2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference

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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9:45am MDT

10 Minute Movement ideas for Language Arts k-6th grade

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT

CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level)

We will explore the language arts curriculum for K-6 and integrate movement possibilities for students. Each lesson will be less than 10 minutes long and easily adapted to a classroom setting.

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

Ashley Boyack

Professional Development Director, University of Utah Tanner Dance

ASHLEY BOYACK received her BFA from the University of Utah and MAT from the University of Northern Colorado. She joined the Lawrence Arts Center in 2010, where she was Artistic Director of the Youth Dance Theater. While at LAC she created the modern dance curriculum and served as... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level) 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 Elementary - grades K - 6
Audience Teachers, Curriculum Specialists, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Language Arts, Performing Arts / Visual Arts

10:27am MDT

Partnership Power! Bringing Poetry to Life with Statewide Competitions from the Division of Arts & Museums

Thursday July 16, 2026 10:27am - 10:45am MDT

ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215

🕒 Format Alert: This is a fast-paced, 20-minute showcase that is grouped together with two other quick sessions in this time block.

The Utah Division of Arts & Museums administers two different statewide competitions for 9-12 grade students designed to bring poetry to life for young learners while advancing literacy, confidence and public speaking skills.

Poetry Out Loud is a nationwide contest that starts at the local level with individual classrooms and schools. Lesson plans and other teacher resources are available to help teachers integrate the contest into their curriculum. Participating schools can request free on-site workshops with the state poet laureate. Students select from a collection of great works of poetry to memorize and recite, and local contest winners move on to the regional and then the state level, where cash prizes are awarded, and one Utah student will get a free trip to Washington D.C. for the national finals to compete for the $20,000 grand prize.

We also hold a statewide poetry writing competition called Poetry Ourselves. Students are encouraged to enter their own original works in both English and Spanish. Free workshops on bilingual poetry are available from our agency to encourage engagement from language learners in your school. Winners receive cash awards and a trip to Salt Lake to read their work at the state finals event in March.

We are committed to expanding this program to every corner of the state. Join us to learn how you can participate in the coming year.

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

Reilly Jensen

Arts Education Program Manager, Utah Division of Arts and Museums

Reilly is an arts educator, teaching artist, and archaeologist with a focus on community and heritage collaboration. She holds an M.F.A. in Community-Based Arts Education from the University of Utah, an M.A. in Middle Eastern Studies, and a B.S. in Anthropology. Her research explores... Read More →

Justin Ivie

Arts Education Coordinator, Utah Division of Arts & Museums

Justin Ivie is an accomplished theatre artist and a familiar face on Utah stages with hundreds of acting credits at companies all around the state. He is also a director, stage manager and theatrical designer.

Justin has been with the Utah Division of Arts & Museums since 2022 whe... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 10:27am - 10:45am 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. | Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 20 minute focus on specific solutions or tools (Over The Shoulder)
Grade Level High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists
Subject Area Language Arts, Performing Arts / Visual Arts

1:30pm MDT

Art Tools and Teacher Tricks

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT

GC 306 - General Classroom Building, Room 306

🧠 Format Alert: This is an immersive, 2-hour deep-dive workshop designed for intensive, uninterrupted coverage of this topic.

Looking to bring more creativity into your classroom without the mess or stress? In this hands-on workshop, elementary classroom teachers will learn practical tips and tricks for confidently using and managing basic art supplies. From watercolors to oil pastels colored pencils and more, we’ll explore what’s worth buying, what to skip, and how to get the most out of the supplies you already have. How can you use and manage these supplies more effectively?Participants will learn art hacks for the classroom that will minimize chaos and maximize instructional time. We’ll also cover easy-to-teach techniques that help students use supplies correctly and responsibly, saving money and reducing waste. Whether you’re art-loving or art-avoidant, you’ll leave with ready-to-use strategies that make creative activities smoother, more efficient, more successful and more engaging.Perfect for any teachers who want big creative impact with basic supplies!

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 →

Thursday July 16, 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.