Session #1: Getting clarity about what's tested on the ACT: ELA
Room #: B-225
Presenter: Steven Godfrey
Description: Tired of guessing what the ACT English Test really measures? In this lively, hands-on session, we’ll pull back the curtain on the test to reveal exactly what skills students need to master—and which ones don’t matter as much as you might think. You’ll dive into real question types, spot the patterns behind test design, and discover how to utilize tech tools like Shmoop to your advantage. Walk away with clarity, confidence, and fresh ideas to help your students tackle the English ACT with skill and strategy.
Session #2: Getting clarity about what's tested on the ACT: Science
Room #: B-105
Presenter: Maggie Huddleston
Description: Do your students know how the ACT Science test is formatted and what it actually measures? In this session, you’ll learn how ACT skills—Interpretation of Data (IOD), Scientific Investigation (SIN), and Evaluation of Models, Inferences, and Experimental Results (EMI)—and passage types—Data Representation (DR), Research Summaries (RS), and Conflicting Viewpoints (CV)—connect directly to classroom instruction. Discover how incorporating similar question types and data-analysis tasks into daily lessons can better prepare students for success on the ACT and beyond.
Session #3: Effective Vocabulary Instruction in all Content Areas
Room #: B-101
Presenter Maria Georgiou
Description: Best Practices for Vocabulary Instruction: Supporting All Students in the Classroom: This session will incorporate the University of Utah Reading Clinic’s explicit vocabulary instruction model, along with strategies from the newly released Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading to focus on evidence-based practices for explicit vocabulary instruction that support the learning needs of all students in the classroom.
Session #4: Math Spiral Review for Long Term Retention
Room #: B-217
Presenter: Marcia Kloempken and Lynn Correa
Description: Learn practical strategies to strengthen students’ performance on the Aspire and ACT assessments at every grade level. This session will also explore how well key skills are retained from year to year and how teachers can build on that learning for continued growth.
Session #5: Teaching Skills that Support ACT Scores in all Content Areas
Room #: B-210
Presenter: Haylee Hoch
Description: While the ACT primarily measures skills in English, math, reading, and science, success on the test is built on a broad foundation of thinking and learning strategies that extend across all content areas. In this session, participants will explore how teachers of all content areas including health, PE, CTE, etc. can meaningfully reinforce the cognitive and academic behaviors that drive ACT success—such as critical reading, data interpretation, problem solving, or time management. Educators will identify opportunities within their own disciplines to intentionally teach and practice these transferable skills, helping students strengthen the habits that support higher ACT performance schoolwide.
Session #6: Tips and Tricks for Teachers and Teams to Improve Math Rise Test Scores
Room #: B-222
Presenter: Mandy Curtis
Description: Come strategize as an individual or math team to improve your end of level test scores. We will delve into data, review and other strategies to improve our scores together.
Session #7: Incorporate Strategies that Improve ACT & UA+ Reading Skills in ALL Content Areas
Room #: B-104
Presenter: Ashley Strong
Description: Whether you teach drama, ELA, social studies, or CTE, you can help students develop reading skills that will help them on the ACT, Rise, and Utah Aspire Plus through the content of your course. In this session, we will explore different types of reading students encounter in content area classes, strategies to support them in comprehending and using information from their reading, and connect these strategies to what they might see on their end-of-level reading assessments. You should leave with some strategies to help students think about reading in new ways and engage deeper with your content.
Session #8: Building a Strong Test-Taking Culture
Room #: B-223
Presenter: Tod Schwartz
Description: In this session, learn tips for increasing motivation and preparation for end of level/standardized tests. Learn how to incorporate focused preparation, teach tips for managing test anxiety, give students opportunities to try out testing strategies, build a culture of growth, and celebrate student success. Leave with ideas about how to create a school-wide culture of growth and achievement through focusing on skills needed to be successful on any high stake test.
