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Welcome to URSA 2025 at Park City High School!
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Friday, July 17
 

8:00am MDT

Conference Credit
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Online Form
Information will be posted before the start of the conference. SUU and USBE licenes hours will be available to conference attendees.
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Online Form 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Conference Info

8:00am MDT

Presenter's Lounge & Workspace
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00am - 12:00pm MDT
CC Rondthaller Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Rondthaller Room (200 Level)
TBD
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00am - 12:00pm MDT
CC Rondthaller Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Rondthaller Room (200 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Presenter Workspace

8:00am MDT

Conference WiFi Informatiion and Tech Support
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00am - 12:00pm MDT
ED Level 2 Foyer, East - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Level 2 Foyer
WiFi: SUU Conference, Password: TBD

Tech Support for presenters can be found at this phone number - (435) XXX-XXXX or by swinging by the Level 2 Lobby of the Education Building.
Friday July 17, 2026 8:00am - 12:00pm MDT
ED Level 2 Foyer, East - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Level 2 Foyer 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Tech Support

8:30am MDT

Joanna Andres, Utah’s 2025-26 Teacher of the Year
Friday July 17, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
AU - Auditorium
TBD

Speakers
JA
Friday July 17, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am MDT
AU - Auditorium 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Keynote, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

9:50am MDT

Surviving the RISE: Lowering the Cognitive Lift
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128
Let’s be honest: high-stakes testing season can make everyone involved want to hide under a desk. But what if we could make the RISE test a little less terrifying for your 4th-6th graders?In this session, we’ll pull back the curtain on those notorious RISE Cluster questions and dissect them together. We’ll cover practical, no-nonsense test-taking strategies and explore how to give your students low-stakes practice with the actual testing interface. By making the platform second nature beforehand, we'll drastically lower the cognitive lift on test day. This means your students can focus their brainpower on actually showing what they know—rather than trying to figure out what the heck they are supposed to do!Join us to make test prep less painful, more intentional, and a whole lot more effective.

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
RC
LG
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Assessment & Data Management, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

9:50am MDT

AI Tools for Digital Storytelling: Google Vids and Adobe Podcast
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
ED 202 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 202
Unlock the potential of AI to transform how your students create, narrate, and publish their ideas. This session focuses on two powerful tools: Google Vids, which streamlines video creation, and Adobe Podcast for professional-grade audio and video enhancements and editing. You'll learn how these tools can rapidly accelerate the process of turning a simple idea into a fully-produced piece of digital media.

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: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop; Chromebook
Speakers
avatar for Rob Bentley

Rob Bentley

Instructor and Adobe Product Manager, UEN - Utah Education Network
Rob taught secondary Spanish and Language Arts for 6 years. For the last 19 years, he's been teaching teachers how to integrate technology effectively into their curriculum. During his time at UEN, he's presented at URSA,  UELMA, UCET, ISTE, FETC, UFLA, SUMS, and the CTE conferences... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am 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.

9:50am MDT

Beyond Plagiarism: Reimagining Assessment & Assignments in the Age of AI
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
ED 104 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 104
TBD

Speakers
CM
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
ED 104 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 104 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI)

9:50am MDT

GEG Utah Demo Slam 2026
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
SC 016 - Science Center, Room 016
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! 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: None

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; Any of these
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 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
SC 016 - Science Center, Room 016 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

9:50am MDT

Technology: What Are We (Or Should We Be) Afraid Of?
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level)
Recently passed and proposed legislation proposes to reduce technology use in schools. Is that wise? Is it good? What is it that concerns our parents and legislators? Should it concern us as well? Do we need to rethink our use of technology in our schools? This presentation will review some of the research that either supports or raises concerns about how we use technology in our schools. It will touch on how technology has impacted society, especially our students, and will attempt to tease out the first principles that can help guide our decisions around technology in our schools and our lives.

