2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference

2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference

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

Denver Smith

Albert R Lyman Middle School

Teacher

San Juan School District

About me

Denver has been teaching middle school science for 7 years and recently earned his Masters degree in Secondary Science Education. He loves teaching middle school and is constantly looking for ways to improve teaching. When he's not teaching or preparing to teach, he loves to play board games, travel, spend time with his family, and work on his house!

11:00am MDT

Conference Credit Online Form Conference Registration and Badge Pick-Up AU - Auditorium Foyer

12:10pm MDT

Beyond Self Care: Leading Systemic Approach to Well-Being for Educators AU - AuditoriumGail Markin

1:30pm MDT

Digital Citizenship and Safety: Preparing Students for a Digital World CC Red Hills Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Red Hills Room (200 Level)Nicole Cherrington

2:50pm MDT

Group Contingencies and the Good Behavior Game for Classroom Management CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level)Rhea Palkhiwala • Dr. Audrey N. Hoffmann

8:00am MDT

Conference Registration and Badge Pick-Up AU - Auditorium Foyer

8:30am MDT

Becoming Better Grownups: Rediscovering What Matters and Remembering to Fly AU - AuditoriumBrad Montague

9:45am MDT

Simple and Easy Adaptations in the Classroom GC 106 - General Classroom Building, Room 106April Stevenson

11:10am MDT

Engagement Strategies for the Middle Years 6th-8th Grade GC 106 - General Classroom Building, Room 106April Stevenson • Melodie Garcia

1:50pm MDT

Great Grading! CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level)Tony Campbell • Jared Wilkinson • Angela Poulton

3:10pm MDT

Middle Level Educators Unite GC 106 - General Classroom Building, Room 106Kristy Stevens • Carla Winterholler

8:00am MDT

Conference Credit Online Form

8:30am MDT

Joanna Andres, Utah’s 2025-26 Teacher of the Year AU - AuditoriumJoanna Andres

9:50am MDT

Strategies for Students Reading Below Grade Level in Middle School GC 106 - General Classroom Building, Room 106April Stevenson • Laura Mauer

11:10am MDT

Mixing through Meiosis - Variation in Gametes (3 lesson unit) ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102Julie Castellon • Valorie Draper • Jami Slack