2025 Utah Rural Schools Conference: Full Schedule

Only Purchase One Ticket for Each Individual Attendee
Full URSA 2025 Session Schedule will be published here NO LATER than June 1. Please check back soon!

1:30pm MDT

High Engagement Writing

Wednesday July 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

Room #148

Come participate in a highly engaging writing experience that you can take back to modify and share with your students. This session will outline a start to finish process as an example of what is possible with the combination of tools used to create a final student product. This training will showcase WeWillWrite (grades 4-12), Google Slides, and Adobe Express in a mashup that will keep your students immersed in writing, collaborative group work, creating, and problem solving.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Device that connects to the internet

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

Buffy Camps

6th Grade English Teacher, Helen M. Knight Elementary

I am in my 20th year of teaching. Fifteen of those have been in sixth grade, with the most recent nine years teaching English after we departmentalized.

Wednesday July 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Room #148 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Educational Technology, Utah Core Curriculum
Subject Area Language Arts, Performing Arts / Visual Arts, Science, Social Studies
Audience Teachers, EdTech Coach/Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level 3 - 4, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12

1:30pm MDT

How to Ukulele Your Way to Classroom Success

Wednesday July 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

Room #237

Ukulele has become a popular instrument of choice for music educators of all grade levels. It is affordable, simple to learn, and kids love it because they can play their favorite popular songs. This workshop is designed to help administrators and music educators build thriving ukulele programs or ukulele units in their classrooms. It will introduce strategies through hands-on learning on how to get kids playing songs the very first day. Ukulele instruction is best when playing popular music and when singing is encouraged, so we will be singing and playing popular songs.

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: Bring their Ukuleles if they have one

Speakers

Chris Woods

Music Teacher, Rich High School

Chris has been a music educator, songwriter, composer, and performer for over 20 years. He began his teaching career at a small after-school academy in Park City in which he taught guitar lessons to students ages 10-50. When he became a full-time teacher, he was able to expand the... Read More →

Wednesday July 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Room #237 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities, Advanced - considerable experience; significant prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Instructional Coaching
Subject Area Performing Arts / Visual Arts, Music
Audience Teachers, All of the above
Grade Level 3 - 4, 5 - 6, Elementary - grades K - 6, Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12

9:45am MDT

Vector Self Portraits

Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT

Room #235

This lesson is designed to guide students in creating a vector self-portrait using Google Drawings. This engaging activity is suitable for in person, distance learning or as a substitute teacher activity. While younger students may need some initial guidance, the project is enjoyable and yields fantastic results that students will love revisiting in the future.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Students need to use google drawing and a mouse.

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Students need to use google drawing and a mouse.

Speakers

Sarah Feik

Art Teacher, Carbon Schools

I have had the pleasure of teaching art to both elementary and secondary students in a rural school for the past six years. Art, in all its forms, has been a lifelong passion of mine, and I genuinely enjoy sharing this enthusiasm with anyone who will listen.On a personal note, I am... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #235 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Educational Technology, Other
Subject Area Performing Arts / Visual Arts
Audience Teachers, EdTech Coach/Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists
Grade Level Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12

11:10am MDT

From Comics to Comprehension: Why Graphic Novels Belong in Every Classroom and School Library

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT

Room #241

In this dynamic and relevant session, K-12 educators will explore the powerful role of graphic novels in fostering literacy, critical thinking, and student engagement. We will examine how graphic novels support diverse learning needs, enhance comprehension through multimodal storytelling, and align with educational standards. Educators will gain practical strategies for integrating graphic novels into their curriculum and school libraries to support reluctant readers, English language learners, and advanced students alike. Participants will leave with research-based insights, recommended titles, and advocacy tools to champion the value of graphic novels in their schools.

NOTE: This session repeats on Friday, July 11 at 9:45 am in Room 134.

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

Gretchen Zaitzeff

District Library Media Specialist, Canyons School District

Gretchen Zaitzeff is the District Library Media Specialist for Canyons School District in Sandy, Utah, and the Past-President of the Utah School Library Association (USLA). She is deeply committed to professional learning, instructional leadership, and literacy, actively supporting... Read More →

Davina Sauthoff

K12 Library Media Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Davina Sauthoff, EdD., is the Library Media Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education, where she champions the expertise of school 🏫 librarians and their vital role in enriching the learning experiences of Utah 🌄 students. A recognized leader in the field, Davina frequently... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
Room #241 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Utah Core Curriculum, Other
Subject Area Language Arts, Performing Arts / Visual Arts
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level All Grade Levels

11:10am MDT

Learning How to be Diagnostic. Evidence-Based Interventions Made Easy and How to Intensify Them for Each Tier.

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 2:40pm MDT

Room #145

This collaborative learning opportunity will present the research-based information obtained from Matt Burns's book Effective School Interventions and combine it with research by Stevenson and Reed 2017 (Instruction for intensify interventions), The National Center for Intensify Instruction, The Taxonomy of Intensify Instruction by Fuch et al. 2017 and the High-Level Practices (CDC). So when a teacher returns to their classroom, they will be able to pinpoint what intervention each student needs (through diagnosis) and then adjust its intensity. Attendees, please be prepared to share information about successes and failures with the intervention, in confidence.

