2025 Utah Rural Schools Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome to URSA 2025 at Park City High School!

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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

Paul Black

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.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Subject Area All Grade Levels
Audience District / School Administrators, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level Special Education, Instructional Coaching

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

Sean Rickert

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.

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

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

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.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Subject Area Not Applicable
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, Counselors or School-based Mental / Behavioral Health Professionals, District / School Administrators, EdTech Coach / Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Technology Coordinators / Facilitato
Grade Level Leadership, Instructional Coaching

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

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.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Subject Area Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Instructional Coaches, District / School Administrators, Teachers
Grade Level Leadership, Instructional Coaching

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

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.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Subject Area All Grade Levels
Audience Counselors or School-based Mental / Behavioral Health Professionals, District / School Administrators
Grade Level Other

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

Amy Ahrens Terpstra

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.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
Subject Area All Grade Levels
Audience Everyone, District / School Administrators
Grade Level Not Applicable

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

Amanda Powell

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.

Learning Strand or Track 2 hour In-Depth exploration workshop
Subject Area All Grade Levels
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level Mental/Behavioral Health, Other

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

Stuart Hepworth

Assistant Principal/Instructional Coach, South Sevier High School

Amy Robinson

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.

Learning Strand or Track 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
Subject Area High School - grades 9 - 12
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level Leadership

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