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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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Thursday, July 10
 

9:45am MDT

Empowering Coach-Teacher Collaboration: Elevating Impact with AI
Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #145
This presentation explores how instructional coaches can leverage AI chat bots to enrich coaching conversations with teachers. Attendees will gain firsthand experience by setting up and navigating a School AI Space during the session. This interactive workshop will provide practical insights and step-by-step guidance, empowering coaches to create personalized learning experiences that foster teacher growth and development.

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

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Mac Laptop, Windows Laptop
Speakers
avatar for Amy Wood

Amy Wood

Coaching Specialist, Jordan School District
Amy Wood is a coaching specialist for Jordan School District, with 20 years of educational experience. She has served as both a mentor specialist and a 1st-grade teacher. As a National Board Certified Teacher and UT Teacher Fellow Alumni, Amy is passionate about helping teachers reach... Read More →
Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #145 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.

9:45am MDT

Not Your Grandmother's Spreadsheets: Deep Dive Into Google Sheets
Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #135
Tired of spending hours on tedious spreadsheet tasks? Discover how to transform your workflow with Google Sheets and streamline your productivity. You'll learn how to effortlessly create personalized certificates and notes, send automated form responses, and leverage macros for powerful automation. Say goodbye to manual labor and hello to efficient, organized processes. Join us to unlock the full potential of Google Sheets and revolutionize your workflow!

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
avatar for Kaley King

Kaley King

DTL / CTE Program Administrator, Spectrum Academy
Kaley has been in the education field for 13 years, from paraprofessional, to teacher, to assistant principal, to principal to her current role as Digital Teaching and Learning & Career and Technical Education Program Administrator. A well-rounded educator giving well-rounded pre... Read More →
Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #135 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060
  1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

9:45am MDT

Let Them Count
Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #237
Have your students been struggling with early numeracy skills? Could counting help them? I believe counting is a foundational skill that is often undervalued. In this session, we will engage in counting, discovery and learn to assess counting skills of our 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
avatar for Jaci Keetch

Jaci Keetch

District Coach, Rich
Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #237 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060
  1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

9:45am MDT

Thank You for the Feedback
Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT
Room #132
Explore with us the three types of feedback that can be leveraged to create a culture focused on growth and improvement in your classroom, school, and district. We will be looking at the attributes of appreciative, coaching, and evaluative feedback. You will dig into how to create each type of feedback and set up feedback sessions for success with students, teachers, and administrators.

We will also take a deep dive at the pitfalls we all experience while giving and receiving feedback and explore the knowledge, skills, and dispositions we all need to develop in order to give and receive authentic feedback and use it as a catalyst for growth.

For a classroom, school, or district to be a place where students, teachers, and administrators own their own learning and growth, there must be high value placed on high quality feedback.

Once all learners in the system begin to own their own growth, a culture of growth and improvement takes root and empowers each person individually while building collective efficacy across the board. Where personal empowerment and collective efficacy thrive, student growth and impact is inevitable.

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: Personal Cell Phone
Speakers
PC

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 →
avatar for Melissa Metcalf

Melissa Metcalf

Instructional Coach, South Summit School District
Melissa Metcalf is another Instructional Coach in South Summit School District. She has 13 years of experience in Alpine and South Summit School District. She has taught kindergarten, 1st grade, 3rd grade, and been a reading specialist before taking on the role of Instructional Coach... Read More →
avatar for Shelley Halverson

Shelley Halverson

Director of Teaching and Learning, South Summit School District
Shelley Halverson feels fortunate to be working in South Summit School District as the Director of Teaching and Learning. She is passionate about creating cultures where others are able to do their best work, take risks, move the work forward, and have a lot of fun in the process... Read More →
Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT
Room #132 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060
  2 hour In-Depth exploration workshop, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

11:10am MDT

Collective Efficacy: Empowering Teachers and Boosting Student Success
Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
Room #235
This session will empower participants to create a culture of collective efficacy, leading to improved teacher morale, increased student engagement, and ultimately, higher levels of student achievement. By focusing on building shared beliefs and empowering staff, schools can unlock their full potential and create a truly successful learning environment 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
avatar for Katie Jones

Katie Jones

Educator Development Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education
With a career spanning 29 years in education, Katie Jones has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of educators working together. Her experience as a classroom teacher (K-7), reading specialist, and instructional coach across all levels has solidified her belief in the potential... Read More →
Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
Room #235 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.

