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

AI for Administrators

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

Lecture Hall

AI for Administrators will inform school leaders about efforts in the state and around the country to securely use AI Tools for administrative tasks and to enhance the executive functions of administrators.

NOTE: This session repeats on Friday, July 11 at 9:45 am in Room 131.

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

Speakers

David Long

Superintendent, Beaver County School District

David Long has served as the Beaver County School District superintendent for the last six years. During that time his team has developed P-LTE communication network for the school district that allows LTE enabled Chromebooks to connect throughout the school district, on and off campus... Read More →

Cody Spendlove

Retired, Retired

Cody Spendlove served as the technology director for the Alpine School District for a number of years before retiring and has stayed actively involved in technology initiatives throughout the state. He recently assisted UETN on the BEAD Grant and has been an valued friend to technology... Read More →

Wednesday July 9, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Lecture Hall 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required., Advanced - considerable experience; significant prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Leadership
Subject Area Leadership, Other
Audience District / School Administrators, Technology Coordinators / Facilitators
Grade Level Not Applicable

2:50pm MDT

Adding in AI for Accessibility with Google Tools

Wednesday July 9, 2025 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT

Lecture Hall

This session explores how to leverage AI-powered features within Google tools to enhance accessibility for all students. Attendees will learn how to utilize tools MusicFX, Say What You See, Notebook LM, and Google Learn to create an inclusive classroom environment. The session will cover practical strategies such as voice typing for students with writing difficulties, AI-powered translation tools for multilingual learners, and accessibility features in NotebookLM to support all learners. Additionally, learners will see how to incorporate Google's AI experiments into everyday instruction to support all learners. Participants will leave with actionable tips on how to integrate these tools into daily classroom routines, ensuring every student can engage with learning materials effectively.

NOTE: This session repeats on Friday, July 11 at 11:00 am in Room 131.

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

Emma Moss

DTL Specialist, Canyons SD

Emma's main role is as a Digital Teaching and Learning Specialist and AI Project Co-Lead in Canyons School District. Emma also currently serves as the Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Education Program Director. In addition to her current roles, Emma Moss founded the Utah AI Collaborative... Read More →

Kelli Cannon

Digital Learning Specialist, Jordan School District

Kelli Cannon has been an educator for twelve years, teaching upper elementary students prior to her current role as a Digital Learning Specialist. Kelli is a Utah Teacher Fellow and holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology, as well as endorsements in Teaching English as... Read More →

Wednesday July 9, 2025 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
Lecture Hall 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
Subject Area Special Education, Media Literacy
Audience All of the above
Grade Level All Grade Levels

9:45am MDT

Taming the AI Dragon: Practical Gemini & Notebook LM for Educators

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

Lecture Hall

Ready to ditch the digital drudgery and inject some AI awesomeness into your teaching toolkit? This session dives into the dazzling world of Google Gemini and Notebook LM – your FREE secret weapons for boosting productivity and student engagement! Forget endless searching; we'll explore how Gemini can brainstorm ideas faster than you can say "artificial intelligence," speed up writing tasks, and even conjure up "Goldilocks" resources perfectly tailored to your students' needs.

But wait, there's more! Discover why Gemini stands out from the AI crowd (hint: we're serious about data privacy!), and unlock the power of "Gemini Gems" – your reusable prompts for maximum impact. Plus, journey into the realm of Notebook LM for next-level insights and podcast summaries that will blow your mind.

Whether you're an AI newbie or a tech-savvy guru, come join the fun and leave with practical strategies and a treasure trove of resources (including some amazing free courses and toolkits!) to transform your teaching practice. Let's unleash the power of AI, the Google way!

NOTE: This session repeats on Thursday, July 11 at 3:10 pm in Room 131.

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: School-Based Google account

Speakers

Clint Stephens

Technology Innovation Specialist, SEDC - Southwest Educational Development Center

During his twelve years teaching secondary Science, Regional Technology Integration Specialist Clint Stephens was awarded the Utah Middle School Science Teacher of the Year award in addition to several technology innovation grants & awards. Currently, Clint is a Level 1 & 2 Certified... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Lecture Hall 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
Subject Area Not Applicable
Audience All of the above
Grade Level All Grade Levels

11:10am MDT

AI for a Rise and Something to Aspire to!

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

Lecture Hall

Come see what how educators are able to mimic the k-8 Rise Test questions and High School Aspire plus questions. Practice all Year using the one tool we all have access to, Canvas! Nothing here to buy you already have all you need! This is a colaborative project, if you don't see what you need, Lets make it together!

NOTE: This session repeats on Thursday, July 10 at 1:40 pm in Room 131.

