2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference

2026 Utah Rural Schools Conference

Welcome to URSA 2026 at Southern Utah University! All sessions will be in buildings on the upper campus (east end). Here’s the Campus Map (PDF) if needed.

WiFi: eduroam or SUU-Conference, password "summertimefun"

PLAN AHEAD - Tentative Future Conference Dates
July 7-9, 2027 - Price, UT
July 17-19, 2028 - Richfield, UT

Madison Cameron

Center for Trauma Informed Practices

Youth Specialist

https://ctipractices.com

Find me on

About me

Hi, I'm Madison Cameron. I'm the Youth Specialist at the Center for Trauma Informed Practices (CTIP), where I have the privilege of travelling across North America speaking with professionals, parents, caregivers, and students about youth mental health, social media, technology, and the importance of meaningful human connection. Drawing from my experience as an Educational Assistant, Crisis Intervention Worker, Community Support Leader, I'm passionate about helping adults better understand the realities young people face today. My work focuses on creating practical, relatable conversations that strengthen relationships and empower those supporting youth.

11:00am MDT

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

12:10pm MDT

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

1:30pm MDT

Digital Citizenship and Safety: Preparing Students for a Digital World CC Red Hills Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Red Hills Room (200 Level)Nicole Cherrington Creating a Connected Classroom: Strategies to decrease behaviors and increase academics. ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102Amie Huggins Carrots over Sticks: Transforming School Culture Through Positive Incentives GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109Nathan Blackner

2:50pm MDT

What Worked When It Mattered? Pandemic Recovery Success in Utah ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102Andrea Rorrer • Kody Colvin A Brief Introduction to Trust-Based Relational Interventions (TBRI) ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204Lauren Ezzell

8:00am MDT

Conference Registration and Badge Pick-Up AU - Auditorium Foyer

8:30am MDT

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

9:45am MDT

School Leadership Theory vs. Practice: Doing what should be done while doing what has to be done SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127Quinn Kellis Utah School Safety in 2026: Understanding the Updated Legislative Landscape CC Whiting Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Whiting Room Room (200 Level)Ashley Pistello The Power of Student Voice: Enhancing Literacy Through Oral Language GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109Denice Maedgen

11:10am MDT

Scam Academy - Teaching Students to Outsmart the Algorithms CC Shooting Star - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Shooting Star Room (100 Level)Dani Sloan Managing Change as a New School Administrator SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127Doug Stump Everything that Matters Begins with Trust: How to Create It, Sustain It, and Restore It SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128Dale COX Easily Supporting Students Through Emotional Regulation & Relationships With Real-Time Skills SC 129 - Science Center, Room 129Nick Marsing • Celeste Marsing Positive Childhood Experiences in the K-12 Setting ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203Phillip Bertoch

1:50pm MDT

Digital Resilience: Strategies for Managing Social Media and Student Focus in Grades 6–12 ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102Davina Sauthoff From Fragmented to Focused: Strengthening Your School’s System of Support SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127David Boren Supporting Students with Complex Needs ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215Rachel Jacobsen • Rhea Palkhiwala Today's Middle School Student GC 106 - General Classroom Building, Room 106April Stevenson • LaToya Paea

3:10pm MDT

Reaching Every Student: Using Early Warning Systems to Support Student Success CC Vermillion Cliffs - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Vermillion Cliffs Room (100 Level)Kaylee Dunn Literacy, Mental Health, and School Engagement for Students with Learning Disabilities CC Yankee Meadows - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Yankee Meadows Room (100 Level)Paul Black Proximity with Purpose: How Teacher and Paraprofessional Teams Drive Growth for Students with Disabilities SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128Jenna Olson

8:00am MDT

Conference Credit Online Form

9:50am MDT

Technology: What Are We (Or Should We Be) Afraid Of? CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level)Christijan Draper Emergency Recovery Planning ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203Scott Eyre Understanding & Supporting Student Behavior: A Teacher-Centered Approach GC 201 - General Classroom Building, Room 201Amanda Powell

11:10am MDT

Norms of Collaboration: Fostering Belonging On and Offline CC Shooting Star - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Shooting Star Room (100 Level)Dani Sloan