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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9:45am MDT

Commemorate America250 with National History Day

Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT

Room #136

In 2026, America250 activities will celebrate our nation’s founding in 1776. In connection with the semiquincentennial, National History Day participants will explore the theme Revolution, Reaction, and Reform in History during the upcoming school year.

NHD brings history to life for young people, providing rich opportunities for individualized learning that makes history relevant and accessible to all. Students may choose a topic from local, national, or world history that relates to the theme. They engage in authentic discovery, building digital literacy and analytical skills as they research their topic. They develop literacy skills as they make an argument based on evidence from their research. They develop presentation skills and creativity by creating an exhibit, documentary, performance, website, or paper to showcase their work. Students may opt in to our spring 2026 tournaments, which culminate in a national competition held in Washington, D.C., each June.

NHD is appropriate for 4th-12th grade social studies and E/LA classrooms, and supports a diverse range of students from special education and English language learners through accelerated classes.

In this session you will learn how to put this inquiry model to work in your classroom and meet core standards in social studies and E/LA, all while centering student choice and student voice. National History Day in Utah is a free program housed at the Utah Historical Society. Teachers will receive a set of classroom materials, along with the Utah Historical Society’s free online resources for K-12 learning.

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

Speakers

Wendy Rex-Atzet

Director, K-12 Initiatives, Utah Historical Society

Wendy Rex Atzet, Ph.D., is a public historian at the Utah Historical Society, where she manages K-12 programs such as National History Day® and I Love Utah History. She develops teacher and classroom-oriented resources for teaching Utah history, ethnic studies, and historical thinking... Read More →

Tatiana Chudy

National History Day Program Assistant, Utah Historical Society

Tatiana Chudy is a program assistant for National History Day Utah. She received her BA in history from Willamette University and a BA in Russian Studies at the University of Utah. Tatiana is an NHD alumnus, competing for eight years before returning to the program as an assistan... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #136 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required., Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required., Advanced - considerable experience; significant prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Utah Core Curriculum, Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy
Subject Area Language Arts, Social Studies, Media Literacy
Audience All of the above
Grade Level 3 - 4, 5 - 6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12

9:45am MDT

Raising Up Readers: Scaffolding Grade Level Text for All

Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT

Room #234

This session will focus on effective strategies to scaffold grade-level texts, ensuring all students, regardless of their reading levels, can access and engage with complex materials. By leveraging before, during, and after reading strategies, educators will learn how to provide the necessary scaffolding to help students build the skills and confidence needed to thrive in grade-level content. This session will empower educators with practical tools and strategies to accelerate reading achievement for all students, particularly those who may struggle with grade-level expectations. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas that can be immediately implemented in their classrooms to support learner variability.

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

Speakers

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, district office specialist... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #234 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, Instructional Coaching
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level All Grade Levels

9:45am MDT

Tier 1 Text: Scaffolded Reading Techniques to Engage Every Student

Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT

Room #148

This two-hour interactive presentation will consist of an overview of the University of Utah Reading Clinic’s research-based Tier 1 Text model with a focus on how this model allows teachers to support and reach every student. The purpose of this model is to assist students in building fluency and comprehension for immediate and transfer text.

This instructional model can be used with any and all adopted curricula and supports Utah State ELA Standards. The research base for the UURC Tier 1 Text model is broad and includes Logan’s (1997) automaticity theory; Stahl, Kuhn, and Schwanenflugel’s (2003, 2005, 2006, 2008) empirical and applied work related to fluency oriented reading instruction; and Beck and McKeown’s (1996, 2004, 2006, 2010) questioning the author empirical and applied work. Recent research is showing significant improvements for students receiving UURC Tier 1 Text instruction (Opatz & Kocherhans, 2023).

Specific scaffolding strategies will be demonstrated and practiced. Some of these strategies include preview with graphic organizer, various comprehension supports, echo read, review, whole class choral re-read, documenting new ideas on graphic organizer.

Specific engagement strategies are built into these procedures and will be demonstrated: Echo reading, choral reading, echo spelling, scaffolded comprehension questioning, location/action prompts, roving the classroom, graphic organizer work.

