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.

12:10pm MDT

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

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:10pm - 1:10pm MDT

AU - Auditorium

TBD

Speakers

Gail Markin

Author

Gail Markin is a Canadian counsellor, teacher, author, and speaker who is committed to promoting well-being in the education workplace.

Gail started her career as a social worker, a family counsellor, and a parent educator. After becoming a teacher, she worked as a school counsellor before moving to a District-level role supporting health and well-being for students and staff. Now she works as an education and workplace... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:10pm - 1:10pm MDT
AU - Auditorium 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format Keynote
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience All of the Above
Subject Area Not Applicable

1:30pm MDT

Craft Your Digital Teaching Assistant: Building Custom AI Assistants with Google Gemini Gems

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

ED 202 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 202

Come discover how to move beyond basic prompting and start building your own specialized AI team. Using Google Gemini Gems, you will learn how to "program" custom AI assistants tailored to your specific classroom or administrative needs—no coding required. You'll also learn about an existing library of pre-made Gemini Gems you can easily copy and start using right away! Make sure to bring your own laptop or Chromebook to this session and leave with a personalized digital assistant ready to tackle your unique tasks.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop; Chromebook

Speakers

Rob Bentley

Instructor and Adobe Product Manager, UEN - Utah Education Network

Rob taught secondary Spanish and Language Arts for 6 years. For the last 19 years, he's been teaching teachers how to integrate technology effectively into their curriculum. During his time at UEN, he's presented at URSA, UELMA, UCET, ISTE, FETC, UFLA, SUMS, and the CTE conferences... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm 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.

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, EdTech Coach / Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists
Subject Area Not Applicable

1:30pm MDT

Creating a Connected Classroom: Strategies to decrease behaviors and increase academics.

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102

This presentation will provide attendees with the brain science behind how brains develop and why students have specific behaviors. The brain science will then lead to practical, real life application on how to actually use the science to increase academic output and decrease negative behaviors. Attendees will leave the session with skills they can apply the next day in 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: None

Speakers

Amie Huggins

TBRI Coach for Schools, Raise the Future

Amie Huggins is a 30 year classroom teacher. She is also a TBRI Practitioner and the co-author of the book, Creating a Connected Classroom. She works for a non-profit called Raise the Future and through them has developed the curriculum, Tools for Transformation. This curriculum... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Instructional Coaching, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, 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 Instructional Coaching, Mental/Behavioral Health

1:30pm MDT

Gail Markin Breakout Session

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

AU - Auditorium

TBD

Speakers

Gail Markin

Author

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
AU - Auditorium 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Keynote Breakout Session, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience All of the above
Subject Area Not Applicable

1:30pm MDT

From PD to Practice: A Practical System for PD That Sticks

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

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

Professional development often leaves teachers inspired but not prepared to immediately implement new practices in their classrooms. This session introduces a practical, system-level approach to bridging the gap between professional learning and classroom application. Participants will explore the High Impact Instructional Practices (HIIP) MicroPD model: a teacher-driven system designed to support consistent use of high-impact instructional strategies across content areas.Built on more than 70 research-based, classroom-ready strategies and tools, this model emphasizes teacher choice, immediate application, and iterative practice. Participants will gain insight into how this system has been piloted across multiple schools and how it can improve instructional consistency while supporting teacher autonomy.Attendees will leave with a clear framework for designing professional learning that is practical, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of diverse classrooms—especially in schools where teachers must balance multiple roles and content areas.

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

Speakers

Camille Johnson

Instructional Coach, Bountiful High School

Camille Johnson is an instructional coach at Bountiful High School in Davis School District with nearly three decades of experience in education. Her work focuses on designing professional learning systems that support teachers in consistently applying high-impact instructional practices... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
CC Yankee Meadows - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Yankee Meadows Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Leadership, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required. | Instructional Coaching, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Leadership, Instructional Coaching

1:30pm MDT

Utah School Safety in 2026: Understanding the Updated Legislative Landscape

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

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

The 2026 Utah legislative session introduced major changes to school safety requirements, affecting emergency planning, threat assessment, reporting obligations, and coordination with law enforcement. This 60‑minute session distills the most important updates, clarifies new compliance expectations, and explains how these laws interact with existing state and federal guidance. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of what has changed and practical steps for updating local policies and procedures.

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

Ashley Pistello

School Safety Center Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Ashley Pistello joined the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) as the School Safety Center Specialist in 2023. She previously collaborated with the Utah School Safety Center as a liaison from SafeUT and the Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI). In addition to her experience as... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 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

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

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience District / School Administrators
Subject Area Other

1:30pm MDT

Teacher Leaders as the Engine of School Improvement: From Strategy to Practice

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127

What if teacher leadership was not an add-on, but rather the engine that drives school improvement?Too often, teacher leadership lives in isolated roles or initiatives rather than as a coherent system that drives instructional improvement. This session explores how intentionally designed, ongoing professional learning can position teacher leaders as central to improvement, not just participants in it.Grounded in UEPC’s LIFT framework, participants will examine how structured professional learning, clear instructional priorities, and collaborative data use build the capacity of teacher leaders to facilitate meaningful conversations and lead improvement efforts. We will explore practical approaches for supporting teacher leaders in translating data into action, strengthening collaboration, and sustaining momentum over time.Through a district example from Tooele County School District, participants will see how leveraging guiding coalitions across multiple schools to build coherence and scale teacher leadership as a driver of continuous improvement.Whether you are part of a large district or a single-site school or charter, this session will provide practical strategies to design professional learning systems that empower teacher leaders, build collective efficacy, and improve teaching and learning.Session Objectives:Clarify the role of teacher leaders as drivers of school improvementAnalyze how professional learning builds leadership capacityLearn from practice by examining how a district is creating the conditions for coherence and scaleApply a process for moving from data to instructional and leadership actionsIdentify one actionable next step to strengthen teacher leadership in their context

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

Cori Groth

Associate Director, Utah Education Policy Center

Cori Groth, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC)
Dr. Cori Groth is the Associate Director of the Utah Education Policy Center at the University of Utah, where she collaborates with school, district, and community leaders to strengthen programs, policies, and practices that lead to excellent and equitable outcomes for young people... Read More →

Shalon Jones-Miller

2025-2026 Principal - Clarke N. Johnsen Jr High, Tooele County School District

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 →

Sarah Jarnagin

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Leadership, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required. | Professional Learning Communities (PLCs & PLNs), Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Leadership, Instructional Coaching

1:30pm MDT

Rising Above Low Expectation: How to Scaffold Learning for Students

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215

As educators in rural areas, we often find ourselves working with students who have significant challenges and barriers in their academic work. This can make meeting grade level expectations very difficult. Too often, out of the deep care we have for students, we end up lowering the expectations for these learners. But all students deserve to be held to high expectations. This session will emphasize the need for these high expectations and provide practical ideas for K-12 classroom teachers on how to maintain these high expectations for all students through supports and scaffolds. Participants will leave with a list of strategies that are research-based, but easy to apply and use in their classrooms.

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

Laureen Graves

Assistant Professor and Field Services Director, SUU - Southern Utah University

Laureen Graves is a passionate educator, married to Christopher Graves, with four children and six grandchildren who bring immense joy to their lives. The role of being GG is a most cherished role! As a committed advocate for the teaching profession, Laureen hopes to prepare students... Read More →

Heather Kennedy

Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, SUU - Southern Utah University

Dr. Heather Kennedy is an Assistant Professor of Teacher Education at Southern Utah University, where she teaches classes in the areas of special education, math education, school leadership, and secondary education instructional strategies. Dr. Kennedy has almost 20 years of experience... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Instructional Coaching, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Language Arts, Special Education

1:30pm MDT

Learner-Centered Design: Evidence, Iteration, and Impact

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

SC 122 - Science Center, Room 122

Learner-centered education is often discussed aspirationally, but successful implementation requires clear structures, agency for all learners, and evidence-informed decision-making. Join us in exploring how one school in Salt Lake City is pursuing these ideas. Participants will explore concrete examples, implementation protips, and indicators of impact that support personalized and competency-based learning. Put your students in the driver's seat of their education and their future!

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

Nathan Auck

Founder and Principal Consultant, Catalyst for Coherence

Nathan Auck has over two decades of educational experience, spanning roles in alternative school teaching and leadership to STEM Coordinator and Personalized Competency Based Learning Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education. A Presidential Award winner and Albert Einstein... Read More →

Keslie Green

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
SC 122 - Science Center, Room 122 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Leadership, Other

1:30pm MDT

Coaching Learning Intentions and Success Criteria as Formative Assessment Opportunities

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT

BC 103 - Braithwaite Liberal Arts Center, Room 103

🧠 Format Alert: This is an immersive, 2-hour deep-dive workshop designed for intensive, uninterrupted coverage of this topic.

This collaborative session is targeted toward school leaders and instructional coaches who support teachers in strengthening teacher practices. The objectives of the course include: deepen our understanding of Teacher Clarity, determine how formative assessment can drive intervention and extension during tier one instruction, and plan next steps for supporting and coaching teachers in the implementation of these strategies to benefit the growth of all students. Participants will engage in pair shares, review of research, and other collaborative structures to deepen understanding of the strategies and information presented to reinforce that what matters most is continuous improvement by growing each and every student. Teacher clarity provides opportunities to strengthen students’ understanding of what they are learning. While learning intentions specify the content of the standard, success criteria focuses on the skills they need to master that standard. Smaller and rural schools are often limited by the available resources and must depend on evidence-based instructional practices to build the capacity of leaders and teachers. By strengthening teacher clarity and formative assessment, the school can sustain student growth and proficiency without investing in programs and resources that are costly. When teachers engage students in formative assessment, such as checks for understanding, that directly connect to the success criteria, they are able to monitor and adjust instruction to determine the next steps. Formative assessment is a critical practice for ensuring all students grow and become proficient when we make decisions based on that data, including whole group or small group reteach, intervention, and extensions. These instructional and assessment skills build a data-rich school within a culture of investment in high expectations.