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
avatar for Christijan Draper

Christijan Draper

Technology Director, Daggett School District
Christijan Draper graduated from high school in the Alaskan Bush as a class of one—valedictorian by default. Dr. Draper has a PhD in instructional psychology and technology, a MS in youth and family recreation, and he studied communications as an undergrad. He spent five years as... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

9:50am MDT

The People Puzzle: Solved with Business Chemistry
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102
Every team has a unique blend of personalities, motivators, and working styles — but too often, those differences create friction instead of fuel. Deloitte’s Business Chemistry framework offers a practical, research‑based way to understand how people think, act, and interact at work. This session gives participants an energizing look at the four Business Chemistry types — Pioneers, Guardians, Drivers, and Integrators — and shows how applying these insights can enhance collaboration, communication, and leadership effectiveness.Participants will explore how different types perceive risk, make decisions, handle conflict, and respond to change. Through hands‑on activities and real-world scenarios, they’ll learn strategies to flex their style, improve team cohesion, and bring out the best in every member of their organization.Whether you lead teams, develop people, or simply want to work better with others, this session provides tools you can implement immediately to build stronger, more adaptive, and more high‑performing teams.

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

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: iPad / iPhone; Android Tablet / Smartphone
Speakers
avatar for Piper Riddle

Piper Riddle

Executive Director, NUES - Northeastern Utah Educational Services
Dedicated educator passionate about fostering curiosity and critical thinking in students and adults; committed to creating a dynamic learning environment that nurtures both academic growth and personal development. Learner, coach, admin, teacher, adjunct, facilitator, leader, mom... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Instructional Coaching, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Professional Learning Communities (PLCs & PLNs), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

9:50am MDT

From Policy to Practice: What Utah’s HB 393 Means for Dyslexia and Daily Classroom Instruction
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215
With increased attention on dyslexia through legislation such as HB 393, many schools will soon be strengthening screening and identification practices—but identification alone does not improve outcomes. This hands-on session focuses on what must come next: building a guaranteed, schoolwide literacy system that ensures every student, including those with dyslexia and other learning disabilities, receives effective, consistent instruction.Participants will explore how to align core instruction, intervention, and progress monitoring within an MTSS framework to create a cohesive system of support. The session will emphasize evidence-based literacy practices, including structured literacy, explicit instruction, and data-driven decision making, while also addressing how these practices strengthen Tier 1 instruction for all students.In addition, the session will connect literacy systems to broader school priorities, including grading practices, student support structures, and fostering a culture of collective responsibility for reading outcomes. Educators and administrators will engage in practical planning activities to evaluate their current systems and identify next steps to ensure that literacy instruction is not left to chance, but guaranteed for every student.Participants will leave with actionable tools, implementation ideas, and a clearer vision for how to move beyond compliance toward a sustainable, high-impact literacy system that improves outcomes for students with dyslexia and benefits all learners.

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
PB
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Instructional Coaching, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required. |   School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

9:50am MDT

Joanna Andres Breakout Session
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
AU - Auditorium
TBD

Speakers
JA
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
AU - Auditorium 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Keynote Breakout Session, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

9:50am MDT

Where have all the Teachers Gone (and can we get those left to STAY)?
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109
Teachers are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Those who have been in the profession for many years are increasingly likely to retire.  The teachers who replace them are more likely to leave the profession within the first five years.  The effects of this are being felt by children who are increasingly likely to be taught by first or last year teachers during at least one of their years in school. This is doubly true in rural districts. While many education advocates focus on the need for more public investment to better meet educators' extrinsic needs, at the ground level we can't afford to wait for these battles to be won.  This presentation is based on over a decade of practice focused on improving the capacity of schools and districts to meet educators' intrinsic needs. Pursuing this strategy has effectively reduced teacher burnout and turnover.  These practices range from encouraging greater autonomy and stability for teachers to bringing in artificial intelligence based tools that can support the 24/7 needs of teachers.  Come join us for a discussion of everyday practices principals, lead teachers and teacher coaches can utilize to improve teacher retention by making teaching the best job in your community.  

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
SR
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

9:50am MDT

Courtside Culture - Lessons in Leadership from Basketball's Greatest Minds
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
CC Shooting Star - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Shooting Star Room (100 Level)
Think there isn't anything that translates from the hardwood to the hallways? Think again. This session breaks down the leadership strategies used by basketball's greatest minds and applies them to the educational setting. You will leave with a concrete set of principles to foster safety & purpose, and transform even the most challenging classes or faculties into a cohesive, championship-level team.

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
avatar for Dani Sloan

Dani Sloan

IT Product Manager, UEN - Utah Education Network
Dr. Dani Sloan helps educators lead, research, and teach digital citizenship. She's a UEN Product Manager and Instructor at the University of Utah. She is a former Elementary Teacher and current mom to a seventh grader. Dani is passionate about preparing students for a digital world... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
CC Shooting Star - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Shooting Star Room (100 Level) 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.

