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.

1:30pm MDT

The Dignity Index: How to disagree without being disagreeable

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

ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204

Feedback Survey

The Dignity Index is an eight-point scale that can be used for both students and staff to learn how to disagree without being disagreeable. Classrooms are where students discuss ideas. And the discussions of ideas can and should lead to disagreement to create new ideas. For this process to work students must learn the skills of civil discussion, especially as the ideas in social studies or English classrooms become more complex and never have a single right answer. We will discuss the Dignity Index and how it meets both state and national standards while discussing the ideas of your content. During the discussion, we will both practice using the Index in the high school classroom as well as reflecting on its positive impacts for students and teachers outside your classroom.

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: Any web enabled device

Speakers

Stephan Seabury

Teacher and Community Engagement Lead, Teacher Fellows, Providence Hall High School

Mr. Seabury believes a civically engaged teacher creates civically engaged students. His students learn not only the content of how our government works but are given opportunities in and outside of the classroom to meet with policy makers and practice the skills of civic engagem... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 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. | Instructional Coaching, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level Elementary - grades K - 6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, Counselors or School-based Mental/Behavioral Health Professionals, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Language Arts, Social Studies, Leadership

1:30pm MDT

Carrots over Sticks: Transforming School Culture Through Positive Incentives

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

GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109

In an era where traditional disciplinary measures often lead to burnout rather than behavioral change, it’s time to "flip the script." This session moves beyond punitive "stick" approaches to explore how high-impact, positive incentives can fundamentally reshape school culture.The secret to success lies in identifying "Student Currency"—what actually motivates today’s learners? We will move past generic stickers to uncover the social, digital, and experiential rewards that resonate with Generation Alpha and Gen Z. Attendees will learn how to build a scalable incentive framework that boosts three critical pillars:Academic Performance: Gamifying growth and celebrating "personal bests."Behavioral Excellence: Shifting the focus from catching students being "bad" to reinforcing the "good."School Spirit: Creating a sense of belonging that turns students into stakeholders.Whether you are in a small K-12 school or a large rural high school, you will leave with a practical "menu of incentives" and a strategic plan to implement a reward system that is sustainable, equitable, and effective.

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

Nathan Blackner

Principal, Richfield High School

Principal of Richfield High School. Nate taught biology, chemistry, physics both at high school and concurrent levels for 18 years prior to moving into an administrative role as an instructional coach and now as a Principal.

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Leadership, 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 High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience District / School Administrators, Counselors or School-based Mental / Behavioral Health Professionals, Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Leadership, Mental/Behavioral Health

1:30pm MDT

Beyond the Basics: Navigating Disciplinary Literacy in the ELA Classroom

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

ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203

For secondary English Language Arts (ELA) educators, "literacy" often becomes a catch-all term that can obscure the specialized nature of ELA. This session utilizes the official USBE guidance document, Clarifying Foundational, Content Area, and Disciplinary Literacies in ELA, to provide a clear framework for professional role clarity.We will explore how foundational skills and content-area strategies serve as universal "building blocks" applicable across all subjects. By contrast, we will deep-dive into the specialized disciplinary literacy that ELA experts provide: the unique theories, methodologies, and analytical tasks inherent to the discipline.This session moves this USBE resource from a static document to an active tool for school-wide alignment. Attendees will learn how to use this framework to lead productive, professional conversations with colleagues and administrators to ensure literacy is a shared, school-wide responsibility. By defining these distinctions, ELA teachers can better focus on high-quality, discipline-specific instruction that optimizes academic outcomes and elevates expectations for all students. Ultimately, this framework empowers educators to move beyond generic strategies and provide the rigorous instruction necessary for students to navigate complex information and succeed in real-world contexts.

