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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9:45am MDT

A Kickstart with Gemini: Demystifying the Tech - USBE + Google Sponsored Session

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

ED 104 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 104

🎉 Get $200 for your classroom! Just attend any 3 of the 8 available USBE+Google sessions in ED 104 to qualify for a USBE-sponsored $200 DonorsChoose classroom credit! 📝🚀

Are you curious about how AI tools like Gemini work, but are you concerned about privacy and data security? This introductory session is the perfect place to start, demystifying the technology behind the hype. We will break down, in clear and simple terms, how Google AI generates content and makes decisions. More importantly, we'll guide you through the settings to show you how to take control of your conversations by managing your privacy and understanding how your data is used. This workshop is designed for beginners, providing the essential first steps to becoming a confident and AI-literate user. You will leave with the foundational knowledge to use Gemini with assurance and make informed decisions about leveraging Google AI responsibly in your work.

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 is recommended.

Speakers

Chris McCaffrey

Google Certified Trainer & Coach, Google ~ Kiker Learning

Chris McCaffrey is a Google for Education Certified Trainer & Coach as well as the Coordinator of Innovation, while managing the virtual academy at Wilson School District in PA. Drawing from over 25 years in education—including experience as a school board director, adjunct professor... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
ED 104 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 104 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers
Subject Area Any Subject Area

9:45am MDT

Making Sheets Work For You

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

ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203

Go beyond the basics and learn some ways to have Google Sheets do some of the busy work for you so that you can narrow in on the important things. We will talk about several formulas for organizing data and even throw in some AI helps to get things just how you want them!

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop; Chromebook

Speakers

Stacey King

Teacher, Utah Online School

Stacey grew up in Logan, Utah and attended Utah State University, graduating with her bachelors degree in Family & Consumer Sciences and Math Education. Nine years later, she earned her Masters of Education in Learning and Technology. She loves using technology to solve problems and... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required. | Assessment & Data Management, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, EdTech Coach / Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Any Subject Area

9:45am MDT

Beyond the Brain Games: Mastering the Next Frontier of Utah Students' Career Readiness

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

CC Red Hills Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Red Hills Room (200 Level)

You’ve been uncovering student aptitudes for years—now it’s time to put those discoveries into high gear. This session is designed specifically for Utah’s educators who are ready to evolve from "aptitude testing" to "active planning." We will dive deep into the new Brightpath game-changers: the CCR Planner for personalized 4-year course mapping, Family Connect for bringing parents into the loop, and the Work-Based Learning (WBL) module for managing local employer connections. Join us as we explore how these tools create a seamless journey from the first "Brain Game" to industry-recognized CTE certifications and high-fit career placement. It’s time to strengthen your legacy and give your students a competitive edge!

Speakers

Paul Ashby

Customer Success Manager, YouScience

With over 20 years in education, Paul brings expertise in Special Education, administration, and professional development. His passion for guiding students towards optimal career paths has flourished in his 2-year tenure at YouScience, where as the Customer Success Manager, he collaborates... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
CC Red Hills Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Red Hills Room (200 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Exhibitor

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities

9:45am MDT

Doing More With Less: Using Technology to Strengthen Instruction in Rural Schools

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

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

Rural schools often face unique challenges, lean staffing, geographic distance, and limited access to specialized instructional support, while being asked to deliver strong outcomes for every student, just like their suburban counterparts. Technology can help bridge some of those gaps, but only when thoughtfully aligned to real classroom and leadership needs.

In this session, former Utah principal Eric Price shares the problems he worked to solve for teachers and students, what he looked for when evaluating instructional solutions, and practical leadership principles for using technology to strengthen instruction, improve visibility into student learning, and better target support, without adding complexity for already stretched educators.

Speakers

Eric Price

Sr. Account Executive, Derivita

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
CC Vermillion Cliffs - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Vermillion Cliffs Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Exhibitor

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities

9:45am MDT

Ignite Your Spark: Fueling Self-determination

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

SC 129 - Science Center, Room 129

Tired of stalling out? It's time for a fresh SPARK of insight! In this high-energy session, you'll fan the flames of self-determination/self-advocacy; two powerhouse drivers of student success. We'll illuminate the connection between these strategies and the predictors of post-school success for students with disabilities.

