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

Science of Reading Foundations: Building Student’s Executive Functioning Skills

Wednesday July 9, 2025 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT

Room #142

Research on the foundations of literacy development emphasizes the importance of executive functioning skills such as planning, focusing, cognitive flexibility, problem solving, and information processing. Teachers can support children’s executive functioning skill development through classroom activities and play-based learning.

This session provides ideas and activities teachers can use across the elementary education years to promote executive functioning skills which are essential for supporting effective learning in literacy and across all learning domains.

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: Android Tablet / Smartphone, iPad / iPhone, Windows Tablet / Smartphone

Speakers

Jared Lisonbee

Preschool Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Jared Lisonbee earned a Ph. D. in Human Development with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University. He taught in higher education for over 10 years where his research focus was children’s physiological stress in preschool classrooms. Jared worked in Head Start... Read More →

Cristina Barrera

Preschool Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Cristina Barrera is a dedicated Preschool Education Specialist with extensive experience in early childhood education. With a career spanning over two decades, Cristina facilitates the healthy development of young children and supports educators and families in this vital field. She... Read More →

Katrina Herd

Preschool Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Katrina has a dual BA in Early Childhood and Elementary education, a master’s in education with an emphasis in early numeracy, and she holds a current dual Utah teaching license in PK-3 and 1-8 grades with a TESOL endorsement. Katrina completed her doctorate degree in Educational... Read More →

Wednesday July 9, 2025 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT
Room #142 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required., Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Utah Core Curriculum, Instructional Coaching
Subject Area Language Arts, Science
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level PK - 2, 3 - 4, 5 - 6

9:45am MDT

Pathways to Success: Positive School Experiences Supporting Students with Disabilities

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

Room #142

Join us for an insightful session as we explore Utah's Post School Outcomes! Dive into the results of a comprehensive research study analyzing five years of data from the annual post school outcomes survey. Discover the trends and positive experiences identified by students and families during high school that have led to success after graduation. We'll discuss how these findings can significantly impact planning for the transition to adulthood for students with disabilities in Utah. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical strategies to support our students' journey to a successful future.

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

Andrea Rorrer

Director, UEPC - Utah Education Policy Center

Dr. Andrea K. Rorrer  is the Director of the UEPC and a Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy. Andrea, who has 35 years of experience in education, received her master’s degree at the University of Virginia and her Ph.D. from the University of Texas... Read More →

Crystal Emery

SSIP and Secondary Transition Specialist for Students with Disabilities, Utah State Board of Education

Crystal Emery, PhD is a secondary transition professional with over 25 years of experience working with young children and adolescents. She is certified as an early intervention specialist, a Coach for Early Childhood Professionals, an Employment Specialist, and a Customized Employment... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #142 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 Other
Subject Area Special Education, Mental/Behavioral Health
Audience Teachers, Counselors or School-based Mental/Behavioral Health Professionals
Grade Level Middle School / Jr. High - grades 6 - 8, High School - grades 9 - 12

11:10am MDT

Building Foundations: Strategies for Successful Early Learning Instruction

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

Room #142

This presentation, "Building Foundations: Strategies for Successful Early Learning Instruction," addresses the critical issue of opportunity gaps in early learning and offers strategies to improve educational outcomes for all students. It emphasizes the importance of shifting from a deficit mindset to one that recognizes and addresses the root causes of these gaps.

The presentation highlights the role of high-quality practices and individualized instruction in creating supportive and inclusive learning environments. It also underscores the significance of understanding cultural context, aligning curriculum with the Utah Core State Standards for Early Learning, and using data-driven instruction to personalize learning and support teacher effectiveness.

By providing educators with actionable strategies and promoting a deeper understanding of the factors contributing to opportunity gaps, this presentation equips them to create successful learning experiences for all children, ultimately closing the opportunity gap and fostering a brighter future for Utah's youngest learners.

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

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

Speakers

Jared Lisonbee

Preschool Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Cristina Barrera

Preschool Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Katrina Herd

Preschool Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
Room #142 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

Learning Strand or Track Utah Core Curriculum
Subject Area Adult Education, Leadership
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators
Grade Level PK - 2

1:40pm MDT

Writing instruction for grades K-2

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

Room #142

Empower your young learners with strong writing foundations. This course focuses on practical, evidence-based instructional practices for teaching essential writing skills in kindergarten through second grade. Learn how to implement developmentally appropriate strategies that can be immediately applied in your classroom, regardless of your current writing program.

