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
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!
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 →
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.
Looking for engaging ways to help students understand science vocabulary? Experience interactive games and classroom activities that connect vocabulary to science concepts in meaningful ways. Explore differentiated approaches that boost engagement and deepen comprehension. Leave with ready-to-use ideas you can immediately implement in your classroom.
Session Outcomes:
1. Understand why we should use direct instruction to teach science vocabulary
2. Review effective and not-so-effective strategies for vocabulary development
Michelle Ferro, M.Ed., is a Senior National Academic Specialist at Accelerate Learning with over 20 years of experience in education. Her career spans roles as a district science coordinator, classroom teacher, instructional coach, and curriculum developer. Michelle is deeply passionate... Read More →
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.
Rural and geographically isolated districts face unique challenges in delivering high-quality special education — meeting increasingly complex IEP requirements, maintaining compliance, and supporting students with limited access to specialized personnel. In this session, Jamie Webb, Director of Special Education for the Wayne School District, shares innovative strategies to drive positive student outcomes despite staffing shortages and geographic barriers. Drawing from her work leading Special Education, Jaime will explore how districts can build sustainable systems of support through collaboration, community partnerships, and a strong mission-driven approach.
Attendees will learn how creativity and teamwork can strengthen service delivery and create personalized opportunities that motivate, energize, and empower students to reach their individualized goals — building limitless possibilities for students in rural education settings.
How can rural districts proactively identify students who need support before they fall too far behind? In this interactive session, attendees will explore how Utah schools are using Early Warning Systems (EWS) to connect academic, attendance, behavior, and well-being data into a comprehensive student support process. Participants will learn practical strategies for implementing a cyclical, team-based approach to identifying at-risk students, assigning interventions, monitoring progress, and driving meaningful outcomes.
Through real-world scenarios and examples from Utah districts, this session will demonstrate how educators can use student data to uncover patterns, support MTSS implementation, reduce chronic absenteeism, and strengthen intervention planning. Attendees will also see how districts are leveraging secure AI tools to streamline student support workflows, generate personalized intervention plans, and improve collaboration among educators and families.
This session is designed for district leaders, student services teams, counselors, MTSS coordinators, principals, and educators looking to build more proactive systems of support for students in rural communities. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas, implementation strategies, and examples they can bring back to their schools immediately.
