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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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 Not Applicable

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 →

Amy Reynolds

Research and Evaluation Associate, Utah Education Policy Center

Amy L. Reynolds, Ph.D., is a Research Associate at the Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC), where she leads research and evaluation projects in partnership with state agencies and educational organizations within and beyond Utah. Her recent work includes a statewide governance study... Read More →

Julianne Zemaitis

Research and Evaluation Associate, Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC)

Julianne Zemaitis, Ph.D., is a Research and Evaluation Associate with the Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC). She partners with educators, administrators, and other stakeholders to design and conduct research and evaluation projects that support continuous improvement in educational... 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 128 351 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 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

11:10am MDT

Exploring Utah's Writing Benchmark Platform

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

SC 122 - Science Center, Room 122

With Utah's transition to a new formative writing platform, educators have access to a brand-new suite of tools designed to streamline the writing process and enhance student growth. We will move beyond the basics of administration and dive into the instructional tools available to teachers and students. Participants will get hands-on experience navigating the interface, utilizing the platform's evaluation tools to support students during the writing process, and accessing data reporting features to drive meaningful student-centered conversations. Learning Intentions: By the end of this session, participants will be able to:Navigate the New Interface: Locate essential tools and confidently navigate the teacher and student dashboards.Utilize Built-In Tools: Understand how to leverage the platform's built-in tools to provide timely, actionable support and feedback to students during the writing process.Analyze Actionable Data: Interpret the platform's reports to identify trends, guide instructional decisions, and facilitate collaborative student-centered discussions.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

Speakers

Dallas Brooks

Elementary ELA Assessment Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Dallas holds a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction as well as a K-12 Reading Endorsement. She has served as both an elementary teacher and a Title I Coordinator, bringing over a decade of experience in supporting student achievement. In her current role, Dallas specializes... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
SC 122 - Science Center, Room 122 351 W. University Blvd., 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 3-4, 5-6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Language Arts

1:30pm MDT

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

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

1:30pm MDT

From Prompt to Page: Building Better Canvas Content with AI

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

2:50pm MDT

Becoming Digitally Deliberate

Thursday July 16, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109

Talmage works with teachers and staff to tackle screen time head on.Here is what we cover:The digital dangers affecting students and educators todayAdvice from the "digital doctor" on managing your own screen timeWhat is really happening to our students and why it mattersPractical tips to help kids build healthier habits with technologyStaff will walk away with:A better understanding of their own relationship with screensReal insight into what students are struggling with dailySimple, actionable strategies to help kids manage screen time in and out of the classroom

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

Talmage Erickson

CEO, 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 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109 351 W. University Blvd., 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

2:50pm MDT

Teachers are leaders and should be the shapers our profession

Thursday July 16, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm 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 2:50pm - 3:50pm 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.