This interactive session invites educators to reimagine Genius Hour, not just as a student-driven initiative, but as dedicated time for teachers to explore, design, and implement strategies that build student voice, choice, and independence. Participants will engage in their own Genius Hour experience, using that time to dive into resources, collaborate with peers, and create actionable plans to weave these powerful forces into your daily instruction across every grade level. Get ready to grab red-hot resources to fuel a future where every student is empowered to lead their own learning journey. Don't just teach – IGNITE their potential!

With a focus on empowering students from early childhood through secondary education, participants will learn to integrate self-determination and self-advocacy (SD/SA) into instruction using evidence-based practices linked to postschool success. This session explores strategies and resources that build SD/SA skills, showing how to embed them in developmentally appropriate, inclusive curricula. Instructional approaches will be connected to IDEA and ESSA requirements, to promote positive outcomes in employment, independent living, and postsecondary education. Through collaborative activities, participants will design actionable plans using practical tools and lesson ideas for immediate classroom use. By the end, attendees will gain concrete strategies to enhance student engagement, voice, and choice, and the confidence to implement SD/SA practices to support students with disabilities in reaching their full potential.

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: Mac Laptop, Windows Laptop, Android Tablet / Smartphone, iPad / iPhone, Windows Tablet / Smartphone

Speakers

Julianne R. Hunter

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
SC 129 - Science Center, Room 129 370 West 200 South, Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Special Education

11:10am MDT

Google AI as a Catalyst for Creative Inquiry - USBE + Google Sponsored Session

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

ED 104 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 104

🎉 Get $200 for your classroom! Just attend any 3 of the 8 available USBE+Google sessions in ED 104 to qualify for a USBE-sponsored $200 DonorsChoose classroom credit! 📝🚀

This workshop examines the role of generative AI as a collaborative partner in the creative process, offering a pedagogical framework for its integration into arts and humanities curricula. We will explore how tools like Gemini can facilitate advanced ideation, support divergent thinking, and help students overcome creative stagnation. Through hands-on application, participants will learn to design practical assignments and studio prompts for disciplines including creative writing, music composition, and the visual arts, equipping students to critically and ethically engage with Google AI as part of a contemporary creative practice.

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 is recommended.

Speakers

Chris McCaffrey

Google Certified Trainer & Coach, Google ~ Kiker Learning

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
ED 104 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 104 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers
Subject Area Any Subject Area

11:10am MDT

AI on the Ground: Research Meets Rural Realities

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

ED 202 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 202

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how educators plan, teach, and learn - but what does that look like in practice, especially in rural contexts? In this interactive workshop, the Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC) will facilitate a collaborative learning experience where research insights and educator expertise come together to help make sense of AI's rapidly evolving role in education and in their schools and classrooms. Drawing on recent UEPC research, participants will explore the opportunities, functions, and guardrails for responsible human-AI collaboration, including how AI can serve as a feedback partner, instructional support tool, and collaborative coach, alongside key considerations for ethics, transparency, and teacher agency. The UEPC will share findings from ongoing survey research with Utah educators about their AI use, including which tools they're using, how it's changing their practice, and what concerns and questions remain. These insights set the stage for the session's central activity: a structured, collaborative exchange in which participants share their AI experiences, strategies, cautions, and questions with peers across diverse rural school contexts. Participants will leave with:Key research insights on AI's roles in professional learning and instructionA snapshot of where Utah educators currently stand with AI integrationPractical strategies and ideas from fellow educators to support responsible human-AI collaboration Whether you're an AI enthusiast, skeptical adopter, or hopeful bystander, this session is designed to meet you where you are. Bring your experiences, your questions, and your willingness to learn alongside your peers about how AI is shaping our educational landscapes.

