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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. 
Audience: Elementary - grades K - 6 clear filter
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Wednesday, July 15
 

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

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

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.
 
From $50.00
2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference
From $50.00

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Wednesday, July 15
Thursday, July 16
Friday, July 17
AU - Auditorium
AU - Auditorium Foyer
BC 103 - Braithwaite Liberal Arts Center, Room 103
BC 208 - Braithwaite Liberal Arts Center, Room 208
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)
CC Shooting Star - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Shooting Star Room (100 Level)
CC Whiting Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Whiting Room Room (200 Level)
CC Yankee Meadows - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Yankee Meadows Room (100 Level
ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102
ED 104 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 104
ED 202 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 202
ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203
ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204
ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215
ED Level 2 Foyer, East - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Level 2 Foyer
GC 106 - General Classroom Building, Room 106
GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109
GC 201 - General Classroom Building, Room 201
GC 306 - General Classroom Building, Room 306
Location TBD
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SC 016 - Science Center, Room 016
SC 122 - Science Center, Room 122
SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127
SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128
SC 129 - Science Center, Room 129
  • Assessment & Data Management
  • Break
  • Conference Info
  • Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy
  • Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Instructional Coaching
  • Keynote
  • Keynote Breakout Session
  • Leadership
  • Other
  • Presenter Workspace
  • Professional Learning Communities (PLCs & PLNs)
  • School-based Mental & Behavioral Health
  • Tech Support
  • Technology & AI
  • Utah Core Curriculum
  • Session Format
  • 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
  • 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
  • 2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
  • 2 hour In-Depth exploration workshop
  • 2 hour Playground - hands on activities and discussions with various small groups during a 2-hour window
  • 2 Hour Poster Session - informal discussions with various small groups during a 2-hour window
  • 20 minute focus on specific solutions or tools (Over The Shoulder)
  • Break
  • Conference Info
  • Keynote
  • Keynote Speaker Session
  • Presenter Workspace
  • Tech Support
  • Grade Level
  • 3-4
  • 46085
  • 46148
  • 5-6
  • All Grade Levels
  • Elementary - grades K - 6
  • High School - grades 9 - 12
  • Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8
  • Not Applicable
  • PK - 2
  • Audience
  • All of the above
  • Conference Speakers
  • Counselors or School-based Ment
  • Counselors or School-based Mental / Behavioral Health Professionals
  • Counselors or School-based Mental/Behavioral Health Professionals
  • Curriculum Specialists
  • District / School Administrators
  • EdTech Coach / Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists
  • EdTech Coach/Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists
  • Everyone
  • Instructional Coaches
  • Library Media Specialists
  • Teachers
  • Technology Coordinators /
  • Technology Coordinators / Facilitato
  • Technology Coordinators / Facilitators
  • Subject Area
  • Adult Education
  • Career and Technical Education
  • Computer Science
  • ESL
  • Health and Physical Education
  • Instructional Coaching
  • Language Arts
  • Leadership
  • Mathematics
  • Media Literacy
  • Mental/Behavioral Health
  • Music
  • Not Applicable
  • Other
  • Performing Arts / Visual Arts
  • Science
  • Social Science
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • STEM / STEAM
  • World Languages
  • Popular