The last thirty minutes of the presentation will be dedicated to Q&A related to presentation content as well as UURC services and professional development opportunities available to rural schools.

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: Some device with internet access for the end of the presentation

Speakers

Breyanna Evans

Intervention Specialist, University of Utah Reading Clinic

Breyanna Evans received her Bachelor of Science in creative writing from Utah Valley University. Upon graduating, Breyanna worked as a reading intervention aide at Pinnacle Canyon Academy while she obtained her teaching license. She taught secondary English for three years, first... Read More →

Rachelle Packer

Intervention Specialist, University of Utah Reading Clinic

Rachelle Packer (M.Ed.) earned a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from Brigham Young University, and a Master’s of Education degree in Reading and Literacy from the University of Utah with an Advanced Reading Endorsement and an Intervention Endorsement. Rachelle has been a... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT
Room #148 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 Other
Subject Area Language Arts, ESL, Special Education, Instructional Coaching
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level All Grade Levels

11:10am MDT

AI for a Rise and Something to Aspire to!

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

Lecture Hall

Come see what how educators are able to mimic the k-8 Rise Test questions and High School Aspire plus questions. Practice all Year using the one tool we all have access to, Canvas! Nothing here to buy you already have all you need! This is a colaborative project, if you don't see what you need, Lets make it together!

NOTE: This session repeats on Thursday, July 10 at 1:40 pm in Room 131.

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

Speakers

Jason Snow

Regional Technology Trainer, Northeastern Utah Educational Services

Have helped hundreds or teachers find success with Mission.IO at dozens of schools and 5 conferences

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
Lecture Hall 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 Utah Core Curriculum, Assessment & Data Management
Subject Area Language Arts, Mathematics
Audience Teachers, EdTech Coach/Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level All Grade Levels

11:10am MDT

Scrible 101: Free Research and Writing Platform for Newbies

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

Room #233

Did you know that Scrible is a FREE award winning resource for all public/charter school teachers and students in Utah? If you've never used Scrible or are just getting started, come learn how to use this powerful platform to streamline research and elevate writing in your class. We'll get you set up, walk you through creating an assignment, annotating online articles and more. We'll also review how you can use Scrible to prevent AI plagairism and scaffold the writing process for 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, Android Tablet / Smartphone, iPad / iPhone, Windows Tablet / Smartphone, Chromebook

Speakers

Shilpa Duvoor

Head of Customer Success, Scrible

Shilpa has over 20 years of experience in education as a teacher, school leader, leadership coach, and a customer success leader in edtech startups. She has worked with innovative ed tech companies and districts all over the United States. She is the Head of Customer Success at Scrible... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
Room #233 1759 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 Educational Technology, Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy
Subject Area Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, World Languages, Special Education, Leadership, Instructional Coaching, Media Literacy
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, EdTech Coach/Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists
Grade Level Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12

11:10am MDT

A Love Affair With Picture Books Across the Standards

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

Room #143

Join us for an exciting session where you will discover how picture books can support the Utah Core Standards across all subjects! You will leave with fun ideas that can be applied to any picture books you own, as well as a wealth of book titles to add to your wish list!

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

Teresa Pugmire

PreK-12 Learning Coach, Northeastern Utah Educational Services

Teresa serves as a Learning Coach for rural schools in northeastern Utah. In her role, she supports teachers, coaches, and administrators in enhancing literacy and math outcomes for their schools. Additionally, she is an adjunct professor at Brigham Young University, where she teaches... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm 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 Utah Core Curriculum, Instructional Coaching, Other
Subject Area Language Arts, ESL, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Special Education, Instructional Coaching
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level PK - 2, 3 - 4, 5 - 6, Elementary - grades K - 6

11:10am MDT

From Comics to Comprehension: Why Graphic Novels Belong in Every Classroom and School Library

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

Room #241

In this dynamic and relevant session, K-12 educators will explore the powerful role of graphic novels in fostering literacy, critical thinking, and student engagement. We will examine how graphic novels support diverse learning needs, enhance comprehension through multimodal storytelling, and align with educational standards. Educators will gain practical strategies for integrating graphic novels into their curriculum and school libraries to support reluctant readers, English language learners, and advanced students alike. Participants will leave with research-based insights, recommended titles, and advocacy tools to champion the value of graphic novels in their schools.