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

Kody Colvin

Lead School & District Improvement Specialist, Utah Education Policy Center

Kody Colvin is a Lead School and District Improvement Specialist with the Utah Education Policy Center, where he partners with schools and systems to strengthen instructional leadership, professional learning, and continuous improvement efforts. With over 15 years of experience in... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
ED 202 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 202 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Professional Learning Communities (PLCs & PLNs), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Everyone
Subject Area STEM / STEAM, Leadership

11:10am MDT

We can help your students learn more about engineering.

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

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

Come learn about the resources we can provide you to help your students learn more about engineering. We have hands on activities, summer research internships, summer camps, discover engineering traveling exhibit and engineering day. We also have lesson plans and teacher checkout materials. https://www.price.utah.edu/k12https://www.price.utah.edu/discover-engineeringhttps://www.price.utah.edu/k12/lesson-plans

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

Morgan Boyack

Outreach Manager, Price College of Engineering at the University of Utah

Has been doing outreach for the last 13 years for the Price College of Engineering at the UofU. Passionate about helping rural areas learn more about engineering.

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level 3-4, 5-6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12, Elementary - grades K - 6
Audience Teachers, Curriculum Specialists
Subject Area STEM / STEAM

11:10am MDT

Everything that Matters Begins with Trust: How to Create It, Sustain It, and Restore It

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128

This workshop helps educators examine trust as the foundation for effective learning, leadership, and school culture. Participants will review the sources of trust in a school, practice trust-building responses to common school scenarios, and leave with a concrete commitment for specific actions. The focus will be on practical application of concepts in case studies and hands-on activities that answer the question: “What does trust look like in schools? How do leaders and teachers create and sustain it?”

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

Dale COX

Associate Professor, Program Director K-12 Educational Leadership, UVU - Utah Valley University

Dale Cox is an Associate Professor and the Program Director of K-12 Educational Leadership at Utah Valley University. He received his doctorate in educational leadership from Lehigh University, his M.Ed. in educational administration from Arizona State University, and his B.A. in... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128 370 West 200 South, 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 BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience District / School Administrators, Technology Coordinators / Facilitators
Subject Area Leadership, Instructional Coaching

1:30pm MDT

Top Ten Ways to Differentiate in Canvas

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203

Unlock the full potential of the tool you’re already using.

Canvas: Top 10 Ways to Differentiate Your Planning, Instruction, and Assessment! This lively, practical session reveals easy-to-implement strategies — including new features and powerful but underused tools — that help you personalize learning for every student. From planning to instruction to assessment, you’ll walk away with ready-to-use ideas that save time and boost engagement. Even if you’re not currently using Canvas, many of these approaches adapt beautifully to other platforms. Join us for a fun, hands-on exploration packed with real classroom examples and immediate takeaways!

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: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop; Chromebook

Speakers

Jason Snow

Digital Teaching and Learning Coach, Northeastern Utah Educational Services

Jason a reformed middle school science teacher and the last 7 years spreading the good NUES to North Eastern Utah Teachers as a regional trainer. Trying to personalize the PD to only what matters in your classroom.

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Curriculum Specialists, EdTech Coach / Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Teachers
Subject Area Any Subject Area

1:50pm MDT

Digital Resilience: Strategies for Managing Social Media and Student Focus in Grades 6–12

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

ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102

Secondary students are constantly navigating a digital world that was designed to capture their attention. This session provides 6–12 educators with practical strategies to help students manage this reality. Instead of just talking about safety, we will focus on building Digital Resilience.We will explore how to teach students to "look under the hood" of their social media feeds, recognize how algorithms influence their worldview, and use mental health check-ins to combat digital fatigue. You will leave with a toolkit of routines that integrate easily into any subject area, ensuring your students develop the self-regulation skills they need for the modern workforce.

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

Davina Sauthoff

K12 Library Media Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Davina Sauthoff, EdD. is the Library Media Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education. She loves reading, 📚 spending time with family 💟 which includes two pups. She is passionate about leveraging the expertise of school 🏫 librarians and the vital role the school... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm MDT
ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Everyone
Subject Area Media Literacy

1:50pm MDT

From Prompt to Page: Building Better Canvas Content with AI

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

CC Whiting Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Whiting Room Room (200 Level)

From Prompt to Page: Building Better Canvas Content with AI

This 1-Hour BYOD Workshop session demonstrates how AI can be used to quickly generate well-designed Canvas pages, assignments, and instructional materials that are both aesthetically engaging and pedagogically sound through coding. Rather than spending hours formatting content, aligning elements, and troubleshooting layout issues, participants will see how simple prompts can produce clean, organized, and accessible Canvas-ready code in minutes. The focus is on practical, time-saving strategies that faculty can immediately implement in their own courses.

