2025 Utah Rural Schools Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome to URSA 2025 at Park City High School!

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9:45am MDT

School Leadership Theory vs. Practice: Doing what should be done while doing what has to be done

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

TBD

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

Quinn Kellis

Leadership Development Coordinator, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Dr. Quinn Kellis is the Leadership Development Coordinator at USBE. He leads the USBE School Improvement team, is the Accreditation Liaison, Rural Schools Liaison, and chair of the Utah Coalition of Education Leaders. He is a former superintendent from Arizona where he served 32 years... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Leadership, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Subject Area Not Applicable
Audience District / School Administrators
Grade Level Leadership

9:45am MDT

Why Some PLCs Pop and Other Don't: Small Shifts That Lead to Big Results

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

SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128

Some PLCs lead to meaningful gains in teaching and student learning while others struggle to move beyond routine meetings. What makes the difference? In this interactive session, teachers and leaders will examine the key practices of effective teams, reflect on their current reality, and identify small, high-leverage shifts that can strengthen collaboration and improve results. Participants will leave with practical strategies and clear next steps they can implement immediately in their own PLCs.

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

David Boren

Assistant Clinical Professor, Brigham Young University

David Boren grew up on a small farm in Northern Idaho before heading to BYU to study elementary education. He loved his years in the public schools as a teacher and administrator, and during those years worked on a master’s and PhD in Educational Leadership from BYU. He is now starting... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Leadership, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Subject Area Not Applicable
Audience District / School Administrators
Grade Level Leadership

9:45am MDT

Getting Your New Teachers to Stay: Research to Impact Practice in Small Schools

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

AU - Auditorium Foyer

🖼️ Format Alert: This is a relaxed, 2-hour "drop-in" poster session where you can browse at your leisure and chat informally with presenters.

New teacher attrition is a concern for all school systems, especially small or rural schools. Learn current research insights regarding new teacher induction. This poster session will suggest ways to design effective mentoring and induction activities based on research. Discussion, interaction, sharing of best practices, and exploring ways to impact new teacher retention in your setting will be a key part of this presentation. Finally, I will ask for interview volunteers to help in my research and will provide initial research findings, if possible.

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: iPad / iPhone; Any of these

Speakers

Pamela Pedersen

Doctoral Researcher, University of Utah, Education Leadership and Policy

I bring 27 years of experience in public education, beginning as a special education teacher and later serving as a grant writer and secondary administrator in the Salt Lake City School District.

For the past 17 years, I have led in a range of school settings, including small district charter schools, alternative high schools, and large comprehensive high schools. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities schools face across different... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT
AU - Auditorium Foyer 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Instructional Coaching, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required. | Leadership, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 2 Hour Poster Session - informal discussions with various small groups during a 2-hour window
Subject Area Not Applicable
Audience District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level Instructional Coaching, Leadership

9:45am MDT

Policy Implications for Principalship: "An Unfunded Mandate"

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

AU - Auditorium Foyer

🖼️ Format Alert: This is a relaxed, 2-hour "drop-in" poster session where you can browse at your leisure and chat informally with presenters.

It seems that education is one of the most over-politicized fields. Each year the legislature tries to "solve" all of "problems" they see in society by pushing more policies into the schools. Administrators play a big role in implementation for many of the top-down policies that are newly signed into law each year. Sometimes the laws make a little bit of sense. Sometimes they are just a nuisance. This poster session will discuss finding from my dissertation regarding policy implementation struggles and successes for school leaders. It will also give participants an opportunity to share their biggest policy struggles with me to guide my next research project because until practitioners and legislatures see each other, not much is going to change. Let's make policy work for Utah's rural school children!

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: None

Speakers

Bethany McGarry

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT
AU - Auditorium Foyer 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 2 Hour Poster Session - informal discussions with various small groups during a 2-hour window
Subject Area All Grade Levels
Audience District / School Administrators
Grade Level Leadership, Other

9:45am MDT

Going for Gold: The New Gold Medal Schools Framework

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

AU - Auditorium Foyer

🛝 Format Alert: This is a fluid, 2-hour "drop-in" playground where you can stop by anytime to explore small-group activities at your own pace.