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

Stephanie Davis

School and District Improvement Specialist, WestEd

Stephanie served as a turnaround principal in Arizona at a Title One school. Focused on high yield strategies, the school became an A-rated Arizona School, A+ School of Excellence, ICLE Model School for Growth, and Stephanie was named a top ten principal in Arizona for student growth... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT
BC 103 - Braithwaite Liberal Arts Center, Room 103 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Leadership, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required. | Assessment & Data Management, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 2 hour In-Depth exploration workshop
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Instructional Coaches, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Language Arts, Mathematics

2:50pm MDT

Want to make a Canvas Quiz in three minutes? You can.

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

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

Putting a few tools together, you can use AI and sites such as the New York Institute of Technology to help you create a a QTI file (which...five people have ever heard about) to drop it into Canvas and make a quiz in just a few minutes. I timed myself. Where was this when I was teaching for years?

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

Steve Weller

Technology Coach, South Sanpete School District

An English teacher for 17 years at Ephraim Middle School and now a district tech trainer, Steve has seen a few things and learned a few tips and tricks along the way.

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
CC Yankee Meadows - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Yankee Meadows 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.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, EdTech Coach / Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists
Subject Area Not Applicable

2:50pm MDT

From Generic to Gem: Building Your First Gemini Gems

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

ED 202 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 202

Tired of typing the same prompts over and over? It’s time to meet Gems — your customizable chatbots designed to handle whatever task for you. Whether you need a persistent lesson planner, a student feedback coach, or a schedule sorter. Gems allow you to package your best instructions into a single, reusable tool.We’ll cover the breakdown of a Gemini Gem, use cases for educators, tips and tricks and have time to live build! In this hands-on session, we will start with the basics to then begin building. By the end of the hour, you’ll have a custom AI assistant ready to go to work for you! Note: Participants will need access to Gemini Gems through their Google account. Skills may be transferable to over AI platforms with custom chatbots (SchoolAI, MagicSchool, etc.)

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop; Android Tablet / Smartphone; iPad / iPhone; Windows Tablet / Smartphone; Chromebook; Other (If not listed above, please indicate what device(s) would benefit attendees in your session description)

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None

Speakers

Emma Moss

Digital Teaching & Learning Specialist, Canyons School District

Emma Moss is a Digital Teaching and Learning Specialist and AI Project Co-Lead in Canyons School District, as well as the Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Program Director in Utah. She founded the Utah AI Collaborative and leads monthly meet-ups on AI and innovation in education... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm 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. | Assessment & Data Management, 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, Everyone
Subject Area Not Applicable

2:50pm MDT

Data Privacy Basics Live!

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

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

Last year, the Student Data Privacy team at the Utah State Board of Education introduced an asynchronous Canvas course that many districts and charters have used to meet requirements for data privacy training. This session will be a special live edition of that training! We'll walk through all the most critical info you need to know about Data Privacy Basics; including Data Privacy Rights, Sharing Data, and Protecting Data. Pro-tip: Check with your district or charter ahead of time to see if this course will be a requirement of your back to school training. If so, you can leave this session with a certificate of completion so you can skip that step in the fall! If you would like to get a certificate of completion, please bring a device to participate.

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

Nicole Sanchez

Student Data Privacy Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Nicole Sanchez is a former junior high teacher and instructional coach, and is now a Student Data Privacy Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education. Nicole especially loves to work with districts and charter schools across the state to help them improve their privacy practices... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
CC Sage Valley - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Sage Valley 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. | Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | 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 Everyone
Subject Area Not Applicable

2:50pm MDT

Teacher Reflection and Instruction Data Made Easy With AI

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

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

Micro teaching—where teachers reflect on recordings of their instruction to improve practice—has one of the highest effect sizes in education (0.88 per Hattie). But in reality, it’s rarely used. The traditional process is time-consuming, uncomfortable, and often impractical. What if teachers could get the benefits of micro teaching without the hassle?This session introduces an AI-powered solution that makes micro teaching simple, private, and powerful. With tools like TeachFX, educators can press “record” at the start of a lesson and, minutes after pressing “stop,” receive an automated analysis of their talk-time, questioning, student engagement, and more—no video reviews or manual data collection required.Attendees will explore how AI is transforming teacher reflection, review real-world examples, and learn how schools can use this technology to accelerate professional growth, improve instruction, and boost student outcomes—effortlessly.

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

Lance Hatch

Superintendent, Iron County School District

Dr. Lance Hatch is a former elementary teacher, principal, and district director. He currently serves as the superintendent of the Iron County School District. He earned a PhD in Teacher Education and Leadership with a dissertation focused on expert teacher planning for and delivery... Read More →

Yaerli Anderson

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm 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), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Instructional Coaching, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Instructional Coaching

2:50pm MDT

Group Contingencies and the Good Behavior Game for Classroom Management

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

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

Teachers are juggling more behavior needs than ever while still trying to keep students engaged and learning. This session will introduce group contingencies—Independent, Dependent, and Interdependent—as simple, realistic ways to support behavior without adding a lot to your plate. We’ll also look closely at the Good Behavior Game as a classroom-tested example that has been shown to reduce disruptive behavior and boost on-task time.You’ll see real classroom examples, watch short video clips, and have dedicated time to sketch out how these ideas could work with your own students. You’ll leave with a one-page cheat sheet on the three types of group contingencies, a planning template, printable Good Behavior Game materials, and links to free online resources. By the end of the session, you’ll have a clear, ready-to-try plan you can start using as soon as the following week.

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

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 →

Dr. Audrey N. Hoffmann

Assistant Professor - Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling, USU - Utah State University

Dr. Audrey N. Hoffmann is an assistant professor in the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling at Utah State University. Dr. Hoffmann provides services to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and/or challenging behavior. She specializes... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Instructional Coaching, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Assessment & Data Management, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Everyone
Subject Area Other

2:50pm MDT

Bridging the Gap: Addressing Teacher Recruitment and Retention in Rural Utah Schools

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128

Program Description / Abstract: The recruitment and retention of highly qualified educators in rural Utah school districts has reached a critical juncture. Local administrators face persistent systemic challenges that threaten the long-term stability of rural educational systems. This presentation examines how geographic isolation and limited community amenities frequently cause prospective candidates to withdraw from the hiring process. These environmental factors are further exacerbated by lower salary scales compared to urban districts and a lack of access to essential technology and instructional resources (Hannover Research, 2019).Furthermore, rural educators often experience professional isolation due to limited opportunities for collaboration and specialized development, particularly in high-need areas such as STEM, special education, and early childhood education. Drawing on current research, this session highlights four primary drivers of rural teacher attrition:Challenges with school administration.Lack of community connection.Insufficient training and support.Limited access to professional mentoring.Participant Outcomes: By the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:Identify the four primary factors contributing to teacher attrition in rural settings.Evaluate how administrative support, community integration, and mentoring programs influence teacher longevity.Engage in collaborative discussions to brainstorm scalable solutions for these persistent rural challenges.Analyze specific policies and procedures that can be implemented to improve recruitment and retention in their own districts.

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

Celina Poppe

Educational Leadership and Policy Doctoral Candidate at the University of Utah, University of Utah

While a doctoral candidate in Education (EdD) specializing in Educational Leadership and Police at the University of Utah, I am working as a Regional Accreditation Evaluator for Cognia where I conducted comprehensive evaluations of educational institutions, ensuring adherence to accreditation... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm 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 traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Leadership, Instructional Coaching

2:50pm MDT

What Worked When It Mattered? Pandemic Recovery Success in Utah

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102

When faced with new challenges and uncertainty following pandemic-related disruptions, some Utah schools beat the odds in their student academic recovery. What school-level factors made this possible? In this interactive session, the Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC) will share findings from a statewide mixed-methods study of eight schools that demonstrated strong post-pandemic recovery. Conducted in partnership with USBE and ULEAD, the study examined the school-level factors that leaders and educators identified as most important to academic recovery in their schools. The findings point to reinvesting in the fundamentals rather than adopting pandemic-specific interventions: adaptive school leadership, high-quality PLCs, data-informed instruction, and other aligned support systems coherently working together. Adaptive leadership emerged as a key driver in these contexts, as leadership promoted the central coherence needed for these schools to improve outcomes through the strategic, sustained use of the people, structures, and practices already available to them. Session OutcomesParticipants will:Learn about key findings from the UEPC Pandemic Recovery study.Explore school portraits of success that make the study’s findings more concrete within school contexts.Reflect on their own school's strengths and opportunities for growth in relation to the study's findings.Develop action plans for high-leverage next steps, key partners, and needed supports.Why This MattersThis session translates research into actionable insights for schools, offering rural educators and leaders a research-informed starting point for strengthening the systems and practices that support student outcomes. All participants will leave with printed school portraits and a conversation guide to support continued reflection.

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

Andrea Rorrer

Director, UEPC - Utah Education Policy Center

Dr. Andrea K. Rorrer  is the Director of the UEPC and a Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy. Andrea, who has 35 years of experience in education, received her master’s degree at the University of Virginia and her Ph.D. from the University of Texas... Read More →

Kody Colvin

Lead School & District Improvement Specialist, Utah Education Policy Center

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 →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Everyone, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Not Applicable

2:50pm MDT

Rediscovering True Education: Classroom Practices That Actually Work

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109

In my session, I will share practical, evidence-based techniques and strategies that equip teachers in rural schools with the tools and support needed to manage low-level chronic disruptions, reduce disciplinary referrals, and enhance teaching time. By empowering teachers to effectively manage classroom behavior, my training reduces stress, reclaims valuable instructional time, and fosters an optimal learning culture that elevates instruction and teaching in order to reach every student and fulfill every teacher.

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

Kenneth Applegate

Educator, Local Education Advocate

Kenneth Applegate believes genuine connections with students are essential for academic success. His own educational background and love of lifelong learning continues to fuel his passion to help educators embrace their callings. He advocates for research-based, practical strategies... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Leadership, 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 traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Other

2:50pm MDT

An Educational Expedition: Rediscovering Educator Joy

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215

This session will embark on a journey to rediscover the joy of teaching. Joy isn’t a by-product of teaching, it's a prerequisite. The survival guides will lead this expedition through the rugged landscape of rural education, where teachers may be the driver, the mechanic, and the GPS for every student. Has the tank run dry? Educator joy isn’t a luxury but an essential quality for a thriving classroom. Our adventure will include a roadmap to joy with three stops; Stop 1 involves the GPS where we share common practices that lead to getting lost along the way and replacing them with practices that empower students by putting them in the driver’s seat and getting where we really want to go; Stop 2 will cover the importance of taking the scenic route! Rather than just getting to the destination, we want to relish in the beauty and get some red sand in our shoes through experiential learning and shifting the burden of learning while becoming a highly-effective resource and guide; Stop 3 brings us to the ever-important strategies to avoid over-heating (aka teacher burn-out)! The check engine light has been flashing for too long and needed routine maintenance and a check-up to replace fluids (NOT Diet Coke) will protect the spark and keep us running smoothly! Join us for a highly collaborative, fun, and practical road trip through the heart of what it means to teach on a full tank. Let’s work together to reclaim the joy of our profession!