9:50am MDT

New Teacher Retention: Influence Your Young Teachers to Stay
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127
New Teacher Retention: Influence Your Young Teachers to Stay After 17 years in secondary leadership roles working with new teachers, I know new teachers in Utah need our best efforts and when they leave a cascade of consequences follow. New teacher attrition is a concern for all school systems, especially small or rural schools. Learn current research insights regarding new teacher induction. We will discuss ways to design effective mentoring and induction activities based on research and brainstorm about what works in various Utah settings. Participation, interaction, sharing of best practices, and learning 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 regarding new teachers' experiences. Together we can work to keep new teachers in our schools. Join me for my session!

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; Windows Laptop
Speakers
avatar for Pamela Pedersen

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 →
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Leadership, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required. |   Instructional Coaching, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

9:50am MDT

You Are Not the Test Score: Reclaiming Care and Influence in an Age of Testing
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
CC Whiting Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Whiting Room Room (200 Level)
Most of us entered education to make a difference in the lives of our students. Yet over time, many of us begin carrying a quiet and exhausting burden: the sense that we are responsible for outcomes we cannot fully control. When success is reduced to numbers, it becomes easy to confuse our professional worth with performance metrics. In that environment, the result is often exhaustion rather than excellence.This interactive session creates space for honest reflection about the experiences of care and mis-care that shape our experience as educators. Together, we will examine how accountability pressures can distort responsibility and increase emotional strain—especially in rural communities where we often serve in multiple roles and relationships run deep.Drawing from research on organizational culture and the ethics of care, we will explore a liberating shift from control to cultivation. We will practice three skills that help restore agency and peace in our work:Attunement – responding thoughtfully rather than trying to fix everythingDiscernment – staying curious instead of certainResponsibility – owning our effort and influence without carrying every outcomeThrough guided reflection and structured dialogue, we will clarify what is truly ours to carry—and what is not.Participants will leave with practical language and tools to reduce burnout, strengthen trust, and reconnect with the deeper purpose that brought us into education in the first place.Presentation materials and reflection tools will be shared following the session.

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
JH
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
CC Whiting Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Whiting Room Room (200 Level) 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.

9:50am MDT

Emergency Recovery Planning
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203
Being prepared to manage crisis is critically important. School administrators are familiar with Emergency Prepardness and Emergency Response Plans, however updates to R277-400 now require schools to adopt Emergency Recovery Plans begining July 1st.  In this 60-minute breakout session, Utah’s school safety experts will share an overview of Utah’s four core components of effective Emergency Recovery Planning, including Academics Recovery, Business Services Recovery, Physical and Structural Recovery, and Health, Wellbeing, and Behavioral Recovery. Recovery is rarely prioritized within emergency planning, and in the aftermath of a crisis, recovery efforts are largely met with a patchwork of disjointed actions. Participants will have a better understanding of why recovery planning improves the immediate, short-term, and long-term impacts on school communities. 

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
avatar for Scott Eyre

Scott Eyre

Emergency Recovery Planning in Schools, Utah Department of Health and Human Services
Scott Eyre serves as the School Based Mental Health Specialist for Utah’s School Safety Center. He works for the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Substance Use and Mental Health and is a member of the Education Advisory Board to the State Security Chief.  Scott’s... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

9:50am MDT

Strategies for Students Reading Below Grade Level in Middle School
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
GC 106 - General Classroom Building, Room 106
Middle school is a critical turning point for literacy. As content anguage becomes denser and subject matter more complex, the achievement gap for students reading below grade level can widen rapidly. By 6th to 8th grade, many striving readers have become experts at masking their struggles with apathy or avoidance. They don't just need more independent reading time—they need a lifeline.This dynamic, highly practical session is designed specifically for middle school educators. We will bypass dense theory and dive straight into actionable tips and classroom routines that respect the maturity of young adolescents while actively repairing foundational reading gaps for any content area. What You Will Learn:The Middle School Buy-In: Proven engagement tactics to break down defensive walls, rebuild reading confidence, and motivate reluctant learners.Age-Appropriate Interventions: How to discreetly address foundational gaps in phonics and fluency using tools and texts that never feel "babyish."High-Yield Scaffolding: Equip students with strategies to tackle complex, grade-level texts across ELA, Science, and Social Studies.Quick-Win Routines: Low-prep, daily habits that rapidly build vocabulary, background knowledge, and reading stamina.Join us to build a customized toolkit of high-impact strategies you can immediately implement to empower your students and change their reading trajectory.