NOTE: This session repeats on Friday, July 11 at 9:45 am in Room 134.

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

Gretchen Zaitzeff

District Library Media Specialist, Canyons School District

Gretchen Zaitzeff is the District Library Media Specialist for Canyons School District in Sandy, Utah, and the Past-President of the Utah School Library Association (USLA). She is deeply committed to professional learning, instructional leadership, and literacy, actively supporting... Read More →

Davina Sauthoff

K12 Library Media Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Davina Sauthoff, EdD., is the Library Media Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education, where she champions the expertise of school 🏫 librarians and their vital role in enriching the learning experiences of Utah 🌄 students. A recognized leader in the field, Davina frequently... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
Room #241 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, Other
Subject Area Language Arts, Performing Arts / Visual Arts
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level All Grade Levels

11:10am MDT

Learning How to be Diagnostic. Evidence-Based Interventions Made Easy and How to Intensify Them for Each Tier.

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 2:40pm MDT

Room #145

This collaborative learning opportunity will present the research-based information obtained from Matt Burns's book Effective School Interventions and combine it with research by Stevenson and Reed 2017 (Instruction for intensify interventions), The National Center for Intensify Instruction, The Taxonomy of Intensify Instruction by Fuch et al. 2017 and the High-Level Practices (CDC). So when a teacher returns to their classroom, they will be able to pinpoint what intervention each student needs (through diagnosis) and then adjust its intensity. Attendees, please be prepared to share information about successes and failures with the intervention, in confidence.

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

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

Sheryl Vernon

School Psychologist, CUES - Central Utah Educational Services

Sheryl Vernon is a School Psychologist Ed.S. at CUES, where she covers diagnostic testing and Trust Based Relationship Intervention for the region. She received her degree from Brigham Young University.Before working at CUES, Sheryl ran the Crayon Academy Preschool from her home for... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 2:40pm MDT
Room #145 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Instructional Coaching, Professional Learning Communities (PLCs & PLNs), Assessment & Data Management, Other
Subject Area Language Arts, Performing Arts / Visual Arts, Music, Computer Science, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, World Languages, Special Education
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level All Grade Levels

1:40pm MDT

AI for a Rise and Something to Aspire to!

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Room #131

Come see what how educators are able to mimic the k-8 Rise Test questions and High School Aspire plus questions. Practice all Year using the one tool we all have access to, Canvas! Nothing here to buy you already have all you need! This is a colaborative project, if you don't see what you need, Lets make it together!

NOTE: This session repeats on Thursday, July 10 at 11:10 am in the Lecture Hall.

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

Speakers

Jason Snow

Regional Technology Trainer, Northeastern Utah Educational Services

Have helped hundreds or teachers find success with Mission.IO at dozens of schools and 5 conferences

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Room #131 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 Utah Core Curriculum, Assessment & Data Management
Subject Area Language Arts, Mathematics
Audience Teachers, EdTech Coach/Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level All Grade Levels

1:40pm MDT

Connecting to Best Practice: Small Moves for Big Effects

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Room #242

Unlock the power already within your practice! Discover the exciting connections between the successful strategies flourishing in Utah schools and proven, evidence-based research. This isn't about starting over; it's about recognizing the impactful, meaningful instruction you already deliver and seeing its foundation in effective practices.

Prepare for a highly dynamic learning experience! You'll dive into practitioner reports through engaging activities featuring movement, lively discussion, and collaboration. Success means clearly seeing how research validates elements of your great work. You’ll identify one small, powerful shift you can immediately apply for significant results in your own context. With choice in topics relevant to teachers, administrators, and stakeholders, this is personalized, practical professional growth. Leave inspired and equipped to make a big difference with a focused change!

NOTE: This session repeats on Friday, July 11 at 9:45 am in Room 143.