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

Laureen Graves

Assistant Professor and Field Services Director, SUU - Southern Utah University

Heather Kennedy

Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, SUU - Southern Utah University

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm 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 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Instructional Coaches, Everyone, Teachers, Counselors or School-based Mental / Behavioral Health Professionals, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Other

2:50pm MDT

Mobilizing Rural Partnerships: Building Coalitions for Student Success

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127

How can rural communities better coordinate resources to support youth and families? Community partner coalitions offer a powerful, yet often underutilized, approach for aligning schools with healthcare providers, social services, local businesses, higher education, and community organizations. When designed intentionally, these partnerships expand access, reduce duplication, and ensure resources reach the students and families who need them most. In this interactive session, the Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC) and Iron Kids, a nonprofit organization serving families in Iron County by providing affordable, high-quality afterschool care and summer enrichment programs, share how rural coalitions can be structured to strengthen outcomes beyond what schools can do alone. Drawing on UEPC’s technical assistance partnerships across the state and Iron Kids’ partnership work, participants will explore key practices, such as needs sensing, shared goal setting, and data-informed decision making, that support effective cross-sector collaboration. Through real examples, we will examine how coalitions address common rural challenges, including geographic isolation, limited staffing, and fragmented services. Participants will also explore how coordinated efforts, such as career pathway partnerships, transportation solutions, telehealth, and community outreach, can improve continuity of support for students and families. This session complements school-based leadership efforts by focusing on how communities can align around shared responsibility for student success. Participants will leave with practical strategies and a clear starting point for building or strengthening partnership coalitions in their own communities. Participants will leave with actionable insights and practical strategies to: Assesstheir readiness to build or strengthen a community partnership coalition Identifykey structures and practices that support effective rural collaboration Applya simple processfor aligning partners around shared needs and goals Develop2–3 immediate next steps toinitiateor strengthen a local coalition

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

Lisa Wisham

Senior Research & Evaluation Associate and School & District Improvement Specialist, Utah Education Policy Center

Lisa Wisham, M.Ed., is a Senior Research & Evaluation Associate and School & District Improvement Specialist at the Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC). For the past nine years, she has worked with the UEPC team to provide on-site and virtual support, data collection, leadership coaching... Read More →

James Jordan

President, Iron Kids

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience District / School Administrators, Counselors or School-based Mental / Behavioral Health Professionals
Subject Area Leadership, Mental/Behavioral Health

2:50pm MDT

The Teacher Brain Budget Hack

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

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

What if the same classroom management skills you use every day could also help you build financial stability?

In this session, veteran teacher and instructional coach Mary Saylor will share how she used classroom management systems to get out of debt and save six months of income — all on a teacher’s salary. Participants will learn the ABC Budgeting System:

A — Awareness. Build honest awareness around spending habits, stress spending, and emotional money triggers.
B — Bridge. Use simple “instructional scaffolding” strategies to bridge the gap between limiting beliefs and healthier financial habits.
C — Commit. Create one small, realistic budgeting habit that’s easy to maintain and powerful enough to build momentum over time.

This won’t feel like a boring finance lecture. It’s practical, encouraging, and designed specifically for busy teachers who want less stress and more financial breathing room. You’ll leave with a simple starting point and hopefully the feeling of, “Okay… maybe I actually can do this.”

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Any of these

Speakers

Mary Saylor

Instructional Coach, Cedar Middle School

Mary Saylor is a 15-year secondary English Language Arts educator turned Instructional Coach who is passionate about helping teachers rediscover joy, clarity, and confidence in their classrooms. Throughout her career in grades 6–12, she has worked in diverse secondary settings... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
CC Shooting Star - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Shooting Star Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Everyone, Teachers
Subject Area Other

2:50pm MDT

A Brief Introduction to Trust-Based Relational Interventions (TBRI)

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204

This session will provide a brief introduction to Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). TBRI is a trauma-informed model for caregivers to help children with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges stemming from trauma. It is built on three principles—Empowering, Connecting, and Correcting—which focus on meeting a child's physical and emotional needs, building secure attachments, and guiding them toward positive behavior and self-regulation. Developed at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (KPICD) at Texas Christian University, TBRI is used for children of all ages who have experienced hardship or trauma. This training is not affiliated with the KPICD, and the information included is based on TBRI. The presenter is a TBRI Practitioner.

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: Not Applicable

Speakers

Lauren Ezzell

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Mental/Behavioral Health

8:30am MDT

Becoming Better Grownups: Rediscovering What Matters and Remembering to Fly

Thursday July 16, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am MDT

AU - Auditorium

TBD

Speakers

Brad Montague

Author

Brad Montague is a New York Times best-selling author/illustrator of books for kids and former kids. A highly sought-after speaker and performer whose encouragement brings hope and humanity to a wide variety of communities - Brad is the creator of the hit web series Kid President... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
AU - Auditorium 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format Keynote
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience All of the Above
Subject Area Not Applicable

9:45am MDT

20 in 20: Rapid-Fire Strategies for Classroom Engagement

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:03am 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.

Buckle up for a high-speed tour of 20 actionable strategies designed to wake up your classroom. In just 20 minutes, we’ll do a full circle tour of of purposeful movement, structured talk, and seamless tech integration. You’ll leave this session with ready-to-use tactics that turn passive listeners into active participants.

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

Emma Moss

Digital Teaching & Learning Specialist, Canyons School District

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:03am 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. | Utah Core Curriculum, 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 Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Not Applicable

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

9:45am MDT

AI, Bloom, and the Cognitive Gap in Educational Technology

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

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

Most technology integration frameworks—SAMR, TPACK, TIM—focus on tool function, not on how students think and learn. As a result, even well-intentioned ed tech use can bypass the most important question: What kind of thinking does this tool actually support?This session explores how AI and other digital tools intersect with cognition and learning. Participants will revisit Anderson and Krathwohl’s revised Bloom’s taxonomy as a cognitive framework to evaluate technology use, recognizing common pitfalls such as surface-level engagement, cognitive overload, and misplaced focus on tool novelty over mental processes. Together, we’ll analyze practical classroom examples and discuss how ed tech and AI tools can either enhance or inhibit student thinking, depending on how they’re designed into instruction.

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

Valarie O'Bryan

Trainer, UEN - Utah Education Network

Val has a passion for educational technology and works for the UEN - Utah Education Network as a senior trainer. At UEN, she provides training on ed tech tools and pedagogy to teachers all over the state of Utah. She earned a doctorate in education in 2022 from Kansas State University... Read More →

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

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Instructional Coaches, EdTech Coach / Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists
Subject Area Instructional Coaching

9:45am MDT

Brad Montague Breakout Session

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

AU - Auditorium

TBD

Speakers

Brad Montague

Author

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
AU - Auditorium 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Keynote Breakout Session, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format Keynote Speaker Session
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience All of the above
Subject Area Not Applicable

9:45am MDT

Taming the AI Dragon: Practical Gemini & Notebook LM for Educators

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

ED 202 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 202

Ready to ditch the digital drudgery and inject some AI awesomeness into your teaching toolkit? This session dives into the dazzling world of Google Gemini and Notebook LM – your FREE secret weapons for boosting productivity and student engagement! Forget endless searching; we'll explore how Gemini can brainstorm ideas faster than you can say ""artificial intelligence,"" speed up writing tasks, and even conjure up ""Goldilocks"" resources perfectly tailored to your students' needs.But wait, there's more! Discover why Gemini stands out from the AI crowd (hint: we're serious about data privacy!), and unlock the power of ""Gemini Gems"" – your reusable prompts for maximum impact. Plus, journey into the realm of Notebook LM for next-level insights and podcast summaries that will blow your mind.Whether you're an AI newbie or a tech-savvy guru, come join the fun and leave with practical strategies and a treasure trove of resources (including some amazing free courses and toolkits!) to transform your teaching practice. Let's unleash the power of AI, the Google way!

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: Chromebook"

Speakers

Clint Stephens

Educational Technology Innovation Specialist & Coach, Southwest Educational Development Center

During his twelve years teaching secondary Science, Regional Technology Integration Specialist Clint Stephens was awarded the Utah Middle School Science Teacher of the Year award in addition to several technology innovation grants & awards. Currently, Clint is a Level 1 & 2 Certified... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
ED 202 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 202 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Technology & AI, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, EdTech Coach / Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists
Subject Area Not Applicable

9:45am MDT

Commemorate America250 Utah with History, Civics, and Heart

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

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

It's been 250 years since the pivotal events of 1776. The student activities, lesson plans, and resources from America250 Utah will help you connect to the our nation's founding and our state's rich history no matter what content you teach! This session will introduce key resources for elementary, middle, and high school, with a focus on events that connect to Utah in 1776, and the individuals, groups, ideas, and actions that shaped the Revolutionary Era.America250 Utah offers hands-on opportunities to explore history, create shared experiences, and engage with this milestone celebration. You can create powerful opportunities for your students and school community to reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look together toward the future. Presenters: Wendy Rex Atzet, PhD, and Rebecca Kirkman, Curriculum Specialist, Utah Historical Society

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

Rebecca Kirkman

Curriculum & District Coaching Specialist, Jordan School District & Utah Historical Society

Rebecca Kirkman is an accomplished District Instructional Coach for Jordan District, specializing in Instructional Coaching methodologies and teacher professional development. An award-winning former classroom teacher, she translates her successful practices into scalable professional... Read More →

Wendy Rex Atzet

Manager of K-12 Initiatives, Utah Historical Society

Wendy Rex Atzet earned her doctorate in U.S. History at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she also served for four years as a coordinator for the state National History Day program. She was thrilled to return to National History Day in 2013 when she took the helm of this... Read More →

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

Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists, Everyone, Technology Coordinators / Facilitators, District / School Administrators, EdTech Coach / Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Counselors or School-based Ment
Subject Area Social Science, Language Arts

9:45am MDT

Printable Potential: Using 3D Printing in the Classroom

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT

GC 201 - General Classroom Building, Room 201

💻 Format Alert: This is an extended, 2-hour hands-on session—please bring your own laptop or tablet to fully participate!

