Utah LEARNS Conference 2026 - Session Descriptions

Lena Bales and Hollie Downs

Using the RtI Model to Implement Differentiation in the Classroom

This interactive session immerses participants in a simulated classroom experience to explore how the four square model can be used to design a differentiated literacy plan. Working with a mock class, educators will engage in hands-on application of the framework to identify student needs and develop targeted instruction. The session will also highlight connections to mathematics, demonstrating how the model can be adapted across content areas. Participants will then collaboratively examine the RtI process for the differentiated groups, considering next steps and instructional decisions following focused interventions.

Karen Bell

Nature: The Best Co-Teacher

Learn about the benefits of incorporating outdoor learning, including improved academic scores, physical health, and mental well-being. Utah's Every Kid Outdoors, a free program through the Division of Outdoor Recreation, empowers teachers and families to spend more time outside. We offer grant funding and robust resources for teachers. Our Adventure Challenge is an excellent family engagement tool, increasing outdoor time for students and their families. Visit our presentation to learn more!

Jordan Brun

Art-Core Synergy

Abstract concepts can feel like a wall for students—whether visualizing shapes in geometry or grasping invisible forces in science. This session empowers teachers to bridge that gap through Visual Arts. Teachers will identify curriculum concepts their students struggle with, explore creative arts-integration strategies, and leave with a Visual Arts Exemplar ready to use in the classroom.

Tye Campbell

Practices of Exceptional Utah Teachers

This session shares findings from a ULEAD report identifying Utah teachers whose students showed exceptional Math RISE growth. I’ll highlight the teaching practices they described—such as spiral review, data‑driven interventions, and whiteboard routines—and discuss classroom application.

Solange Espinoza

Reaching Every Learner: Strategies for Differentiating Writing and Math

This professional development session shares practical strategies for supporting diverse learners in writing and math, including structured discussions, sentence frames, guided brainstorming, clear rubrics, interactive tools like Canvas and Genially, choice boards, and 99 math to increase engagement, participation, and skill development.

Rachel Fields and Rhea Palkhiwala

Beyond Adult Proximity: Effective Use of 1:1 Aides in General Education

Students with one-to-one aides thrive in inclusive classrooms when teams collaborate effectively, implement behavior plans with fidelity, and use supports that promote independence over reliance. This session offers practical strategies, case studies, and problem-solving opportunities to strengthen paraprofessional support and improve outcomes.

Hollie Fisher

ELA Reimagined: Projects, Progress & Power Tools

This session explores tools that can transform passive reading into active learning. Educators will learn how to use Microsoft tools to support fluency, reading comprehension, writing & speaking/ listening standards. Discover accessibility features that can support diverse learners.

Chamy Halliday

Reading Intervention (Across the Grade Level for all the Levels)!

Discover how a collaborative team approach allows for the use of reading data to form targeted groups that build fluency, comprehension, and confidence from first to sixth grade. Gain practical strategies, real examples, and ready-to-use tools for strengthening Tier 1 reading instruction.

Krysta Hamilton

Coaching without the Cringe

Reimagine instructional coaching as a flexible, teacher-centered system that builds trust, activates peer expertise, and empowers educators to coach and learn from one another! Explore how coaching can strengthen collaboration and drive meaningful gains in teaching when we encourage all educators to be both learners and leaders.

Jason Johnson

Quick Games for Classroom Engagement Part 1

Fun physical activities to get the body and mind working. Engaging and adaptable learning activities for students of all ages. Come ready to move and have fun.

Games for Whole Class Rewards

This class will provide teachers with a set of super fun games to play in the gym or outside. These games can be used for rewards, class parties, building character, or to help kids learn how to work together.

Kyrsten Lund, Cindy Jones, Mary Mitchell

Interactive Oral Language Activities to Promote Phonological Awareness

Recharge with playful, research-backed wellness practices for teachers. Experience improv, laughter, movement, breathing, and nature-inspired grounding techniques that reduce stress, build resilience, and bring more joy and flexibility into your daily teaching life.

Nate Justis and Brenda Bennett

Empowering Teachers to Innovate Together

Professional development transforms when teachers take the lead. This session explores the roots of teacher-driven learning teams and the growing body of research documenting their impact on student outcomes. You'll leave with practical tools and strategies to build the conditions where teachers can direct their own professional growth — and take it back to their classrooms.

Shannin Kishbaugh

Unpacking the Individual Reading Plan

This session provides educators with a comprehensive overview of the new legislative mandate requiring the development and implementation of Individual Reading Plans (IRPs). Participants will gain a clear understanding of compliance expectations, practical strategies for implementation, and evidence-based interventions proven to support student reading growth. Additionally, presenters will share parent night resources and strategies for effectively communicating with families to help them better understand and support their young reader's literacy journey at home.