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

Naomi Watkins

Secondary ELA Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Dr. Naomi Watkins is the Secondary English Language Arts Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education, where she provides strategic oversight for ELA instruction, standards, and adolescent literacy. With over 20 years of experience in education and a Ph.D. specializing in adolescent... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203 351 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 Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, Curriculum Specialists
Subject Area Language Arts, Instructional Coaching

1:30pm MDT

Build the Ramp: AI Tools for Differentiation, Engagement, and Reporting in Rural Middle Level Classrooms

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

GC 106 - General Classroom Building, Room 106

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

Rural middle level teachers are doing the impossible math every day: one classroom, five reading levels, thirty-two needs, and a planning period that disappeared somewhere around October. This session doesn't talk about AI — it puts it in your hands and lets you build something you'll actually use Monday morning.Bring your device (something with a keyboard and screen, make and model not important) and a real problem from your real classroom—the more specific, the better.The first 90 minutes: Choose your build based on your most urgent challenge.The Bridge Text — generate accessible, grade-level-rigorous versions of a complex text for every reader in your roomThe Narrative Hook — re-skin an existing assessment around your students' actual interests; same cognitive demand, different entry pointThe Lab Report Surgeon — isolate precisely where a student's scientific reasoning broke down and generate a targeted repair scaffoldThe Math Concept Bridge — reframe a word problem in a familiar context, then distinguish conceptual errors from procedural onesThe final 30 minutes: Everyone runs the Diagnostic Audit together — the highest-leverage practice in the room. Feed student work through a structured AI prompt and identify exactly where and why reasoning broke down. Surgical, same-day intervention for every student, regardless of subject.No new software. No budget required. No prior AI experience necessary. Skeptics especially welcome.You will leave with something you built, not something you were handed.

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

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

Speakers

Steve Capone

Jr

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT
GC 106 - General Classroom Building, Room 106 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required. | Instructional Coaching, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12, 5-6
Audience Teachers, EdTech Coach / Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists
Subject Area Instructional Coaching, Special Education

9:45am MDT

Canva Reimagined: Unlock the Magic

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

ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102

Move beyond static slides and embrace active learning! Join us for an immersive look into Canva’s Magic Studio. We’ll show you how to use Magic Media and Magic Design to transform K-12 lessons into personalized, interactive experiences. Plus, discover "next level" tools like Magic Activities, Canva Sheets, and Code for me—empowering students to build apps and games without writing code. Turn students into creators and unlock a world of magic that makes school future-ready.

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 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level 3-4, 5-6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, EdTech Coach / Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Other, Not Applicable

9:45am MDT

Beyond Aspire Plus: Navigating the Transition in High School Assessment

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

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

The landscape of secondary assessment in Utah is entering a phase of significant change. Following the passage of SB 39 (2025), the state is transitioning from the fixed-form Utah Aspire Plus (UA+) to a course-based, computer-adaptive High School RISE model for English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. For rural LEAs—where teachers often operate as "departments of one"—this shift introduces unique technical hurdles alongside powerful new data opportunities.This session provides a comprehensive roadmap for these upcoming changes, specifically addressing how the move from predictive, grade-based scores to adaptive, course-based reporting directly affects instructional planning. Unlike the previous model, the High School RISE model ensures that data is a precise reflection of the specific course being taught, offering rural educators a clearer picture of student mastery within their specific disciplines.We will dive deep into three primary challenges unique to the rural experience:Overcoming Professional Isolation: We provide "pre-packaged" formative tools and USBE resources, such as the Performance Task Writing Template, to reduce the burden of designing assessments from scratch.Managing Instructional Breadth: We demonstrate how course-based data empowers teachers who lead multiple subjects to refine instruction with subject-specific accuracy.Mitigating Data Volatility: We explain how the Computer Adaptive (CAT) model provides more statistically reliable measures in small cohorts, ensuring that individual outliers do not skew school-wide results.Attendees will leave equipped with a clear understanding of USETS and UTIPs, ready to leverage these state resources to support local needs and foster resilient, data-informed rural 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

Teresa McEntire

Presenter, Utah State Board of Education

Teresa McEntire is the Elementary ELA Assessment Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education. She has a master's degree in School Administration and a bachelor's in Elementary Education. She spent eleven years in the classroom in grades 3-6 and three years as an administrator... 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 9:45am - 10:45am 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 High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Subject Area Language Arts, Mathematics, Science

9:45am MDT

Facilitating Career and Technical Education Pathways for Students with Disabilities in Utah

