting how new features better support visibility into graduation progress, pathway completion, and postsecondary readiness. Presenters will then introduce the IGP tool as a critical next step in this work—not just as a technical enhancement, but as a tool designed to transform how counselors engage with students and families. Participants will experience a guided demonstration of the IGP tool, with a focus on how it supports more meaningful, structured planning conversations. The tool enables counselors to move beyond compliance-driven planning toward deeper engagement with students—helping them make informed decisions, set goals, and stay on track. The session will also address key implementation considerations, including the importance of clear ownership across school and district teams and the need to build systems that support both strong data practices and high-quality student interactions.