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, Windows Tablet / Smartphone, Chromebook, Any device for viewing pdf files (not mandatory)

Speakers

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 →

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Room #242 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 Utah Core Curriculum, Leadership, Instructional Coaching, Other
Subject Area Language Arts, Mathematics, Other
Audience All of the above
Grade Level All Grade Levels

1:40pm MDT

Elevating ELA Engagement with Adobe Express

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Room #241

Discover how Adobe Express can transform your K-6 CKLA curriculum and invigorate your students' learning experiences! This session will showcase practical examples of how Adobe Express tools like Character Animator, graphic design templates, video editing, and Guided Activities can be used to create visually appealing and interactive activities that reinforce CKLA concepts and ELA standards. Learn how to bring stories and content to life with digital storybooks, historical figure trading cards, design character analysis posters, , and more. While we'll highlight successful implementations within CKLA, the creative strategies and Adobe Express techniques shared are easily adaptable to any ELA curriculum or subject area, empowering students to express their understanding in dynamic new ways.

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

JoLynn Torgerson

Technology Innovation Specialist, SESC - Southeast Service Center

JoLynn has been involved in public education for 18 years, with experience as a classroom teacher, site technology resource, behavior management paraprofessional, Title One paraprofessional, and coach. Her current role is a Technology Integration Specialist with SESC- Southeast Education... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Room #241 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 Educational Technology
Subject Area Language Arts, Instructional Coaching
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, EdTech Coach/Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level Elementary - grades K - 6

1:40pm MDT

Scrible 102: Scaffolding Research and Writing in ELA & Social Studies

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Room #233

Scrible, an award winning FREE resource for all Utah public/charter school teachers and students, is chock full of features that can help students and teachers scaffold the research and writing process. Learn how to use Scrible's advanced features to strengthen students' writing and media literacy skills. We will review how to track student progress, provide timely and specific feedback, and effectively use the Scrible Writer doc add-on.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Highly suggested to use a laptop or tablet of any kind and not a mobile device.

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

Shilpa Duvoor

Head of Customer Success, Scrible

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Room #233 1759 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Educational Technology, Instructional Coaching, Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy
Subject Area Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, World Languages, Special Education
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, EdTech Coach/Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12

1:40pm MDT

Unlocking Authentic Expression: How AI Empowers Writers

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Lecture Hall

Can AI truly help us express ourselves more genuinely? Absolutely! This session explores how educators can leverage the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to help students find and refine their authentic voices. We'll move beyond the hype and delve into practical AI-powered strategies that support every stage of the writing process, fostering creativity, confidence, and a love of writing in students.

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

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

Speakers

Naomi Watkins

Language Arts Secondary Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Naomi Watkins is the Secondary English Language Arts Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education. Previously, she was a middle school ELA teacher, instructional coach, and university professor. She earned a PhD from the University of Utah.

Davina Sauthoff

K12 Library Media Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Lecture Hall 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 Educational Technology, Utah Core Curriculum, Other
Subject Area Language Arts, Other
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, District / School Administrators, EdTech Coach/Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12

1:40pm MDT

Energize and Elevate Teaching and Learning for All!

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Room #137

Would you like to develop critical thinking for all of your students ? Do you want to motivate the unmotivated by bringing fun, divergent ways of thinking to your classroom? Do you want students who are interested in your standards-based lessons and who retain and track their own learning? If so, don’t miss this opportunity to learn strategies to elevate your instruction.. I’ll focus on strategies to engage and enhance learning for all of your students through meaningful, relevant learning. Bring back the joy of learning for you and your students through storytelling and engaging, relevant lessons!

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

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

Speakers

Kathy Einhorn

Teacher (retired) Administrator (retired), Park City School District (retired)

Kathleen (Kathy) Einhorn is in her 40th year an educator. She started her career in Salt Lake City, Utah as a junior high special education teacher, and continued working as a teacher (English, reading, Special Education), curriculum director, Instructional Support Specialist, Principal... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Room #137 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, Mathematics
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators
Grade Level All Grade Levels

1:40pm MDT

Playful Pathways: Teaching Science of Reading Using Developmentally Informed Interactions

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Room #143

During this session, we will focus our energy on beginning to address the challenges of teaching the science of reading skills in a developmentally appropriate manner. Discover how these skills connect across different age groups and engage in meaningful conversations about their development. We will define these skills in the context of child development and collaborate on strategies to seamlessly integrate Science of Reading instruction into play-based learning experiences for children from preschool through 3rd grade.