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

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

Join us as we explore insights from Utah educators on facilitating Career and Technical Education (CTE) participation for students with disabilities. Dive into the results of a comprehensive research study analyzing interviews and data from educators and administrators in Utah schools. As part of an ongoing research-practice partnership with the Utah State Board of Education (USBE), the Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC) conducted a study of facilitators and barriers to the representation of students with disabilities in CTE. The study sought to understand how facilitators and barriers differed among Local Education Agencies (LEAs). The findings and recommendations complement the USBE’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan for Utah’s Secondary Career and Technical Education, which outlines the goals of Awareness and Outreach, Industry Alignment, Postsecondary Alignment, and Durable Skills. In addition, this research supports an understanding of how LEAs are ensuring students with disabilities are aware of and have access to educational opportunities, including those that prepare them for employment or career preparation (USBE Special Education Rules, 2023).

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

Crystal Emery

Post-secondary Transition for Students with Disabilities, USBE

Crystal Emery is a secondary transition professional with over 25 years of experience working with young children and adolescents. She is certified as an early intervention specialist, a Coach for Early Childhood Professionals, an Employment Specialist, and a Customized Employment... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
CC Yankee Meadows - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Yankee Meadows 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 Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, Counselors or School-based Mental / Behavioral Health Professionals
Subject Area Career and Technical Education, Special Education

9:45am MDT

zSpace

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.

TBD

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

Brandon Harrison

Art, Media, & InnovationSpecialist, CUES - Central Utah Educational Services

Brandon is the Innovation and Technology Integration Specialist at CUES in Richfield. He has been involved in education for 20+ years. Before CUES, he spent 3 years as an Education Mentor for the Cache County and Logan City School Districts' YIC program. He then taught junior high... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT
AU - Auditorium Foyer 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 Playground - hands on activities and discussions with various small groups during a 2-hour window
Grade Level High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers
Subject Area Computer Science, STEM / STEAM

10:06am MDT

Community Access to Care for First Episode Psychosis

Thursday July 16, 2026 10:06am - 10:24am 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.

Information on services we provide and how individuals and providers can refer people for those services. We are a community provider specializing in psychotic episodes in individuals aged 15-25. Our services are available at no cost, as we are grant funded. We have done a lot of outreach in Cedar City and Iron County, and would love the chance to increase our circle of support as well as inform about similar programs state wide.

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

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

Speakers

Brandon Gren

Clinician (LCSW), Southwest Behavioral Health Center

Brandon is a clinician in Cedar City working with a team specializing in treatment for First Episode Psychosis. He and his team are passionate about mental health AND community involvement.

Kylie Frandsen

Employment Specialist, Southwest Behavioral Health Center

Dylan Chase

Thursday July 16, 2026 10:06am - 10:24am 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 Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, Counselors or School-based Mental / Behavioral Health Professionals, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Mental/Behavioral Health

10:27am MDT

Partnership Power! Bringing Poetry to Life with Statewide Competitions from the Division of Arts & Museums

Thursday July 16, 2026 10:27am - 10:45am 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.

The Utah Division of Arts & Museums administers two different statewide competitions for 9-12 grade students designed to bring poetry to life for young learners while advancing literacy, confidence and public speaking skills.

Poetry Out Loud is a nationwide contest that starts at the local level with individual classrooms and schools. Lesson plans and other teacher resources are available to help teachers integrate the contest into their curriculum. Participating schools can request free on-site workshops with the state poet laureate. Students select from a collection of great works of poetry to memorize and recite, and local contest winners move on to the regional and then the state level, where cash prizes are awarded, and one Utah student will get a free trip to Washington D.C. for the national finals to compete for the $20,000 grand prize.

We also hold a statewide poetry writing competition called Poetry Ourselves. Students are encouraged to enter their own original works in both English and Spanish. Free workshops on bilingual poetry are available from our agency to encourage engagement from language learners in your school. Winners receive cash awards and a trip to Salt Lake to read their work at the state finals event in March.

We are committed to expanding this program to every corner of the state. Join us to learn how you can participate in the coming year.