11:10am MDT

Data-Driven Storytelling: Creating User Friendly Dashboards in Looker Studio
Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
Room #135
Take your data visualization skills to the next level! Learn how to transform raw data into engaging and informative dashboards. Discover the art of storytelling with data, from structuring your Looker Studio reports to enhancing their visual appeal with graphic design principles. Dive deeper into advanced formulas and navigation techniques to create interactive and user-friendly dashboards. By the end, you'll be equipped to craft compelling data stories that captivate your audience and drive meaningful insights.

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
avatar for Kaley King

Kaley King

DTL / CTE Program Administrator, Spectrum Academy
Kaley has been in the education field for 13 years, from paraprofessional, to teacher, to assistant principal, to principal to her current role as Digital Teaching and Learning & Career and Technical Education Program Administrator. A well-rounded educator giving well-rounded pre... Read More →
Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
Room #135 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060
  1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

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
avatar for Teresa Pugmire

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.

11:10am MDT

Celebrating Educators: Creating Meaningful Recognition Practices
Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
Room #242
Join us for an inspiring session on celebrating teachers and fostering a culture of appreciation in schools. Discover creative and meaningful ways to recognize educators' efforts, build morale, and highlight their invaluable contributions. This session will include practical strategies, examples of successful recognition programs, and collaborative brainstorming to help participants tailor celebrations to their unique school communities. Let’s uplift the most amazing people in the world and create environments where they feel seen, valued, and celebrated every day!

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
avatar for Kristin Van Brunt

Kristin Van Brunt

Instructional Coach, Davis School District
Kristin van Brunt began her educational journey as an English/Language Arts and Spanish teacher in the Davis School District 31 years ago. Over the years, she has discovered and developed a passion for professional learning and helping teachers continue to grow throughout their careers... Read More →
Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm 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.

11:10am MDT

Power Tools: Differentiate For All Your Learners Without Teacher Burn-Out
Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
Room #234
We've all faced it. The dilemma of how to best meet the diverse needs of ALL our students and still provide the same instruction to all. In this session, I will show you ways to easily re-level texts for struggling readers or readers who need to be challenged; quickly produce a text that meets the requirements of a given Core Standard that is age-appropriate for your students; and easily translate any assignment for students who don't speak the language you are teaching in. And, did I mention that it won't take you hours to do?

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
avatar for Dari Thacker

Dari Thacker

4th/5th Grade Teacher, Silver Summit Elementary
I have been teaching in a blended grade setting for the last 8 years. I integrate domains together. For example, Writing and ELA are both aligned with Utah's History Core Standards. Since there isn't an ELA/Writing curriculum out there that does this, I have created my own. In order... Read More →
Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm 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.

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
avatar for Sheryl Vernon

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.

1:40pm MDT

Building a STARfleet: Mentoring for Teacher Retention
Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Room #235
The future of education depends on the next generation of teachers. This session will provide practical strategies for teacher leaders and principals to cultivate STAR Mentors who effectively Support, Train, Advise, and Retain our bright new stars before they burn out, leading to a stronger, more stable teaching STARfleet. New teacher attrition is a significant challenge, but effective mentoring can make a universe of difference. This session will offer practical solutions and proven strategies for building strong relationships, providing targeted support, and fostering long-term growth. Join us to learn how developing STAR Mentors – the best of the best, ready to guide the next generation – can help you retain your brightest new talent and build a stronger teaching force, ensuring the future of education boldly goes where it needs to go.

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
avatar for Katie Jones

Katie Jones

Educator Development Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education
With a career spanning 29 years in education, Katie Jones has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of educators working together. Her experience as a classroom teacher (K-7), reading specialist, and instructional coach across all levels has solidified her belief in the potential... Read More →
Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Room #235 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.

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
avatar for Meghan Everette

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.

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
avatar for Shilpa Duvoor

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 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.