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

Jared Lisonbee

Preschool Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Jared Lisonbee earned a Ph. D. in Human Development with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University. He taught in higher education for over 10 years where his research focus was children’s physiological stress in preschool classrooms. Jared worked in Head Start... Read More →

Cristina Barrera

Preschool Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Cristina Barrera is a dedicated Preschool Education Specialist with extensive experience in early childhood education. With a career spanning over two decades, Cristina facilitates the healthy development of young children and supports educators and families in this vital field. She... Read More →

Katrina Herd

Preschool Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Katrina has a dual BA in Early Childhood and Elementary education, a master’s in education with an emphasis in early numeracy, and she holds a current dual Utah teaching license in PK-3 and 1-8 grades with a TESOL endorsement. Katrina completed her doctorate degree in Educational... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm 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 Utah Core Curriculum, Instructional Coaching, Other
Subject Area Language Arts, ESL, Instructional Coaching
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level PK - 2

1:40pm MDT

Reel Rights: Curating, Streaming, and Copyright Essentials for Schools

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Room #134

In an era where digital media is as ubiquitous as print, schools and their libraries are increasingly tasked with providing access to engaging film collections and content and navigating the complex world of streaming and copyright. This presentation is designed to equip administrators, classroom teachers and school librarians with the knowledge and practical tools necessary to build a film collection and provide access to content that not only captivates and informs your students but also adheres to educational, legal and ethical standards.

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

Speakers

Gretchen Zaitzeff

District Library Media Specialist, Canyons School District

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm 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 Educational Technology, Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy
Subject Area Language Arts, Performing Arts / Visual Arts, Science, Social Studies, Instructional Coaching, Media Literacy
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, District / School Administrators, EdTech Coach/Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Technology Coordinators / Facilitators, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level All Grade Levels

1:40pm MDT

Student and Child-Centered: Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Model Lives in Rural Schools

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Room #147

It is unusual to note the theory in practice as readily as it can be seen when overlaying Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological model in rural spaces. “The bioecological theory of human development, initially termed an ecological model approach, was originally proposed by Bronfenbrenner to explain how human development occurs, focusing largely on the impact of context” (Rosa & Tudge, 2013, p243). His theory places the child at the center and recognizes the many influences on the child and the influence of the child on his world. This nesting of the child provides opportunities for growth and development within a strengths-based framework which employs place-based pedagogy. Likewise, this framework welcomes community engagement and commitment to the growth, well-being, and care of all within a mutual network.

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

Darren Parry

Former Chairman of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation, University of Utah

Darren Parry is the former Chairman of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation. Darren serves on the Board of Directors for Utah Humanities and PBS Utah. He attended the University of Utah and Weber State University and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education. In 2024... Read More →

Pam Powell

Dean of the College of Education and Human Development, Southern Utah University

Dr. Pam Powell spent over two decades as an elementary teacher prior to her appointment at Northern Arizona University. While there, she served as Chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning and as Associate Dean of the College of Education. In the state of Arizona, she served... Read More →

Sarah Allen

Department Chair, SUU - Southern Utah University

Sarah Allen, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Family Life and Human Development at Southern Utah University. She received her doctorate in Family Relations and Applied Nutrition from the University of Guelph in Ontario Canada. Over the past... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Room #147 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 Language Arts, Other
Audience Teachers, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level All Grade Levels

1:40pm MDT

Teaching Ethnic Studies in Utah: New Requirements, Trusted Materials

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Room #133

Are you wondering how to incorporate Utah’s ethnic studies requirements in your classroom? Join us for an enlightening session to explore a range of culturally appropriate resources that connect Utah’s historic and contemporary immigrant communities.