Session #9: Understanding the WIDA Assessment: What EL Students Are Expected to Know and Be Able To Do
Room #: B-115
Presenter: Jamie Ellis
Description: This session is designed for any teacher who has EL students in their classroom. In this session, teachers will learn what EL students are expected to know and be able to do on the WIDA assessment. Teachers will learn how to interpret and apply WIDA data- such as proficiency levels, Can Do Descriptors, and ACCESS scores- to inform classroom instruction.
Session #10: Support Struggling Students in all Content Areas
Room #: B-201
Presenter: Aaron Yates
Description: Many students struggle to connect their learning with their strengths, interests, and potential career paths, which can impact motivation and achievement. This professional development session will focus on using YouScience as a tool to support struggling students by identifying their aptitudes, interests, and learning preferences. Participants will learn how to interpret YouScience assessment results, match students with personalized learning pathways, and design interventions that leverage students’ strengths to boost engagement and academic growth.
Session #11: Co-Teaching: Teaming Basics and Beyond!
Room #:B-203
Presenter: Delynn Holbrook and Angie Holtry
Description: Step into the great unknown with your co-teaching partner for a thrilling and collaborative expedition. This workshop is for co-teaching teams, instructional coaches, and administrators ready to improve academic outcomes to increase learning for all students. Adventurers will share strategies for building stronger relationships, collaborative problem-solving, and celebrating shared successes. Discover how teams have met and overcome co-teaching challenges. Let’s share ideas and strategies that will lead to success in the implementation of effective co-teaching.
Session #12: Universal Design for Learning: What is Good for All is NECESSARY for Some!
Room #: B-100
Presenter: Juliana Woodbury, Megan Weaver, Ginger Huerta
Description: Come and learn strategies for increasing student engagement and positive learning outcomes. These strategies are good for all, but truly necessary for some!
Session #13: Reading Like an EL: Experiencing the Power of Active Reading and Scaffolds
Room #: B-111
Presenter: Pricilla Furlanetto
Description: This session invites teachers to step into the perspective of English Learners and consider the challenges they face when engaging with complex texts. Together, we will explore strategies that make reading an active process and open access to content across subject areas. Participants will leave with practical approaches they can bring directly into their classrooms to support multilingual students in reading with confidence and understanding.
Session #14: From Math to Macbeth: Master it Through Movement!
Room #: B-221
Presenter: Kim Irvine
Description: In this active session, discover how Total Physical Response (TPR) transforms the way students engage with any subject. You will learn how to harness movement to make any concepts tangible, memorable, and fun. Whether it’s learning vocabulary, solving equations, exploring scientific processes, or analyzing Shakespeare, “Move to Master” techniques give learners a physical pathway to understanding. Educators will leave with practical, adaptable tools to bring energy into their classrooms, support diverse learning styles, and ensure that students don’t just learn content—they embody it.
Session #15: Communicating Clear Learning Goals and Helping Students Set Goals and Track Their Progress
Room #: B-216
Presenter: Brian Walker
Description: Learn how to make learning goals clear and measurable using proficiency scales that help students understand expectations, track their own progress, and set meaningful goals. The presenter will share practical examples and a ready-to-use template before guiding teachers through hands-on time to design their own student tracking systems.
Session #16: Leveraging AI Tools to Build Assessments that Align with End of Level Testing
Room #: B-218
Presenter: Blake Pope
Description: Discover how to leverage AI tools to design high-quality assessments that align with Utah's End-of-Level tests! This practical session demonstrates how to use platforms like Gemini, NotebookLM, and SchoolAI to efficiently generate varied question types, create targeted practice tests, and differentiate instructional materials. You will leave with tangible skills to save valuable planning time while providing students with the specific practice they need for success on their state exams.
Session #17: Success Criteria and Student Self-Tracking: Help Kids Know What They're Learning!
Room #:B-200
Presenter: JJ Pessetto
Description: This session will equip educators with strategies to make learning goals clear, define success criteria, and help students to track their own progress. Come and explore practical ways to increase student ownership of learning and discover simple TECH tools that support self-assessment and progress monitoring in your classroom!