During the session, I will model how AI can help structure content with clear headings, visual organization, and thoughtful instructional flow that supports student learning. Examples will include building assignment pages, instructional modules, and activity directions that improve clarity, reduce cognitive load, and enhance student engagement. I will also demonstrate how AI can assist with creating ADA-conscious formatting, including readable layouts, consistent hierarchy, and accessible design choices.

In addition to saving time, this approach helps instructors focus more on pedagogy and less on technical formatting. Participants will see how AI can support alignment between objectives, instructions, and learning activities while also producing polished, professional-looking pages. The goal is to provide a realistic workflow that instructors can replicate immediately, whether they are new to Canvas design or looking to streamline existing course development.

Attendees will leave with concrete examples, prompt ideas, and a practical process for moving from concept to Canvas page quickly and effectively.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Device that can access Canvas and the Internet

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Mac Laptop, Windows Laptop, Android Tablet / Smartphone, iPad / iPhone, Windows Tablet / Smartphone, Chromebook

Speakers

Crystal Stott

Professor of Education, Snow College

Dr. Crystal Stott is an Assistant Professor of Education and Family Studies at Snow College and an Adjunct Faculty member and Clinical Field Supervisor for Utah Valley University. With a background spanning early childhood through higher education, she brings nearly two decades of... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm 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), Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level Elementary - grades K - 6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Other

1:50pm MDT

Prompting, Not Cheating: Building Authentic Literacy Skills in the AI Era - USBE + Google Sponsored Session

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

ED 104 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 104

🎉 Get $200 for your classroom! Just attend any 3 of the 8 available USBE+Google sessions in ED 104 to qualify for a USBE-sponsored $200 DonorsChoose classroom credit! 📝🚀

Whether your school allows student AI use or has it completely blocked, learn how to use Gemini on your terms to spark critical thinking, design bulletproof writing prompts, and keep academic integrity intact.

Let’s be honest: AI has completely changed the game for student writing assignments, and every district in Utah is handling it a little differently. Whether your students have access to Gemini, use tools like SchoolAI, or are restricted to good old-fashioned paper and pencil, this session is for you. We are skipping the tech-heavy lectures and focusing on practical, "use-it-on-Monday" literacy strategies.

In this relaxed session, we will look at AI from two vital angles. First, you'll discover how to use Gemini as your backend partner to instantly generate customized reading guides, low-screen vocabulary match games, and writing prompts that are too localized for an AI to fake. Second, for districts allowing student access, we’ll explore how to teach students to use Gemini responsibly—treating it like a live brainstorming buddy for outlining and critical thinking rather than a shortcut button. You’ll walk away with flexible, cheat-resistant assignment ideas that fit your specific district’s rules perfectly.

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 is recommended.

Speakers

Chris McCaffrey

Google Certified Trainer & Coach, Google ~ Kiker Learning

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm MDT
ED 104 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 104 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers
Subject Area Any Subject Area

1:50pm MDT

Moving Rural Education Forward: How CATCH Journeys Are Transforming PE and Health in Utah Schools

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

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

What if your rural district could offer a world-class physical education and health curriculum — without the burden of building it from scratch?

Rural Utah schools face a unique set of challenges: limited staffing, multi-grade classrooms, stretched budgets, and the expectation to meet state standards across every subject area. Physical education and health education are often the first to be deprioritized — yet research consistently shows that student wellness is foundational to academic achievement, attendance, and social-emotional development.

CATCH Global Foundation’s PE Journeys and Health Ed Journeys were designed with exactly these realities in mind. These research-backed, standards-aligned curricula are built for flexibility — whether you have a dedicated PE teacher or a classroom educator wearing many hats. Lessons are ready-to-use, developmentally appropriate for K–8, and structured to reduce planning time while increasing student engagement.