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

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Mac Laptop, Windows Laptop, iPad / iPhone

Speakers

Sheryl Vernon

School Psychologist, CUES - Central Utah Educational Services

Sheryl Vernon is a School Psychologist Ed.S. at CUES, where she covers diagnostic testing and Trust Based Relationship Intervention for the region. She received her degree from Brigham Young University.Before working at CUES, Sheryl ran the Crayon Academy Preschool from her home for... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 2:40pm MDT
Room #145 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Instructional Coaching, Professional Learning Communities (PLCs & PLNs), Assessment & Data Management, Other
Subject Area Language Arts, Performing Arts / Visual Arts, Music, Computer Science, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, World Languages, Special Education
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level All Grade Levels

1:40pm MDT

Reel Rights: Curating, Streaming, and Copyright Essentials for Schools

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT

Room #134

In an era where digital media is as ubiquitous as print, schools and their libraries are increasingly tasked with providing access to engaging film collections and content and navigating the complex world of streaming and copyright. This presentation is designed to equip administrators, classroom teachers and school librarians with the knowledge and practical tools necessary to build a film collection and provide access to content that not only captivates and informs your students but also adheres to educational, legal and ethical standards.

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Not Applicable

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Mac Laptop, Windows Laptop, Android Tablet / Smartphone, iPad / iPhone, Windows Tablet / Smartphone, Chromebook

Speakers

Gretchen Zaitzeff

District Library Media Specialist, Canyons School District

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Room #134 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Educational Technology, Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy
Subject Area Language Arts, Performing Arts / Visual Arts, Science, Social Studies, Instructional Coaching, Media Literacy
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, District / School Administrators, EdTech Coach/Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Technology Coordinators / Facilitators, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level All Grade Levels

1:40pm MDT

Supporting Language Development through the Creative Process

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 4:10pm MDT

Room #243

All students need and deserve the opportunity to be creative! All students also need and deserve to develop and practice academic and social language skills. In this session, you will engage in and practice language-development strategies that are essential for all students as they learn to be creative independent artists, successful students, and engaged learners.

Speakers

Mindy Curtis

Elementary BTS Arts Specialist, Canyons School District

Dr. Mindy Curtis has been teaching, writing, devising, directing, choreographing, and producing in theatres, schools, and non-profit venues across the U.S. for decades. Her educational and theatrical work has consistently explored the power of content integration, collaborative creation... Read More →

Elizabeth Brown

Art Coach, NUES - Northern Utah Educational Services

Liz Brown was the 2024 UAEA Art Teacher of the year for Utah. She is passionate about arts integration and children getting the opportunity to create. She has worked in education for more than 20 years, as an elementary classroom teacher, with experience in kindergarten through 6th... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 4:10pm MDT
Room #243 1755 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities

Learning Strand or Track Utah Core Curriculum
Subject Area Performing Arts / Visual Arts, ESL, Language Arts
Audience Curriculum Specialists, Teachers, Instructional Coaches

1:40pm MDT

Rock Band - The Secret to Building Meaningful Music Programs in Rural Schools

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 4:10pm MDT

Commons

Great music changes lives, but making and playing great music in a rock band can change the world. To quote Jack Black from The School of Rock, "One Great Rock Show Can Change the World!" Are you interested in building a meaningful, life-changing and school-culture changing music program at your school, or do you already have a music program that needs a little more spice and pizzazz? Then this is the presentation for you. Rock Band represents all genres of popular music heard on the radio - rock, country, pop, punk, hip hop, etc. Most importantly, it represents the popular music that connects our students to the world in which they live. In this presentation/workshop, I will share experiences from my own life and 20 plus years of teaching that reinforce the idea of Rock Band and popular music as essential elements of modern music programs. I will teach you how to build Rock Band programs in your school on a limited budget. Lastly, I will demonstrate with volunteers from the audience how to create a performing rock ensemble on day 1 using ukuleles. And if I am able, I will include live performances from the Rich High School Rock Band.

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

Chris Woods

Music Teacher, Rich High School

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 4:10pm MDT
Commons 1761 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

2 hour Playground - hands-on and discussion, Advanced - considerable experience; significant prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Leadership, Instructional Coaching, School-based Mental & Behavioral Health
Subject Area Performing Arts / Visual Arts, Music
Audience Teachers, Counselors or School-based Mental/Behavioral Health Professionals, District / School Administrators
Grade Level Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12

3:10pm MDT

Movement Integration for K-6 classes

Thursday July 10, 2025 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT

Room #234

Let’s get up and move the curriculum! In this one-hour presentation, you will receive 10 NEW 10-minute movement lessons to move with students. We will explore Math, Science, Language Arts, and Social Studies. To see what this looks like with students follow this LINK: https://youtu.be/5SPi2VXYKok