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 →

Thursday July 16, 2026 10:27am - 10:45am 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. | 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 High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists
Subject Area Language Arts, Performing Arts / Visual Arts

11:10am MDT

We can help your students learn more about engineering.

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

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

Come learn about the resources we can provide you to help your students learn more about engineering. We have hands on activities, summer research internships, summer camps, discover engineering traveling exhibit and engineering day. We also have lesson plans and teacher checkout materials. https://www.price.utah.edu/k12https://www.price.utah.edu/discover-engineeringhttps://www.price.utah.edu/k12/lesson-plans

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

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

Speakers

Morgan Boyack

Outreach Manager, Price College of Engineering at the University of Utah

Has been doing outreach for the last 13 years for the Price College of Engineering at the UofU. Passionate about helping rural areas learn more about engineering.

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

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

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level 3-4, 5-6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12, Elementary - grades K - 6
Audience Teachers, Curriculum Specialists
Subject Area STEM / STEAM

11:10am MDT

Exploring Utah's Writing Benchmark Platform

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

SC 122 - Science Center, Room 122

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

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

Speakers

Dallas Brooks

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

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

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
SC 122 - Science Center, Room 122 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level 3-4, 5-6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Language Arts

11:10am MDT

Portrait of Secondary Transition for Students with Disabilities: A Roadmap for Educators, Students, and Families

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

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

There are a myriad of resources identifying best practice in secondary transition for students with disabilities. It can be challenging for practitioners, students, and families to visualize and implement these resources in a meaningful way. Additional resources are needed to help stakeholders identify meaningful opportunities, experiences, services, and supports to implement the postsecondary transition planning process with compliance and high quality. Utah's Portrait of a Graduate defines 13 competency areas essential for success in adult life. Utah’s Statewide Collaborative on Improving Postsecondary Transition Outcomes for Students with Disabilities (STC) recognized that students with disabilities often need additional support and services to achieve these same competencies as their peers without disabilities. Over the past year and a half, the STC has gathered insights on best practices, identified necessary skills for postsecondary success, and learned from the experiences of youth with disabilities. The result? The Portrait of Secondary Transition (POST) as a companion to the Portrait of a Graduate. This has been a long-term, multi-agency, collaborative process designed to affect whole-system change in how we serve young people with disabilities as we help them prepare for life as adults.This session will share our journey, lessons learned and inspire you to build on this work in your own setting. Don't miss this opportunity to explore our multi-tiered model and discover practical strategies to support young people with disabilities as they prepare for life as adults. Let's make a difference together!

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

Crystal Emery

Post-secondary Transition for Students with Disabilities, USBE

Thursday July 16, 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

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

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, Counselors or School-based Mental / Behavioral Health Professionals
Subject Area Special Education, Career and Technical Education

1:30pm MDT

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

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

ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102

Secondary students are constantly navigating a digital world that was designed to capture their attention. This session provides 6–12 educators with practical strategies to help students manage this reality. Instead of just talking about safety, we will focus on building Digital Resilience.We will explore how to teach students to "look under the hood" of their social media feeds, recognize how algorithms influence their worldview, and use mental health check-ins to combat digital fatigue. You will leave with a toolkit of routines that integrate easily into any subject area, ensuring your students develop the self-regulation skills they need for the modern workforce.

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

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

Speakers

Davina Sauthoff

K12 Library Media Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Davina Sauthoff, EdD. is the Library Media Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education. She loves reading, 📚 spending time with family 💟 which includes two pups. She is passionate about leveraging the expertise of school 🏫 librarians and the vital role the school... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Everyone
Subject Area Media Literacy

1:30pm MDT

From Prompt to Page: Building Better Canvas Content with AI

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

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

From Prompt to Page: Building Better Canvas Content with AI

This 1-Hour BYOD Workshop session demonstrates how AI can be used to quickly generate well-designed Canvas pages, assignments, and instructional materials that are both aesthetically engaging and pedagogically sound through coding. Rather than spending hours formatting content, aligning elements, and troubleshooting layout issues, participants will see how simple prompts can produce clean, organized, and accessible Canvas-ready code in minutes. The focus is on practical, time-saving strategies that faculty can immediately implement in their own courses.