In this session, attendees will explore how CATCH Journeys:

• Align with Utah state standards for PE and health education

• Support teachers in delivering confident, effective instruction

• Integrate seamlessly into existing school schedules — even in small or multigrade settings

• Use evidence-based strategies tied to improved student health outcomes

Walk away with hands-on experience using the curriculum, practical implementation strategies, and the confidence that your students’ physical and emotional wellness is in good hands.

Speakers

Laura Seay

Community Partnerships Manager, CATCH Global Foundation

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm MDT
CC Vermillion Cliffs - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Vermillion Cliffs Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Exhibitor

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities

3:10pm MDT

Your Custom AI Toolbox: Save Time by Building Reusable Gemini "Gems" - USBE + Google Sponsored Session

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

ED 104 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 104

🎉 Get $200 for your classroom! Just attend any 3 of the 8 available USBE+Google sessions in ED 104 to qualify for a USBE-sponsored $200 DonorsChoose classroom credit! 📝🚀

Tired of copying and pasting the same long, detailed prompts into Gemini every day? Learn how to build your own saved, specialized AI assistants to handle repetitive tasks like lesson hooks, exit tickets, and differentiated reading levels in one click.

As a K-12 educator, your time is your most valuable resource. If you find yourself repeatedly typing the exact same instructions into an AI—like "Rewrite this at a 3rd-grade reading level" or "Create a 5-question quiz based on this text"—it's time to meet Gemini Gems. Think of Gems as custom, saved mini-assistants that remember your specific rules, classroom standards, and favorite teaching styles so you never have to start from scratch.

In this fun, practical session, we’ll show you how to build your own personal toolkit of Gems. We'll build a "Bell-Ringer Builder," a "Rubric Maker," and a "Parent Newsletter Editor." Best of all, we’ll look at how educators around the country are sharing these teacher-to-teacher so you don't have to reinvent the wheel. Note: We will also briefly cover how districts allowing student AI access can share Gems with middle and high schoolers to safely scaffold assignments—but the main focus is winning back hours of your own prep time!

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 is recommended.

Speakers

Chris McCaffrey

Google Certified Trainer & Coach, Google ~ Kiker Learning

Thursday July 16, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT
ED 104 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 104 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers
Subject Area Any Subject Area

3:10pm MDT

Becoming Digitally Deliberate

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

GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109

Digitally Deliberate: A Workshop for Teachers & Staff
Have you ever felt like you're losing the battle for your students' attention to their screens? Have you ever caught yourself reaching for your phone more than you'd like to admit? This workshop tackles the digital dangers affecting both you and your students head-on, starting with you before turning to them.

In this workshop, you'll cover:

The digital dangers affecting students and educators today
Advice from "the digital doctor" on managing your own screen time
What's really happening with your students and why it matters
Practical tips to help kids build healthier habits with technology

You'll walk away with:

A better understanding of your own relationship with screens
Real insight into what your students are struggling with daily
Simple, actionable strategies to help kids manage screen time in and out of the classroom

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices 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

Talmage Erickson

Speaker, The Screen Guys

Talmage Erickson, AKA "The Screen Guy" is a student assembly speaker specializing in digital wellness, screen time, and social media. As the author of "The 10 laws of Screen Management," Talmage travels to schools to help parents, educators, and students better their relationship... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT
GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109 152 South 300 West, Cedar City, UT 84720

Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Everyone
Subject Area Mental/Behavioral Health, Media Literacy

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.

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level Elementary - grades K - 6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, All of the above
Subject Area Social Studies, Leadership

2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference

From $50.00

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2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference

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Chris McCaffrey

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Stacey King

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Paul Ashby

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Eric Price

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Julianne R. Hunter

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Chris McCaffrey

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Kody Colvin

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Morgan Boyack

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Dale COX

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Jason Snow

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Davina Sauthoff

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Crystal Stott

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Chris McCaffrey

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Laura Seay

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Chris McCaffrey

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Talmage Erickson

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Stephan Seabury

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