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

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

2:50pm MDT

Elevating Classroom Management

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

Room #237

In my session, I will share practical, evidence-based techniques and strategies that equip teachers in rural schools with the tools and support needed to manage low-level chronic disruptions, reduce disciplinary referrals, and enhance teaching time.

By empowering teachers to effectively manage classroom behavior, my training reduces stress, reclaims valuable instructional time, and fosters an optimal learning culture that elevates instruction and teaching in order to reach every student and fulfill every teacher.

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

Kenneth Applegate

Education Advocate, Education Advocate

Kenneth Applegate believes genuine connections with students are essential for academic success. His own educational background and love of lifelong learning continues to fuel his passion to help educators embrace their callings.He advocates for research-based, practical strategies... Read More →

Wednesday July 9, 2025 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
Room #237 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., Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required., Advanced - considerable experience; significant prerequisite skills required.

Learning Strand or Track Utah Core Curriculum, Leadership, Instructional Coaching, School-based Mental & Behavioral Health
Subject Area Leadership, Instructional Coaching
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators
Grade Level All Grade Levels

9:45am MDT

Let Them Count

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

Room #237

Have your students been struggling with early numeracy skills? Could counting help them? I believe counting is a foundational skill that is often undervalued. In this session, we will engage in counting, discovery and learn to assess counting skills of our students.

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

Jaci Keetch

District Coach, Rich

Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #237 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, Instructional Coaching
Subject Area Mathematics
Audience Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Grade Level PK - 2

11:10am MDT

3 Dimensional Science: Evaluating Pool Chemistry

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

Room #237

Join us for an engaging professional development session focused on integrating the three dimensions of science—Disciplinary Core Ideas, Crosscutting Concepts, and Science and Engineering Practices—into your classroom. In this hands-on workshop, participants will step into the role of students as they experience a high school chemistry lesson on equilibrium and pool chemistry, designed by fellow educators. This interactive approach will highlight how the three dimensions work together to deepen student understanding.

This professional development is perfect for educators looking to elevate their science instruction, promote student inquiry, and foster a deeper understanding of scientific principles. Leave with practical ideas and resources to make the three dimensions of science an integral part of your teaching.
https://3drst.byu.edu/

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

Kaitlyn Mecham

Science Teacher, Emery High School

Kaitlyn Mecham is a chemistry teacher at Emery High School. She began her teaching career in 2021 at San Rafael Middle School teaching middle school science. She graduated with a Bachelor's in Science Educational Studies from WGU in 2022. Although she is new to teaching she is excited... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
Room #237 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 Other
Subject Area Science, STEM / STEAM
Audience Teachers, Curriculum Specialists
Grade Level High School - grades 9 - 12

1:40pm MDT

Professional Development Credit Options

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

Room #237

Southern Utah University provides a unique opportunity for education organizations to build tailored courses for Professional Development (PD) graduate credit. Our P-12 Team works directly with your PD representative(s) to develop course activities that reinforce your desired learning outcomes. In this session, you will be introduced to the process and parameters for providing this unique partnership opportunity to your organization. Courses can be developed for conferences, institutes, trainings, ongoing professional development activities, and specific outcomes defined by your organization. Course completion includes 1-3 credit hours of 5000 level graduate credit, completed remotely in conjunction with your PD activities. Credit is vetted through our P-12 Team, accredited, and awarded on candidates’ SUU transcripts.

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

Joey Foote

P-12 Programs Director, Southern Utah University

Joey Foote is a 40 year veteran of Utah Public Schools, working there as teacher and principal. In addition, he served 5 years as District Superintendent in Rural Idaho Public Schools. After retiring from Public Education, Joey accepted a position as the Clinical Director in the UVU... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Room #237 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, Other
Subject Area Leadership, Other
Audience All of the above
Grade Level All Grade Levels

3:10pm MDT

Utah Out-of-School-Time Needs Assessment--Findings and Next Steps

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

Room #237

In partnership with the Utah Department of Workforce Services, Office of Child Care (DWS-OCC), the Utah Afterschool Network (UAN), and the Utah State Board of Education (USBE), the UEPC - Utah Education Policy Center conducted a statewide needs assessment of out-of-school time programs for elementary aged students during the 2023-24 school year. The purpose of this needs assessment was to study existing out-of-school time (OST) program opportunities intentionally designed to meet the needs of students and families throughout the state, identify any current gaps in services for youth and families, and explore the availability of resources to support OST program teams in meeting these needs.

The planning, data collection, data analysis and reporting of the findings and considerations for this needs assessment were organized according to six OST topic areas: (1) Access and Availability, (2) Programming Capacity, (3) Program Quality and Continuous Improvement, (4) Partnerships, (5) Alignment with the School Day, and (6) Availability of Resources and Funding.This conference session will explore the central themes that emerged in these six areas, highlighting the important role that OST programs play in providing critical services (e.g., safe environment, homework help, nutritious snacks) for many Utah students and their families in rural communities. Participants in this session will also explore considerations for future OST programs, including accessing and utilizing additional OST program resources, considering partnerships within and beyond their local communities to provide additional resources and program support, and intentionally aligning OST programs with the school day.

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

Lisa Wisham

Senior Research & Evaluation Associate and School & District Improvement Specialist, Utah Education Policy Center

Lisa Wisham, M.Ed., is a Senior Research & Evaluation Associate and School & District Improvement Specialist at the Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC). For the past eight years, she has worked with the UEPC team to provide on-site and virtual support, data collection, leadership... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT
Room #237 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 Other
Subject Area Other
Audience Counselors or School-based Mental/Behavioral Health Professionals, District / School Administrators
Grade Level Elementary - grades K - 6

9:45am MDT

Learning to Learn: Teaching that Supports the Science of Learning

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

Room #237

While it may seem like a strange question, ask yourself, "Is our school's focus on teaching or learning?" As educators and leaders, we know learning is central to our mission, yet too often, our efforts and focus are focused on teaching. What can we do to be more intentional about how our students, and even staff, learn how to learn better? New research and insights from cognitive science and experts in education can help us to see the power and potential in shifting our focus to more fully utilize the science of learning in our school's teaching approaches so that we can help all learners better learn to learn.

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

Jeremy Smith

Teacher, Lewiston Elementary

Jeremy is a teacher leader and experienced educator with a range of experience who frequently presents at state, regional, and national educational conferences on a variety of topics important to dedicated education professionals. His thoughtful solutions help educators and leaders... Read More →

Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #237 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
Subject Area Leadership, Other
Audience Teachers, District / School Administrators
Grade Level All Grade Levels

11:00am MDT

Creating a predictable environment for optimal behavior In our schools and classrooms

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

Room #237

Environments are the key to safety and security for our students. When we can provide environments that are consistent with behavioral principals we create an environment with fewer behavioral struggles and students that are happy and well adjusted.

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

Speakers

Elizabeth Howcroft

Board Certified Behavior Analyst, LBA, licensed Special Education Teacher, Northeastern Educational Services

Liz was born and raised in rural Utah where she has worked with students and families of students with high educational and behavior needs for the past 20 years. Liz has worked in education, foster care, early intervention, and the clinic setting both in home and in clinic. Liz has... Read More →

Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Room #237 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060

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