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
LM
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
GC 106 - General Classroom Building, Room 106 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

9:50am MDT

3D Science Assessments and the New HS RISE
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
CC Sage Valley - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Sage Valley Room (100 Level)
The new RISE tests that will be coming to High School Science courses will be administered in the 2026-2027 school year. These tests utilize three-dimensional assessments to assess teachers implementation and students application of the three-dimensions of science teaching and learning. In this participants will explore the characteristics of high quality three-dimensional assessments, gain access to USBE's formative assessments in science, and understand how the RISE for high school science courses will look like.

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

Milo Maughan

Secondary Science Education Specailist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education
Milo Maughan is the Secondary Science Education Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education. With a strong background in physics and a passion for innovative teaching methods, Milo has been instrumental in developing and implementing science standards that engage and inspire students... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
CC Sage Valley - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Sage Valley Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Assessment & Data Management, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

9:50am MDT

Advancing Opportunity: Utah Rural Education Supported By Community Partnerships
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
CC Yankee Meadows - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Yankee Meadows Room (100 Level)
1 hour BYOD Workshop:Think about an academic outcome in your school or district that has been particularly difficult to improve (i.e. kindergarten readiness, 3rd grade reading proficiency, 8th grade math proficiency, chronic absenteeism, graduation rates, etc.) In this session, in both large and small groups, we will dig into the data and explore what might change if we bring the full power of the community together to address the sticky outcome. We will examine the strategies you could ask the community to pursue to contribute to improving the outcome. We will discuss community shared accountability for the outcome. Finally, through shared example, we will uncover the power of cross-sector partnerships to move educational outcomes forward. 

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
AA
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 10:50am MDT
CC Yankee Meadows - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Yankee Meadows 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. |   Assessment & Data Management, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

9:50am MDT

Understanding & Supporting Student Behavior: A Teacher-Centered Approach
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 12:10pm MDT
GC 201 - General Classroom Building, Room 201
🧠 Format Alert: This is an immersive, 2-hour deep-dive workshop designed for intensive, uninterrupted coverage of this topic.

Understanding & Supporting Student Behavior: A Teacher-Centered ApproachBehavior challenges are one of the most exhausting parts of teaching — but what if the key to change started with you? In this interactive session, we'll explore how your perspective, mindset, and classroom practices directly shape the behaviors you see every day. Grounded in the science of behavior, participants will gain a clear understanding of the four functions of behavior and learn to decode why students act the way they do — not just what they're doing.Walk away with three practical, low-prep preventative strategies you can implement immediately, plus a personalized action plan to tackle your most pressing behavior challenge. Whether you're a first-year teacher or a seasoned educator, this session will leave you feeling more confident, equipped, and empowered to build a classroom where every student can thrive.

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
AP
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 12:10pm MDT
GC 201 - General Classroom Building, Room 201 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Advanced - considerable experience; significant prerequisite skills required. |   Other, Advanced - considerable experience; significant prerequisite skills required.

9:50am MDT

Grow Lab
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 12:10pm MDT
BC 208 - Braithwaite Liberal Arts Center, Room 208
🧠 Format Alert: This is an immersive, 2-hour deep-dive workshop designed for intensive, uninterrupted coverage of this topic.

With lessons that support SEEd standard 3.2.1, Grow Lab evolved from an award-winning classroom program Red Butte offered for over two decades. In addition to engaging with the curriculum, this workshop provides you with your own grow frame and supplies to grow plants in your classroom at no cost to you. The seeds you receive are Wisconsin Fast Plants® (Brassica rapa); these plants complete their life cycle, from planting seeds to harvesting the seeds, in 40 days. This allows you and your 3rd graders to develop and refine models of changes that happen throughout the life cycle of Fast Plants® in real time. 

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
HP

Heather Paulsen

Teacher Resource Coordinator, Red Butte Garden & Arboretum
Heather has over 20 years of experience in both formal and informal education K-12. Most of that has been spent in informal science education working with statewide programs that include outreach, teacher resources, professional development and writing curriculum to support state... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 12:10pm MDT
BC 208 - Braithwaite Liberal Arts Center, Room 208 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

9:50am MDT

Thinking on our Feet: A Building Thinking Classrooms Experience
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 12:10pm MDT
GC 306 - General Classroom Building, Room 306
💻 Format Alert: This is an extended, 2-hour hands-on session—please bring your own laptop or tablet to fully participate!

