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.

WiFi: eduroam or SUU-Conference, password "summertimefun"

PLAN AHEAD - Tentative Future Conference Dates
July 7-9, 2027 - Price, UT
July 17-19, 2028 - Richfield, UT

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1:50pm MDT

Modern Classroom tips from teachers who love it.

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm MDT

SC 129 - Science Center, Room 129

This session will share tips, structures and examples of classrooms that use the Modern Classroom Project platform. DawnRae Smith is a Distinguished MCP Teacher as well as School AI Certified Educator. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge using MCP in her History, FACS, Gaming Concepts and CCA classes. She has so many tips and examples to share. Machelle Maxwell will share her experience using MCP with her ELA classes and mentoring opportunities. We will share real life experiences, a tool kits for those wanting to overview it, some data from the how it works and of course specific ways to get started.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: a device since we will have logging into some of our Canva for screen pal options

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

Speakers

DawnRae Smith

Secondary Career & Tech Educator, Iron County School District

DawnRae Smith is a Family and Consumer Sciences and Gaming Concepts teacher who brings 10 years of history teaching and special education experience to the classroom. For the past two years, she's implemented the Modern Classrooms Model, focusing on practical, realistic approaches... Read More →

Machelle Maxwell

Secondary Language Arts Teacher, Iron County

Machelle is still loving teaching after 40 + years. She has taught from1st grade- college level, was a HS Librarian, served as an instructional coach and state mentor. She still chooses to be in a classroom with students and loves collaborating with teacher friends like DawnRae. She... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm MDT
SC 129 - Science Center, Room 129 370 West 200 South, Cedar City, UT 84720

Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level 5 - 6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, EdTech Coach/Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Subject Area Language Arts, Computer Science, Social Studies, Career and Technical Education, Instructional Coaching

3:10pm MDT

Teachers are leaders and should be the shapers our profession

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

ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204

What we do as educators is often dictated by those who are not in our classrooms. We lead in our classrooms and should lead outside of them too. We'll work through how and when to connect with your policy makers from the local school district to the legislature and state board. Teachers will become familiar with the legislative website and practice communicating with their legislators. Teachers will leave having a better understanding of how educational policy works and the successes that can occur as they engage themselves.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Any web enabled device

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

Speakers

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 →

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