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Welcome to URSA 2025 at Park City High School!

Subject: EdTech Coach/Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists clear filter
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Friday, July 11
 

9:45am MDT

Navigating the Information Jungle: Strategies for Teaching Information Literacy
Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
In today’s digital landscape, the internet serves as both a treasure trove of information and a minefield of misinformation. During this session, participants will delve into essential strategies for navigating this complex terrain. Information literacy involves critically evaluating online content to discern reliable sources. Media fluency hones the ability to decode media messages, recognize biases, and interpret visuals. The SIFT method, comprising the steps: Stop, Investigate, Find, and Trace, empowers students to dissect online information effectively. Additionally, fostering critical thinking is crucial for mitigating misinformation. Lastly, educators can creatively integrate information literacy into classrooms, ensuring that students develop essential skills for evaluating and engaging with digital content. Let’s embrace the internet’s power while staying vigilant against misinformation!

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: It would be nice if participants bring a laptop

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Bring a laptop, not an iPad or mobile device.
Speakers
avatar for Kayla Towner

Kayla Towner

Senior Product Trainer, UEN - Utah Education Network
Kayla Towner is a Senior Product Trainer at the Utah Education Network (UEN) and, first and foremost, a passionate educator. She loves spending time with her family—playing soccer ⚽️, reading books 📚, hiking 🥾, and adventuring across Utah 🏔️. Kayla is dedicated to... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #142 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

9:45am MDT

Unlock Creativity in Your Classroom with Adobe Express
Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Are you ready to bring learning to life in your upper elementary classroom? Join our engaging, hands-on presentation on Adobe Express and discover how easy it is to create stunning visuals, videos, and interactive projects—no design experience needed!
What You’ll Learn:
How to craft eye-catching lesson materials in minutes
Fun, student-friendly projects like digital book reports & science posters
Time-saving templates that make teaching easier & more exciting
Best practices for seamless classroom integration
Why Attend?
Boost student engagement & creativity
Gain practical, ready-to-use classroom tools
Walk away with your own Adobe Express masterpiece!
Don’t miss out! Join us and turn your classroom into a hub of creativity & innovation!

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Must have Laptop, Mac or Tablet

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 Lisa Perry

Lisa Perry

Educator/Tech Coach, Terra Academy
I am a passionate 5th-grade educator with 13 years of teaching experience, All of those in rural Utah. I strongly advocate for literacy, math, and technology, using hands-on projects, Thinking Classroom strategies, and digital tools like Adobe Express to engage my students and build... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #234 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

9:45am MDT

AI and Privacy: What Every Teacher Needs to Know
Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Want to leverage the power of AI in your classroom but worried about student privacy? This session is for you! We'll cover the basics of AI and privacy, including:
- What is AI and how can it be used in education?
- What are the privacy risks of using AI?
- How can you protect student privacy when using AI?
- We'll also provide you with practical tips and resources to help you use AI safely and responsibly.

NOTE: This session repeats on Thursday, July 10 at 9:45 am in Room 241.

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

John Lyman

Student Data Privacy Specialist, Utah State Board of Education
John is a seasoned instructional designer with a passion for innovative learning experiences. With two decades of experience, a B.S. in Developmental Psychology, and an M.Ed. in Instructional Design, he brings a unique blend of expertise. John excels in creating cutting-edge, immersive... Read More →
avatar for Nicole Sanchez

Nicole Sanchez

Student Data Privacy Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education
Nicole Sanchez is a former junior high teacher and instructional coach, and is now a Student Data Privacy Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education. Nicole especially loves to work with districts and charter schools across the state to help them improve their privacy practices... Read More →
JZ

Jeremy Zabriskie

Data Privacy and Security Specialist, Utah State Board of Education
Jeremy comes to the data privacy team from his previous role as IT Manager at a K6 charter school. While there, he served as the Data Manager and Information Security Officer, in addition to teaching computer science classes. Jeremy’s fervor for cybersecurity is proven by his multiple... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #145 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

9:45am MDT

Google Demo Slam: 2025
Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
This is a Demo Slam style presentation and we will host the demos in video form (This makes the presentation go very smoothly). The participants will get to see us present the videos and then vote on the video/tool that they think is the best! If you are unable to physically attend the session, that's still OK. We have had this situation in the past where one of our team members was unable to be there at UCET. We can still present your video on your behalf! The rules will be as follows: Each Google Certified Educator will submit one video Video must demonstrate use of Google tools/add-ons/extensions/etc. Demonstration portion of the video must be ≤ 2 minutes Video must include a brief introduction (may be outside of the 2 minute time limit) Video must conclude with a “SLAM".

