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Welcome to URSA 2026 at Southern Utah University! All sessions will be in buildings on the upper campus (east end). Here’s the Campus Map (PDF) if needed. 
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Wednesday, July 15
 

11:00am MDT

Conference Credit
Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 4:00pm MDT
Online Form
Information will be posted before the start of the conference. SUU and USBE licenes hours will be available to conference attendees.
Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 4:00pm MDT
Online Form 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Conference Info

11:00am MDT

Conference Registration and Badge Pick-Up
Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 4:00pm MDT
AU - Auditorium Foyer
Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 4:00pm MDT
AU - Auditorium Foyer 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Conference Info

11:00am MDT

Presenter's Lounge & Workspace
Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 4:00pm MDT
CC Rondthaller Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Rondthaller Room (200 Level)
TBD
Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 4:00pm MDT
CC Rondthaller Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Rondthaller Room (200 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Presenter Workspace

11:00am MDT

Conference WiFi Informatiion and Tech Support
Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 4:00pm MDT
ED Level 2 Foyer, East - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Level 2 Foyer
WiFi: SUU Conference, Password: TBD

Tech Support for presenters can be found at this phone number - (435) XXX-XXXX or by swinging by the Level 2 Lobby of the Education Building.
Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 4:00pm MDT
ED Level 2 Foyer, East - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Level 2 Foyer 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Tech Support

12:10pm MDT

Beyond Self Care: Leading Systemic Approach to Well-Being for Educators
Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:10pm - 1:10pm MDT
AU - Auditorium
TBD

Speakers
avatar for Gail Markin

Gail Markin

Author
Gail Markin is a Canadian counsellor, teacher, author, and speaker who is committed to promoting well-being in the education workplace.

Gail started her career as a social worker, a family counsellor, and a parent educator. After becoming a teacher, she worked as a school counsellor before moving to a District-level role supporting health and well-being for students and staff. Now she works as an education and workplace... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:10pm - 1:10pm MDT
AU - Auditorium 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Keynote, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

1:30pm MDT

Are We on the Same Page? Unpacking Reading on Grade Level
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level)
In recent years, Utah educators have faced conflicting headlines regarding third-grade reading proficiency. Some reports suggest 50% of students are struggling, while others praise a 78% proficiency rate. Are we truly in a reading crisis, or are we simply misinterpreting the metrics?This session dives beneath the headlines to provide Utah educators with clarity on our state's reading data. By unpacking these complex metrics, this session asks a critical question: Can we agree on what we value? Join us to build a shared, data-driven understanding that empowers rural districts to optimize limited resources and effectively support our most vulnerable readers.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Any of these
Speakers
avatar for Brooke Anderson

Brooke Anderson

Data Scientist, Jordan School District
Brooke Anderson is a dedicated educational leader and Data Scientist at the Jordan School District. With over a decade of specialized experience in the Assessment and Accountability sector, she is committed to leveraging data to enhance educational outcomes and empower teachers. Her... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Assessment & Data Management, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

1:30pm MDT

Craft Your Digital Teaching Assistant: Building Custom AI Assistants with Google Gemini Gems
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
ED 202 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 202
Come discover how to move beyond basic prompting and start building your own specialized AI team. Using Google Gemini Gems, you will learn how to "program" custom AI assistants tailored to your specific classroom or administrative needs—no coding required. You'll also learn about an existing library of pre-made Gemini Gems you can easily copy and start using right away! Make sure to bring your own laptop or Chromebook to this session and leave with a personalized digital assistant ready to tackle your unique tasks.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop; Chromebook

Speakers
avatar for Rob Bentley

Rob Bentley

Instructor and Adobe Product Manager, UEN - Utah Education Network
Rob taught secondary Spanish and Language Arts for 6 years. For the last 19 years, he's been teaching teachers how to integrate technology effectively into their curriculum. During his time at UEN, he's presented at URSA,  UELMA, UCET, ISTE, FETC, UFLA, SUMS, and the CTE conferences... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
ED 202 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 202 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

1:30pm MDT

Creating a Connected Classroom: Strategies to decrease behaviors and increase academics.
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102
This presentation will provide attendees with the brain science behind how brains develop and why students have specific behaviors.  The brain science will then lead to practical, real life application on how to actually use the science to increase academic output and decrease negative behaviors.  Attendees will leave the session with skills they can apply the next day in the classroom.   

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None
Speakers
avatar for Amie Huggins

Amie Huggins

TBRI Coach for Schools, Raise the Future
Amie Huggins is a 30 year classroom teacher.  She is also a TBRI Practitioner and the co-author of the book, Creating a Connected Classroom.  She works for a non-profit called Raise the Future and through them has developed the curriculum, Tools for Transformation.  This curriculum... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Instructional Coaching, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

1:30pm MDT

Gail Markin Breakout Session
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
AU - Auditorium
TBD

Speakers
avatar for Gail Markin

Gail Markin

Author
Gail Markin is a Canadian counsellor, teacher, author, and speaker who is committed to promoting well-being in the education workplace.