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

Jason Snow

Regional Technology Trainer, Northeastern Utah Educational Services

Have helped hundreds or teachers find success with Mission.IO at dozens of schools and 5 conferences

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
Lecture Hall 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 Utah Core Curriculum, Assessment & Data Management
Subject Area Language Arts, Mathematics
Audience Teachers, EdTech Coach/Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level All Grade Levels

1:40pm MDT

Unlocking Authentic Expression: How AI Empowers Writers

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

Lecture Hall

Can AI truly help us express ourselves more genuinely? Absolutely! This session explores how educators can leverage the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to help students find and refine their authentic voices. We'll move beyond the hype and delve into practical AI-powered strategies that support every stage of the writing process, fostering creativity, confidence, and a love of writing in students.

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

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

Speakers

Naomi Watkins

Language Arts Secondary Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Naomi Watkins is the Secondary English Language Arts Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education. Previously, she was a middle school ELA teacher, instructional coach, and university professor. She earned a PhD from the University of Utah.

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 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Lecture Hall 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, Other
Subject Area Language Arts, Other
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, District / School Administrators, EdTech Coach/Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12

3:10pm MDT

On the Edge of AI: Exploring Emerging Innovations

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

Lecture Hall

The world of AI is changing almost daily—are you keeping up? This session brings you the most exciting, education-relevant innovations in artificial intelligence. From AI multimodal tools that combine voice, text, and visuals, to expanding on AI scientific research, and diving into deep learning models. We’ll explore AI breakthroughs that are redefining what’s possible in learning environments. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just getting started, this session will ground you in what’s real, and how you can engage with new AI innovations!

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

Emma Moss

DTL Specialist, Canyons SD

Jonathan Stewart

Teacher Specialist, Canyons School District

Jonathan Stewart has worked in education for over 20 years, first as a school psychologist and then as an advocate for technology integration in the classroom as part of the Canyons School District's Digital Teaching and Learning team. He currently works as an AI project co-lead for... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT
Lecture Hall 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
Subject Area Career and Technical Education, Other
Audience EdTech Coach/Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, All of the above
Grade Level All Grade Levels

9:45am MDT

AI and Privacy: What Every Teacher Needs to Know

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

Lecture Hall

Want to leverage the power of AI in your classroom but worried about student privacy? This session is for you! We'll cover the basics of AI and privacy, including:
- What is AI and how can it be used in education?
- What are the privacy risks of using AI?
- How can you protect student privacy when using AI?
- We'll also provide you with practical tips and resources to help you use AI safely and responsibly.

NOTE: This session repeats on Thursday, July 10 at 9:45 am in Room 241.

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

Speakers

John Lyman

Student Data Privacy Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

John is a seasoned instructional designer with a passion for innovative learning experiences. With two decades of experience, a B.S. in Developmental Psychology, and an M.Ed. in Instructional Design, he brings a unique blend of expertise. John excels in creating cutting-edge, immersive... Read More →

Nicole Sanchez

Student Data Privacy Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Nicole Sanchez brings nearly a decade of experience in Arizona and Utah schools to her role as a Student Data Privacy Specialist. With a background teaching English and ESL, and later as an instructional coach, Nicole is passionate about student literacy in the digital age. For the... Read More →

Jeremy Zabriskie

Data Privacy and Security Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Jeremy comes to the data privacy team from his previous role as IT Manager at a K6 charter school. While there, he served as the Data Manager and Information Security Officer, in addition to teaching computer science classes. Jeremy’s fervor for cybersecurity is proven by his multiple... Read More →

Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Lecture Hall 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required., Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required., Advanced - considerable experience; significant prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Educational Technology, Leadership, Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy
Subject Area Instructional Coaching, Media Literacy
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 / Facilitators
Grade Level All Grade Levels

11:00am MDT

Pedagogy First: Guiding Principles for Using AI to Empower Students

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

Lecture Hall

Learn how to utilize AI in your classroom in ways that go beyond hype and truly foster deep learning. In this session, we’ll briefly review the underlying mechanics of large language models before proposing four guiding principles to help you implement AI strategically in your classroom: task alignment, cognitive awareness, digital literacy, and human-centeredness. Using these principles as a lens, we’ll workshop classroom scenarios and discuss the ways artificial intelligence can support and empower our students when implemented strategically.

NOTE: This session repeats on Thursday, July 10at 9:45 am in Room 244.

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

Nicole Johnson

Academic Advisor & Content Specialist, UEN - Utah Education Network

Nicole is an educational technology specialist who equips school counselors with the tools they need to implement comprehensive school counseling programs and increase equitable student outcomes through technology. She also provides academic planning and advising for teachers looking... Read More →

Braxton Thorley

Senior Technology Trainer, UEN - Utah Education Network

Braxton specializes in using technology to personalize learning and utilizing artificial intelligence to promote student success. Before joining UEN’s professional development team, Braxton worked as a high school language arts teacher and digital learning coach in Jordan School... Read More →

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