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

Building Better Bots: Elevating Teaching with AI

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

Room #242

AI chatbots aren’t just for techies—they’re becoming instructional powerhouses in the hands of creative educators. This session shows you how to design AI bots that elevate your instruction, personalize student support, and save you time. The key? Writing a clear “AI constitution” that sets the tone, boundaries, and purpose for your chatbot. You’ll explore real examples of classroom bots built to tutor, provide feedback, support IEP goals, and more—all while staying aligned with your values and curriculum. Leave with templates, strategies, and inspiration to start building your own instructional sidekick.

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, Web enabled device

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 →

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 →

Wednesday July 9, 2025 1:30pm - 3:50pm MDT
Room #242 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 Educational Technology, Professional Learning Communities (PLCs & PLNs), Assessment & Data Management
Subject Area Career and Technical Education, Other
Audience Teachers, All of the above
Grade Level All Grade Levels

9:45am MDT

Introducing K-2 Computer Science using Robotics

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

Room #242

In this session we will unpack the Utah Computer Science Standards for grades K-2. Using Sphero INDI robots we will practice hands-on CS aligned activities that will introduce concepts such as algorithms, programming, and computational thinking to your 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: Mac Laptop, Windows Laptop, Chromebook

Speakers

Nathan Wilson

Technology Integration Specialist, SESC - Southeast Education Service Center

Nathan is a Technology Integration Specialist for the Southeast Education Service Center serving Carbon, Emery, Grand, and San Juan school districts. Nathan has been an educator for 25 years, and has been with SESC for 13 years. He also serves as SESC’s STEM & Robotics manager... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #242 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, Utah Core Curriculum
Subject Area Computer Science, STEM / STEAM
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists
Grade Level PK - 2

11:10am MDT

Celebrating Educators: Creating Meaningful Recognition Practices

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

Room #242

Join us for an inspiring session on celebrating teachers and fostering a culture of appreciation in schools. Discover creative and meaningful ways to recognize educators' efforts, build morale, and highlight their invaluable contributions. This session will include practical strategies, examples of successful recognition programs, and collaborative brainstorming to help participants tailor celebrations to their unique school communities. Let’s uplift the most amazing people in the world and create environments where they feel seen, valued, and celebrated every 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

Kristin Van Brunt

Instructional Coach, Davis School District

Kristin van Brunt began her educational journey as an English/Language Arts and Spanish teacher in the Davis School District 31 years ago. Over the years, she has discovered and developed a passion for professional learning and helping teachers continue to grow throughout their careers... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
Room #242 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
Subject Area Leadership, Other
Audience Instructional Coaches, All of the above
Grade Level All Grade Levels

1:40pm MDT

Connecting to Best Practice: Small Moves for Big Effects

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

Room #242

Unlock the power already within your practice! Discover the exciting connections between the successful strategies flourishing in Utah schools and proven, evidence-based research. This isn't about starting over; it's about recognizing the impactful, meaningful instruction you already deliver and seeing its foundation in effective practices.

Prepare for a highly dynamic learning experience! You'll dive into practitioner reports through engaging activities featuring movement, lively discussion, and collaboration. Success means clearly seeing how research validates elements of your great work. You’ll identify one small, powerful shift you can immediately apply for significant results in your own context. With choice in topics relevant to teachers, administrators, and stakeholders, this is personalized, practical professional growth. Leave inspired and equipped to make a big difference with a focused change!

NOTE: This session repeats on Friday, July 11 at 9:45 am in Room 143.

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, iPad / iPhone, Windows Tablet / Smartphone, Chromebook, Any device for viewing pdf files (not mandatory)

Speakers

Meghan Everette

Director of Teaching and Learning, Utah State Board of Education

Meghan Everette is the Director of Teaching and Learning at the Utah State Board of Education. She previously served as the State Director of Utah Leading through Effective, Actionable, and Dynamic Education (ULEAD) Director. Meghanis a veteran educator and taught elementary school... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Room #242 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, Leadership, Instructional Coaching, Other
Subject Area Language Arts, Mathematics, Other
Audience All of the above
Grade Level All Grade Levels

3:10pm MDT

Beyond the Page: Elevating Students with Digital Resources

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

Room #242

Step into the dynamic world of digital literacy and discover how to transform your classroom with two powerful resources: Teaching Books and Sora ebooks. This session will equip K-12 educators with practical strategies to enhance student engagement and deepen comprehension through multimedia content and digital access.
Are you looking for innovative ways to bring books to life? We'll explore Teaching Books, a treasure trove of author interviews, book trailers, lesson plans, and more, designed to spark curiosity and connect students with literature on a deeper level. Learn how to leverage these resources to introduce new units, generate excitement for reading, and support diverse learning needs.
Then, dive into Sora, your school's digital library, and discover the ease and accessibility of ebooks and audiobooks. We'll demonstrate how to navigate this user-friendly platform, assign digital materials, and track student progress. Learn how to provide equitable access to a vast collection of titles, support struggling readers with built-in accessibility features, and encourage independent reading.
Join us to discover how to seamlessly integrate Teaching Books and Sora into your curriculum, creating a comprehensive digital literacy experience that goes "Beyond the Page" and empowers your students to become lifelong readers and learners.

NOTE: This session repeats on Wednesday, July 9 at 1:30 pm in Room 235.

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

Chris Haught

Media Specialist, Southwest Educational Development Center

Chris Haught is the Technology/Media Mentor at Southwest Educational Service Center (SEDC), a regional Service Center that serves six district and seven charter ELA’s.Chris works closely with the region’s librarians providing support and training on Utah’s Online Library, the... Read More →

Thursday July 10, 2025 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT
Room #242 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 Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy
Subject Area Language Arts, Media Literacy
Audience Teachers, Library Media Specialists
Grade Level All Grade Levels

9:45am MDT

CUES Training Extravaganza 1

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

Room #242

TBD

Speakers

Brandon Harrison

Innovation and Technology Integration Specialist, CUES - Central Utah Educational Services

Brandon is the Innovation and Technology Integration Specialist at CUES in Richfield. He has been involved in education for 20+ years. Before CUES, he spent 3 years as an Education Mentor for the Cache County and Logan City School Districts' YIC program. He then taught junior high... Read More →

Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #242 1750 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060