2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference: Full Schedule

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9:45am MDT

Simple and Easy Adaptations in the Classroom

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

GC 106 - General Classroom Building, Room 106

General idea- we will be providing simple and easy ideas of how you can increase engagement through organization, reading, technology and going old school with paper and pencil (we will provide more details).

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

April Stevenson

President, Utah Middle Level Association

TBD

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
GC 106 - General Classroom Building, Room 106 152 South 300 West, Cedar City, UT 84720

Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Social Science, Science

9:45am MDT

Commemorate America250 Utah with History, Civics, and Heart

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

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

It's been 250 years since the pivotal events of 1776. The student activities, lesson plans, and resources from America250 Utah will help you connect to the our nation's founding and our state's rich history no matter what content you teach! This session will introduce key resources for elementary, middle, and high school, with a focus on events that connect to Utah in 1776, and the individuals, groups, ideas, and actions that shaped the Revolutionary Era.America250 Utah offers hands-on opportunities to explore history, create shared experiences, and engage with this milestone celebration. You can create powerful opportunities for your students and school community to reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look together toward the future. Presenters: Wendy Rex Atzet, PhD, and Rebecca Kirkman, Curriculum Specialist, Utah Historical Society

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

Rebecca Kirkman

Curriculum & District Coaching Specialist, Jordan School District & Utah Historical Society

Rebecca Kirkman is an accomplished District Instructional Coach for Jordan District, specializing in Instructional Coaching methodologies and teacher professional development. An award-winning former classroom teacher, she translates her successful practices into scalable professional... Read More →

Wendy Rex Atzet

Manager of K-12 Initiatives, Utah Historical Society

Wendy Rex Atzet earned her doctorate in U.S. History at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she also served for four years as a coordinator for the state National History Day program. She was thrilled to return to National History Day in 2013 when she took the helm of this... Read More →

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

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists, Everyone, Technology Coordinators / Facilitators, District / School Administrators, EdTech Coach / Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Counselors or School-based Ment
Subject Area Social Science, Language Arts

3:10pm MDT

Statewide Online Education Program: Essential Insights for Administrators & Counselors

Thursday July 16, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT

SC 129 - Science Center, Room 129

Are you maximizing the potential of the Statewide Online Education Program (SOEP)? This session is designed for administrators and counselors looking to use the SOEP as a strategic lever. We will discuss how to use SOEP enrollment data to guide master scheduling and staffing decisions, allowing your LEA to offer high-demand courses.Key topics include an in-depth look at the funding model, Small Schools grant opportunities, and essential operational "need-to-knows." We will specifically address how LEAs can protect their budgets by mastering the acceptance and rejection windows in SEATS—including how to navigate over-enrollment and credit caps. Additionally, we will cover the critical management of "No Grade" and "Incomplete" grades as they relate to UHSAA eligibility and fiscal responsibility. By leveraging SOEP data, administrators can turn the program into a roadmap for increasing student seat time and expanding academic pathways, providing access to niche electives and advanced coursework that might otherwise be unavailable in smaller or rural settings

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

Meagan Johnston

SOEP Program Manager, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Meagan Johnston is the Program Manager for the Statewide Online Education Program (SOEP) and a dedicated advocate for student choice and equitable access to education. With 21 years of experience in the public education system, Meagan has taught in both the traditional and online... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT
SC 129 - Science Center, Room 129 370 West 200 South, Cedar City, UT 84720

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2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference

9:45am MDT

April Stevenson

9:45am MDT

Rebecca Kirkman

Wendy Rex Atzet

3:10pm MDT

Meagan Johnston

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