1:40pm MDT

Building STEM Leadership and Integration: Lessons from Utah’s SEI Cohort
Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Room #135
Nearing the completion of year two of a five-year initiative, the STEM Action Center (STEM AC), in partnership with the UEPC - Utah Education Policy Center, developed STEM Education Innovators (SEI) program—a statewide professional learning cohort designed to support secondary STEM educators (grades 6–12) in growing their capacity across four key areas: teacher leadership, STEM integration, content knowledge, and addressing a local STEM-focused problem of practice.

This interactive one-hour session will showcase the SEI learning design, which blends long-term, job-embedded professional learning with personalized support. Attendees will hear directly from current SEI teacher leaders, explore the cohort’s learning experiences, and examine the systems-level design that sustains educator growth over time.

The session will also provide a preview of the elementary SEI cohort, launching in Fall 2027, and highlight ways school and district leaders can support educators in leveraging the SEI experience to foster STEM instructional improvement, leadership development, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Designed for school and district leaders, instructional coaches, and K12educators, this session offers insights into how the SEI model can support their capacity for high-impact STEM teaching and learning. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of the SEI framework and how ongoing professional learning supports strengthen and build STEM knowledge and capacity among K12 teacher leaders.

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
avatar for Kellie Yates

Kellie Yates

Collaboration and Program Development Manager, STEM Action Center
Kellie Yates is the Collaboration and Program Development Manager at the Utah STEM Action Center, where she serves as the STEM Liaison between the STEM Action Center and the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). She earned a bachelor’s degree in Technology and Industrial Education... Read More →
avatar for Kody Colvin

Kody Colvin

Lead Schoool & District Improvement Specialist, Utah Education Policy Center
Dr. Kody Colvin is the Lead School and District improvement specialist at the Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC). Kody spent 11 years in the Salt Lake City School District (SLCSD) as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and school administrator—assistant principal and principal... Read More →
Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm 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.

1:40pm MDT

Discovering what your students really know when “asking” the right questions
Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Room #132
We have all been students or participants in lessons during which people talked “at us” but didn’t engage us. We weren’t expected to do anything. So what did we do? What did we learn? Most likely, not much. But, when a teacher uses well-crafted questions and short “tasks” throughout a lesson in which students have an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of content, students are engaged and far more likely to understand the material as it is being taught. Even more important, the educator can more effectively assess student understanding throughout the lesson and pivot when necessary.

This presentation is designed to address Open, Assessment, and Engagement Questions or Tasks. At the conclusion, educators will be able to identify what each sounds or looks like and when they are most appropriate for use as well as the amount of student engagement they can count upon when they are in use. Educators will have the opportunity to write questions of each type that they will use in a lesson they teach in their classroom. Instructional coaches will have an opportunity to learn about the three types of questions and how to collect data to support teachers.


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
JK

Jennifer King

Instructional Coach, South Summit School District
Jennifer King has been involved in education for 29 years. She has been a middle and high school social studies teacher, has been an elementary and high school instructional coach in Park CIty School District, and an elementary principal in Murray School District. She is currently... Read More →
Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Room #132 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.

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
avatar for Jared Lisonbee

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 →
avatar for Cristina Barrera

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 →
avatar for Katrina Herd

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.

1:40pm MDT

Math the Matters: Reaching Every Student
Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 4:10pm MDT
Room #148
Participants will engage in a math task and reflect on how the design of the task meets the needs of all students. Participants will explore USBE Mathematics Resources that support the implementation of high quality mathematics instruction.

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
avatar for Molly Basham

Molly Basham

Early Learning Mathematics Specialist, Utah State Board of Education
Molly Basham is the Early Learning Mathematics Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education. Molly comes to this roll with a background in preschool and elementary education having taught PreK, kindergarten, second, and fourth grade during her time as a classroom teacher. Prior... Read More →
avatar for Mike Spencer

Mike Spencer

Secondary Mathematics Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education
Mike earned his M.Ed. with a concentration in Mathematics from Utah State University and a BS in Mathematics Education from the same institution. He spent 17 years teaching secondary mathematics and serving as an instructional coach for. In his current role as the Secondary Math Specialist... Read More →
avatar for Melissa Garber