This 2-hour session will focus on basic 3D modeling and how to incorporate 3D printing in the classroom. Attendees will walk away with curated lists of 3D prints that align to standards, plug-and-play Canvas modules developed by University of Utah students, and a brand new 3D printer!

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop; Chromebook

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None

Speakers

Becca Robison

Innovation Hub Manager, Utah STEM Action Center

Becca Robison is a dedicated educator and leader passionate about cultivating the next generation of innovators through high-quality, maker-focused STEM education. Becca currently serves as the Innovation Hub Manager a the Utah STEM Action Center developing best practices for maker... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT
GC 201 - General Classroom Building, Room 201 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists
Subject Area STEM / STEAM, Career and Technical Education

9:45am MDT

Policy Implications for Principalship: "An Unfunded Mandate"

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT

AU - Auditorium Foyer

🖼️ Format Alert: This is a relaxed, 2-hour "drop-in" poster session where you can browse at your leisure and chat informally with presenters.

It seems that education is one of the most over-politicized fields. Each year the legislature tries to "solve" all of "problems" they see in society by pushing more policies into the schools. Administrators play a big role in implementation for many of the top-down policies that are newly signed into law each year. Sometimes the laws make a little bit of sense. Sometimes they are just a nuisance. This poster session will discuss finding from my dissertation regarding policy implementation struggles and successes for school leaders. It will also give participants an opportunity to share their biggest policy struggles with me to guide my next research project because until practitioners and legislatures see each other, not much is going to change. Let's make policy work for Utah's rural school children!

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

Bethany McGarry

Doctoral Student, USU - Utah State University

Bethany is a product of Utah's rural school system and this summer she will be completing her PhD in Education at Utah State University. She is interested in school leadership and education policy. Her career has been focused on language education, specifically Utah's dual language... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT
AU - Auditorium Foyer 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 2 Hour Poster Session - informal discussions with various small groups during a 2-hour window
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience District / School Administrators
Subject Area Leadership, Other

9:45am MDT

Basic Self Care: What do you need to know

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT

ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204

💻 Format Alert: This is an extended, 2-hour hands-on session—please bring your own laptop or tablet to fully participate!

In this session, we will explore what self-care truly means—and what it does not. Together, we will reflect on the role of self-talk and how our internal dialogue shapes our perception of ourselves and our overall well-being. Participants will have the opportunity to assess their current self-care routines, identify areas for growth, and consider practical ways to strengthen their daily habits.

We will also introduce foundational concepts across key domains of wellness, including physical, emotional, mental, financial, spiritual, and social health. This session is designed to be both reflective and practical, offering simple, meaningful strategies that can be applied immediately.

Join us for an engaging and supportive experience focused on building awareness, fostering balance, and enhancing overall well-being.

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, Chromebook

Speakers

Sheryl Vernon

School Psychologist, CUES - Central Utah Educational Services

I am Sheryl Vernon. I answer best when called Sheryl. I love education and to sit with student that struggle or celebrate their trials or accomplishments.

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT
ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience All of the above
Subject Area Mental/Behavioral Health

9:45am MDT

Teaching Communication to Replace Challenging Behavior

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT

AU - Auditorium Foyer

🛝 Format Alert: This is a fluid, 2-hour "drop-in" playground where you can stop by anytime to explore small-group activities at your own pace.

This hands-on session gives educators practical ways to support students with challenging behavior by teaching communication (including AAC) as a replacement skill. You’ll learn to think about the “why” behind behavior and use that information to choose and teach simple, functional communication responses that fit your setting.We will use a Behavior Skills Training format (teach, model, practice, feedback) so you can try out strategies during the session and get feedback. You’ll leave with ready-to-use tools, including behavior observation sheets, function-based communication planning guides, AAC-friendly examples, and simple data sheets designed with rural schools in mind.This session is designed for general and special education teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, and administrators. No behavior analysis background is needed—everything will be explained in plain, classroom-focused language with real examples.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop; iPad / iPhone; Android Tablet / Smartphone; Windows Tablet / Smartphone; Chromebook

Speakers

Rhea Rayomand Palkhiwala

Doctoral Student, USU - Utah State University

Dr. Audrey N. Hoffmann

Assistant Professor - Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling, USU - Utah State University

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT
AU - Auditorium Foyer 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required. | Assessment & Data Management, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required. | Other, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 2 hour Playground - hands on activities and discussions with various small groups during a 2-hour window
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Counselors or School-based Mental / Behavioral Health Professionals, Teachers
Subject Area Special Education, Mental/Behavioral Health

11:10am MDT

AI as a Design Variable

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

AU - Auditorium

Educators are in the moment, deciding what teaching and learning with AI will accomplish. Research shows AI used in a cavalier manner hurts congitive ability and research shows AI can improve brain function. Both are true. This presentation introduces frameworks, strategies, and things to try tomorrow to ensure you have the best interactions with AI for you and your students.

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 web enabled device

Speakers

David Long

Superintendent, Beaver County School District

David Long has served as the Beaver County School District superintendent for the last six years. During that time his team has developed P-LTE communication network for the school district that allows LTE enabled Chromebooks to connect throughout the school district, on and off campus... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
AU - Auditorium 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 Keynote Speaker Session
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience All of the above
Subject Area Leadership

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

Amy Reynolds

Research and Evaluation Associate, Utah Education Policy Center

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

Scam Academy - Teaching Students to Outsmart the Algorithms

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

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

This session moves beyond basic digital safety checklists to teach students the crucial skill of healthy skepticism. We will introduce \"Scam Academy\" resources, which implement Civic Online Reasoning’s Three Questions. These questions help move students from being vulnerable to online manipulation to being digital detectives. Resources available for all grade levels (K-12). Let’s teach students to be smarter than the bots, influencers, and algorithms that exist to trick them!

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

Dani Sloan

IT Product Manager, UEN - Utah Education Network

Dr. Dani Sloan helps educators lead, research, and teach digital citizenship. She's a UEN Product Manager and Instructor at the University of Utah. She is a former Elementary Teacher and current mom to a seventh grader. Dani is passionate about preparing students for a digital world... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
CC Shooting Star - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Shooting Star 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. | Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, Counselors or School-based Mental / Behavioral Health Professionals, District / School Administrators, EdTech Coach / Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Everyone, Technology Coordinators /
Subject Area Media Literacy

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

Engagement 101

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

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

As Anita Archer says, "Learning is NOT a spectator sport!" If you are new to engagement or would like a refresher, this is the session for you. We will spend the hour engaged in high-impact low prep strategies that you can use with your students starting your first week back in school. Come prepared to think, engage, and learn in a collaborative environment.

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

Melissa Metcalf

PreK-12 Instructional Coach, NUES - Northeastern Utah Educational Services

Melissa is a PreK-12 Instructional Coach for Northeastern Utah Educational Services (NUES). She supports districts and charter schools in the northeastern region by providing ongoing professional learning opportunities, coaching cycles, and team support. Melissa has a Master of... Read More →

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

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

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Other

11:10am MDT

Intro to PCBL: Guiding Principles & Strategies for Improving Learning

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

ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102

Join us for an insightful presentation on Personalized Competency-Based Learning (PCBL) to explore effective strategies for enhancing student learning. You'll learn to set clear learning goals, establish measurable objectives, and leverage intrinsic motivators to foster a personalized learning environment. The session will also cover goal-setting, progress monitoring, and curating resources, providing practical strategies you can immediately implement in your classroom.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop; Android Tablet / Smartphone; iPad / iPhone; Windows Tablet / Smartphone; Chromebook

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

Speakers

Kayla Towner

Senior Product Trainer, UEN - Utah Education Network

Kayla Towner is a Senior Product Trainer at the Utah Education Network (UEN) and, first and foremost, a passionate educator. She loves spending time with her family—playing soccer ⚽️, reading books 📚, hiking 🥾, and adventuring across Utah 🏔️. Kayla is dedicated to... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, EdTech Coach / Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Technology Coordinators / Facilitators, Curriculum Specialists
Subject Area Other

11:10am MDT

Chaos Coordinators: Frontload the Calm, Teach the Tough

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

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

In today’s classrooms, challenging behavior can quickly disrupt learning, but it doesn’t have to. This session focuses on how to frontload the calm through proactive, practical strategies that prevent escalation before it starts, while also equipping educators to confidently teach through tough moments when they arise.Participants will learn how to design supportive environments, use antecedent strategies, and embed clear expectations and reinforcement systems that reduce problem behavior. We’ll also explore in-the-moment response strategies that maintain safety, preserve relationships, and turn challenging situations into meaningful teaching opportunities.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Mac Laptop

Speakers

Dana Blazzard

Behavior Specialist, BCaBA, LABA, NUES - Northeastern Utah Educational Services

Dana Blazzard is a licensed educator and behavior specialist who supports students across northern Utah through FBAs, BIPs, and collaboration with school teams. She is committed to creating positive environments where students can thrive.
Outside of her professional work, Dana enjoys spending quality time with her family, supporting her children’s activities, traveling, and spending time outdoors. Whether exploring the mountains, attending her daughters’ rodeos, cheering on the Buffalo Bills, or simply enjoyin... Read More →

Kristin Hellman

Intervention Systems, MTSS, and Special Ed Coach, NUES - Northeastern Utah Educational Services

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
CC Whiting Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Whiting Room Room (200 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, Counselors or School-based Mental / Behavioral Health Professionals, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Mental/Behavioral Health

11:10am MDT

Positive Childhood Experiences in the K-12 Setting

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

ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203

As part of my work with the district, I sit on a multi-disciplinary team that focusses on preventive measures to help students and adults make healthy life-style choices. In that work, we have talked a lot about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's), and the lasting impact that trauma can have on one’s life. We have also spent considerable time looking at Positive Childhood Experiences (PCE's), and have learned that they may have a more lasting impact on health and behavior than do ACE’s. One study concluded that “Regardless of the number of ACE’s, PCE’s were associated with lower odds of having mental, emotional, developmental, and behavioral conditions…” (2025 Study of 2022 National Children’s Health Data; 23,133 children). This leads us to believe that The Positive has a lasting impact on each of us! The work of Positive Childhood Experiences is centered in seven areas of which four are directly tied to schools: “enjoying participation in community events; having at-least two non-parent adults who took genuine interest in you; feeling supported by friends; and feeling a sense of belonging in high school.” From this work, it is evident that the experiences a child has in school can and will have a lasting positive impact in their life, to the point that it can outweigh their adverse experiences. But it doesn’t stop there, research is being conducted that shows that the effect of The Positive continues into adulthood and that positive adult experiences, the ones you and I experience in the seasons of our careers as we interact with students in our spheres of influence, may help us to overcome and persevere through life's challenges.In this session, we will look at experiences and interactions from throughout my career, and those of my colleagues, that demonstrate how public schools truly are a setting where students are able to interact with trusting adults in a way that builds resilience and capacity. We will see that in many instances it is because of people like you, dedicated educators, that students obtain the relational resilience they need to overcome adverse childhood experiences. We will reflect together on experiences in our careers where we have been positive influences in the lives of students and together increase our resolve to persevere in this amazing journey of investing ourselves in the lives of young people.