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: Google Account
Speakers
avatar for Kelli Cannon

Kelli Cannon

Digital Learning Specialist, Jordan School District
Kelli Cannon has been an educator for 12 years, teaching upper elementary students prior to her current role as a Digital Learning Specialist. Kelli holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology, as well as endorsements in STEM, Teaching English as a Second Language and Instructional... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #137 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

11:00am MDT

PBL Reimagined - Unleashing Student Potential through EdTech & Community Impact
Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Engaging students through a project-based learning (PBL) approach allows them to take an active role in their education, fostering curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking. In this workshop, we will explore the research behind PBL and examine its real-world applications in the classroom.

Participants will begin by reviewing key studies that highlight the benefits of PBL, including increased student engagement, deeper content retention, and improved problem-solving skills. We will also examine examples of PBL projects and implementation, analyzing what makes these projects effective and how they can be adapted for different subjects and grade levels.

This session will also provide practical strategies for incorporating PBL into daily instruction, regardless of constraints such as time, curriculum requirements, or student readiness. Educators will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities, brainstorm project ideas, and apply a framework for designing meaningful, student-driven learning experiences.

Additionally, we will discuss ways to integrate emerging technologies, including AI tools, to enhance PBL and support students in their inquiry process. By the end of the session, attendees will leave with concrete strategies and resources to create engaging, inquiry-based learning environments that empower students to take ownership of their education.

Whether you are new to PBL or looking to refine your approach, this session will provide valuable insights and tools to make project-based learning a transformative experience in your classroom.

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 Lora Gibbons

Lora Gibbons

Senior Technical Trainer
Utah Education Network
Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Room #232 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

11:00am MDT

Pedagogy First: Guiding Principles for Using AI to Empower Students
Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Learn how to utilize AI in your classroom in ways that go beyond hype and truly foster deep learning. In this session, we’ll briefly review the underlying mechanics of large language models before proposing four guiding principles to help you implement AI strategically in your classroom: task alignment, cognitive awareness, digital literacy, and human-centeredness. Using these principles as a lens, we’ll workshop classroom scenarios and discuss the ways artificial intelligence can support and empower our students when implemented strategically.

NOTE: This session repeats on Thursday, July 10at 9:45 am in Room 244.

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
avatar for Nicole Johnson

Nicole Johnson

Academic Advisor & Content Specialist, UEN - Utah Education Network
Nicole is an educational technology specialist who equips school counselors with the tools they need to implement comprehensive school counseling programs and increase equitable student outcomes through technology. She also provides academic planning and advising for teachers looking... Read More →
avatar for Braxton Thornley

Braxton Thornley

Senior Technology Trainer, Utah Education Network
Braxton specializes in using technology to personalize learning and utilizing artificial intelligence to promote student success. Before joining UEN’s professional development team, Braxton worked as a high school language arts teacher and digital learning coach in Jordan School... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Room #137 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

11:00am MDT

Self Care: What is it?
Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
We will discuss what self care is and what it is not

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, Android Tablet / Smartphone, 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 16 years. Before that, she was a Special Education Teacher in the Nebo district for five years. She earned an associate's degree from Utah Valley University and a dual Bachelor of Science in special... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Room #145 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

11:00am MDT

Creating a predictable environment for optimal behavior In our schools and classrooms
Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Environments are the key to safety and security for our students. When we can provide environments that are consistent with behavioral principals we create an environment with fewer behavioral struggles and students that are happy and well adjusted.

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

Speakers
avatar for Elizabeth Howcroft

Elizabeth Howcroft

Board Certified Behavior Analyst, LBA, licensed Special Education Teacher, Northeastern Educational Services
Liz was born and raised in rural Utah where she has worked with students and families of students with high educational and behavior needs for the past 20 years. Liz has worked in education, foster care, early intervention, and the clinic setting both in home and in clinic.
Liz... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Room #237 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060
 
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