Gail started her career as a social worker, a family counsellor, and a parent educator. After becoming a teacher, she worked as a school counsellor before moving to a District-level role supporting health and well-being for students and staff. Now she works as an education and workplace... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
AU - Auditorium 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Keynote Breakout Session, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

1:30pm MDT

From Policy to Practice: Navigating Utah’s 2026 Early Literacy Changes
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
CC Shooting Star - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Shooting Star Room (100 Level)
Utah’s 2026 legislative session introduced significant changes to early literacy instruction that will directly impact schools and districts. This session will unpack key policy shifts—including new assessment requirements, strengthened intervention expectations, third-grade retention tied to reading proficiency, and increased funding for literacy supports—and explore their implications for practice. Participants will gain clarity on how these changes influence instructional design, assessment systems, staffing, and resource allocation, while also identifying practical next steps to align with evidence-based literacy practices. This session will support educators in translating policy into actionable strategies that improve early literacy outcomes for all students.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Not Applicable

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Not Applicable
Speakers
avatar for Piper Riddle

Piper Riddle

Executive Director, NUES - Northeastern Utah Educational Services
Dedicated educator passionate about fostering curiosity and critical thinking in students and adults; committed to creating a dynamic learning environment that nurtures both academic growth and personal development. Learner, coach, admin, teacher, adjunct, facilitator, leader, mom... Read More →
avatar for Jennifer Throndsen

Jennifer Throndsen

Educational Consultant, Impactful Learning Designs
With over 20 years of experience in education, Jennifer Throndsen, PhD, has served in various roles across the classroom, school, district, and state levels. Her career includes positions as an elementary and middle school teacher, instructional coach, adjunct faculty, district office... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
CC Shooting Star - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Shooting Star Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

1:30pm MDT

Why PD Sucks (and Why Personalization is the Cure)
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128
Stop me if you’ve been here: it’s 3:30 PM, the fluorescent lights are humming, and you’re fighting the urge to check your watch (or the back of your eyelids) during another one-size-fits-all staff meeting. If that sounds familiar, it’s time to flip the script on Professional Development. This session offers a fast-paced "peek" into how we can kill the "yawn factor" by moving away from "sit-and-get" models and toward a personalized, choose-your-own-adventure experience for your entire school. You will go beyond just hearing about personalization—you’ll actually experience a unique learning path firsthand. By brainstorming with peers and exploring new strategies, you’ll walk away with a toolkit to make educator learning purposeful, relevant, and—dare we say—actually fun.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop; Chromebook; Windows Tablet / Smartphone; iPad / iPhone; Android Tablet / Smartphone

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop; Chromebook
Speakers
avatar for Kayla Towner

Kayla Towner

Senior Product Trainer, UEN - Utah Education Network
Kayla Towner is a Senior Product Trainer at the Utah Education Network (UEN) and, first and foremost, a passionate educator. She loves spending time with her family—playing soccer ⚽️, reading books 📚, hiking 🥾, and adventuring across Utah 🏔️. Kayla is dedicated to... Read More →
avatar for Dani Sloan

Dani Sloan

IT Product Manager, UEN - Utah Education Network
Dr. Dani Sloan helps educators lead, research, and teach digital citizenship. She's a UEN Product Manager and Instructor at the University of Utah. She is a former Elementary Teacher and current mom to a seventh grader. Dani is passionate about preparing students for a digital world... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

1:30pm MDT

From PD to Practice: A Practical System for PD That Sticks
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
CC Yankee Meadows - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Yankee Meadows Room (100 Level)
Professional development often leaves teachers inspired but not prepared to immediately implement new practices in their classrooms. This session introduces a practical, system-level approach to bridging the gap between professional learning and classroom application. Participants will explore the High Impact Instructional Practices (HIIP) MicroPD model: a teacher-driven system designed to support consistent use of high-impact instructional strategies across content areas.Built on more than 70 research-based, classroom-ready strategies and tools, this model emphasizes teacher choice, immediate application, and iterative practice. Participants will gain insight into how this system has been piloted across multiple schools and how it can improve instructional consistency while supporting teacher autonomy.Attendees will leave with a clear framework for designing professional learning that is practical, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of diverse classrooms—especially in schools where teachers must balance multiple roles and content areas.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Speakers
avatar for Camille Johnson

Camille Johnson

Instructional Coach, Bountiful High School
Camille Johnson is an instructional coach at Bountiful High School in Davis School District with nearly three decades of experience in education. Her work focuses on designing professional learning systems that support teachers in consistently applying high-impact instructional practices... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
CC Yankee Meadows - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Yankee Meadows Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Leadership, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required. |   Instructional Coaching, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

1:30pm MDT

The Dignity Index: How to disagree without being disagreeable
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204
Feedback Survey
The Dignity Index is an eight-point scale that can be used for both students and staff to learn how to disagree without being disagreeable. Classrooms are where students discuss ideas. And the discussions of ideas can and should lead to disagreement to create new ideas. For this process to work students must learn the skills of civil discussion, especially as the ideas in social studies or English classrooms become more complex and never have a single right answer. We will discuss the Dignity Index and how it meets both state and national standards while discussing the ideas of your content. During the discussion, we will both practice using the Index in the high school classroom as well as reflecting on its positive impacts for students and teachers outside your classroom.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Not Applicable

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Any web enabled device
Speakers
avatar for Stephan Seabury

Stephan Seabury

Teacher and Community Engagement Lead, Teacher Fellows, Providence Hall High School
Mr. Seabury believes a civically engaged teacher creates civically engaged students. His students learn not only the content of how our government works but are given opportunities in and outside of the classroom to meet with policy makers and practice the skills of civic engagem... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Instructional Coaching, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

1:30pm MDT

Utah School Safety in 2026: Understanding the Updated Legislative Landscape
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
CC Whiting Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Whiting Room Room (200 Level)
The 2026 Utah legislative session introduced major changes to school safety requirements, affecting emergency planning, threat assessment, reporting obligations, and coordination with law enforcement. This 60‑minute session distills the most important updates, clarifies new compliance expectations, and explains how these laws interact with existing state and federal guidance. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of what has changed and practical steps for updating local policies and procedures.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None
Speakers
avatar for Ashley Pistello