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

Phillip Bertoch

Human Resources Director, Duchesene County School District

Phillip Bertoch grew up in Duchesne County and graduated from Union High School in 1987. He is the product of rural schools and understands the unique challenges and opportunities that come from living in, and being educated in, a rural community. He is a thirty year career educator... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, Counselors or School-based Mental / Behavioral Health Professionals
Subject Area Mental/Behavioral Health

11:31am MDT

Unmuting Your Classroom: Supporting Multilingual Learners

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:31am - 11:49am 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.

Empower your multilingual learners! In this session, you'll master essential AI tools for communication. We'll cover document translation using Canva, instant live captions with Google Meet and Class Tools, and creating scaffolded activities that align with language goals using the SchoolAI Chrome Extension and Gemini. Additionally, we'll detail a replicable welcome packet complete with community resources for your newcomers. Leave with immediately applicable strategies to use with your multilingual tomorrow.

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

Kelli Cannon

Digital Learning Specialist, Jordan School District

Kelli Cannon has been an educator for 12 years, teaching upper elementary students prior to her current role as a Digital Learning Specialist. Kelli holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology, as well as endorsements in STEM, Teaching English as a Second Language and Instructional... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:31am - 11:49am MDT
ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | 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 Teachers, Everyone
Subject Area ESL

1:30pm MDT

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

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

1:30pm MDT

Great Grading!

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

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

In this session, we will share how data, assessments, and grading can be intentionally designed to focus on student centered learning, provide an accurate picture of student strengths and areas for growth, and accurately communicate student proficiency to stakeholders using systems and processes each clearly understand and connect with.

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

Tony Campbell

Director of Learning & Innovation, Washington County School District

I am the Director of the Learning & Innovation Technologies Division for the Washington County School District. I serve on the National Future Ready Schools Advisory Committee, the Utah Digital Learning Advisory Committee, & the National McGraw-Hill Literacy Advisory Committee. I... Read More →

Jared Wilkinson

Learning & Innovation Coordinator, WCSD

Angela Poulton

Teacher, Washington County School District

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Assessment & Data Management, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience EdTech Coach / Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Leadership

1:30pm MDT

Teacher's are Leaders Inside and Outside of the Classroom

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

ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204

Teachers have limited professional opportunities outside of moving away from the classroom to the district or admin offices. Educators will learn about how they can take on new leadership roles that are supported by the state board, state legislature, and may even be able to apply for stipends funded by the legislature through matching grants. These new leadership roles allow a teacher to stay in the classroom while expanding their career to new opportunities. We will explore the Utah State board approved Roles of a Teacher Leader Guidebook and the various leadership opportunities for teachers.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: As long as they have a web enabled device it will be fine.

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

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 1:30pm - 2:30pm 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 traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Leadership

1:30pm MDT

Rediscovering Health Through Rural and State Partnership

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

SC 122 - Science Center, Room 122

Duchesne County School District (DCSD) and the Healthy Environments Active Living (HEAL) Program at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services partnered to strengthen student and staff health through practical, school-based strategies focused on nutrition, physical activity, mental health, and chronic disease management. In a geographically isolated rural district with limited access to healthcare resources and only one school nurse, this partnership created an opportunity to build sustainable systems of support.A key strategy was the creation of a district-level Wellness Coordinator role to bridge schools, community partners, and public health systems. This role supported the development of school-based wellness teams composed of staff and students, who used the School Health Index (SHI) to identify priorities and guide action planning tailored to each school’s needs.Key implementation strategies included: (1) expanding staffing through the addition of school health aides to support student health needs, (2) implementing the SHI across all schools to assess policies and practices, and (3) establishing wellness councils to lead school-level planning and strengthen a culture of health. Schools also engaged in data collection efforts, including the Healthy Students and Healthy Schools Questionnaire, to inform decision-making and monitor progress.These efforts increased engagement among staff, students, and community partners, strengthened cross-sector collaboration, and built a foundation for sustainable, long-term health improvements. This partnership demonstrates how rural districts can leverage relationships, data, and simple systems to create meaningful and lasting change in school health.

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

Halee Ficklin

School Wellness and Safety Coordinator, Northeastern Utah educational services

Halee Ficklin is a Mental Health Therapist (ACMHC) and District Wellness Advisor for Duchesne County School District in rural Utah. She leads district-wide efforts aligned with the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model, focusing on improving student mental health... Read More →

Mary Kathryn Curcio Stoddard

Epidemiologist/Evaluator, Utah Department of Health and Human Services

Mary Kathryn received her undergraduate degree in Health, Society, and Policy (2020) and Master of Public Health (2023) from the University of Utah. With an academic interest in human development, family studies, and community health, she assisted in several pediatric research studies... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
SC 122 - Science Center, Room 122 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Assessment & Data Management, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Counselors or School-based Mental / Behavioral Health Professionals, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Health and Physical Education, Mental/Behavioral Health

1:30pm MDT

Writing Formative Assessment Clusters

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT

GC 201 - General Classroom Building, Room 201

💻 Format Alert: This is an extended, 2-hour hands-on session—please bring your own laptop or tablet to fully participate!

Have you seen or heard that the RISE assessments have clusters? We will learn what assessment “clusters” are, how to write them, and then write them for use in our classrooms as part of our formative assessment process. Participants will be able to focus on ELA, Mathematics, or Science with support from the USBE Assessment Specialists.The RISE assessments in grades 3-10 include clusters, so utilizing this assessment format in classrooms can help prepare students for the RISE assessments.

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

Jared Wright

Elementary Math and Science Assessment Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

I have been in Education for 20+ years. Approximately half of that time was as an elementary school teacher of students in grades 2, 3, and 4. The other half has been in multiple roles at USBE in the Assessment and Accountability section.

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 →

Samantha Tinkey

Secondary Science Assessment Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Sam Tinkey is a Secondary Science Assessment Specialist with USBE. She is an experienced educator and researcher with 11 years in Utah’s public school system, including eight years as a secondary science teacher. Her classroom experience informs her work in improving how instructional... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT
GC 201 - General Classroom Building, Room 201 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Assessment & Data Management, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Language Arts, Mathematics, Science

1:30pm MDT

The Reclaimed Classroom: Leading AI for Teaching and Learning

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT

ED 202 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 202

💻 Format Alert: This is an extended, 2-hour hands-on session—please bring your own laptop or tablet to fully participate!

AI is already shaping classrooms and schools—but how can teachers and leaders use it to meaningfully improve teaching, learning, and decision-making?In this interactive session, participants will explore lessons from Utah’s AI & School Leadership Collaborative, a statewide effort focused on practical, ethical, and human-centered uses of AI in schools. We will build a shared foundation by unpacking key concepts such as traditional vs. generative AI, large language models (LLMs), bias, hallucinations, and responsible data use, including considerations around PII and “walled garden” tools.Through educator case studies and student-facing scenarios, participants will examine real-world applications of AI for instructional planning, student engagement, and leadership decision-making. Using a simple AI fluency framework (e.g., the 4Ds), participants will explore how to move from awareness to intentional implementation. The session emphasizes ethical use, human judgment, and the role of educators in AI-supported environments.By the end of this session, participants will be able to:Build foundational AI understanding, including key concepts and risksAnalyze AI use cases to identify meaningful instructional and leadership applicationsApply an AI fluency framework to guide responsible implementationIdentify ethical and data privacy considerations in school contextsDevelop one concrete next step for AI use in their setting

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop; Windows Tablet / Smartphone; Chromebook

Speakers

Kayla Towner

Senior Product Trainer, UEN - Utah Education Network

Kody Colvin

Lead School & District Improvement Specialist, Utah Education Policy Center

Matt Winters

AI Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Matthew Winters is the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Educational Specialist for USBE, the Utah State Board of Education. He was formerly a product manager and statewide trainer for Utah Education Network, specializing in Google Workspaces for Edu. He was also the Utah Coalition for... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm 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. | Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Everyone
Subject Area Leadership

1:30pm MDT

Evidence-Based Instruction Available to Your Area from The UURC

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT

BC 103 - Braithwaite Liberal Arts Center, Room 103

🧠 Format Alert: This is an immersive, 2-hour deep-dive workshop designed for intensive, uninterrupted coverage of this topic.

In this 2 hour interactive presentation, UURC staff will demonstrate brief examples of the high quality, evidence-based, effective intervention services that can be provided to students at home or in school in rural areas across the state of Utah, providing a breakdown and analysis of the instruction provided at varying developmental reading levels with case studies to show data-based decision making. In this demonstration, participants will see scaffolded reading support in connected text across varied text complexities, as well as with words in isolation, connected with writing, and repeated reading procedures crafted to increase student fluency outcomes.

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

Breyanna Evans

Reading Intervention Specialist, University of Utah Reading Clinic

Breyanna Evans received her B.S. in creative writing from Utah Valley University. Upon graduating, Breyanna worked as a reading intervention aide at Pinnacle Canyon Academy while she obtained her teaching license. She taught secondary English for three years, first for Pinnacle Canyon... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT
BC 103 - Braithwaite Liberal Arts Center, Room 103 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 2 hour In-Depth exploration workshop
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Language Arts, Special Education

1:51pm MDT

Virtual Field Trips: Instructional Resources

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:51pm - 2:09pm 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.

