2025 Utah Rural Schools Conference

Welcome to URSA 2025 at Park City High School!

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9:45am MDT

Printable Potential: Using 3D Printing in the Classroom

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT

GC 201 - General Classroom Building, Room 201

💻 Format Alert: This is an extended, 2-hour hands-on session—please bring your own laptop or tablet to fully participate!

This 2-hour session will focus on basic 3D modeling and how to incorporate 3D printing in the classroom. Attendees will walk away with curated lists of 3D prints that align to standards, plug-and-play Canvas modules developed by University of Utah students, and a brand new 3D printer!

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

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: None

Speakers

Becca Robison

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT
GC 201 - General Classroom Building, Room 201 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Subject Area All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists
Grade Level STEM / STEAM, Career and Technical Education

9:45am MDT

Basic Self Care: What do you need to know

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT

ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204

💻 Format Alert: This is an extended, 2-hour hands-on session—please bring your own laptop or tablet to fully participate!

In this session, we will explore what self-care truly means—and what it does not. Together, we will reflect on the role of self-talk and how our internal dialogue shapes our perception of ourselves and our overall well-being. Participants will have the opportunity to assess their current self-care routines, identify areas for growth, and consider practical ways to strengthen their daily habits.

We will also introduce foundational concepts across key domains of wellness, including physical, emotional, mental, financial, spiritual, and social health. This session is designed to be both reflective and practical, offering simple, meaningful strategies that can be applied immediately.

Join us for an engaging and supportive experience focused on building awareness, fostering balance, and enhancing overall well-being.

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

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 →

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT
ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Subject Area All Grade Levels
Audience All of the above
Grade Level Mental/Behavioral Health

1:30pm MDT

Writing Formative Assessment Clusters

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT

GC 201 - General Classroom Building, Room 201

💻 Format Alert: This is an extended, 2-hour hands-on session—please bring your own laptop or tablet to fully participate!

Have you seen or heard that the RISE assessments have clusters? We will learn what assessment “clusters” are, how to write them, and then write them for use in our classrooms as part of our formative assessment process. Participants will be able to focus on ELA, Mathematics, or Science with support from the USBE Assessment Specialists.The RISE assessments in grades 3-10 include clusters, so utilizing this assessment format in classrooms can help prepare students for the RISE assessments.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: None

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

Speakers

Jared Wright

Elementary Math and Science Assessment Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

I have been in Education for 20+ years. Approximately half of that time was as an elementary school teacher of students in grades 2, 3, and 4. The other half has been in multiple roles at USBE in the Assessment and Accountability section.

Dallas Brooks

Elementary ELA Assessment Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Dallas holds a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction as well as a K-12 Reading Endorsement. She has served as both an elementary teacher and a Title I Coordinator, bringing over a decade of experience in supporting student achievement. In her current role, Dallas specializes... Read More →

Samantha Tinkey

Secondary Science Assessment Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Sam Tinkey is a Secondary Science Assessment Specialist with USBE. She is an experienced educator and researcher with 11 years in Utah’s public school system, including eight years as a secondary science teacher. Her classroom experience informs her work in improving how instructional... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT
GC 201 - General Classroom Building, Room 201 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Assessment & Data Management, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Subject Area All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists, District / School Administrators
Grade Level Language Arts, Mathematics, Science

1:30pm MDT

The Reclaimed Classroom: Leading AI for Teaching and Learning

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT

ED 202 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 202

💻 Format Alert: This is an extended, 2-hour hands-on session—please bring your own laptop or tablet to fully participate!

AI is already shaping classrooms and schools—but how can teachers and leaders use it to meaningfully improve teaching, learning, and decision-making?In this interactive session, participants will explore lessons from Utah’s AI & School Leadership Collaborative, a statewide effort focused on practical, ethical, and human-centered uses of AI in schools. We will build a shared foundation by unpacking key concepts such as traditional vs. generative AI, large language models (LLMs), bias, hallucinations, and responsible data use, including considerations around PII and “walled garden” tools.Through educator case studies and student-facing scenarios, participants will examine real-world applications of AI for instructional planning, student engagement, and leadership decision-making. Using a simple AI fluency framework (e.g., the 4Ds), participants will explore how to move from awareness to intentional implementation. The session emphasizes ethical use, human judgment, and the role of educators in AI-supported environments.By the end of this session, participants will be able to:Build foundational AI understanding, including key concepts and risksAnalyze AI use cases to identify meaningful instructional and leadership applicationsApply an AI fluency framework to guide responsible implementationIdentify ethical and data privacy considerations in school contextsDevelop one concrete next step for AI use in their setting

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop; Windows Tablet / Smartphone; Chromebook

Speakers

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 →

Kody Colvin

Lead School & District Improvement Specialist, Utah Education Policy Center

Kody Colvin is a Lead School and District Improvement Specialist with the Utah Education Policy Center, where he partners with schools and systems to strengthen instructional leadership, professional learning, and continuous improvement efforts. With over 15 years of experience in... Read More →

Matt Winters

AI Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Matthew Winters is the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Educational Specialist for USBE, the Utah State Board of Education. He was formerly a product manager and statewide trainer for Utah Education Network, specializing in Google Workspaces for Edu. He was also the Utah Coalition for... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT
ED 202 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 202 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.