Melissa Garber

Elementary Mathematics Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education
Melissa Garber is a proud University of Utah graduate and the current Elementary Mathematics Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education. Melissa has had the privilege of working with a diverse range of learners, including K-6 students, pre-service teachers, and experienced educators... Read More →
Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 4:10pm MDT
Room #148 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060
  2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

1:40pm MDT

Rock Band - The Secret to Building Meaningful Music Programs in Rural Schools
Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 4:10pm MDT
Commons
Great music changes lives, but making and playing great music in a rock band can change the world. To quote Jack Black from The School of Rock, "One Great Rock Show Can Change the World!" Are you interested in building a meaningful, life-changing and school-culture changing music program at your school, or do you already have a music program that needs a little more spice and pizzazz? Then this is the presentation for you. Rock Band represents all genres of popular music heard on the radio - rock, country, pop, punk, hip hop, etc. Most importantly, it represents the popular music that connects our students to the world in which they live. In this presentation/workshop, I will share experiences from my own life and 20 plus years of teaching that reinforce the idea of Rock Band and popular music as essential elements of modern music programs. I will teach you how to build Rock Band programs in your school on a limited budget. Lastly, I will demonstrate with volunteers from the audience how to create a performing rock ensemble on day 1 using ukuleles. And if I am able, I will include live performances from the Rich High School Rock Band.

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
CW

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 →
Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 4:10pm MDT
Commons 1761 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060
  2 hour Playground - hands-on and discussion, Advanced - considerable experience; significant prerequisite skills required.

3:10pm MDT

Building Bridges: Practical Strategies to Empower Teachers To Help All Language Learners Succeed
Thursday July 10, 2025 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT
Room #147
Helping ESL students succeed can be challenging, especially when negative academic transitions lead to poor performance, low self-esteem or even school dropout. How can we better engage these students and motivate them to improve their English skills and communicate more effectively?
In this session, you'll learn practical strategies and resources to support ESL learners in diverse classrooms. We'll explore ways to create an inclusive environment, break down language barriers, and help students transition smoothly into their academic journey. Whether you teach in a dual-language program, world language classroom, or work with multilingual students in a regular classroom,You’ll walk away with easy-to-apply, powerful tools to help your learners thrive and reach their full potential.


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
avatar for Talia A. Casares

Talia A. Casares

DLI Teacher, North Sanpete School District
Talia A. Casares, originally from Mexico City, moved to the U.S. to pursue a degree in Spanish teaching. She holds a Master’s in Spanish Pedagogy from Brigham Young University and has earned endorsements in Dual Language Immersion (DLI), TESOL, STEM, and Educational Technology... Read More →
PZ

Patricia Zavala

DLI Teacher, North Sanpete School District
Patricia Zavala is a 5th-grade Spanish Dual Immersion teacher at North Sanpete School District with nearly 30 years of experience teaching Spanish and English in diverse classroom settings. She has taught in language institutes, bilingual, and multilingual schools in her hometown... Read More →
Thursday July 10, 2025 3:10pm - 4:10pm 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.

3:10pm MDT

No Cap: Finding the "Joy Snacks" in Ed Tech Integration
Thursday July 10, 2025 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT
Room #241
Yo, URSA fam! Let's be real. Teaching can be a whole mood, but what if your tech toolkit could be the ultimate "glow up" for your life? This session is all about keeping it 100 and exploring simple tech ideas that can spark those daily "joy snacks" – for you, your colleagues, and even your students! We'll dive into practical, no-cap strategies for using tech to create "no crumbs left" moments of ease and fun, big or small. Discover how tools can help you streamline tasks, snag those little personal wins, share some laughs with your crew, and even sprinkle in some joy for your students. Get ready for some fire examples of how to integrate these tools and leave feeling totally refreshed and ready to find the "main character" energy in every tech-infused day, on and off the clock. Trust—this session is gonna be bussin'!

(Translation for the Teenage Slang Impaired= Come and learn about funtech tools that can support you in making your life easier and finding joyful moments, both personally and professionally.)


Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Mac Laptop, Windows Laptop, Chromebook
Speakers
avatar for JoLynn Torgerson

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 3:10pm - 4:10pm 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.
 
From $50.00
2025 Utah Rural Schools Conference
From $50.00

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