In rural communities, taking a variety of field trips can be challenging. But exposing our students to different peoples and places is so important. This session will provide participants with a list of websites that host free virtual field trips, as well as instructional resources to use before, during, and after field trips to maximize their impact.

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

Heather Kennedy

Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, SUU - Southern Utah University

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:51pm - 2:09pm MDT
ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 20 minute focus on specific solutions or tools (Over The Shoulder)
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers
Subject Area Not Applicable

2:50pm MDT

Supporting Student Learning and Creativity with Google Vids

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

ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215

Come explore a powerful teaching and learning tool that lives right inside your Google Workspace: Google Vids. In this session, you'll see how Google Vids can replace the work of multiple other tools, all streamlined into an AI-powered creation hub. Learn how to breathe new life into your existing slideshows, harness the power of Gemini to generate instant storyboards, and utilize "pro" features like the built-in teleprompter and AI voiceovers. Whether you want to narrate your slideshows, create how-to screen recordings or "Digital Sub Plans," or want to get your students creating videos, this session will help you learn this cinematic, collaborative learning tool—no expensive software required.

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: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop; Chromebook

Speakers

Rob Bentley

Instructor and Adobe Product Manager, UEN - Utah Education Network

Thursday July 16, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215 351 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 traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists
Subject Area Not Applicable

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

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

Literacy, Mental Health, and School Engagement for Students with Learning Disabilities

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

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

Students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities are at increased risk for academic frustration, anxiety, and diminished self-esteem, which can significantly impact their connection to school. For many, repeated experiences of difficulty with reading contribute not only to skill gaps, but also to reduced engagement, increased school avoidance, and a heightened likelihood of negative school outcomes.This session will explore the relationship between literacy challenges and mental health, with a specific focus on how reading difficulties influence student engagement and overall school experience. Participants will learn how to identify these patterns and implement practical, evidence-based supports that address both academic and social-emotional needs.Grounded in research and real-world application, this session will highlight structured literacy approaches, progress monitoring, and systems of support that help students build reading proficiency while also restoring confidence and connection to school. Special attention will be given to actionable strategies Utah educators and administrators can use within MTSS frameworks to better support students with learning disabilities.Participants will leave with a renewed understanding of what matters most—ensuring that every student is not only learning to read, but also feeling successful, connected, and motivated to engage in school.

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

Paul Black

School Psychologist and Literacy Specialist, Reading Horizons

Dr. Paul Black is a nationally certified school psychologist, literacy advocate, and educational leader specializing in assessment-driven instruction, adolescent literacy, and support for students with learning differences. He is the President of PB Assessments, an organization dedicated... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
CC Yankee Meadows - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Yankee Meadows Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Instructional Coaching, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required. | School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience District / School Administrators, Curriculum Specialists
Subject Area Special Education, Mental/Behavioral Health

2:50pm MDT

Collaborative Roots: Building Parent-Teacher Trust to Transform Student Outcomes

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

ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203

In public education, the relationship between a special education teacher and a parent is more than just a professional requirement -- it is the foundation of a student's support system. In close-knit, rural communities, these interactions often extend beyond the classroom, making the establishment of authentic long-term trust both a unique challenge and a significant opportunity. When a genuine partnership is formed, the focus shifts from mere legal compliance to a shared mission of student success. This interactive session, led by two veteran special education teachers and current Utah Teacher Fellows, explores practical, high-impact strategies for fostering trust that endures. We will discuss how to move beyond the formality of the annual IEP meeting to create an ongoing dialogue that honors the parent's lived expertise and the teacher's professional dedication. Participants will engage with three pillars of family partnership:The Anatomy of Trust: Identifying specific communication habits that build–or inadvertently break–rapport with families.Conflict to Collaboration: Utilizing restorative communication techniques to navigate disagreements and turn difficult conversations into collaborative breakthroughs.Measurable Outcomes: Examining how robust home-school bonds lead to increased student engagement, higher teacher efficacy, and a more supportive school culture. Attendees will leave with a practical toolkit of communication templates and “parent-friendly” guides designed to bridge the gap between classroom goals and the home environment, ensuring every stakeholder feels heard, valued, and empowered.

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

Shannon Neeley

Secondary, Box Elder District

Shannon Neeley originally hails from Virginia. She and her family found the Rockies calling and relocated to Utah in 2019. There she shifted from training adults to return to college as a first generation student to obtain her Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education. She graduated... Read More →

Sydney Whatcott

K-3 Special Education Teacher, West Elementary

Sydney Whatcott is an accomplished Special Education teacher with nine years of experience dedicated to creating a high-quality, equitable learning environment for students. Currently, she teaches Kindergarten through 3rd-grade students at West Elementary in the Tooele County School... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers
Subject Area Special Education

2:50pm MDT

Leaving Children Behind: Grade Retention in the 21st Century

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

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

Grade retention refers to the practice of requesting that a child repeat a grade or to the postponement of entry into kindergarten or first grade. It has been practiced for generations in schools in the United States. High stakes testing, increased educational accountability, escalating curriculum, and multifaceted sectors of pressure have amplified the practice of grade retention despite mixed evidence of the efficacy related to this highly investigated practice. What does the research say, and what are other options? This session reports research findings across time and explores alternatives to the practice that has been part of the educational landscape for over a century.

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

Pam Powell

Dean and Professor in the Beverley Taylor Sorenson College of Education and Human Development, SUU - Southern Utah University

Dr. Pam Powell spent over two decades as an elementary teacher prior to her appointment in higher education at Northern Arizona University. While there, she served as Chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning and as Associate Dean of the College of Education. In the state of... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
CC Whiting Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Whiting Room Room (200 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Language Arts, Special Education

2:50pm MDT

Demystifying Mastery: The What, the Why and the How of Proficiency Scale Construction

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

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

In a learner-centered classroom, students shouldn't have to guess what success looks like or how to get there; proficiency scales provide the essential GPS for their educational journey. This session will explore the what, why, and how of building scales that transform Utah Core standards into transparent, actionable roadmaps for every learner. We’ll define proficiency scales as a progressive continuum that breaks down complex skills into observable milestones, moving far beyond the static nature of traditional rubrics. By shifting from a "mystery grading" system that combines behaviors and understanding into one opaque measure, we can foster true learner agency, empowering students to identify exactly what they need to know and how to get there. Participants will explore a practical design process: first, exploring standards to identify essential skills; second, crafting clear descriptors for varying levels of mastery from emerging to extending; and third, integrating student voice to ensure the language is accessible and meaningful. By the end of this session, you will be equipped with the tools and concrete examples needed to replace traditional grade books with a system that turns every student into a self-directed, assessment capable learner.

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

Nathan Auck

Founder and Principal Consultant, Catalyst for Coherence

Thursday July 16, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Instructional Coaching, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Professional Learning Communities (PLCs & PLNs), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Assessment & Data Management, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Everyone
Subject Area Not Applicable

8:30am MDT

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

Friday July 17, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am MDT

AU - Auditorium

TBD

Speakers

Joanna Andres

Social Studies Teacher & Utah's 2025-26 Teacher of the Year, Park City High School

2026 Utah Teacher of the Year

Joanna Andres is a dedicated social studies educator at Park City High School and the 2026 Utah Teacher of the Year. Currently in her seventh year with the Park City School District, she is recognized for her innovative, student-centered approach to education and her ability to foster... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
AU - Auditorium 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format Keynote
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience All of the Above
Subject Area Not Applicable

9:50am MDT

AI Tools for Digital Storytelling: Google Vids and Adobe Podcast

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT

ED 202 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 202

Unlock the potential of AI to transform how your students create, narrate, and publish their ideas. This session focuses on two powerful tools: Google Vids, which streamlines video creation, and Adobe Podcast for professional-grade audio and video enhancements and editing. You'll learn how these tools can rapidly accelerate the process of turning a simple idea into a fully-produced piece of digital media.

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: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop; Chromebook

Speakers

Rob Bentley

Instructor and Adobe Product Manager, UEN - Utah Education Network

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am 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.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists
Subject Area Not Applicable

9:50am MDT

Beyond Plagiarism: Reimagining Assessment & Assignments in the Age of AI

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT

ED 104 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 104

TBD

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 →

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
ED 104 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 104 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers
Subject Area Not Applicable

9:50am MDT

GEG Utah Demo Slam 2026

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT

SC 016 - Science Center, Room 016

This is a Demo Slam style presentation and we will host the demos in video form (This makes the presentation go very smoothly). The participants will get to see us present the videos and then vote on the video/tool that they think is the best! The rules will be as follows: Each Google Certified Educator will submit one video Video must demonstrate use of Google tools/add-ons/extensions/etc. Demonstration portion of the video must be ≤ 2 minutes Video must include a brief introduction (may be outside of the 2 minute time limit) Video must conclude with a “SLAM”.

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: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop; Android Tablet / Smartphone; iPad / iPhone; Windows Tablet / Smartphone; Chromebook; Any of these

Speakers

Kelli Cannon

Digital Learning Specialist, Jordan School District

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
SC 016 - Science Center, Room 016 351 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 traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Everyone
Subject Area Other

9:50am MDT

Technology: What Are We (Or Should We Be) Afraid Of?

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT

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

Recently passed and proposed legislation proposes to reduce technology use in schools. Is that wise? Is it good? What is it that concerns our parents and legislators? Should it concern us as well? Do we need to rethink our use of technology in our schools? This presentation will review some of the research that either supports or raises concerns about how we use technology in our schools. It will touch on how technology has impacted society, especially our students, and will attempt to tease out the first principles that can help guide our decisions around technology in our schools and our lives.