Join us for an engaging session on the Gold Medal Schools Program, a comprehensive initiative designed to promote healthy lifestyles, regular physical activity, and nutritious eating habits among students. Originally created to coincide with the 2002 Utah Olympics, this locally developed program is being re-established to align with the upcoming 2034 Olympic games, playing a key role in the state's broader Rural Health Transformation Plan.In this session, we will explore the core components of the proposed five-year Gold Medal Schools Pilot Program, which empowers eligible elementary schools to implement evidence-based strategies and create school policies that support lifelong health and wellnessLearning Intentions: Inform participants about the new Gold Medal Schools Program for rural schools, including grant opportunities.Demonstrate the framework (to be developed) and model activities that educators can implement as part of the program. Activities may include: nutrition education, fitness assessments, adaptive and inclusive sports, bike education, and active transport. Success Criteria: Participants have access to the framework and understand the requirements of Gold Medal Schools. They will also know how to apply for funding for the 2026-27 school year. Participants can lead and administer the activities modeled during the session with students.

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

Jodi Paker

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:45am - 12:10pm MDT
AU - Auditorium Foyer 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs & PLNs), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 2 hour Playground - hands on activities and discussions with various small groups during a 2-hour window
Subject Area Elementary - grades K - 6
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level Health and Physical Education, Leadership

11:10am MDT

Managing Change as a New School Administrator

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127

This session is designed for the new school administrator, and will provide a framework for understanding how to assess and navigate the change needed in a school for which you are the new principal. This program will identify four key types of schools, the unique qualities of each, and how best to move forward in making change and improving a school based on these descriptions.

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

Doug Stump

Director of Graduate Programs, Education, Southern Utah University

Doug Stump teaches in the Educational Leadership program at Southern Utah University. Doug has 18 years experience in Pk-12 schools as a teacher, mid-level administrator and head of school. Doug has worked with schools in Virginia, rural western New York and Texas. He has 14 years... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Leadership, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Subject Area Not Applicable
Audience District / School Administrators
Grade Level Leadership

11:10am MDT

Everything that Matters Begins with Trust: How to Create It, Sustain It, and Restore It

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128

This workshop helps educators examine trust as the foundation for effective learning, leadership, and school culture. Participants will review the sources of trust in a school, practice trust-building responses to common school scenarios, and leave with a concrete commitment for specific actions. The focus will be on practical application of concepts in case studies and hands-on activities that answer the question: “What does trust look like in schools? How do leaders and teachers create and sustain it?”

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

Dale COX

Associate Professor, Program Director K-12 Educational Leadership, UVU - Utah Valley University

Dale Cox is an Associate Professor and the Program Director of K-12 Educational Leadership at Utah Valley University. He received his doctorate in educational leadership from Lehigh University, his M.Ed. in educational administration from Arizona State University, and his B.A. in... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Instructional Coaching, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Subject Area All Grade Levels
Audience District / School Administrators, Technology Coordinators / Facilitators
Grade Level Leadership, Instructional Coaching

1:30pm MDT

From Fragmented to Focused: Strengthening Your School’s System of Support

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127

When systems of support are fragmented, students experience delays, duplication, or missed opportunities. This session helps educators move toward a more focused and aligned approach by clarifying how collaborative teacher teams, school leadership teams, and intervention teams work together within an RTI framework. Participants will leave with practical tools and strategies to improve coordination, ensure timely interventions, and better meet the needs of all learners.