Incorporating ethnic studies materials into your lessons offers valuable opportunities to share the experiences, cultures, and contributions of diverse ethnic groups in Utah. This includes Indigenous peoples, members of the LDS community, African Americans, Latinos, Pacific Islanders, and Asian Americans, both within Utah and beyond. Utilizing the Utah Historical Society’s I Love Utah History website and other educator resources, attendees will learn how to integrate trusted, curated content to explore the rich histories and contemporary communities of Utah's many cultures.

We will also delve into the UEN Ethnic Studies Resource Hubs to discover innovative ways to teach about various cultures, their history, and their contributions to building the United States of America.

This session will equip educators with the resources and background knowledge needed to create a classroom environment that connects the past with the present, honors and reflects the varied experiences of Utahns of diverse ethnicities, and celebrates Utah's vibrant cultural tapestry.

You will receive free, digital materials that will help you integrate culturally informed ethnic studies resources and inquiry-based learning strategies into your teaching practices.

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

Wendy Rex-Atzet

Director, K-12 Initiatives, Utah Historical Society

Etiana Coley-Mells

Ethnic Studies Education Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Etiana Coley Mells is a sociocultural anthropologist and an educator currently serving as the Ethnic Studies Education Specialist and a federal grant manager focused on incorporating ethnic studies into K-12 classrooms and promoting safe and healthy schools at the Utah State Board... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Room #133 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

Learning Strand or Track Utah Core Curriculum
Subject Area Language Arts, Social Studies
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, District / School Administrators, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level Elementary - grades K - 6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12

1:40pm MDT

Writing instruction for grades K-2

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Room #142

Empower your young learners with strong writing foundations. This course focuses on practical, evidence-based instructional practices for teaching essential writing skills in kindergarten through second grade. Learn how to implement developmentally appropriate strategies that can be immediately applied in your classroom, regardless of your current writing program.

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 →

Courtney Bills

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

Courtney Bills is a seasoned literacy specialist currently serving K-3 students at the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). Her career demonstrates a deep commitment to improving literacy outcomes for young learners. Prior to USBE, Courtney worked at a Dual Language Immersion (DLI... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Room #142 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, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level PK - 2

1:40pm MDT

Supporting Language Development through the Creative Process

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 4:10pm MDT

Room #243

All students need and deserve the opportunity to be creative! All students also need and deserve to develop and practice academic and social language skills. In this session, you will engage in and practice language-development strategies that are essential for all students as they learn to be creative independent artists, successful students, and engaged learners.

Speakers

Mindy Curtis

Elementary BTS Arts Specialist, Canyons School District

Dr. Mindy Curtis has been teaching, writing, devising, directing, choreographing, and producing in theatres, schools, and non-profit venues across the U.S. for decades. Her educational and theatrical work has consistently explored the power of content integration, collaborative creation... Read More →

Elizabeth Brown

Art Coach, NUES - Northern Utah Educational Services

Liz Brown was the 2024 UAEA Art Teacher of the year for Utah. She is passionate about arts integration and children getting the opportunity to create. She has worked in education for more than 20 years, as an elementary classroom teacher, with experience in kindergarten through 6th... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 4:10pm MDT
Room #243 1755 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities

Learning Strand or Track Utah Core Curriculum
Subject Area Performing Arts / Visual Arts, ESL, Language Arts
Audience Curriculum Specialists, Teachers, Instructional Coaches

3:10pm MDT

Beyond the Page: Elevating Students with Digital Resources

Thursday July 10, 2025 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT

Room #242

Step into the dynamic world of digital literacy and discover how to transform your classroom with two powerful resources: Teaching Books and Sora ebooks. This session will equip K-12 educators with practical strategies to enhance student engagement and deepen comprehension through multimedia content and digital access.
Are you looking for innovative ways to bring books to life? We'll explore Teaching Books, a treasure trove of author interviews, book trailers, lesson plans, and more, designed to spark curiosity and connect students with literature on a deeper level. Learn how to leverage these resources to introduce new units, generate excitement for reading, and support diverse learning needs.
Then, dive into Sora, your school's digital library, and discover the ease and accessibility of ebooks and audiobooks. We'll demonstrate how to navigate this user-friendly platform, assign digital materials, and track student progress. Learn how to provide equitable access to a vast collection of titles, support struggling readers with built-in accessibility features, and encourage independent reading.
Join us to discover how to seamlessly integrate Teaching Books and Sora into your curriculum, creating a comprehensive digital literacy experience that goes "Beyond the Page" and empowers your students to become lifelong readers and learners.