During the session, I will model how AI can help structure content with clear headings, visual organization, and thoughtful instructional flow that supports student learning. Examples will include building assignment pages, instructional modules, and activity directions that improve clarity, reduce cognitive load, and enhance student engagement. I will also demonstrate how AI can assist with creating ADA-conscious formatting, including readable layouts, consistent hierarchy, and accessible design choices.

In addition to saving time, this approach helps instructors focus more on pedagogy and less on technical formatting. Participants will see how AI can support alignment between objectives, instructions, and learning activities while also producing polished, professional-looking pages. The goal is to provide a realistic workflow that instructors can replicate immediately, whether they are new to Canvas design or looking to streamline existing course development.

Attendees will leave with concrete examples, prompt ideas, and a practical process for moving from concept to Canvas page quickly and effectively.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Device that can access Canvas and the Internet

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

Speakers

Crystal Stott

Professor of Education, Snow College

Dr. Crystal Stott is an Assistant Professor of Education and Family Studies at Snow College and an Adjunct Faculty member and Clinical Field Supervisor for Utah Valley University. With a background spanning early childhood through higher education, she brings nearly two decades of... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
CC Whiting Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Whiting Room Room (200 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level Elementary - grades K - 6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Other

1:30pm MDT

You've Got To Move It! (Incorporating Movement in the Secondary Classroom)

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

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

In this fast-paced, practical breakout, you’ll learn 10 simple, no-extra-prep strategies that get students out of their seats, thinking, talking, and engaging — without sacrificing rigor or losing control of your class. These ideas work in secondary settings (yes, even with high schoolers), align with instructional goals, and can be implemented tomorrow.Secondary classrooms weren’t designed for stillness… but somehow we’ve all ended up there. If you’ve ever looked out at a room full of slumped shoulders, tired eyes, and students who seem physically present but mentally somewhere else — this session is for you.The good news? You don’t need elaborate stations, complicated rotations, or hours of planning to bring energy back into your classroom. You just need movement — the right kind, at the right moments.We’ll explore how purposeful movement increases attention, improves retention, and strengthens classroom culture — especially during long block periods. You’ll leave with simple movement routines you can drop into any content lesson.If you’re ready to rediscover what matters most — real engagement, real energy, and real learning — it’s time to move it. Come ready to participate. (Yes, you’ll be moving too.)

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

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 →

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm 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 Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers
Subject Area Other

1:30pm MDT

Building Better People Through Lessons from History, Lessons from the Holocaust

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

GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109

The Holocaust Learning Experience is a free resource offered to any school district, charter school, private school or home school network.During this session participants will experience one of our over 40 lessons from the Holocaust and discover how these lessons are imperative to teaching resiliency and empathy. Data will be shared, teachers will hear about the thousands of survey outcomes we have received and how the program is impacting students and teachers, how they are learning and understanding the importance of standing up for others. Character building is at the heart of our program, we are transforming generations to understand the importance of mitigating the language of hate, bigotry, bias and antisemitism, through the lens of lessons from the Holocaust.

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

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

Speakers

Leigh Routman

Executive Director, Holocaust Learning Experience

Executive Director Holocaust Learning Experience
Co-founder of the Holocaust Learning Experience.
Master’s degree in social work, Barry University, Miami FL
Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Psychology, University of FL, Gainesville, FL
Academy of Certified Social Workers awarde... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109 351 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 Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Everyone
Subject Area Social Science, Instructional Coaching

2:50pm MDT

Teachers are leaders and should be the shapers our profession

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

ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204

What we do as educators is often dictated by those who are not in our classrooms. We lead in our classrooms and should lead outside of them too. We'll work through how and when to connect with your policy makers from the local school district to the legislature and state board. Teachers will become familiar with the legislative website and practice communicating with their legislators. Teachers will leave having a better understanding of how educational policy works and the successes that can occur as they engage themselves.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Any web enabled device

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

Speakers

Stephan Seabury

Teacher and Community Engagement Lead, Teacher Fellows, Providence Hall High School

Thursday July 16, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level Elementary - grades K - 6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, All of the above
Subject Area Social Studies, Leadership

