2025 Utah Rural Schools Conference: Full Schedule

Only Purchase One Ticket for Each Individual Attendee
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

Bucking the National Trend: Competency-Based Licensing Impacts Teacher Shortages

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

Room #134

Utah is leading the way in addressing the national teacher shortage with its innovative, competency-based approach to educator licensing. This session will explore how Utah's focus on real-world skills and streamlined pathways is attracting and retaining qualified educators. Learn how this model prioritizes classroom readiness and removes traditional barriers to licensure, paving the way for a more effective and diverse teaching workforce.

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, Any device that can access the web

Speakers

Malia Hite

Executive Coordinator of Educator Licensing, Utah State Board of Education

Dr. Malia Hite has served as the Executive Coordinator of Educator Licensing for the Utah State Board of Education for the past five years. She led Utah’s shift to a competency-based educator preparation and licensing system, digital licensing applications, science of reading teacher... Read More →

Wednesday July 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Room #134 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, Other
Subject Area Other
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level All Grade Levels

1:30pm MDT

Burnout or Resilience Part 2: Addressing the challenges of educators in today’s schools and classrooms?

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

Room #143

Effective classroom learning depends on the ability of school leaders and teachers to address the deepening complexities and challenges of schools effectively. Job stress and burnout are a significant threat to that work. As a follow up to last summer’s presentation, this workshop will extend the discussion of challenges of burnout and resilience for schools to examine specific strategies that school leaders, teachers, and staff can use to proactively understand and address burnout issues from both the organizational and personal perspectives, and support optimized classroom experiences for students. Discussions will identify how to diagnose factors contributing to stress and burnout. Participants will work collaboratively to identify action steps to implement effective mitigation and intervention strategies in their schools and work. `

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, iPad / iPhone

Speakers

Dr. Dale Cox

Program Director K-12 Educational Leadership, 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 →

Meghan Everette

Director of Teaching and Learning, Utah State Board of Education

Meghan Everette is the Director of Teaching and Learning at the Utah State Board of Education. She previously served as the State Director of Utah Leading through Effective, Actionable, and Dynamic Education (ULEAD) Director. Meghanis a veteran educator and taught elementary school... Read More →

Wednesday July 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm 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, Other
Subject Area Leadership, Mental/Behavioral Health
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators
Grade Level All Grade Levels

1:30pm MDT

Equal Opportunity in Education

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

Room #238

This presentation aims to familiarize educators with the policies and practices that ensure equal education opportunities in Utah public schools. Attendees will learn about the relevant policies and recent changes regarding equal opportunity in education. The presentation emphasizes the importance of treating all students with dignity and respect, fostering a safe learning environment, and recognizing students' rights. By doing so, it aims to open doors of opportunity for all Utah children and promote academic and organizational excellence in Utah education.

Speakers

Holly Bell

Student and Family Rights Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Holly Bell is a dedicated advocate for the well-being and belonging of all students. Her priority is ensuring that every Utah student has access to high-quality education in a safe and inclusive environment. She was a school counselor for the first ten years of her career. She now... Read More →

Wednesday July 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Room #238 1758 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 Other
Subject Area Other
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators
Grade Level All Grade Levels

1:30pm MDT

Mild to Spicy- Turning Up the Heat on Math Rigor

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

Room #146

We can't wait to share with you the story of how two middle school math teacher, one new and one experienced have used the RISE performance level descriptors and RISE DOK blue prints to plan backwards to increase the rigor in their classrooms. They have approached it differently, one analyzing existing assessments and the other creating new ones. Come take a look at their amazing work and receive frameworks and support to be able to apply it to your subject and/or grade level.