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

David Boren

Assistant Clinical Professor, Brigham Young University

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Leadership, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Subject Area Not Applicable
Audience District / School Administrators
Grade Level Leadership

1:30pm MDT

Leading High Leverage Practices in Schools

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128

Speakers

Quinn Kellis

Leadership Development Coordinator, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Leadership, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Subject Area Not Applicable
Audience District / School Administrators
Grade Level Leadership

1:30pm MDT

Teacher's are Leaders Inside and Outside of the Classroom

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204

Teachers have limited professional opportunities outside of moving away from the classroom to the district or admin offices. Educators will learn about how they can take on new leadership roles that are supported by the state board, state legislature, and may even be able to apply for stipends funded by the legislature through matching grants. These new leadership roles allow a teacher to stay in the classroom while expanding their career to new opportunities. We will explore the Utah State board approved Roles of a Teacher Leader Guidebook and the various leadership opportunities for teachers.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: As long as they have a web enabled device it will be fine.

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

Stephan Seabury

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Subject Area All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators
Grade Level Leadership

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

Assistant Director, Professional Learning & Technical Assistance, Utah Education Policy Center

Kody Colvin is the Assistant Director of Professional Learning and Technical Assistance at 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... Read More →

Matt Winters

AI Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Matthew Winters is the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Educational Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education. He was formerly a product manager and statewide trainer for Utah Education Network.He was the Utah Coalition for Educational Technology (UCET) President for 2022-2024... 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.

Learning Strand or Track 2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Subject Area All Grade Levels
Audience Everyone
Grade Level Leadership

2:50pm MDT

Current Problems in School Leadership: A Think Tank Experience

Thursday July 16, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128

Speakers

Jenna Olson

Principal, Monticello Elementary

Jenna Olson is the principal of Monticello Elementary, where she leads school improvement efforts focused on data-driven instruction and student growth. She has served on district leadership teams, mentored new principals, and is pursuing her EdD in Educational Leadership. Jenna is... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Leadership, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Subject Area Not Applicable
Audience District / School Administrators
Grade Level Leadership

2:50pm MDT

Teachers are leaders and should be the shapers our profession

Thursday July 16, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204

What we do as educators is often dictated by those who are not in our classrooms. We lead in our classrooms and should lead outside of them too. We'll work through how and when to connect with your policy makers from the local school district to the legislature and state board. Teachers will become familiar with the legislative website and practice communicating with their legislators. Teachers will leave having a better understanding of how educational policy works and the successes that can occur as they engage themselves.

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

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

Speakers

Stephan Seabury

Thursday July 16, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
ED 204 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 204 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Subject Area Elementary - grades K - 6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, All of the above
Grade Level Social Studies, Leadership

2:50pm MDT

Demystifying Mastery: The What, the Why and the How of Proficiency Scale Construction

Thursday July 16, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level)

In a learner-centered classroom, students shouldn't have to guess what success looks like or how to get there; proficiency scales provide the essential GPS for their educational journey. This session will explore the what, why, and how of building scales that transform Utah Core standards into transparent, actionable roadmaps for every learner. We’ll define proficiency scales as a progressive continuum that breaks down complex skills into observable milestones, moving far beyond the static nature of traditional rubrics. By shifting from a "mystery grading" system that combines behaviors and understanding into one opaque measure, we can foster true learner agency, empowering students to identify exactly what they need to know and how to get there. Participants will explore a practical design process: first, exploring standards to identify essential skills; second, crafting clear descriptors for varying levels of mastery from emerging to extending; and third, integrating student voice to ensure the language is accessible and meaningful. By the end of this session, you will be equipped with the tools and concrete examples needed to replace traditional grade books with a system that turns every student into a self-directed, assessment capable learner.

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

Nathan Auck

STEM Coordinator, Utah State Board of Education

Nathan Auck has engaged stakeholders at all levels of our country’s educational ecosystem, working towards better experiences and outcomes for each student. In 2015, he was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, in 2017, he served a year-long... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720

Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Instructional Coaching, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Professional Learning Communities (PLCs & PLNs), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. | Assessment & Data Management, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Subject Area All Grade Levels
Audience Everyone
Grade Level Not Applicable

9:45am MDT

9:45am MDT

9:45am MDT

9:45am MDT

9:45am MDT

11:10am MDT

11:10am MDT

1:30pm MDT

1:30pm MDT

1:30pm MDT

1:30pm MDT

2:50pm MDT

2:50pm MDT

2:50pm MDT

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