This session will be a Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) lesson (related to the book by Dr. Peter Liljedahl). Participants will participate in a BTC lesson start to finish, including launch, a thin sliced task, all the different types of consolidation (Gallery walk, teacher scribe, Check Your Understanding, Notes to my future forgetful self). The session will include the newest updates to BTC research. For the second half of the workshop, participants will create their own lesson (launch, task, consolidation) using existing curriculum and standards for their grade level. Note: It may be useful to have a device and access to your curriculum for the second half of the workshop. I will have paper you can use if you don't have one :)

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
WM
Friday July 17, 2026 9:50am - 12:10pm MDT
GC 306 - General Classroom Building, Room 306 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

10:50am MDT

Refreshment Break
Friday July 17, 2026 10:50am - 11:10am MDT
TBD
TBD
Friday July 17, 2026 10:50am - 11:10am MDT
TBD 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Break

11:10am MDT

Navigating the Noise: Empowering News-Literate Students with Checkology
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level)
In a digital landscape filled with "fake news," deepfakes, and algorithmic bias, how do we teach students to verify instead of just vilify? Enter Checkology, a powerful, browser-based platform that brings real-world journalists into the classroom to teach the core skills of news literacy.This session will guide educators through the platform’s interactive modules, which challenge students to distinguish between news, opinion, and propaganda. We will explore how to use the "Check Center" to verify viral claims and how to integrate these lessons into ELA, Social Studies, and Library Media curricula. Participants will leave with a ready-to-implement strategy for building a more skeptical, informed, and civically engaged student body.

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
avatar for Chris Haught

Chris Haught

Media Specialist, SEDC - 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
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

11:10am MDT

Bringing Characters to Life Using Adobe Character Animator
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
ED 202 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 202
Discover the magic of Adobe Character Animator as you step into the future of storytelling. Learn how to create engaging, animated characters that can lip-sync in real-time with your own voice (or your students' voices), bringing lessons to life in an interactive and fun way. You'll learn how to make characters sync to your face, shoulders, and hands so you can both speak and act in character. Adobe Character Animator is provided free of charge to Utah public school teachers in grades K-12, and to public school students in grades 7-12. Join us and transform the way you connect with your students through the power of animation!

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: Mac Laptop; Windows Laptop
Speakers
avatar for Rob Bentley

Rob Bentley

Instructor and Adobe Product Manager, UEN - Utah Education Network
Rob taught secondary Spanish and Language Arts for 6 years. For the last 19 years, he's been teaching teachers how to integrate technology effectively into their curriculum. During his time at UEN, he's presented at URSA,  UELMA, UCET, ISTE, FETC, UFLA, SUMS, and the CTE conferences... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm 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.

11:10am MDT

In Our Google Era: 50 Tools Shaping the Future of Learning
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
SC 016 - Science Center, Room 016
This session explores 50 powerful Google features and integrated tools categorized by six essential future-ready teaching needs: AI, Creation, Collaboration, Creativity, Accessibility, and Personalization. Our focus is on utilizing Google tools to build skills for tomorrow's world. Leave with a ready-to-use plan for instructional change.

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
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 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
SC 016 - Science Center, Room 016 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

11:10am MDT

Real or Rendered? Promoting Digital Media Literacy in the Age of AI
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
ED 104 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 104
TBD

Speakers
CM
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
ED 104 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 104 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI)

11:10am MDT

Mammoth Plans and Jazz Hands: Building an Innovation Lab for Students
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
CC Yankee Meadows - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Yankee Meadows Room (100 Level)
This session details the launch and operation of the Jordan Innovation Lab, a 4−6 grade district Makerspace. We will share specifics on working with community partners, acquiring high-end equipment and integration of classroom content. We will also share hosting district-wide field trips and "Teacher Tinker Time".

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
avatar for Jared Covili

Jared Covili

Administrator, Digital Teaching and Learning, Jordan School District
Jared Covili is the Administrator for Digital Teaching and Learning in the Jordan School District.  Jared's background is in secondary education where he was a Language Arts teacher at the secondary level. Jared received his Bachelor's degree in English and his Master's degree in... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
CC Yankee Meadows - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Yankee Meadows Room (100 Level) 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.