2:50pm MDT

Navigating Sensitive Materials and Collection Development: Updated Strategies for School, Library, and Classrooms

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

ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102

This session provides a practical, strategy-based guide for educators to navigate the 2026 updates to Utah’s sensitive materials laws. We will focus on the professional standards used to develop high-quality classroom and library collections that align with both state law and Utah Core Standards.Participants will learn how to apply objective selection rubrics to ensure new materials are age-appropriate and educationally relevant. We will explore how to stay current with the USBE statewide tracking system and how to handle the local review process with transparency and professional clarity. Whether you manage a school library or a personal classroom collection, you will leave with the tools to build a compliant, high-quality 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: Any of these

Speakers

Davina Sauthoff

K12 Library Media Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Thursday July 16, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm 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 Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Everyone
Subject Area Other

2:50pm MDT

3D Science lessons- Gravity and Inertia

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

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

The presentation is on 3 dimensional science lessons.In Why the Moon Doesn’t Yeet into Space, students explore how gravity and inertia work together to keep the Moon in orbit around Earth. Using the Earth–Moon system as an anchor phenomenon, students investigate the driving question: What keeps the Moon from falling into Earth or flying off into space?Students begin by observing a simulation of the Moon orbiting Earth and sharing initial ideas. They then build background knowledge by reading about gravity and inertia and connecting these concepts to familiar experiences, such as a passenger continuing to move forward when a car suddenly stops. Through discussion and guided questioning, students deepen their understanding of inertia as forward motion and gravity as an attractive force.To model orbital motion, students use marbles and paper plates with gaps to represent gravity and inertia. As marbles roll around the plate and then exit through the opening, students observe how the marble continues in a straight line when the “gravitational pull” is removed. By testing marbles of different masses, students evaluate how well the model represents real orbital motion and identify its limitations.Students synthesize their learning by drawing and explaining a model that shows how gravity and inertia interact to keep the Moon in orbit. The lesson emphasizes developing and using models, identifying system interactions, and explaining unobservable mechanisms, aligning with Utah SEEd Standard 6.1.2 and NGSS 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: None

Speakers

Kristine Erickson

Beaver School District

Westen Miller

Teacher, BYU-3Drst

My name is Westen Miller. I am a 6th grade Math and Science teacher. I work for North Sanpete School District at Fairview Elementary. I am a teacher participant in the BYU 3D-rst program.

Thursday July 16, 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

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

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level 5-6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Science

2:50pm MDT

Implementing the Success Sequence: Key to Updated Health Education Standards

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

SC 122 - Science Center, Room 122

This session is designed to support Health Educators in successfully implementing the newly approved Health Education Standards that incorporate the Success Sequence. Participants will receive clear explanations of the requirements for teaching the Success Sequence, have the opportunity to ask questions, and receive resources for incorporating the standard into instruction. By the end of this session, educators will be able to describe the key components of the updated standards and have tools to teach the Success Sequence next school year. Learning Intentions: Support Health Educators in the implementation of the newly approved Health Education Standards on the Success Sequence. Explain the Code requirements for teaching the success sequence Success Criteria: Health Educators can successfully identify and describe the key components of the newly approved Health Education Standards related to the Success Sequence.Educators understand the Utah Code requirements for teaching the Success Sequence in the classroom.

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

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

Speakers

Jodi Parker

Health Education Specialist and Title IV, Part A State Coordinator, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Jodi Parker is the Health Education Specialist and Title IV, Part A State Coordinator for the Utah State Board of Education. She is President for The Society of State Leaders for Health and Physical Education and supports advisory committees including the University of Utah Driving... Read More →

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

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, Curriculum Specialists
Subject Area Health and Physical Education