Ashley Pistello

School Safety Center Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education
Ashley Pistello joined the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) as the School Safety Center Specialist in 2023. She previously collaborated with the Utah School Safety Center as a liaison from SafeUT and the Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI). In addition to her experience as... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
CC Whiting Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Whiting Room Room (200 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

1:30pm MDT

Teacher Leaders as the Engine of School Improvement: From Strategy to Practice
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127
What if teacher leadership was not an add-on, but rather the engine that drives school improvement?Too often, teacher leadership lives in isolated roles or initiatives rather than as a coherent system that drives instructional improvement. This session explores how intentionally designed, ongoing professional learning can position teacher leaders as central to improvement, not just participants in it.Grounded in UEPC’s LIFT framework, participants will examine how structured professional learning, clear instructional priorities, and collaborative data use build the capacity of teacher leaders to facilitate meaningful conversations and lead improvement efforts. We will explore practical approaches for supporting teacher leaders in translating data into action, strengthening collaboration, and sustaining momentum over time.Through a district example from Tooele County School District, participants will see how leveraging guiding coalitions across multiple schools to build coherence and scale teacher leadership as a driver of continuous improvement.Whether you are part of a large district or a single-site school or charter, this session will provide practical strategies to design professional learning systems that empower teacher leaders, build collective efficacy, and improve teaching and learning.Session Objectives:Clarify the role of teacher leaders as drivers of school improvementAnalyze how professional learning builds leadership capacityLearn from practice by examining how a district is creating the conditions for coherence and scaleApply a process for moving from data to instructional and leadership actionsIdentify one actionable next step to strengthen teacher leadership in their context

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Any of these
Speakers
avatar for Cori Groth

Cori Groth

Associate Director, Utah Education Policy Center
Cori Groth, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC)
Dr. Cori Groth is the Associate Director of the Utah Education Policy Center at the University of Utah, where she collaborates with school, district, and community leaders to strengthen programs, policies, and practices that lead to excellent and equitable outcomes for young people... Read More →
avatar for Shalon Jones-Miller

Shalon Jones-Miller

2025-2026 Principal - Clarke N. Johnsen Jr High, Tooele County School District
avatar for Kody Colvin

Kody Colvin

Lead School & District Improvement Specialist, Utah Education Policy Center
Kody Colvin is a Lead School and District Improvement Specialist with the Utah Education Policy Center, where he partners with schools and systems to strengthen instructional leadership, professional learning, and continuous improvement efforts. With over 15 years of experience in... Read More →
SJ
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Leadership, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required. |   Professional Learning Communities (PLCs & PLNs), Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

1:30pm MDT

Carrots over Sticks: Transforming School Culture Through Positive Incentives
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109
In an era where traditional disciplinary measures often lead to burnout rather than behavioral change, it’s time to "flip the script." This session moves beyond punitive "stick" approaches to explore how high-impact, positive incentives can fundamentally reshape school culture.The secret to success lies in identifying "Student Currency"—what actually motivates today’s learners? We will move past generic stickers to uncover the social, digital, and experiential rewards that resonate with Generation Alpha and Gen Z. Attendees will learn how to build a scalable incentive framework that boosts three critical pillars:Academic Performance: Gamifying growth and celebrating "personal bests."Behavioral Excellence: Shifting the focus from catching students being "bad" to reinforcing the "good."School Spirit: Creating a sense of belonging that turns students into stakeholders.Whether you are in a small K-12 school or a large rural high school, you will leave with a practical "menu of incentives" and a strategic plan to implement a reward system that is sustainable, equitable, and effective.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None
Speakers
avatar for Nathan Blackner

Nathan Blackner

Principal, Richfield High School
Principal of Richfield High School.  Nate taught biology, chemistry, physics both at high school and concurrent levels for 18 years prior to moving into an administrative role as an instructional coach and now as a Principal.
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Leadership, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required. |   School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

1:30pm MDT

Beyond the Basics: Navigating Disciplinary Literacy in the ELA Classroom
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203
For secondary English Language Arts (ELA) educators, "literacy" often becomes a catch-all term that can obscure the specialized nature of ELA. This session utilizes the official USBE guidance document, Clarifying Foundational, Content Area, and Disciplinary Literacies in ELA, to provide a clear framework for professional role clarity.We will explore how foundational skills and content-area strategies serve as universal "building blocks" applicable across all subjects. By contrast, we will deep-dive into the specialized disciplinary literacy that ELA experts provide: the unique theories, methodologies, and analytical tasks inherent to the discipline.This session moves this USBE resource from a static document to an active tool for school-wide alignment. Attendees will learn how to use this framework to lead productive, professional conversations with colleagues and administrators to ensure literacy is a shared, school-wide responsibility. By defining these distinctions, ELA teachers can better focus on high-quality, discipline-specific instruction that optimizes academic outcomes and elevates expectations for all students. Ultimately, this framework empowers educators to move beyond generic strategies and provide the rigorous instruction necessary for students to navigate complex information and succeed in real-world contexts.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Any of these
Speakers
avatar for Naomi Watkins

Naomi Watkins

Secondary ELA Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education
Dr. Naomi Watkins is the Secondary English Language Arts Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education, where she provides strategic oversight for ELA instruction, standards, and adolescent literacy. With over 20 years of experience in education and a Ph.D. specializing in adolescent... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

1:30pm MDT

Building Science Thinkers Through Literacy and Data Analysis Strategies
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
CC Sage Valley - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Sage Valley Room (100 Level)
This session will focus on how integrating literacy strategies into science instruction improves student understanding of data, graphs, and scientific concepts. Participants will explore practical strategies aligned to Utah SEEd standards, including Claim-Evidence-Reasoning, structured data analysis, and student discourse techniques. 