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

Speakers

Ashley Boyack

Director of Professional Development, University of Utah Tanner Dance Program

ASHLEY BOYACK received her BFA from the University of Utah and MAT from the University of Northern Colorado. She joined the Lawrence Arts Center in 2010, where she was Artistic Director of the Youth Dance Theater. While at LAC she created the modern dance curriculum and served as... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT
Room #234 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Utah Core Curriculum, Other
Subject Area Language Arts, Performing Arts / Visual Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level Elementary - grades K - 6

9:45am MDT

From Comics to Comprehension: Why Graphic Novels Belong in Every Classroom and School Library

Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT

Room #134

In this dynamic and relevant session, K-12 educators will explore the powerful role of graphic novels in fostering literacy, critical thinking, and student engagement. We will examine how graphic novels support diverse learning needs, enhance comprehension through multimodal storytelling, and align with educational standards. Educators will gain practical strategies for integrating graphic novels into their curriculum and school libraries to support reluctant readers, English language learners, and advanced students alike. Participants will leave with research-based insights, recommended titles, and advocacy tools to champion the value of graphic novels in their schools.

NOTE: This session repeats on Thursday, July 10 at 11:10 am in Room 241.

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

Gretchen Zaitzeff

District Library Media Specialist, Canyons School District

Davina Sauthoff

K12 Library Media Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #134 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Utah Core Curriculum, Other
Subject Area Language Arts, Performing Arts / Visual Arts
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, District / School Administrators, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level All Grade Levels

9:45am MDT

Elevating Your Literacy Instruction with the Arts

Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 12:00pm MDT

Room #132

How can you get more engagement in your reading lessons? Arts Integration! A visual art specialist and a music specialist will model some fun, engaging ways to enhance any literacy lessons with the arts. They will share tips, tricks, and strategies that any teacher can use to be successful in breathing more excitement into their classroom!

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: Not Applicable

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

Speakers

Elizabeth Brown

Art Coach, NUES - Northern Utah Educational Services

Amy Hickenlooper

BTS Music Specialist, Early Light Academy

Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 12:00pm MDT
Room #132 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

2 hour In-Depth exploration workshop, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Utah Core Curriculum
Subject Area Language Arts, Performing Arts / Visual Arts, Music
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level PK - 2, 3 - 4, 5 - 6, Elementary - grades K - 6

9:45am MDT

The Exploratorium

Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 12:00pm MDT

Room #133

Welcome to the Exploratorium! Join us as we show you how to upgrade student learning stations into enriched learning experiences. The Exploratorium model invites students to dive deeper into their educational quests through the vibrant realms of artistic exploration and theatrical play. In this session we will highlight four Exploratorium stations including Creature Creation, Sound Booth, Crime Scene, and Design Lab. As a bonus, we’ll also be highlighting the Presentation Station where students can share their newfound knowledge through an informance.

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

Sharla Arnold

Theatre Arts Integration Specialists, Lone Peak Elementary

Sharla received her Bachelor of Science in Theatre Arts from Southern Utah University in 2001. She has experience working both behind the scenes and on stage at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, where she performed in their educational tour of MacBeth. In 2020, she completed her coursework... Read More →

Cassie Walker

BTS art teacher, Lone Peak Elementary

Cassie Walker is an art educator with over 11 years of teaching experience. She currently works as a BTS Arts teacher in Canyons School District, where she has taught for the past nine years. Cassie has an MA in arts education and a BS in elementary education. Before her current role... Read More →

Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 12:00pm MDT
Room #133 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

2 hour In-Depth exploration workshop, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Utah Core Curriculum
Subject Area Language Arts, Performing Arts / Visual Arts, Science
Audience Teachers
Grade Level Elementary - grades K - 6

11:00am MDT

Engendering Hope in Teachers and Students: Using the Skills of Improv and Storytelling in Education

Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Room #146

This presentation will cover the skills of storytelling and how research has confirmed the place of narrative in improving student hope levels. The concept of improv will also be presented as a means for students in any class to create stories with expression, and how these activities can also increase teacher self efficacy and PLC collective efficacy.

Experiences and research data from the presenters doctoral work will also be included.

It is anticipated that the presentation will be displayed through PowerPoint, lecture, and voluntary audience participation.

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

Jacob Earnest

Literature and Improv Instructor at American Heritage, Doctoral Candidate in Education at USU, American Heritage School, Utah State University

Jacob Earnest is a full-time teacher of literature and improvisational theatre in American Fork. He also is finishing his doctoral work in Education from Utah State University. His research focus is on the use of oral storytelling and its relationship to student hope and narrative... Read More →

Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Room #146 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Leadership, Instructional Coaching, School-based Mental & Behavioral Health, Other
Subject Area Language Arts, Performing Arts / Visual Arts, Mental/Behavioral Health
Audience Teachers, Counselors or School-based Mental/Behavioral Health Professionals, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level All Grade Levels, High School - grades 9 - 12

2025 Utah Rural Schools Conference

From $50.00