9:50am MDT

New Teacher Retention: Influence Your Young Teachers to Stay

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

SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127

New Teacher Retention: Influence Your Young Teachers to Stay After 17 years in secondary leadership roles working with new teachers, I know new teachers in Utah need our best efforts and when they leave a cascade of consequences follow. New teacher attrition is a concern for all school systems, especially small or rural schools. Learn current research insights regarding new teacher induction. We will discuss ways to design effective mentoring and induction activities based on research and brainstorm about what works in various Utah settings. Participation, interaction, sharing of best practices, and learning ways to impact new teacher retention in your setting will be a key part of this presentation. Finally, I will ask for interview volunteers to help in my research regarding new teachers' experiences. Together we can work to keep new teachers in our schools. Join me for my 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: iPad / iPhone; Windows Laptop

Speakers

Pamela Pedersen

Doctoral Researcher, University of Utah, Education Leadership and Policy

I bring 27 years of experience in public education, beginning as a special education teacher and later serving as a grant writer and secondary administrator in the Salt Lake City School District.

For the past 17 years, I have led in a range of school settings, including small district charter schools, alternative high schools, and large comprehensive high schools. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities schools face across different... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127 351 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 Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Instructional Coaches, District / School Administrators, Teachers
Subject Area Leadership, Instructional Coaching

9:50am MDT

3D Science Assessments and the New HS RISE

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

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

The new RISE tests that will be coming to High School Science courses will be administered in the 2026-2027 school year. These tests utilize three-dimensional assessments to assess teachers implementation and students application of the three-dimensions of science teaching and learning. In this participants will explore the characteristics of high quality three-dimensional assessments, gain access to USBE's formative assessments in science, and understand how the RISE for high school science courses will look like.

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

Speakers

Milo Maughan

Secondary Science Education Specailist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Milo Maughan is the Secondary Science Education Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education. With a strong background in physics and a passion for innovative teaching methods, Milo has been instrumental in developing and implementing science standards that engage and inspire students... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am 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. | Assessment & Data Management, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level 3-4, 5-6, Elementary - grades K - 6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers
Subject Area Science

11:10am MDT

Navigating the Noise: Empowering News-Literate Students with Checkology

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

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

In a digital landscape filled with "fake news," deepfakes, and algorithmic bias, how do we teach students to verify instead of just vilify? Enter Checkology, a powerful, browser-based platform that brings real-world journalists into the classroom to teach the core skills of news literacy.This session will guide educators through the platform’s interactive modules, which challenge students to distinguish between news, opinion, and propaganda. We will explore how to use the "Check Center" to verify viral claims and how to integrate these lessons into ELA, Social Studies, and Library Media curricula. Participants will leave with a ready-to-implement strategy for building a more skeptical, informed, and civically engaged student body.

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

Chris Haught

Media Specialist, SEDC - Southwest Educational Development Center

Chris Haught is the Technology/Media Mentor at Southwest Educational Service Center (SEDC), a regional Service Center that serves six district and seven charter ELA’s.Chris works closely with the region’s librarians providing support and training

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

Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Session Format 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Grade Level Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, EdTech Coach / Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists
Subject Area Media Literacy

11:10am MDT

4-Part Model to School Culture

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

ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203

At South Sevier High School, we began the 2025/26 school year with a brand new principal, assistant principal, and school guidance counselor. As a new administrative team, we began the year pursuing the ideal of creating the perfect high school. This presentation will focus on our vision as a new team, the 4-part model of what can help create that perfect or ideal school, and the efforts we have made to improve our school.In this session, we will explore the four key pillars that we believe helps build this ideal school:1) Academics2) Discipline3) Tradition and School Pride4) Safe and Fun EnvironmentThese pillars resont on a unified foundation of success, helping provide a framework for a thriving educational culture and community.

Speakers

Amy Robinson

Stuart Hepworth

Principal, South Sevier High School/Sevier School District

I am an experienced educator and school leader with a strong commitment to student success and community engagement. I graduated from Cedar High School before pursuing higher education at Southern Utah University, where I earned both a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s... Read More →

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

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Leadership

11:10am MDT

Mixing through Meiosis - Variation in Gametes (3 lesson unit)

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

ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102

Participants will discover how events during meiosis lead to unique gamete formation. Specifically, the events of independent assortment and crossover are demonstrated through engaging hands-on activities that allow participants to visualize how unique gametes are formed. This 3 lesson units helps students make sense of meiosis and the mechanisms leading to unique gametes.