NOTE: This session repeats on Wednesday, July 9 at 1:30 pm in Room 235.

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

Speakers

Chris Haught

Media Specialist, 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 on Utah’s Online Library, the... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT
Room #242 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 Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy
Subject Area Language Arts, Media Literacy
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists
Grade Level All Grade Levels

3:10pm MDT

How to Improve Fluency through Partner Reading-Paragraph Shrinking

Thursday July 10, 2025 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT

Room #143

Melinda and her Early Learning Coach, Dina will share how they improved her students fluency and retell by using partner reading-paragraph shrinking. They will give information on how to implement this in a classroom, what they learned, and how to adjust it to meet the needs of students. This strategy is for an entire class who has a median composite score 51% or below or if you have seven students below benchmark proficiency on Acadiance Benchmark Data. This strategy is aligned with the Science of Reading and can be found in the book titled, Seven Mighty Moves by Lindsey Kemeny.

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

Melinda Meccariello

3rd Grade Teacher, Ferron Elementary

Melinda Meccariello is a dedicated third-grade teacher at Ferron Elementary, a small rural school in Emery County. Known for her warm, nurturing personality, she has spent the last 11 years shaping young minds and fostering a love of learning in her students. With a passion for reading... Read More →

Dina Wise

Early Learning Coach, SESC - Southeast Education Service Center

Dina Wise's 20+ year educational career spans roles from paraprofessional to elementary principal and instructional coach, fueled by a passion for literacy. As a certified LETRS facilitator, she empowers teachers with effective literacy strategies. Outside of education, she's a family-oriented... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 3:10pm - 4:10pm 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 Utah Core Curriculum
Subject Area Language Arts, Instructional Coaching
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level 3 - 4, 5 - 6

3:10pm MDT

Movement Integration for K-6 classes

Thursday July 10, 2025 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT

Room #234

Let’s get up and move the curriculum! In this one-hour presentation, you will receive 10 NEW 10-minute movement lessons to move with students. We will explore Math, Science, Language Arts, and Social Studies. To see what this looks like with students follow this LINK: https://youtu.be/5SPi2VXYKok

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Not Applicable

Speakers

Ashley Boyack

Director of Professional Development, University of Utah Tanner Dance Program

ASHLEY BOYACK received her BFA from the University of Utah and MAT from the University of Northern Colorado. She joined the Lawrence Arts Center in 2010, where she was Artistic Director of the Youth Dance Theater. While at LAC she created the modern dance curriculum and served as... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT
Room #234 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, Other
Subject Area Language Arts, Performing Arts / Visual Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level Elementary - grades K - 6

3:10pm MDT

Strategies to Reignite Your Joy of Teaching!

Thursday July 10, 2025 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT

Room #137

Wouldn’t it be great if you could stop spending so much time on correcting behaviors and more time doing what you love…? Teaching? In this session, you'll learn strategies that will get you excited about being back in your charter school classroom every day! If you’re going home worn out from your daily workload, if you question whether teaching is still for you, or if you just want to learn some practical teacher and student-friendly procedures, then come to this session!

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

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

Speakers

Kathy Einhorn

Teacher (retired) Administrator (retired), Park City School District (retired)

Thursday July 10, 2025 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT
Room #137 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, Mathematics
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators
Grade Level All Grade Levels

3:10pm MDT

Writing Instruction in Grades 3-6

Thursday July 10, 2025 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT

Room #142

This course equips educators with practical, evidence-based instructional practices to enhance student writing skills across all subject areas in grades 3-6. Participants will explore research-supported strategies for teaching writing that seamlessly integrate into existing content instruction. Learn how to foster effective writing development without replacing your current writing curriculum or published programs. This course provides actionable techniques and teaching suggestions designed to be adaptable and applicable to diverse learning environments, empowering you to cultivate confident and proficient writers in your classroom.

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

Speakers

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 →