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None
Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Mackay

Jennifer Mackay

Science teacher and department head, Riverview Junior High
My name is Jennifer Mackay. I have taught 7-9 grade science over the last 20 years. I teach at Riverview Junior High in Murray School District. Over that last three years I have participated in the secondary Stem Action Center Cohort. In this time, I have been able to work on my teacher... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
CC Sage Valley - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Sage Valley Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

1:30pm MDT

Rising Above Low Expectation: How to Scaffold Learning for Students
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215
As educators in rural areas, we often find ourselves working with students who have significant challenges and barriers in their academic work. This can make meeting grade level expectations very difficult. Too often, out of the deep care we have for students, we end up lowering the expectations for these learners. But all students deserve to be held to high expectations. This session will emphasize the need for these high expectations and provide practical ideas for K-12 classroom teachers on how to maintain these high expectations for all students through supports and scaffolds. Participants will leave with a list of strategies that are research-based, but easy to apply and use in their classrooms.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None
Speakers
avatar for Laureen Graves

Laureen Graves

Assistant Professor and Field Services Director, SUU - Southern Utah University
Laureen Graves is a passionate educator, married to Christopher Graves, with four children and six grandchildren who bring immense joy to their lives. The role of being GG is a most cherished role! As a committed advocate for the teaching profession, Laureen hopes to prepare students... Read More →
avatar for Heather Kennedy

Heather Kennedy

Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, SUU - Southern Utah University
Dr. Heather Kennedy is an Assistant Professor of Teacher Education at Southern Utah University, where she teaches classes in the areas of special education, math education, school leadership, and secondary education instructional strategies. Dr. Kennedy has almost 20 years of experience... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Instructional Coaching, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

1:30pm MDT

Learner-Centered Design: Evidence, Iteration, and Impact
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
SC 122 - Science Center, Room 122
Learner-centered education is often discussed aspirationally, but successful implementation requires clear structures, agency for all learners, and evidence-informed decision-making. Join us in exploring how one school in Salt Lake City is pursuing these ideas. Participants will explore concrete examples, implementation protips, and indicators of impact that support personalized and competency-based learning.  Put your students in the driver's seat of their education and their future!

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Any of these
Speakers
NA

Nathan Auck

Founder and Principal Consultant, Catalyst for Coherence
Nathan Auck has over two decades of educational experience, spanning roles in alternative school teaching and leadership to STEM Coordinator and Personalized Competency Based Learning Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education. A Presidential Award winner and Albert Einstein... Read More →
KG
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
SC 122 - Science Center, Room 122 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

1:30pm MDT

Build the Ramp: AI Tools for Differentiation, Engagement, and Reporting in Rural Middle Level Classrooms
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT
GC 106 - General Classroom Building, Room 106
💻 Format Alert: This is an extended, 2-hour hands-on session—please bring your own laptop or tablet to fully participate!

Rural middle level teachers are doing the impossible math every day: one classroom, five reading levels, thirty-two needs, and a planning period that disappeared somewhere around October. This session doesn't talk about AI — it puts it in your hands and lets you build something you'll actually use Monday morning.Bring your device (something with a keyboard and screen, make and model not important) and a real problem from your real classroom—the more specific, the better.The first 90 minutes: Choose your build based on your most urgent challenge.The Bridge Text — generate accessible, grade-level-rigorous versions of a complex text for every reader in your roomThe Narrative Hook — re-skin an existing assessment around your students' actual interests; same cognitive demand, different entry pointThe Lab Report Surgeon — isolate precisely where a student's scientific reasoning broke down and generate a targeted repair scaffoldThe Math Concept Bridge — reframe a word problem in a familiar context, then distinguish conceptual errors from procedural onesThe final 30 minutes: Everyone runs the Diagnostic Audit together — the highest-leverage practice in the room. Feed student work through a structured AI prompt and identify exactly where and why reasoning broke down. Surgical, same-day intervention for every student, regardless of subject.No new software. No budget required. No prior AI experience necessary. Skeptics especially welcome.You will leave with something you built, not something you were handed.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop; iPad / iPhone; Windows Tablet / Smartphone; Chromebook

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Any of these
Speakers
SC
J
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT
GC 106 - General Classroom Building, Room 106 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required. |   Instructional Coaching, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

1:30pm MDT

Coaching Learning Intentions and Success Criteria as Formative Assessment Opportunities
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT
BC 103 - Braithwaite Liberal Arts Center, Room 103
🧠 Format Alert: This is an immersive, 2-hour deep-dive workshop designed for intensive, uninterrupted coverage of this topic.

This collaborative session is targeted toward school leaders and instructional coaches who support teachers in strengthening teacher practices. The objectives of the course include: deepen our understanding of Teacher Clarity, determine how formative assessment can drive intervention and extension during tier one instruction, and plan next steps for supporting and coaching teachers in the implementation of these strategies to benefit the growth of all students. Participants will engage in pair shares, review of research, and other collaborative structures to deepen understanding of the strategies and information presented to reinforce that what matters most is continuous improvement by growing each and every student.  Teacher clarity provides opportunities to strengthen students’ understanding of what they are learning. While learning intentions specify the content of the standard, success criteria focuses on the skills they need to master that standard. Smaller and rural schools are often limited by the available resources and must depend on evidence-based instructional practices to build the capacity of leaders and teachers. By strengthening teacher clarity and formative assessment, the school can sustain student growth and proficiency without investing in programs and resources that are costly. When teachers engage students in formative assessment, such as checks for understanding, that directly connect to the success criteria, they are able to monitor and adjust instruction to determine the next steps. Formative assessment is a critical practice for ensuring all students grow and become proficient when we make decisions based on that data, including whole group or small group reteach, intervention, and extensions. These instructional and assessment skills build a data-rich school within a culture of investment in high expectations. 