11:10am MDT

4-Part Model to School Culture
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203
At South Sevier High School, we began the 2025/26 school year with a brand new principal, assistant principal, and school guidance counselor. As a new administrative team, we began the year pursuing the ideal of creating the perfect high school. This presentation will focus on our vision as a new team, the 4-part model of what can help create that perfect or ideal school, and the efforts we have made to improve our school.In this session, we will explore the four key pillars that we believe helps build this ideal school:1) Academics2) Discipline3) Tradition and School Pride4) Safe and Fun EnvironmentThese pillars resont on a unified foundation of success, helping provide a framework for a thriving educational culture and community.

Speakers
SH

Stuart Hepworth

Assistant Principal/Instructional Coach, South Sevier High School
AR
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

11:10am MDT

What does a balanced approach to instructional technology use look like in reality?
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127
With so many varying opinions and thoughts around what is and isn't good/healthy surrounding the use of technology in the classroom, what can be done to find a realistic and viable balanced approach to classroom instruction? What are the pillars of a balanced instructional technology approach, and how can we involve our stakeholders to build common understanding and vision?

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
TC
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
SC 127 - Science Center, Room 127 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Assessment & Data Management, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Instructional Coaching, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

11:10am MDT

Norms of Collaboration: Fostering Belonging On and Offline
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
CC Shooting Star - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Shooting Star Room (100 Level)
In this presentation, we’ll explore the Seven Norms of Collaboration through the lens of digital collaboration and digital citizenship, empowering educators to foster respectful, inclusive, and effective communication—both in person and online. Participants will engage in thoughtful discussions and practical activities that highlight how these norms can strengthen relationships and build a sense of belonging within digital learning communities. Learn to create meaningful connections and foster collaborative cultures that thrive in both physical and virtual learning environments.

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
avatar for Dani Sloan

Dani Sloan

IT Product Manager, UEN - Utah Education Network
Dr. Dani Sloan helps educators lead, research, and teach digital citizenship. She's a UEN Product Manager and Instructor at the University of Utah. She is a former Elementary Teacher and current mom to a seventh grader. Dani is passionate about preparing students for a digital world... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
CC Shooting Star - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Shooting Star Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Leadership, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

11:10am MDT

Building Sustainable School Wellness Systems In Rural Communities
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
SC 128 - Science Center, Room 128
Rural educators and administrators are often asked to do more with less—balancing academic priorities, student behavior, mental health needs, and limited staffing. This session shares how Duchesne County School District built a practical, sustainable wellness system that supports both students and staff—without adding more to already full plates.Using the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) framework, this session focuses on how to integrate wellness into what schools are already doing. Instead of one more initiative, participants will learn how wellness can support attendance, improve behavior, increase student engagement, and ultimately strengthen academic outcomes.Attendees will walk away with strategies they can realistically implement in rural settings, including:How to build staff buy-in without overwhelming teachersSimple ways to form and sustain school wellness teamsUsing tools like the School Health Index (SHI) to guide decisions without extra workloadIdentifying small, high-impact “quick wins” that improve school cultureAligning wellness efforts with administrator priorities like test scores, attendance, and classroom behaviorThis session is designed for real school settings—where time, funding, and staffing are limited. Participants will leave with practical ideas, ready-to-use tools, and a clear path to start or strengthen wellness efforts in their own schools—without it feeling like “one more thing.”

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
HF
MK
Friday July 17, 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. |   School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

11:10am MDT

Partnership Power: Expanding Classroom Horizons with Division of Arts & Museums
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109
The Utah Division of Arts & Museums is your state agency dedicated to advancing Utahns’ quality of life through arts and museum experiences and cultural opportunities.

We offer a wide array of programs and resources to support schools and educators across the state. We can help provide arts learning opportunities that align with learning objectives and standards, support multilingual learners, integrate with STEM subjects and other courses across the curriculum, and contribute to growth and professional development for learners of all ages with unique opportunities for educators and school administrators.

Join us to learn more about opportunities like our Living Folk Arts Education Series which can bring hands-on art experiences from working artists directly to your students at no cost. Or our Teaching Artist Rosters which can connect you with skilled artists from almost any discipline that can work with your school to design exciting learning opportunities. Our Teacher-Initiated Projects program offers one-on-one arts training directly to teachers who just want to learn a new skill. And that’s just to name a few.

We are here to introduce these programs and help you find ways to put them to work in schools and communities like yours.