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

Jenna Keyes

7th Grade Math Teacher, South Summit Middle School

Paula Carlson

Instructional Coach, South Summit School District

Paula is in her 28th year in education. She has taught math in South Summit School District for 25 of those 28 years until THIS year when she took on the role of instruction coach. Instructional Coaching is new in South Summit School District and when you ask Paula why she is passionate... Read More →

Stephanie Folkman

8th Grade Math Teacher, South Summit Middle School

Wednesday July 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Room #146 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 Educational Technology, Utah Core Curriculum, Assessment & Data Management, Other
Subject Area Mathematics
Audience Teachers, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level All Grade Levels

1:30pm MDT

Centering On Students: PCBL In Action from Modern Classrooms In Utah

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

Room #233

The traditional approach to instruction relies on all students in each classroom being at the same place in their learning journey each day. We know this ideal can be practically impossible to achieve. By leveraging innovative planning and facilitation practices that put students at the center of their learning, educators can create opportunities for truly personalized instruction. In this session, educators will share the steps they have taken and the tools they use in order to implement self-paced, mastery-based learning with their 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: Mac Laptop, Windows Laptop, Chromebook

Speakers

Michael Hakkarinen

Partnerships Director, Modern Classrooms

Michael Hakkarinen is an experienced classroom teacher, instructional technology specialist, professional learning facilitator and former PCBL Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education. As Partnership Director with the Modern Classroom Project he now supports teachers, leaders... Read More →

Wednesday July 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Room #233 1759 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1-Hour Exhibitor Session, Beginner

Learning Strand or Track Educational Technology, Other
Subject Area Other
Audience Everyone
Grade Level All Grade Levels

1:30pm MDT

Best Practices for Using Scrible in the Classroom

Wednesday July 9, 2025 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT

Room #138

Discover how Scrible, an advanced research and writing platform, can transform the way students approach their assignments. Available to all K-12 students in Utah, Scrible allows users to seamlessly curate research, annotate sources, and generate citations—all within a single platform. In this session, you'll learn best practices for integrating Scrible into your classroom, empowering your students to enhance their research and writing skills. Join us to explore practical tips and strategies for making the most of this innovative tool.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Any type of laptop

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Again using mainly a laptop

Speakers

Kayla Towner

Product Manager and Senior Technical Specialist, UEN - Utah Education Network

Kayla Towner, a tech enthusiast, is the Product Manager & Technology Specialist at the Utah Education Network (UEN). She loves spending time with her family - playing soccer ⚽️, listening to audiobooks 📚, hiking 🥾, & adventuring around Utah 🏔️. She’s passionate about... Read More →

Wednesday July 9, 2025 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT
Room #138 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

2 hour In-Depth exploration workshop, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Utah Core Curriculum, Other
Subject Area Language Arts, Other
Audience All of the above
Grade Level 5 - 6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12

2:50pm MDT

Suicide Prevention in Schools

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

Room #135

This session will provide school staff with the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to recognize the signs of suicidal ideation in students, offer immediate support, and respond effectively in crisis situations. Suicide prevention is a shared responsibility, and educators are often the first to notice signs of distress in students. By equipping staff with the proper training and resources, we can ensure that all students receive the support they need to navigate their challenges and find hope in difficult times. Utah requires all licensed educators to have regular suicide prevention training. This session will meet that requirement.

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

Holly Todd

Crisis Response, MTSS/PBIS Support, NUES - Northeastern Utah Educational Services

Holly Todd has worked in K-12 education for 25 years. Holly has worked in some of Utah's largest and smallest districts as a classroom teacher, school counselor, crisis team, and intervention specialist. Holly worked at the Utah State Board of Education as a School Counseling Program... Read More →

Wednesday July 9, 2025 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
Room #135 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 Other
Subject Area Not Applicable
Audience All of the above
Grade Level All Grade Levels

2:50pm MDT

Utilizing the New Focused Graduation Pathway to Keep Students Engaged

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

Room #232

Too often students who are severely credit deficient become hopeless and drop out of school. The new Focused Graduation Pathway (FGP) provides these students with the opportunity to stay in school and acquire the necessary high school level knowledge and skills needed to pass the GED® test. The FGP will provide a student with a High School Credential and allow them to graduate in the same year as their peers. This session will provide a brief overview of the GED® test and the FGP, including how to bring the pathway into your school or district.

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

Stephanie Patton

Adult Education Coordinator, Utah State Board of Education

Stephanie's career has focused on working with underrepresented populations in various positions, including teaching and counseling at an alternative school; working as an advisor for Educational Talent Search; directing an adult education program; and working with adult education... Read More →

Wednesday July 9, 2025 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
Room #232 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

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