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Any of these
Speakers
avatar for Stephanie Davis

Stephanie Davis

School and District Improvement Specialist, WestEd
Stephanie served as a turnaround principal in Arizona at a Title One school. Focused on high yield strategies, the school became an A-rated Arizona School, A+ School of Excellence, ICLE Model School for Growth, and Stephanie was named a top ten principal in Arizona for student growth... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT
BC 103 - Braithwaite Liberal Arts Center, Room 103 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Leadership, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required. |   Assessment & Data Management, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

1:30pm MDT

Fractions and Art: Beyond the Pizza
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT
GC 306 - General Classroom Building, Room 306
💻 Format Alert: This is an extended, 2-hour hands-on session—please bring your own laptop or tablet to fully participate!

Move beyond traditional fraction pizzas and pies! In this hands-on workshop we will. create multiple visual art projects designed to help children develop an understanding of fractions and strengthen mathematical skills. Come prepared to think deeply, create, and have fun.Resources Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1E944gfv_4K3Vg-URZiDE93Tc1PHmAZ37?usp=share_link

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None
Speakers
avatar for Alisa Petersen

Alisa Petersen

Beverley Taylor Sorenson Endowed Chair of Elementary Arts Education, SUU - Southern Utah University
Alisa Petersen is the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Endowed Chair of Elementary Art Education at Southern Utah University. As the director of the artsFUSION outreach program, Alisa combines her passions for art, creativity and the maker movement to coordinate, develop, and teach arts-integrated... Read More →
ZP
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT
GC 306 - General Classroom Building, Room 306 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

1:30pm MDT

Sing It. Draw It. Learn It!
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT
GC 201 - General Classroom Building, Room 201
🧠 Format Alert: This is an immersive, 2-hour deep-dive workshop designed for intensive, uninterrupted coverage of this topic.

Discover engaging, practical strategies for integrating visual art and music into the elementary classroom to deepen student learning and creativity. This interactive session will explore hands-on activities, cross-curricular connections, and standards-aligned lessons that blend sound, color, movement, and expression. Participants will leave with ready-to-use ideas that foster collaboration, critical thinking, and joyful learning while supporting academic content across subjects. Perfect for K–5 educators looking to bring meaningful arts integration into their teaching practice.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None
Speakers
avatar for Liz Brown

Liz Brown

BTS Arts Integration Coach, NUES - Northeastern Utah Educational Services
Liz Brown is a BTS Art Integration Coach for NUES. She was the 2025 Utah Art Educator of the Year for the National Art Education Association and the 2024 Art Educator of the Year for the Utah Art Education Association. She is passionate about arts integration and children getting... Read More →
avatar for Kim Montano

Kim Montano

Beverley Taylor Sorenson Program Manager, Westminster University
Kim Montano has been teaching music for 20+ years, with experience in public school, private studio, university, and Montessori settings, and has a wide range of experience from preschools to drumlines. She currently works as the Program Director for Arts Education at Westminster... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT
GC 201 - General Classroom Building, Room 201 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

2:30pm MDT

Refreshment Break
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:30pm - 2:50pm MDT
Location TBD
TBD
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:30pm - 2:50pm MDT
Location TBD 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Break

2:50pm MDT

Using the Early Math Assessment Data
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
SC 122 - Science Center, Room 122
We will learn how to use the data from the early math assessment to inform our instruction.  To assist our learning, we will utilize the data through available reports and other tools in the assessment system.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Any of these
Speakers
avatar for Jared Wright

Jared Wright

Elementary Math and Science Assessment Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education
I have been in Education for 20+ years.  Approximately half of that time was as an elementary school teacher of students in grades 2, 3, and 4.  The other half has been in multiple roles at USBE in the Assessment and Accountability section.
avatar for Teresa McEntire

Teresa McEntire

Presenter, Utah State Board of Education
Teresa McEntire is the Elementary ELA Assessment Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education. She has a master's degree in School Administration and a bachelor's in Elementary Education. She spent eleven years in the classroom in grades 3-6 and three years as an administrator... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
SC 122 - Science Center, Room 122 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Assessment & Data Management, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

2:50pm MDT

Want to make a Canvas Quiz in three minutes? You can.
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
CC Yankee Meadows - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Yankee Meadows Room (100 Level)
Putting a few tools together, you can use AI and sites such as the New York Institute of Technology to help you create a a QTI file (which...five people have ever heard about) to drop it into Canvas and make a quiz in just a few minutes. I timed myself. Where was this when I was teaching for years?

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Any of these
Speakers
avatar for Steve Weller

Steve Weller

Technology Coach, South Sanpete School District
An English teacher for 17 years at Ephraim Middle School and now a district tech trainer, Steve has seen a few things and learned a few tips and tricks along the way.
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
CC Yankee Meadows - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Yankee Meadows Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

2:50pm MDT

From Generic to Gem: Building Your First Gemini Gems
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
ED 202 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 202
Tired of typing the same prompts over and over? It’s time to meet Gems — your customizable chatbots designed to handle whatever task for you. Whether you need a persistent lesson planner, a student feedback coach, or a schedule sorter. Gems allow you to package your best instructions into a single, reusable tool.We’ll cover the breakdown of a Gemini Gem, use cases for educators, tips and tricks and have time to live build! In this hands-on session, we will start with the basics to then begin building. By the end of the hour, you’ll have a custom AI assistant ready to go to work for you!  Note: Participants will need access to Gemini Gems through their Google account. Skills may be transferable to over AI platforms with custom chatbots (SchoolAI, MagicSchool, etc.) 