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

Christijan Draper

Technology Director, Daggett School District

Christijan Draper graduated from high school in the Alaskan Bush as a class of one—valedictorian by default. Dr. Draper has a PhD in instructional psychology and technology, a MS in youth and family recreation, and he studied communications as an undergrad. He spent five years as... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am 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.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Everyone
Subject Area Other, Not Applicable

9:50am MDT

The People Puzzle: Solved with Business Chemistry

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT

ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102

Every team has a unique blend of personalities, motivators, and working styles — but too often, those differences create friction instead of fuel. Deloitte’s Business Chemistry framework offers a practical, research‑based way to understand how people think, act, and interact at work. This session gives participants an energizing look at the four Business Chemistry types — Pioneers, Guardians, Drivers, and Integrators — and shows how applying these insights can enhance collaboration, communication, and leadership effectiveness.Participants will explore how different types perceive risk, make decisions, handle conflict, and respond to change. Through hands‑on activities and real-world scenarios, they’ll learn strategies to flex their style, improve team cohesion, and bring out the best in every member of their organization.Whether you lead teams, develop people, or simply want to work better with others, this session provides tools you can implement immediately to build stronger, more adaptive, and more high‑performing teams.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Android Tablet / Smartphone; iPad / iPhone

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

Speakers

Piper Riddle

Executive Director, NUES - Northeastern Utah Educational Services

Dedicated educator passionate about fostering curiosity and critical thinking in students and adults; committed to creating a dynamic learning environment that nurtures both academic growth and personal development. Learner, coach, admin, teacher, adjunct, facilitator, leader, mom... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Instructional Coaching, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Professional Learning Communities (PLCs & PLNs), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, 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 Leadership, Instructional Coaching, Mental/Behavioral Health

9:50am MDT

From Policy to Practice: What Utah’s HB 393 Means for Dyslexia and Daily Classroom Instruction

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT

ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215

With increased attention on dyslexia through legislation such as HB 393, many schools will soon be strengthening screening and identification practices—but identification alone does not improve outcomes. This hands-on session focuses on what must come next: building a guaranteed, schoolwide literacy system that ensures every student, including those with dyslexia and other learning disabilities, receives effective, consistent instruction.Participants will explore how to align core instruction, intervention, and progress monitoring within an MTSS framework to create a cohesive system of support. The session will emphasize evidence-based literacy practices, including structured literacy, explicit instruction, and data-driven decision making, while also addressing how these practices strengthen Tier 1 instruction for all students.In addition, the session will connect literacy systems to broader school priorities, including grading practices, student support structures, and fostering a culture of collective responsibility for reading outcomes. Educators and administrators will engage in practical planning activities to evaluate their current systems and identify next steps to ensure that literacy instruction is not left to chance, but guaranteed for every student.Participants will leave with actionable tools, implementation ideas, and a clearer vision for how to move beyond compliance toward a sustainable, high-impact literacy system that improves outcomes for students with dyslexia and benefits all learners.

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

Paul Black

School Psychologist and Literacy Specialist, Reading Horizons

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience District / School Administrators, Curriculum Specialists
Subject Area Special Education, Instructional Coaching

9:50am MDT

Joanna Andres Breakout Session

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT

AU - Auditorium

TBD

Speakers

Joanna Andres

Social Studies Teacher & Utah's 2025-26 Teacher of the Year, Park City High School

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
AU - Auditorium 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Keynote Breakout Session, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format Keynote Speaker Session
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience All of the above
Subject Area Not Applicable

9:50am MDT

Where have all the Teachers Gone (and can we get those left to STAY)?

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT

GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109

Teachers are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Those who have been in the profession for many years are increasingly likely to retire. The teachers who replace them are more likely to leave the profession within the first five years. The effects of this are being felt by children who are increasingly likely to be taught by first or last year teachers during at least one of their years in school. This is doubly true in rural districts. While many education advocates focus on the need for more public investment to better meet educators' extrinsic needs, at the ground level we can't afford to wait for these battles to be won. This presentation is based on over a decade of practice focused on improving the capacity of schools and districts to meet educators' intrinsic needs. Pursuing this strategy has effectively reduced teacher burnout and turnover. These practices range from encouraging greater autonomy and stability for teachers to bringing in artificial intelligence based tools that can support the 24/7 needs of teachers. Come join us for a discussion of everyday practices principals, lead teachers and teacher coaches can utilize to improve teacher retention by making teaching the best job in your community.

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

Sean Rickert

Manager, Quality Education for Everyone LLC

After serving for 14 years as a rural school superintendent, Mr. Rickert is now connecting with rural school leaders throughout the 4-corners region to share lessons, connect questions with answers, and bring powerful tools to rural education leaders. During his tenure he served as... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Instructional Coaches, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Leadership, Instructional Coaching

9:50am MDT

You Are Not the Test Score: Reclaiming Care and Influence in an Age of Testing

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT

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

Most of us entered education to make a difference in the lives of our students. Yet over time, many of us begin carrying a quiet and exhausting burden: the sense that we are responsible for outcomes we cannot fully control. When success is reduced to numbers, it becomes easy to confuse our professional worth with performance metrics. In that environment, the result is often exhaustion rather than excellence.This interactive session creates space for honest reflection about the experiences of care and mis-care that shape our experience as educators. Together, we will examine how accountability pressures can distort responsibility and increase emotional strain—especially in rural communities where we often serve in multiple roles and relationships run deep.Drawing from research on organizational culture and the ethics of care, we will explore a liberating shift from control to cultivation. We will practice three skills that help restore agency and peace in our work:Attunement – responding thoughtfully rather than trying to fix everythingDiscernment – staying curious instead of certainResponsibility – owning our effort and influence without carrying every outcomeThrough guided reflection and structured dialogue, we will clarify what is truly ours to carry—and what is not.Participants will leave with practical language and tools to reduce burnout, strengthen trust, and reconnect with the deeper purpose that brought us into education in the first place.Presentation materials and reflection tools will be shared following the session.

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

Joshua Hales

Associate Professor, Snow College

Josh Hales is a professor at Snow College who studies and teaches leadership, responsibility, and the role of care in shaping healthy institutions. With experience in business leadership and higher education, he brings a practical lens to the challenges educators face in performance-driven... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
CC Whiting Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Whiting Room Room (200 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Leadership, Instructional Coaching

9:50am MDT

Emergency Recovery Planning

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT

ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203

Being prepared to manage crisis is critically important. School administrators are familiar with Emergency Prepardness and Emergency Response Plans, however updates to R277-400 now require schools to adopt Emergency Recovery Plans begining July 1st. In this 60-minute breakout session, Utah’s school safety experts will share an overview of Utah’s four core components of effective Emergency Recovery Planning, including Academics Recovery, Business Services Recovery, Physical and Structural Recovery, and Health, Wellbeing, and Behavioral Recovery. Recovery is rarely prioritized within emergency planning, and in the aftermath of a crisis, recovery efforts are largely met with a patchwork of disjointed actions. Participants will have a better understanding of why recovery planning improves the immediate, short-term, and long-term impacts on school communities.

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

Scott Eyre

Emergency Recovery Planning in Schools, Utah Department of Health and Human Services

Scott Eyre serves as the School Based Mental Health Specialist for Utah’s School Safety Center. He works for the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Substance Use and Mental Health and is a member of the Education Advisory Board to the State Security Chief. Scott’s... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Counselors or School-based Mental / Behavioral Health Professionals, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Other

9:50am MDT

Virtual Field Trips at the Springville Museum of Art

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT

SC 129 - Science Center, Room 129

Visit an art museum from your classroom! The Springville Museum of Art offers FREE virtual tours to K-12 teachers across the state. Whether led by a Museum Educator or self-guided, these interactive virtual tours mimic coming to the Museum in person through 360/VR experiences. Art is a powerful learning tool, providing differentiation and creativity when approaching the Utah Core Standards incorporated into every tour. Meet 4th grade social studies standard requirements by exploring Grand Ambitions, an exhibition celebrating the monumental works and aspirations of Utah artists from Pre-Expansion to the present day. A guided tour through In Sight, Out of Mind brings 6th grade science standards to the classroom through paintings, photographs, and 3D objects that invite us to consider what is easily overlooked in the natural world, including the impact of human activity. Participants of this session will leave with information and resources regarding this incredible USBE funded (through the Utah State Legislature) program, as well as an opportunity to sign up for a virtual tour right then and there.

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

Speakers

Peyton Richards

Outreach Educator & Virtual Field Trip Coordinator, Springville Museum of Art

Peyton Richards is the Virtual Field Trip Coordinator and an Outreach Educator at the Springville Museum of Art. Peyton obtained her B.A. in Art History and Curatorial Studies from Brigham Young University before interning and subsequently getting hired at the SMA. In her first year... Read More →

Cheynie Wray

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
SC 129 - Science Center, Room 129 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers
Subject Area Performing Arts / Visual Arts

9:50am MDT

Advancing Opportunity: Utah Rural Education Supported By Community Partnerships

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT

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

1 hour BYOD Workshop:Think about an academic outcome in your school or district that has been particularly difficult to improve (i.e. kindergarten readiness, 3rd grade reading proficiency, 8th grade math proficiency, chronic absenteeism, graduation rates, etc.) In this session, in both large and small groups, we will dig into the data and explore what might change if we bring the full power of the community together to address the sticky outcome. We will examine the strategies you could ask the community to pursue to contribute to improving the outcome. We will discuss community shared accountability for the outcome. Finally, through shared example, we will uncover the power of cross-sector partnerships to move educational outcomes forward.

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

Amy Ahrens Terpstra

Chief Impact Officer, Promise Partnership of Utah

Amy Ahrens Terpstra has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector. Amy has served as the Chief Impact Officer at United Way of Salt Lake since January 2022, where she is responsible for driving social impact. During the 2026 legislative session, Amy was instrumental in ushering... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
CC Yankee Meadows - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Yankee Meadows Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Assessment & Data Management, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | 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 Everyone, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Not Applicable

9:50am MDT

Understanding & Supporting Student Behavior: A Teacher-Centered Approach

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 12:10pm MDT

GC 201 - General Classroom Building, Room 201

🧠 Format Alert: This is an immersive, 2-hour deep-dive workshop designed for intensive, uninterrupted coverage of this topic.

Understanding & Supporting Student Behavior: A Teacher-Centered ApproachBehavior challenges are one of the most exhausting parts of teaching — but what if the key to change started with you? In this interactive session, we'll explore how your perspective, mindset, and classroom practices directly shape the behaviors you see every day. Grounded in the science of behavior, participants will gain a clear understanding of the four functions of behavior and learn to decode why students act the way they do — not just what they're doing.Walk away with three practical, low-prep preventative strategies you can implement immediately, plus a personalized action plan to tackle your most pressing behavior challenge. Whether you're a first-year teacher or a seasoned educator, this session will leave you feeling more confident, equipped, and empowered to build a classroom where every student can thrive.

