2025 Utah Rural Schools Conference: Full Schedule

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Full URSA 2025 Session Schedule will be published here NO LATER than June 1. Please check back soon!

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1:30pm MDT

Analyzing Acadience Reading Data

Wednesday July 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

Room #132

How to see and analyze Acadience Reading data, including Pathways of Progress and Progress Monitoring, to support students.

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

Dallas Brooks

Elementary ELA Assessment Specialist, Utah Sate 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 →

Wednesday July 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Room #132 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Assessment & Data Management
Subject Area Language Arts
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level Elementary - grades K - 6

1:30pm MDT

How to Ukulele Your Way to Classroom Success

Wednesday July 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

Room #237

Ukulele has become a popular instrument of choice for music educators of all grade levels. It is affordable, simple to learn, and kids love it because they can play their favorite popular songs. This workshop is designed to help administrators and music educators build thriving ukulele programs or ukulele units in their classrooms. It will introduce strategies through hands-on learning on how to get kids playing songs the very first day. Ukulele instruction is best when playing popular music and when singing is encouraged, so we will be singing and playing popular songs.

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: Bring their Ukuleles if they have one

Speakers

Chris Woods

Music Teacher, Rich High School

Chris has been a music educator, songwriter, composer, and performer for over 20 years. He began his teaching career at a small after-school academy in Park City in which he taught guitar lessons to students ages 10-50. When he became a full-time teacher, he was able to expand the... Read More →

Wednesday July 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Room #237 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities, Advanced - considerable experience; significant prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Instructional Coaching
Subject Area Performing Arts / Visual Arts, Music
Audience Teachers, All of the above
Grade Level 3 - 4, 5 - 6, Elementary - grades K - 6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12

2:50pm MDT

Leading the Way to Improved Literacy Outcomes-The Principals Pivotal Role

Wednesday July 9, 2025 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

Room #143

This professional learning session is designed to empower principals with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to champion literacy improvement in their schools. Grounded in evidence-based practices and aligned with current educational policy, the session will guide principals through understanding their multifaceted role in fostering a thriving literacy environment.

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

Christine Elegante

K-3 Literacy Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Christine Elegante is a dynamic educator who currently serves as a K-3 Literacy Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education. She is passionate about education and considers herself a life-long learner. Her own educational journey began at Utah State University where she earned... Read More →

Denice Maedgen

K-3 Literacy Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Denice Maedgen is a K-3 Literacy Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). She previously served as the USBE Coach of Coaches. Denice has a wealth of experience in education, including 9 years teaching grades 1-3, 3 years as a literacy coach, and 2 years as an elementary... Read More →

Wednesday July 9, 2025 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
Room #143 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Leadership
Subject Area Language Arts, Leadership
Audience District / School Administrators
Grade Level Elementary - grades K - 6

2:50pm MDT

The White Whale of Reading: Effective Comprehension Instruction

Wednesday July 9, 2025 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

Room #137

The ultimate goal of reading is comprehension. Recently, great strides have been made throughout Utah to update reading practices to better align with the Science of Reading. Still, for many, effective comprehension instruction remains elusive. How do we teach kids to understand text? What do we do when kids don't understand text? What about skills and strategies? Is knowledge-building the answer? This session outlines principles of effective comprehension instruction and provides a practical framework for tier I text instruction.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Not Applicable

Speakers

Jake Downs

Assistant Professor, Science of Reading Education, Utah State University

Dr. Jake Downs is assistant professor of Science of Reading Education at Utah State University and host of the Teaching Literacy Podcast. He is a former 4th grade teacher, instructional coach, and Elementary Literacy Coordinator for Cache County School District. Learn more about Jake... Read More →

Wednesday July 9, 2025 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
Room #137 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Utah Core Curriculum
Subject Area Language Arts, Leadership
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level Elementary - grades K - 6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8

2:50pm MDT

Writing with Purpose: Build a Collaborative and Supportive Community of Writers

Wednesday July 9, 2025 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

Room #235

Writing with Purpose: In this presentation, we will explore the importance of creating a classroom atmosphere where students feel connected to one another and to their teacher. By fostering a safe and supportive environment, students become more comfortable engaging in writing activities. We will discuss how to establish opportunities for students to collaborate, offer and receive feedback, and create a community of motivated writers. Additionally, we will highlight the critical role that writing plays across all subjects and how incorporating writing throughout the school day can strengthen students' overall learning experience. This session is designed for educators looking to cultivate a dynamic, interactive, and purposeful writing culture in their classrooms.

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

Jenny Blauer

Early Learning Instructional Coach, CUES - Central Utah Educational Services

Jenny Blauer is in her 30th year in the education field and has spent the last five years as an Early Learning Instructional Coach. She is also a LETRS facilitator, dedicated to helping both students and teachers develop essential skills and find purpose in their learning. Through... Read More →

Wednesday July 9, 2025 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
Room #235 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Utah Core Curriculum
Subject Area Language Arts
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level Elementary - grades K - 6

2:50pm MDT

Full Class Missions: Bridge the Gap Between Learning and Application for RISE Success

Wednesday July 9, 2025 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

Room #233

Join us for an interactive session where you'll discover Mission.io, the ultimate learning adventure that’s free for all rural schools! We’ll guide you through setting up your account, launching your first student mission, and exploring data that shows how schools using Mission.io see RISE scores improve at twice the rate.

This isn’t just another ed-tech tool, it’s a game-changing experience that blends immersive learning with real-world application. Watch as students become engaged problem-solvers, mastering concepts in a way that sticks.

Come ready to explore, set up your school’s free access, and see firsthand how Mission.io is transforming education. Your students are ready for liftoff, are you? 🚀

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, Chromebook

Speakers

Brooks Heder

Founder, Mission.io

Founder of the internationally award winning program Mission.io, Brooks is committed to making cutting-edge educational tools accessible to all, ensuring that every rural school has free access to Mission.io.Brooks finds joy helping others experience something new and amazing. Something... Read More →

Wednesday July 9, 2025 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
Room #233 1759 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1-Hour Exhibitor Session, Beginner