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

From Policy to Practice: Navigating Utah’s 2026 Early Literacy Changes

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

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

Utah’s 2026 legislative session introduced significant changes to early literacy instruction that will directly impact schools and districts. This session will unpack key policy shifts—including new assessment requirements, strengthened intervention expectations, third-grade retention tied to reading proficiency, and increased funding for literacy supports—and explore their implications for practice. Participants will gain clarity on how these changes influence instructional design, assessment systems, staffing, and resource allocation, while also identifying practical next steps to align with evidence-based literacy practices. This session will support educators in translating policy into actionable strategies that improve early literacy outcomes for all students.

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

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 →

Jennifer Throndsen

Educational Consultant, Impactful Learning Designs

With over 20 years of experience in education, Jennifer Throndsen, PhD, has served in various roles across the classroom, school, district, and state levels. Her career includes positions as an elementary and middle school teacher, instructional coach, adjunct faculty, district office... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 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

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

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level PK - 2
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators
Subject Area Language Arts

1:30pm MDT

Sing It. Draw It. Learn It!

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

Discover engaging, practical strategies for integrating visual art and music into the elementary classroom to deepen student learning and creativity. This interactive session will explore hands-on activities, cross-curricular connections, and standards-aligned lessons that blend sound, color, movement, and expression. Participants will leave with ready-to-use ideas that foster collaboration, critical thinking, and joyful learning while supporting academic content across subjects. Perfect for K–5 educators looking to bring meaningful arts integration into their teaching practice.

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

Liz Brown

BTS Arts Integration Coach, NUES - Northeastern Utah Educational Services

Liz Brown is a BTS Art Integration Coach for NUES. She was the 2025 Utah Art Educator of the Year for the National Art Education Association and the 2024 Art Educator of the Year for the Utah Art Education Association. She is passionate about arts integration and children getting... Read More →

Kim Montano

Beverley Taylor Sorenson Program Manager, Westminster University

will add later

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT
GC 201 - General Classroom Building, Room 201 351 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 PK - 2, 3-4, 5-6
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Library Media Specialists
Subject Area Performing Arts / Visual Arts, Music

2:50pm MDT

Using the Early Math Assessment Data

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

SC 122 - Science Center, Room 122

We will learn how to use the data from the early math assessment to inform our instruction. To assist our learning, we will utilize the data through available reports and other tools in the assessment system.

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.

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 →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
SC 122 - Science Center, Room 122 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

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

Session Format 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Grade Level 3-4, PK - 2
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Subject Area Mathematics

1:30pm MDT

Art Tools and Teacher Tricks

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

GC 306 - General Classroom Building, Room 306

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

Looking to bring more creativity into your classroom without the mess or stress? In this hands-on workshop, elementary classroom teachers will learn practical tips and tricks for confidently using and managing basic art supplies. From watercolors to oil pastels colored pencils and more, we’ll explore what’s worth buying, what to skip, and how to get the most out of the supplies you already have. How can you use and manage these supplies more effectively?Participants will learn art hacks for the classroom that will minimize chaos and maximize instructional time. We’ll also cover easy-to-teach techniques that help students use supplies correctly and responsibly, saving money and reducing waste. Whether you’re art-loving or art-avoidant, you’ll leave with ready-to-use strategies that make creative activities smoother, more efficient, more successful and more engaging.Perfect for any teachers who want big creative impact with basic supplies!

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

Liz Brown

BTS Arts Integration Coach, NUES - Northeastern Utah Educational Services

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT
GC 306 - General Classroom Building, Room 306 351 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 PK - 2, Elementary - grades K - 6, 5-6, 3-4
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, Counselors or School-based Mental / Behavioral Health Professionals, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Subject Area Performing Arts / Visual Arts

2:50pm MDT

Scaffolding Tier 1 Phonics Instruction

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

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

Effective Tier 1 phonics instruction is critical for all learners, yet many students require targeted scaffolds to fully access grade-level content. This session will highlight evidence-aligned scaffolding strategies that teachers can embed within whole-group and small-group instruction to support student success during Tier 1 phonics. Participants will explore concrete instructional moves that preserve grade-level rigor while increasing access for developing readers. By the end of the session, educators will have a toolkit of practical strategies they can immediately apply to improve student engagement and outcomes in phonics 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: Any of these

Speakers