Joseph Kozlowski

POW! Problem Of the Week for Deep Math Learning

We constantly wonder why young students ‘can’t do complex math’ or ‘don’t understand word problems.’ Maybe it’s because we’ve never pushed them to their limits of solving problems, representing thinking, considering diverse mathematical thought, and communicating ideas. The POW model pushes kids to these limits and let’s their potential in mathematics learning be realized!

Kristi Kunzler and Natalie Wilkinson

Math Tasks to Help Deeper Thinking

Come experience task-based math. Come away with some simple strategies that will make your math more engaging for students. Students will love math more and do more of the thinking/learning than in the past.

Leslie Larsen and Lisa Saunderson

Paddling Pathways

(This is a field program. If you choose this option you will be gone for the first three sessions and return in time for lunch.)

This outdoor session is an immersive workshop for K–6 educators excited to gain the confidence and acquire the cross-curricular connections to adopt nature journaling and outdoor field experiences into their teaching. We will spend an hour in canoes out on the Little Bear River marsh in the heart of beautiful Cache Valley. We will settle into observing and engaging in the natural world and reflecting on how these experiences translate into powerful student learning.

Joel Lopez and Lorena Jimenez

Collaborative Learning

Participants will walk away with ready-to-use tools to: Integrate goal-setting and reflection into daily routines; Support student decision-making and accountability; Foster autonomy while maintaining clear expectations

Purposeful Math Strategies

This session explores effective elementary math teaching through purpose, models, authenticity, and efficiency, drawing on research from National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Deborah Ball, and Jo Boaler. We are excited to share classroom-developed practices by current educators with fellow colleagues.

Lori Marchant

Cracking the Code of ADHD

I don't know what an HD is, but my doctor says I have 80 of them! Come learn more about ADHD. There is so much more to it than just kids being hyperactive and easily distracted! Along with a better understanding of this disorder, learn some strategies to help both your ADHD and non-ADHD students be successful.

Anna McFadden

Students Vote! Using Engaging Science and Social Studies Texts to Improve Elementary Students’ Writing Skills

Engage in a hands-on session using science and social studies texts to strengthen elementary student writing. Learn SRSD-based strategies, analyze student work, and experience how choice and structured supports improve writing skills and engagement.

Bethany McGarry

Yes, And… Relax! Improv for Teacher Wellness

Cami Player

Creating a Culture of Reading: Practical Ideas That Motivate and Empower Even Reluctant Readers

Explore classroom-tested ideas that help students fall in love with reading, build strong reading identities, and engage even reluctant readers. Participants will leave with practical ideas for creating joyful, meaningful literacy experiences that extend from the classroom to home.

Pause, Breathe, Teach: Prioritizing Educator Wellness

Teaching is joyful, meaningful work, but it can also be exhausting! This session invites educators to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the work they love. Participants will explore practical wellness and mindfulness strategies that support teacher well-being, reduce stress, and help create calmer, more connected classrooms. This session is designed to be practical, encouraging, and easy to apply, so educators leave with tools they can actually use tomorrow.

Allison Riddle

Common Missteps in Classroom Management

This session compares 4 common management missteps with the best practices that should be used. We’ll focus on the overuse of corrections, separating environment from expectations, leveraging the public setting, and overemphasizing extrinsic motivators. Join us as we get real, give ourselves grace, and open our management mindsets!

From Brazen to Bold; Elevating the Teaching Profession

Join us as we will embrace the inevitable paradox of teaching: loving your work while enduring the challenges of public education. We’ll talk openly about the realities of the classroom while unpacking strategies that will champion teacher expertise, promote change, and elevate the teaching profession!

Elizabeth Ringo

Total Engagement Techniques

This presentation will be a very practical hands-on approach to capturing students’ attention and maintaining it during instruction. We will also address the issue of motivating students to engage in subjects that may be difficult for them, personally. We know that attention and motivation are key elements of a student’s overall learning experience, so teachers of all experience levels should benefit from this collaborative learning opportunity.

Jeremy Smith

The Art and Science of Learning to Learn

What happens when we shift our focus from teaching to learning? Come explore several approaches for helping students take ownership of their learning as we all navigate the challenges of an ever-changing and uncertain world where learning is more important than ever.

Zina Tsai

Curiosity Facilitates Engagement in a DLI Science Lesson

This session presents how a Chinese DLI teacher creates a curiosity-promoting space in a science lesson to motivate students’ science learning. By introducing uncertainty about an observed phenomenon, students’ curiosity is triggered and their engagement is enhanced.

Sierra Wood

Secondary Literacy Interventions

A practical look at Tier 1 and Tier 2 literacy supports in middle school ELA. Participants will explore intervention frameworks, analyze student scenarios, collaborate on solutions, and leave with ready-to-use tools for supporting struggling readers.