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Welcome to URSA 2025 at Park City High School!
Venue: Room #244 clear filter
Wednesday, July 9
 

2:50pm MDT

From Potential to Proficiency: Driving Systemic Change
Wednesday July 9, 2025 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
Room #244
Leadership can be lonely - especially when leading systemic change. Join fellow leaders to consider why change is hard and how to channel your energy as you lead necessary shifts with instruction and innovation.

Transforming student learning outcomes requires more than just great programs—it demands systemic change driven by evidence-based practices, strategic leadership, and the effective use of digital resources. In this interactive session, we will consider how to leverage the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule) to help district and school leaders focus on the high-impact 20% of efforts that drive 80% of results in technology adoption, instructional implementation, and leadership decision-making.

We will also consider Knoster's Model for Managing Complex Change as a helpful framework for identifying areas of focus that allow research-backed initiatives to take root and thrive in your school or district.

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
avatar for Marci Houseman

Marci Houseman

Partnership Specialist, Age of Learning
Marci Houseman is an experienced turnaround consultant, customer success professional and sales executive with expertise in coaching, developing capacity, and using data to measure and improve outcomes for teams and schools. Marci also serves her community as a member of the Sandy... Read More →
Wednesday July 9, 2025 2:50pm - 3:50pm MDT
Room #244 1766 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060
  1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.
 
Thursday, July 10
 

9:45am MDT

Pedagogy First: Guiding Principles for Using AI to Empower Students
Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #244
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 Friday, July 11 at 11:00 am in Room #137.

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
avatar for Nicole Johnson

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 →
avatar for Braxton Thornley

Braxton Thornley

Senior Technology Trainer, 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 →
Thursday July 10, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #244 1766 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.

11:10am MDT

Using Nearpod to Support Multilingual Learners
Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
Room #244
Over the last three years, the number of multilingual learners (MLs) in Utah’s schools has increased by 14% while, at the same time, these students’ WIDA proficiency levels have decreased by 6%. Now more than ever, teachers require the knowledge and skills to differentiate and scaffold learning for MLs. During our session, you will learn how to utilize multiple Nearpod features (Immersive Reader, AI Create, and Draw-It), and you’ll leave with the tools, strategies, and resources (including lesson and activity templates) you need to better support the MLs in your 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: Mac Laptop, Windows Laptop, Android Tablet / Smartphone, iPad / iPhone, Windows Tablet / Smartphone, Chromebook
Speakers
avatar for Braxton Thornley

Braxton Thornley

Senior Technology Trainer, 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 →
Thursday July 10, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm MDT
Room #244 1766 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060
  1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation, Intermediate - basic core competency; some prerequisite skills required.

1:40pm MDT

Nearpod 2.0: Renaissance Next Connection
Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Room #244
Discover the transformative potential of Nearpod's integration with Renaissance Next. This presentation explores how these powerful educational platforms combine to create a seamless learning ecosystem that enhances student engagement, provides real-time assessment data, and personalizes instruction. Learn how this integration empowers educators to deliver dynamic content while tracking growth through Renaissance's robust analytics—bringing together the best of interactive teaching and data-driven instruction for today's digital classroom.

Session repeats on both Friday sessions in this same room.

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: No
Speakers
avatar for Faith Smith

Faith Smith

National Academic Advisor, Renaissance
Renaissance is a global leader in assessment, reading, math, early literacy, and data-driven solutions for pre-K–12 schools and districts. We are committed to providing teacher-facilitated instructional delivery with resources to help students build a strong foundation for succ... Read More →
Thursday July 10, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm MDT
Room #244 1766 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060
  1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

3:10pm MDT

URSA Board Meeting
Thursday July 10, 2025 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT
Room #244
URSA Board Meeting, by invitation only.
Thursday July 10, 2025 3:10pm - 4:10pm MDT
Room #244 1766 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060
 
Friday, July 11
 

9:45am MDT

Nearpod 2.0: Renaissance Next Connection
Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #244
Discover the transformative potential of Nearpod's integration with Renaissance Next. This presentation explores how these powerful educational platforms combine to create a seamless learning ecosystem that enhances student engagement, provides real-time assessment data, and personalizes instruction. Learn how this integration empowers educators to deliver dynamic content while tracking growth through Renaissance's robust analytics—bringing together the best of interactive teaching and data-driven instruction for today's digital classroom.

Session repeats Session 8 in this same room on Friday morning, as well as Thursday at 1:40 pm 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: No
Speakers
avatar for Faith Smith

Faith Smith

National Academic Advisor, Renaissance
Renaissance is a global leader in assessment, reading, math, early literacy, and data-driven solutions for pre-K–12 schools and districts. We are committed to providing teacher-facilitated instructional delivery with resources to help students build a strong foundation for succ... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Room #244 1766 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060
  1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.

11:00am MDT

Nearpod 2.0: Renaissance Next Connection
Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Room #244
Discover the transformative potential of Nearpod's integration with Renaissance Next. This presentation explores how these powerful educational platforms combine to create a seamless learning ecosystem that enhances student engagement, provides real-time assessment data, and personalizes instruction. Learn how this integration empowers educators to deliver dynamic content while tracking growth through Renaissance's robust analytics—bringing together the best of interactive teaching and data-driven instruction for today's digital classroom.

Session repeats Session 8 in this same room on Friday morning, as well as Thursday at 1:40 pm 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: No
Speakers
avatar for Faith Smith

Faith Smith

National Academic Advisor, Renaissance
Renaissance is a global leader in assessment, reading, math, early literacy, and data-driven solutions for pre-K–12 schools and districts. We are committed to providing teacher-facilitated instructional delivery with resources to help students build a strong foundation for succ... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Room #244 1766 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060
  1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation, Beginner - limited to no experience; no prerequisite skills required.
 
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  • 1 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
  • 1 hour traditional lecture/audience participation
  • 2 hour BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Hands-On-Activities
  • 2 hour In-Depth exploration workshop
  • 2 hour Playground - hands on activities and discussions with various small groups during a 2-hour window
  • 2 Hour Poster Session - informal discussions with various small groups during a 2-hour window
  • 20 minute focus on specific solutions or tools (Over The Shoulder)
  • Activities
  • Assessment & Data Management
  • Break
  • Conference Info
  • Conference Information
  • Digital Citizenship & Media Literacy
  • Educational Technology
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