Name: Supporting Students with Complex Needs
Start: 2026-07-16T13:30:00-0600
End: 2026-07-16T13:48:00-0600

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.

Supporting Students with Complex Needs

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 1:48pm MDT

ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215

🕒 Format Alert: This is a fast-paced, 20-minute showcase that is grouped together with two other quick sessions in this time block.

I will be sharing my student's story. How I advocated for my student with admin and families, and how that communication helped everyone be on the same page. How my team and I set up safety and regulation spaces and supports. What we learned using them thoughtfully. Strategies I used to support my staff (building buy-in, navigating tough days, dealing with all the "real-life" variables like staffing and schedules). Data collection that is simple and realistic so you are able to see patterns and ask for the right kinds of support.

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

Rachel Jacobsen

Special Education Teacher, Blanding Elementary School

Meeting the needs of Complex Learners in rural areas with limited supports. Sharing my student’s story (in a de-identified way) to show the impact of significant needs and challenging behavior on the classroom.How I advocated for my student with admin and families, and how communication... Read More →

Rhea Rayomand Palkhiwala

Doctoral Student, USU - Utah State University

Rhea Rayomand Palkhiwala, MSE, LBA (UT), is a doctoral student in Disability Disciplines with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis at Utah State University. She works as a school-based behavior consultant, supporting rural school teams with conducting function-based assessments... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 1:48pm MDT
ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 20 minute focus on specific solutions or tools (Over The Shoulder)
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience District / School Administrators, Teachers, Counselors or School-based Mental / Behavioral Health Professionals
Subject Area Special Education

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2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference

Rachel Jacobsen

Rhea Rayomand Palkhiwala

Attendees (5)

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Success you have shared X tickets.

2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference

Rachel Jacobsen

Rhea Rayomand Palkhiwala

Attendees (5)

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