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
JI
RJ
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
GC 109 - General Classroom Building, Room 109 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

11:10am MDT

The Future Ready Student: Resources for Early Postsecondary Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215
Equip yourself with a transition planning toolkit for middle school students with disabilities! This session offers practical strategies and resources for post school success. We'll provide a direct look at tools specifically designed for middle school postsecondary transition. Participants will leave with concrete strategies and resources ready for immediate use! 

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
avatar for Deanna Taylor

Deanna Taylor

Secondary Transition for Students with Disabilities Specialist, Utah State Board of Education
Deanna Taylor is a Postsecondary Transition for Students with Disabilities Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education. Her public education career has spanned over 40 years as a music teacher, special education teacher, special education director and college instructor in three... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
ED 215 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 215 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

11:10am MDT

Unplug and Play: Teaching Computational Thinking Skills Through Game Play
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
SC 129 - Science Center, Room 129
Learn how to use board games, card games, and pony beads to teach Computational Thinking skills and add some (more) fun back into your classroom. During this session, you will learn how to use games to teach and reinforce Computational Thinking skills. Worried you don't teach Computational Thinking? You do! Computational Thinking (CT) is taught and used in almost every subject. By the end of this session, you will know what CT is, how to use it, and you will have got to play a game or two. So, win-win all around.

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
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 →
avatar for Traci Rindlisbach

Traci Rindlisbach

Elementary Computer Science Specialist, Jordan School District-Digital Teaching and Learning
Traci Rindlisbach is the Elementary Computer Science and Digital Specialist in Jordan School District. She has been an educator for 17 years. She has helped create and implement Computer Science rotations into Jordan District elementary schools: K-6. Traci loves talking about and... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
SC 129 - Science Center, Room 129 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Other, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

11:10am MDT

Beyond the B.E.A.C.O.N.: Lighting the Way for AI in Education
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
GC 106 - General Classroom Building, Room 106
B.E.A.C.O.N. is a group of educators who host monthly discussions centered on emerging best practices, and timely, relevant uses of AI in education. Join our panel discussion where we will explore current questions from Utah educators about AI topics in their classrooms.

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
BE
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
GC 106 - General Classroom Building, Room 106 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Professional Learning Communities (PLCs & PLNs), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Educational Technology - including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

11:10am MDT

Mixing through Meiosis - Variation in Gametes (3 lesson unit)
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102
Participants will discover how events during meiosis lead to unique gamete formation.  Specifically, the events of independent assortment and crossover are demonstrated through engaging hands-on activities that allow participants to visualize how unique gametes are formed. This 3 lesson units helps students make sense of meiosis and the mechanisms leading to unique gametes.

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
avatar for Valorie Draper

Valorie Draper

Manila Jr/Sr High School Teacher/Coach
JC
JS
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

11:10am MDT

Bridging the Gap to Grade-Level Text in the secondary classroom marks a critical shift from "learning to read" to "reading to learn" through evidence-based, equitable instruction.
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
CC Sage Valley - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Sage Valley Room (100 Level)
Bridging the Gap to Grade-Level Text in the secondary classroom marks a critical shift from "learning to read" to "reading to learn" through evidence-based, equitable instruction. In a secondary setting, the Science of Reading transcends basic phonics to focus on disciplinary literacy, ensuring every student—regardless of their current reading level—has access to the complex, grade-level text they deserve. This approach moves beyond mere theory to provide a "boots on the ground" toolkit designed to maintain rigor across all content areas, including Science, Social Studies, Math, and ELA. By scaffolding up rather than differentiating down, educators ensure they are not simplifying the curriculum, but rather amplifying the support needed to meet high academic standards.Equity through access is the heartbeat of this instructional model, rooted in the belief that every student deserves to grapple with high-quality, grade-level text. A teacher’s expertise is the most powerful variable in the classroom; essentially, how well one teaches equals how well students learn. Inspired by research-based frameworks like Lexia Aspire®, Keys to Adolescent Literacy, LETRS, and The Writing Revolution, this method fosters an equitable environment where the teacher's skill drives literacy growth. The ultimate objective is immediate implementation through quick, explicit routines that take less than five minutes of class time yet yield massive results in comprehension.The first two pillars of the Secondary Literacy Toolkit focus on word-level mastery and the transition to meaning. The Multisyllabic "Attack" provides students with a "Longer Word Strategy" through word study and morphology. This involves explicit routines like "scooping" to chunk words by vowel sounds and investigating morphology—the prefixes, suffixes, and Latin/Greek roots that act as the "Lego bricks" of language. Building on this, Fluency acts as the bridge between word recognition and comprehension. Because learning is not a spectator sport, routines such as Choral, Cloze, Echo, and Dyad reading ensure that if one student is reading, everyone is reading, leveraging peer support to master the prosody of complex text.The third pillar emphasizes Explicit Vocabulary and Knowledge Building, moving far beyond "looking up definitions" toward deep ownership of Tier 2 and Tier 3 words. Educators learn to identify "load-bearing" words essential to a text's meaning. This process highlights the reciprocity of literacy—the idea that reading and writing are two sides of the same coin. By utilizing "The Writing Revolution" techniques, such as "Because, But, So" or Sentence Expansion, students immediately apply new vocabulary through writing to cement their understanding. This ensures that the cognitive load remains on the student, fostering active participation rather than passive observation.Finally, Scaffolding Complex Text ensures that rigor is maintained without compromising accessibility. Rather than simplifying the prose, teachers amplify the support through explicit vocabulary routines that move from basic definitions to deep conceptual understanding. By breaking down complex syntax and using sentence expansion, students can digest dense academic prose that might otherwise be out of reach. This strategic planning shifts the cognitive load toward the learner, adhering to the principle that if the teacher does all the talking, the teacher does all the learning. The goal is a classroom where instruction meets the demands of the text, ensuring all students are equipped to succeed.