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop; Android Tablet / Smartphone; iPad / iPhone; Windows Tablet / Smartphone; Chromebook; Other (If not listed above, please indicate what device(s) would benefit attendees in your session description)

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None
Speakers
avatar for Emma Moss

Emma Moss

Digital Teaching & Learning Specialist, Canyons School District
Emma Moss is a Digital Teaching and Learning Specialist and AI Project Co-Lead in Canyons School District, as well as the Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Program Director in Utah. She founded the Utah AI Collaborative and leads monthly meet-ups on AI and innovation in education... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
ED 202 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 202 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Assessment & Data Management, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

2:50pm MDT

Data Privacy Basics Live!
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
CC Sage Valley - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Sage Valley Room (100 Level)
Last year, the Student Data Privacy team at the Utah State Board of Education introduced an asynchronous Canvas course that many districts and charters have used to meet requirements for data privacy training. This session will be a special live edition of that training! We'll walk through all the most critical info you need to know about Data Privacy Basics; including Data Privacy Rights, Sharing Data, and Protecting Data. Pro-tip: Check with your district or charter ahead of time to see if this course will be a requirement of your back to school training. If so, you can leave this session with a certificate of completion so you can skip that step in the fall! If you would like to get a certificate of completion, please bring a device to participate.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Any of these
Speakers
avatar for Nicole Sanchez

Nicole Sanchez

Student Data Privacy Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education
Nicole Sanchez is a former junior high teacher and instructional coach, and is now a Student Data Privacy Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education. Nicole especially loves to work with districts and charter schools across the state to help them improve their privacy practices... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
CC Sage Valley - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Sage Valley Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

2:50pm MDT

Teacher Reflection and Instruction Data Made Easy With AI
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
CC Whiting Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Whiting Room Room (200 Level)
Micro teaching—where teachers reflect on recordings of their instruction to improve practice—has one of the highest effect sizes in education (0.88 per Hattie). But in reality, it’s rarely used. The traditional process is time-consuming, uncomfortable, and often impractical. What if teachers could get the benefits of micro teaching without the hassle?This session introduces an AI-powered solution that makes micro teaching simple, private, and powerful. With tools like TeachFX, educators can press “record” at the start of a lesson and, minutes after pressing “stop,” receive an automated analysis of their talk-time, questioning, student engagement, and more—no video reviews or manual data collection required.Attendees will explore how AI is transforming teacher reflection, review real-world examples, and learn how schools can use this technology to accelerate professional growth, improve instruction, and boost student outcomes—effortlessly.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None
Speakers
avatar for Lance Hatch

Lance Hatch

Superintendent, Iron County School District
Dr. Lance Hatch is a former elementary teacher, principal, and district director. He currently serves as the superintendent of the Iron County School District. He earned a PhD in Teacher Education and Leadership with a dissertation focused on expert teacher planning for and delivery... Read More →
avatar for Yaerli Anderson
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
CC Whiting Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Whiting Room Room (200 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Instructional Coaching, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

2:50pm MDT

Group Contingencies and the Good Behavior Game for Classroom Management
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level)
Teachers are juggling more behavior needs than ever while still trying to keep students engaged and learning. This session will introduce group contingencies—Independent, Dependent, and Interdependent—as simple, realistic ways to support behavior without adding a lot to your plate. We’ll also look closely at the Good Behavior Game as a classroom-tested example that has been shown to reduce disruptive behavior and boost on-task time.You’ll see real classroom examples, watch short video clips, and have dedicated time to sketch out how these ideas could work with your own students. You’ll leave with a one-page cheat sheet on the three types of group contingencies, a planning template, printable Good Behavior Game materials, and links to free online resources. By the end of the session, you’ll have a clear, ready-to-try plan you can start using as soon as the following week.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Any of these
Speakers
RR

Rhea Rayomand Palkhiwala

Doctoral Student, USU - Utah State University
Rhea Rayomand Palkhiwala, MSE, LBA (UT), is a doctoral student in Disability Disciplines with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis at Utah State University. She works as a school-based behavior consultant, supporting rural school teams with conducting function-based assessments... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Audrey N. Hoffmann

Dr. Audrey N. Hoffmann

Assistant Professor - Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling, USU - Utah State University
Dr. Audrey N. Hoffmann is an assistant professor in the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling at Utah State University. Dr. Hoffmann provides services to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and/or challenging behavior. She specializes... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Instructional Coaching, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Assessment & Data Management, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

2:50pm MDT

Bridging the Gap: Addressing Teacher Recruitment and Retention in Rural Utah Schools
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128
Program Description / Abstract: The recruitment and retention of highly qualified educators in rural Utah school districts has reached a critical juncture. Local administrators face persistent systemic challenges that threaten the long-term stability of rural educational systems. This presentation examines how geographic isolation and limited community amenities frequently cause prospective candidates to withdraw from the hiring process. These environmental factors are further exacerbated by lower salary scales compared to urban districts and a lack of access to essential technology and instructional resources (Hannover Research, 2019).Furthermore, rural educators often experience professional isolation due to limited opportunities for collaboration and specialized development, particularly in high-need areas such as STEM, special education, and early childhood education. Drawing on current research, this session highlights four primary drivers of rural teacher attrition:Challenges with school administration.Lack of community connection.Insufficient training and support.Limited access to professional mentoring.Participant Outcomes: By the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:Identify the four primary factors contributing to teacher attrition in rural settings.Evaluate how administrative support, community integration, and mentoring programs influence teacher longevity.Engage in collaborative discussions to brainstorm scalable solutions for these persistent rural challenges.Analyze specific policies and procedures that can be implemented to improve recruitment and retention in their own districts. 

