2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference: Full Schedule

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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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

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.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Leadership, Instructional Coaching

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

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.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience District / School Administrators, Counselors or School-based Mental / Behavioral Health Professionals, Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Leadership, Mental/Behavioral Health

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

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 →

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.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Language Arts, Special Education

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

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.

Session Format 2 hour In-Depth exploration workshop
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Instructional Coaches, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Language Arts, Mathematics

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

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 →

Zoë Petersen

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.

Session Format 2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level Elementary - grades K - 6
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Performing Arts / Visual Arts, Mathematics

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

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 →

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.

Session Format 2 hour In-Depth exploration workshop
Grade Level PK - 2, 3-4, 5-6
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Library Media Specialists
Subject Area Performing Arts / Visual Arts, Music

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

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.

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.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level 3-4, PK - 2
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Mathematics

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

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 →

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.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Instructional Coaching

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

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.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Leadership, Instructional Coaching

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

Laureen Graves

Assistant Professor and Field Services Director, SUU - Southern Utah University

Heather Kennedy

Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, SUU - Southern Utah University

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.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Instructional Coaches, Everyone, Teachers, Counselors or School-based Mental / Behavioral Health Professionals, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Other

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