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
avatar for Amy Mahoney

Amy Mahoney

PreK-12 Instructional Coach, NUES - Northeastern Utah Educational Services
As a NUES Region PreK-12 Instructional Coach, I am dedicated to the art of continuous learning and professional growth. I hold a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis in ESL & ESOL. My professional credentials include endorsements in Reading, Coaching... Read More →
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
CC Sage Valley - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Sage Valley Room (100 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   Instructional Coaching, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

11:10am MDT

Beyond the Read Aloud: Bringing Stories to Life
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
CC Whiting Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Whiting Room Room (200 Level)
What if stories did more than get read aloud? What if they moved, sang, and invited every learner into the experience? In this hands-on session led by an elementary school librarian, participants will experience how picture books, music, movement, puppetry, and visual storytelling can be used to help K-5 students explore big ideas such as identity, diversity, courage, and belonging. Educators will step into the role of students as they participate in immersive storytelling experiences designed to build empathy, deepen thinking, and amplify student voices. This workshop begins with action and teaches through experience. Participants will leave with practical strategies that help classrooms and libraries become places where stories spark joy, deepen understanding, and bring students together through shared experiences.

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
SB
Friday July 17, 2026 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
CC Whiting Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Whiting Room Room (200 Level) 351 W. University Blvd., Cedar City, UT 84720
  Utah Core Curriculum, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required. |   School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.
 
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AU - Auditorium
AU - Auditorium Foyer
BC 103 - Braithwaite Liberal Arts Center, Room 103
BC 208 - Braithwaite Liberal Arts Center, Room 208
Black Box Theater
CC Charles Hunter - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Charles Hunter Room (100 Level
CC Rondthaller Room - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Rondthaller Room (200 Level
CC Sage Valley - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Sage Valley Room (100 Level)
CC Shooting Star - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Shooting Star Room (100 Level)
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CC Yankee Meadows - R. Haze Hunter Alumni Center, Yankee Meadows Room (100 Level
Eccles Center Theater
Ecker Middle School
ED 102 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 102
ED 104 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 104
ED 202 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 202
ED 203 - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Room 203
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ED Level 2 Foyer, East - Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, Level 2 Foyer
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SC 016 - Science Center, Room 016
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  • 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
  • 1-Hour Exhibitor Session
  • 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
  • 2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
  • 2 hour In-Depth exploration workshop
  • 2 hour Playground - hands-on and discussion
  • 2 Hour Poster Session - informal discussions
  • 20 minute focus on specific solutions or tools (Over The Shoulder)
  • Activities
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  • Break
  • bring printed handouts to share with attendees if needed
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  • 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
  • 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
  • 2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
  • 2 hour In-Depth exploration workshop
  • 2 hour Playground - hands on activities and discussions with various small groups during a 2-hour window
  • 2 Hour Poster Session - informal discussions with various small groups during a 2-hour window
  • 20 minute focus on specific solutions or tools (Over The Shoulder)
  • Activities
  • Assessment & Data Management
  • Break
  • Conference Info
  • Conference Information
  • Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy
  • Educational Technology
  • etc.
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