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

Amanda Powell

CEO of Close the Gap, Close the Gap

Amanda is a passionate advocate for educational equity and a trailblazer in literacyintervention.She is the CEO of close the gap, and also works as a professional learning consultant with EPS Learning , an organization dedicated tomove students forward on the path to literacy.With... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 12:10pm MDT
GC 201 - General Classroom Building, Room 201 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Advanced - considerable experience; significant prerequisite skills required. | Other, Advanced - considerable experience; significant prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 2 hour In-Depth exploration workshop
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Mental/Behavioral Health, Other

9:50am MDT

Thinking on our Feet: A Building Thinking Classrooms Experience

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 12:10pm MDT

GC 306 - General Classroom Building, Room 306

💻 Format Alert: This is an extended, 2-hour hands-on session—please bring your own laptop or tablet to fully participate!

This session will be a Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) lesson (related to the book by Dr. Peter Liljedahl). Participants will participate in a BTC lesson start to finish, including launch, a thin sliced task, all the different types of consolidation (Gallery walk, teacher scribe, Check Your Understanding, Notes to my future forgetful self). The session will include the newest updates to BTC research. For the second half of the workshop, participants will create their own lesson (launch, task, consolidation) using existing curriculum and standards for their grade level. Note: It may be useful to have a device and access to your curriculum for the second half of the workshop. I will have paper you can use if you don't have one :)

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

Wendy Moss-Doong

Secondary Math Teacher, Silver Summit Academy

I have been a teacher for over a decade, and I have taught every grade level from 4th through 12th. I have been teaching math for the past five years at multiple levels, though I currently teach only 7th, 9th, 11th, and AP Calculus. I am working on a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 12:10pm MDT
GC 306 - General Classroom Building, Room 306 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Mathematics, STEM / STEAM

11:10am MDT

Bringing Characters to Life Using Adobe Character Animator

Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

ED 202 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 202

Discover the magic of Adobe Character Animator as you step into the future of storytelling. Learn how to create engaging, animated characters that can lip-sync in real-time with your own voice (or your students' voices), bringing lessons to life in an interactive and fun way. You'll learn how to make characters sync to your face, shoulders, and hands so you can both speak and act in character. Adobe Character Animator is provided free of charge to Utah public school teachers in grades K-12, and to public school students in grades 7-12. Join us and transform the way you connect with your students through the power of animation!

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: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop

Speakers

Rob Bentley

Instructor and Adobe Product Manager, UEN - Utah Education Network

Friday July 17, 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.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, EdTech Coach / Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists
Subject Area Not Applicable

11:10am MDT

In Our Google Era: 50 Tools Shaping the Future of Learning

Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

SC 016 - Science Center, Room 016

This session explores 50 powerful Google features and integrated tools categorized by six essential future-ready teaching needs: AI, Creation, Collaboration, Creativity, Accessibility, and Personalization. Our focus is on utilizing Google tools to build skills for tomorrow's world. Leave with a ready-to-use plan for instructional change.

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

Kelli Cannon

Digital Learning Specialist, Jordan School District

Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
SC 016 - Science Center, Room 016 351 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 EdTech Coach / Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Everyone
Subject Area Other

11:10am MDT

Real or Rendered? Promoting Digital Media Literacy in the Age of AI

Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

ED 104 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 104

TBD

Speakers

Chris McCaffrey

Google Certified Trainer & Coach, Google ~ Kiker Learning

Friday July 17, 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)

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers
Subject Area Not Applicable

11:10am MDT

Mammoth Plans and Jazz Hands: Building an Innovation Lab for Students

Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

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

This session details the launch and operation of the Jordan Innovation Lab, a 4−6 grade district Makerspace. We will share specifics on working with community partners, acquiring high-end equipment and integration of classroom content. We will also share hosting district-wide field trips and "Teacher Tinker Time".

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

Jared Covili

Administrator, Digital Teaching and Learning, Jordan School District

Jared Covili is the Administrator for Digital Teaching and Learning in the Jordan School District. Jared's background is in secondary education where he was a Language Arts teacher at the secondary level. Jared received his Bachelor's degree in English and his Master's degree in... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
CC Yankee Meadows - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Yankee Meadows Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Everyone
Subject Area Computer Science, STEM / STEAM

11:10am MDT

What does a balanced approach to instructional technology use look like in reality?

Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127

With so many varying opinions and thoughts around what is and isn't good/healthy surrounding the use of technology in the classroom, what can be done to find a realistic and viable balanced approach to classroom instruction? What are the pillars of a balanced instructional technology approach, and how can we involve our stakeholders to build common understanding and vision?

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

Tony Campbell

Director of Learning & Innovation, Washington County School District

Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Assessment & Data Management, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Instructional Coaching, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Everyone
Subject Area Not Applicable

11:10am MDT

Norms of Collaboration: Fostering Belonging On and Offline

Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

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

In this presentation, we’ll explore the Seven Norms of Collaboration through the lens of digital collaboration and digital citizenship, empowering educators to foster respectful, inclusive, and effective communication—both in person and online. Participants will engage in thoughtful discussions and practical activities that highlight how these norms can strengthen relationships and build a sense of belonging within digital learning communities. Learn to create meaningful connections and foster collaborative cultures that thrive in both physical and virtual learning environments.

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

Dani Sloan

IT Product Manager, UEN - Utah Education Network

Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
CC Shooting Star - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Shooting Star Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience EdTech Coach / Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Technology Coordinators / Facilitators
Subject Area Not Applicable

11:10am MDT

Building Sustainable School Wellness Systems In Rural Communities

Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128

Rural educators and administrators are often asked to do more with less—balancing academic priorities, student behavior, mental health needs, and limited staffing. This session shares how Duchesne County School District built a practical, sustainable wellness system that supports both students and staff—without adding more to already full plates.Using the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) framework, this session focuses on how to integrate wellness into what schools are already doing. Instead of one more initiative, participants will learn how wellness can support attendance, improve behavior, increase student engagement, and ultimately strengthen academic outcomes.Attendees will walk away with strategies they can realistically implement in rural settings, including:How to build staff buy-in without overwhelming teachersSimple ways to form and sustain school wellness teamsUsing tools like the School Health Index (SHI) to guide decisions without extra workloadIdentifying small, high-impact “quick wins” that improve school cultureAligning wellness efforts with administrator priorities like test scores, attendance, and classroom behaviorThis session is designed for real school settings—where time, funding, and staffing are limited. Participants will leave with practical ideas, ready-to-use tools, and a clear path to start or strengthen wellness efforts in their own schools—without it feeling like “one more thing.”

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

Halee Ficklin

School Wellness and Safety Coordinator, Northeastern Utah educational services

Mary Kathryn Curcio Stoddard

Epidemiologist/Evaluator, Utah Department of Health and Human Services

Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience District / School Administrators, Teachers
Subject Area Other

11:10am MDT

Partnership Power: Expanding Classroom Horizons with Division of Arts & Museums

Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109

The Utah Division of Arts & Museums is your state agency dedicated to advancing Utahns’ quality of life through arts and museum experiences and cultural opportunities.

We offer a wide array of programs and resources to support schools and educators across the state. We can help provide arts learning opportunities that align with learning objectives and standards, support multilingual learners, integrate with STEM subjects and other courses across the curriculum, and contribute to growth and professional development for learners of all ages with unique opportunities for educators and school administrators.

Join us to learn more about opportunities like our Living Folk Arts Education Series which can bring hands-on art experiences from working artists directly to your students at no cost. Or our Teaching Artist Rosters which can connect you with skilled artists from almost any discipline that can work with your school to design exciting learning opportunities. Our Teacher-Initiated Projects program offers one-on-one arts training directly to teachers who just want to learn a new skill. And that’s just to name a few.

We are here to introduce these programs and help you find ways to put them to work in schools and communities like yours.

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: Not Applicable

Speakers

Reilly Jensen

Arts Education Program Manager, Utah Division of Arts and Museums

Reilly is an arts educator, teaching artist, and archaeologist with a focus on community and heritage collaboration. She holds an M.F.A. in Community-Based Arts Education from the University of Utah, an M.A. in Middle Eastern Studies, and a B.S. in Anthropology. Her research explores... Read More →

Justin Ivie

Arts Education Coordinator, Utah Division of Arts & Museums

Justin Ivie is an accomplished theatre artist and a familiar face on Utah stages with hundreds of acting credits at companies all around the state. He is also a director, stage manager and theatrical designer.

Justin has been with the Utah Division of Arts & Museums since 2022 whe... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience All of the above
Subject Area Language Arts, Performing Arts / Visual Arts, Music, ESL, Social Studies, World Languages, STEM / STEAM, Special Education, Career and Technical Education, Adult Education, Health and Physical Education

11:10am MDT

The Future Ready Student: Resources for Early Postsecondary Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities

Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215

Equip yourself with a transition planning toolkit for middle school students with disabilities! This session offers practical strategies and resources for post school success. We'll provide a direct look at tools specifically designed for middle school postsecondary transition. Participants will leave with concrete strategies and resources ready for immediate use!

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

Deanna Taylor

Secondary Transition Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Deanna Taylor is a Postsecondary Transition for Students with Disabilities Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education. Her public education career has spanned over 40 years as a music teacher, special education teacher, special education director and college instructor in three... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm 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 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers
Subject Area Special Education

11:10am MDT

Beyond the B.E.A.C.O.N.: Lighting the Way for AI in Education

Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

GC 106 - General Classroom Building, Room 106

B.E.A.C.O.N. is a group of educators who host monthly discussions centered on emerging best practices, and timely, relevant uses of AI in education. Join our panel discussion where we will explore current questions from Utah educators about AI topics in their classrooms.

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

Becca Esplin

6th Grade Math and Science Teacher, Cedar Middle School

Becca Esplin is currently 6th grade math and science teacher in southern Utah. She has 15 years of classroom experience with five as an educational technology coach. She is a proud third generation educator, in a family full of educators. She has always been interested in edtech integration... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
GC 106 - General Classroom Building, Room 106 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers
Subject Area Other

2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference

From $50.00

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