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

Julie Castellon

Biology Educator, San Juan High School

Julie Castellon is a lifelong educator who has been in the classroom for over 25 years. She has been lucky enough to teach at Box Elder Middle School, South Ogden Jr. High, Whitehorse High School, Utah Virtual Academy, Albert R Lyman Middle School and is currently teaching at her... Read More →

Valorie Draper

Manila Jr/Sr High School Teacher/Coach

Jami Slack

Science Teacher, Canyon View High School

Jami Slack is a Biology and Earth and Space Science teacher at Canyon View High School in Cedar City. Passionate about education and science, she enjoys molding teenagers into science nerds and critical thinkers. In her free time, Jami enjoys reading, cooking/baking, and spending... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102 351 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 High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers
Subject Area Science, STEM / STEAM

11:10am MDT

Bridging the Gap to Grade-Level Text in the secondary classroom marks a critical shift from "learning to read" to "reading to learn" through evidence-based, equitable instruction.

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

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

Bridging the Gap to Grade-Level Text in the secondary classroom marks a critical shift from "learning to read" to "reading to learn" through evidence-based, equitable instruction. In a secondary setting, the Science of Reading transcends basic phonics to focus on disciplinary literacy, ensuring every student—regardless of their current reading level—has access to the complex, grade-level text they deserve. This approach moves beyond mere theory to provide a "boots on the ground" toolkit designed to maintain rigor across all content areas, including Science, Social Studies, Math, and ELA. By scaffolding up rather than differentiating down, educators ensure they are not simplifying the curriculum, but rather amplifying the support needed to meet high academic standards.Equity through access is the heartbeat of this instructional model, rooted in the belief that every student deserves to grapple with high-quality, grade-level text. A teacher’s expertise is the most powerful variable in the classroom; essentially, how well one teaches equals how well students learn. Inspired by research-based frameworks like Lexia Aspire®, Keys to Adolescent Literacy, LETRS, and The Writing Revolution, this method fosters an equitable environment where the teacher's skill drives literacy growth. The ultimate objective is immediate implementation through quick, explicit routines that take less than five minutes of class time yet yield massive results in comprehension.The first two pillars of the Secondary Literacy Toolkit focus on word-level mastery and the transition to meaning. The Multisyllabic "Attack" provides students with a "Longer Word Strategy" through word study and morphology. This involves explicit routines like "scooping" to chunk words by vowel sounds and investigating morphology—the prefixes, suffixes, and Latin/Greek roots that act as the "Lego bricks" of language. Building on this, Fluency acts as the bridge between word recognition and comprehension. Because learning is not a spectator sport, routines such as Choral, Cloze, Echo, and Dyad reading ensure that if one student is reading, everyone is reading, leveraging peer support to master the prosody of complex text.The third pillar emphasizes Explicit Vocabulary and Knowledge Building, moving far beyond "looking up definitions" toward deep ownership of Tier 2 and Tier 3 words. Educators learn to identify "load-bearing" words essential to a text's meaning. This process highlights the reciprocity of literacy—the idea that reading and writing are two sides of the same coin. By utilizing "The Writing Revolution" techniques, such as "Because, But, So" or Sentence Expansion, students immediately apply new vocabulary through writing to cement their understanding. This ensures that the cognitive load remains on the student, fostering active participation rather than passive observation.Finally, Scaffolding Complex Text ensures that rigor is maintained without compromising accessibility. Rather than simplifying the prose, teachers amplify the support through explicit vocabulary routines that move from basic definitions to deep conceptual understanding. By breaking down complex syntax and using sentence expansion, students can digest dense academic prose that might otherwise be out of reach. This strategic planning shifts the cognitive load toward the learner, adhering to the principle that if the teacher does all the talking, the teacher does all the learning. The goal is a classroom where instruction meets the demands of the text, ensuring all students are equipped to succeed.

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 Mahoney

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

As a NUES Region PreK-12 Instructional Coach, I am dedicated to the art of continuous learning and professional growth. I hold a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis in ESL & ESOL. My professional credentials include endorsements in Reading, Coaching... Read More →

Friday July 17, 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

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