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

Christine Elegante

K-3 Literacy Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Christine Elegante is a dynamic educator who currently serves as a K-3 Literacy Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education. She is passionate about education and considers herself a life-long learner. Her own educational journey began at Utah State University where she earned... Read More →

Courtney Bills

K-3 Literacy Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Courtney Bills is a seasoned literacy specialist currently serving K-3 students at the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). Her career demonstrates a deep commitment to improving literacy outcomes for young learners. Prior to USBE, Courtney worked at a Dual Language Immersion (DLI... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Room #142 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
Subject Area Language Arts
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level PK - 2

3:10pm MDT

Writing Instruction in Grades 3-6

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

Room #142

This course equips educators with practical, evidence-based instructional practices to enhance student writing skills across all subject areas in grades 3-6. Participants will explore research-supported strategies for teaching writing that seamlessly integrate into existing content instruction. Learn how to foster effective writing development without replacing your current writing curriculum or published programs. This course provides actionable techniques and teaching suggestions designed to be adaptable and applicable to diverse learning environments, empowering you to cultivate confident and proficient writers in your classroom.

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

Speakers

Denice Maedgen

K-3 Literacy Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Denice Maedgen is a K-3 Literacy Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). She previously served as the USBE Coach of Coaches. Denice has a wealth of experience in education, including 9 years teaching grades 1-3, 3 years as a literacy coach, and 2 years as an elementary... Read More →

Courtney Bills

K-3 Literacy Specialist, USBE - Utah State Board of Education

Thursday July 10, 2025 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT
Room #142 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
Subject Area Language Arts
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level 3 - 4, 5 - 6

9:45am MDT

Navigating the Information Jungle: Strategies for Teaching Information Literacy

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

Room #142

In today’s digital landscape, the internet serves as both a treasure trove of information and a minefield of misinformation. During this session, participants will delve into essential strategies for navigating this complex terrain. Information literacy involves critically evaluating online content to discern reliable sources. Media fluency hones the ability to decode media messages, recognize biases, and interpret visuals. The SIFT method, comprising the steps: Stop, Investigate, Find, and Trace, empowers students to dissect online information effectively. Additionally, fostering critical thinking is crucial for mitigating misinformation. Lastly, educators can creatively integrate information literacy into classrooms, ensuring that students develop essential skills for evaluating and engaging with digital content. Let’s embrace the internet’s power while staying vigilant against misinformation!

Participants MUST HAVE one of the following platforms/devices in order to participate in this session: It would be nice if participants bring a laptop

Participants MAY FIND IT USEFUL to have one or more of the following platforms/devices during this session: Bring a laptop, not an iPad or mobile device.

Speakers

Kayla Towner

Product Manager and Senior Technical Specialist, UEN - Utah Education Network

Kayla Towner, a tech enthusiast, is the Product Manager & Technology Specialist at the Utah Education Network (UEN). She loves spending time with her family - playing soccer ⚽️, listening to audiobooks 📚, hiking 🥾, & adventuring around Utah 🏔️. She’s passionate about... Read More →

Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #142 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 Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy
Subject Area Media Literacy, Other
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists, EdTech Coach/Digital Teaching & Learning Specialists, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level All Grade Levels

11:00am MDT

The Adventure Awaits: A Teachers Guide to unlocking their Leadership Potential.

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

Room #142

A teacher's guide to unlocking their own leadership and potential. There will be handouts for educators to take home to utilize in the future. The goal of the workshop is to help teachers enhance their own leadership skills, take the innate leadership abilities they have then build off of them .

Speakers

Kelbie Jackson

Instructional Coach, Bear River High School

Kelbie Jackson is an Instructional Coach at Bear River High School with seven years of experience teaching English Language Arts. She is passionate about increasing literacy in secondary schools and improving student learning through teacher collaboration and Professional Learning... Read More →

Courtnee Justice

Teacher/Instructional Coach, Emery High

Courtnee Justice has been teaching for 15 years. She has an MS Educational leadership and MA in language arts. Courtnee taught seven years as a 6th grade elementary teacher, then she moved to secondary language arts, she has taught all ELA grades at her high school. Courtnee spent... Read More →

Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Room #142 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

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