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None
Speakers
avatar for Celina Poppe

Celina Poppe

Educational Leadership and Policy Doctoral Candidate at the University of Utah, University of Utah
While a doctoral candidate in Education (EdD) specializing in Educational Leadership and Police at the University of Utah, I am working as a Regional Accreditation Evaluator for Cognia where I conducted comprehensive evaluations of educational institutions, ensuring adherence to accreditation... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Instructional Coaching, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

2:50pm MDT

What Worked When It Mattered? Pandemic Recovery Success in Utah
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102
When faced with new challenges and uncertainty following pandemic-related disruptions, some Utah schools beat the odds in their student academic recovery. What school-level factors made this possible? In this interactive session, the Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC) will share findings from a statewide mixed-methods study of eight schools that demonstrated strong post-pandemic recovery. Conducted in partnership with USBE and ULEAD, the study examined the school-level factors that leaders and educators identified as most important to academic recovery in their schools. The findings point to reinvesting in the fundamentals rather than adopting pandemic-specific interventions: adaptive school leadership, high-quality PLCs, data-informed instruction, and other aligned support systems coherently working together. Adaptive leadership emerged as a key driver in these contexts, as leadership promoted the central coherence needed for these schools to improve outcomes through the strategic, sustained use of the people, structures, and practices already available to them. Session OutcomesParticipants will:Learn about key findings from the UEPC Pandemic Recovery study.Explore school portraits of success that make the study’s findings more concrete within school contexts.Reflect on their own school's strengths and opportunities for growth in relation to the study's findings.Develop action plans for high-leverage next steps, key partners, and needed supports.Why This MattersThis session translates research into actionable insights for schools, offering rural educators and leaders a research-informed starting point for strengthening the systems and practices that support student outcomes. All participants will leave with printed school portraits and a conversation guide to support continued reflection.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Any of these
Speakers
avatar for Andrea Rorrer

Andrea Rorrer

Director, UEPC - Utah Education Policy Center
Dr. Andrea K. Rorrer  is the Director of the UEPC and a Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy. Andrea, who has 35 years of experience in education, received her master’s degree at the University of Virginia and her Ph.D. from the University of Texas... Read More →
avatar for Kody Colvin

Kody Colvin

Lead School & District Improvement Specialist, Utah Education Policy Center
Kody Colvin is a Lead School and District Improvement Specialist with the Utah Education Policy Center, where he partners with schools and systems to strengthen instructional leadership, professional learning, and continuous improvement efforts. With over 15 years of experience in... Read More →
avatar for Amy Reynolds

Amy Reynolds

Research and Evaluation Associate, Utah Education Policy Center
Amy L. Reynolds, Ph.D., is a Research Associate at the Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC), where she leads research and evaluation projects in partnership with state agencies and educational organizations within and beyond Utah. Her recent work includes a statewide governance study... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Leadership, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required. |   Professional Learning Communities (PLCs & PLNs), Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

2:50pm MDT

Rediscovering True Education: Classroom Practices That Actually Work
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109
In my session, I will share practical, evidence-based techniques and strategies that equip teachers in rural schools with the tools and support needed to manage low-level chronic disruptions, reduce disciplinary referrals, and enhance teaching time.  By empowering teachers to effectively manage classroom behavior, my training reduces stress, reclaims valuable instructional time, and fosters an optimal learning culture that elevates instruction and teaching in order to reach every student and fulfill every teacher.  

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Any of these
Speakers
avatar for Kenneth Applegate

Kenneth Applegate

Educator, Local Education Advocate
Kenneth Applegate believes genuine connections with students are essential for academic success. His own educational background and love of lifelong learning continues to fuel his passion to help educators embrace their callings.   He advocates for research-based, practical strategies... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

2:50pm MDT

Increasing Student Attendance
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203
This session will dive into attendance best practices around Utah, current school attendance legislation, attendance supports that the Utah State Board of Education offers to schools and LEAs, and will teach about the Statewide Attendance Campaign, "Every Day Counts". 

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None
Speakers
avatar for Megan Menlove

Megan Menlove

Attendance Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education
Megan Menlove is an attendance support specialist for the Utah State Board of Education.  She loves being an Attendance Ambassadors and promoting positive attendance throughout Utah.  Prior to coming to USBE she was an assistant principal for thirteen years in Alpine School District... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

2:50pm MDT

An Educational Expedition: Rediscovering Educator Joy
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215
This session will embark on a journey to rediscover the joy of teaching. Joy isn’t a by-product of teaching, it's a prerequisite. The survival guides will lead this expedition through the rugged landscape of rural education, where teachers may be the driver, the mechanic, and the GPS for every student. Has the tank run dry? Educator joy isn’t a luxury but an essential quality for a thriving classroom. Our adventure will include a roadmap to joy with three stops; Stop 1 involves the GPS where we share common practices that lead to getting lost along the way and replacing them with practices that empower students by putting them in the driver’s seat and getting where we really want to go; Stop 2 will cover the importance of taking the scenic route! Rather than just getting to the destination, we want to relish in the beauty and get some red sand in our shoes through experiential learning and shifting the burden of learning while becoming a highly-effective resource and guide; Stop 3 brings us to the ever-important strategies to avoid over-heating (aka teacher burn-out)! The check engine light has been flashing for too long and needed routine maintenance and a check-up to replace fluids (NOT Diet Coke) will protect the spark and keep us running smoothly! Join us for a highly collaborative, fun, and practical road trip through the heart of what it means to teach on a full tank. Let’s work together to reclaim the joy of our profession!

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Any of these
Speakers
avatar for Laureen Graves

Laureen Graves

Assistant Professor and Field Services Director, SUU - Southern Utah University
Laureen Graves is a passionate educator, married to Christopher Graves, with four children and six grandchildren who bring immense joy to their lives. The role of being GG is a most cherished role! As a committed advocate for the teaching profession, Laureen hopes to prepare students... Read More →
avatar for Heather Kennedy

Heather Kennedy

Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, SUU - Southern Utah University
Dr. Heather Kennedy is an Assistant Professor of Teacher Education at Southern Utah University, where she teaches classes in the areas of special education, math education, school leadership, and secondary education instructional strategies. Dr. Kennedy has almost 20 years of experience... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

2:50pm MDT

Mobilizing Rural Partnerships: Building Coalitions for Student Success
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127
How can rural communities better coordinate resources to support youth and families? Community partner coalitions offer a powerful, yet often underutilized, approach for aligning schools with healthcare providers, social services, local businesses, higher education, and community organizations. When designed intentionally, these partnerships expand access, reduce duplication, and ensure resources reach the students and families who need them most. In this interactive session, the Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC) and Iron Kids, a nonprofit organization serving families in Iron County by providing affordable, high-quality afterschool care and summer enrichment programs, share how rural coalitions can be structured to strengthen outcomes beyond what schools can do alone. Drawing on UEPC’s technical assistance partnerships across the state and Iron Kids’ partnership work, participants will explore key practices, such as needs sensing, shared goal setting, and data-informed decision making, that support effective cross-sector collaboration. Through real examples, we will examine how coalitions address common rural challenges, including geographic isolation, limited staffing, and fragmented services. Participants will also explore how coordinated efforts, such as career pathway partnerships, transportation solutions, telehealth, and community outreach, can improve continuity of support for students and families. This session complements school-based leadership efforts by focusing on how communities can  align around shared responsibility for student success. Participants will leave with practical strategies and a clear starting point for building or strengthening partnership coalitions in their own communities. Participants will leave with actionable insights and practical strategies to: Assesstheir readiness to build or strengthen a community partnership coalition Identifykey structures and practices that support effective rural collaboration Applya simple processfor aligning partners around shared needs and goals Develop2–3 immediate next steps toinitiateor strengthen a local coalition 

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None
Speakers
avatar for Lisa Wisham

Lisa Wisham

Senior Research & Evaluation Associate and School & District Improvement Specialist, Utah Education Policy Center
Lisa Wisham, M.Ed., is a Senior Research & Evaluation Associate and School & District Improvement Specialist at the Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC). For the past nine years, she has worked with the UEPC team to provide on-site and virtual support, data collection, leadership coaching... Read More →
avatar for James Jordan

James Jordan

President, Iron Kids
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

2:50pm MDT

The Teacher Brain Budget Hack
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
CC Shooting Star - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Shooting Star Room (100 Level)
What if the same classroom management skills you use every day could also help you build financial stability?

In this session, veteran teacher and instructional coach Mary Saylor will share how she used classroom management systems to get out of debt and save six months of income — all on a teacher’s salary. Participants will learn the ABC Budgeting System:

A — Awareness. Build honest awareness around spending habits, stress spending, and emotional money triggers.
B — Bridge. Use simple “instructional scaffolding” strategies to bridge the gap between limiting beliefs and healthier financial habits.
C — Commit. Create one small, realistic budgeting habit that’s easy to maintain and powerful enough to build momentum over time. 

This won’t feel like a boring finance lecture. It’s practical, encouraging, and designed specifically for busy teachers who want less stress and more  financial breathing room. You’ll leave with a simple starting point and hopefully the feeling of, “Okay… maybe I actually can do this.”

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Any of these
Speakers
avatar for Mary Saylor

Mary Saylor

Instructional Coach, Cedar Middle School
Mary Saylor is a secondary ELA teacher turned Instructional Coach who is passionate about helping teachers create engaging classrooms without adding hours of extra work. With 16 years of classroom experience, she shares practical strategies, mindset shifts, and classroom systems that... Read More →
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
CC Shooting Star - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Shooting Star Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

2:50pm MDT

A Brief Introduction to Trust-Based Relational Interventions (TBRI)
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204
This session will provide a brief introduction to Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). TBRI is a trauma-informed model for caregivers to help children with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges stemming from trauma. It is built on three principles—Empowering, Connecting, and Correcting—which focus on meeting a child's physical and emotional needs, building secure attachments, and guiding them toward positive behavior and self-regulation. Developed at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (KPICD) at Texas Christian University, TBRI is used for children of all ages who have experienced hardship or trauma. This training is not affiliated with the KPICD, and the information included is based on TBRI. The presenter is a TBRI Practitioner.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Not Applicable

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Not Applicable
Speakers
LE
Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.
 
From $50.00
2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference
From $50.00

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BC 103 - Braithwaite Liberal Arts Center, Room 103
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CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level
CC Rondthaller Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Rondthaller Room (200 Level
CC Sage Valley - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Sage Valley Room (100 Level)
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