Session #18: Increasing Levels of Depth of Knowledge
Room #: B-207
Presenter: Angie Larson and David Kempke
Description: This session will explore how to move classroom instruction and assessments beyond surface-level understanding by intentionally increasing the Depth of Knowledge (DOK) in lessons and tasks. Participants will learn how to recognize and design activities at each DOK level, from recall and basic skills to strategic thinking and extended reasoning. By the end of the session, participants will leave with practical strategies to scaffold rigor and elevate learning outcomes across all content areas.
Session #19: Critical Thinking Skills in Performance Based Lessons
Room #: Band Room (E Hall)
Presenter: Aubrey Obray
Description: This session focuses on how to strengthen critical thinking skills within performance-based classes such as fine arts, career and technical education, and physical education. Participants will examine ways to design learning experiences that challenge students to analyze, create, and reflect as part of authentic performance tasks.
Session #20: Critical Thinking Skills in Project Based teaching
Room #: C-101
Presenter: Kenzie Harter
Description: In this session, participants will learn how to design project-based lessons that intentionally foster critical thinking at every stage of the learning process. Educators will explore strategies to guide students beyond surface-level completion of projects toward deeper analysis, problem-solving, and reflection. Through examples, discussion, and collaborative planning, participants will discover ways to embed questioning, evaluation, and decision-making opportunities within authentic projects.
Session #21: Engagement for the Block Schedule
Room #: B-120
Presenter: Melissa Judkins
Description: Teaching in a block schedule offers extended time for deeper learning—but it also requires intentional planning to keep students actively engaged. In this session, participants will explore how to restructure their class periods around Power Standards and depth, engagement strategies, and how to give students ownership & choice.
Session #22: The Consistency Compass: Navigating Expectations, Consequences, and Reteaching
Room #: Media Center
Presenter: Rebecca Becker
Description: Move beyond vague directives and build a robust behavioral framework. This training focuses on the essential structure of an effective classroom: communicating high expectations with precision, creating a transparent consequence hierarchy, and utilizing reteaching as a key tool for mastery, not punishment.
Session #23: The Fast Track to Student Engagement through Technology
Room #: B-208
Presenter: Tammie Hansen
Description: In today’s fast-paced classrooms, passive learning won’t win the race—students need to be in the driver’s seat! This session will explore how Google’s suite of digital tools can put learning in the fast lane, increasing engagement, collaboration, and interactivity. Attendees will discover practical strategies to keep students of all levels actively involved in their learning journey. Get ready to fast-track engagement with easy-to-implement ideas that work in any subject!
Session #24: Why PLCs?
Room #: B-109
Presenter: Rob Riley
Description: Lost in the chaos of PLC's? Do your Wednesdays feel pointless when they say it is time to PLC? During this session we will take a step back and look at the overall process of PLC's, and how they help us become better teachers.
Session #25: PLC Tools: Unit & Data Analysis Plan for ELA
Room #: B-214
Presenter:Adam Webster, Cindy Schriver, Shae Tervort
Description: Tired of drowning in spreadsheets or spending hours crunching numbers that never quite tell the full story? Join us for a hands-on session where data becomes your friend, not your frustration! In this breakout, we’ll unveil a customizable data collection model designed by teachers, for teachers. One that calculates your data for you, giving you instant insights into student growth, learning trends, and instructional needs. You’ll also explore a flexible unit plan framework that aligns with district goals and the PLC model, easily adaptable to any grade level or content area. Walk away with practical tools you can plug in immediately, ready-to-use templates, and a fresh take on how to make data work smarter (not harder) for your team.
Session #26: Collaborative Team Curriculum Alignment
Room #: B-211
Presenter: Shannon Stapley
Description: The session “Collaborative Team Curriculum Alignment” will showcase how the West Field World History team developed a common curriculum from the ground up. It will guide teachers through the team’s process, outline the challenges encountered and solutions found, and provide a practical template for success, including key lessons learned to enhance curriculum alignment efforts.
Session #27: Inquiry and Action Research in Collaborative Teams
Room #: B-205
Presenter:Becky McKinney and Allison Halling
Description: Is your collaborative team stuck? Are you tired of just looking at test scores and benchmarks? This session will dive into how a team can use action research to elevate opportunities for learning and promote teacher innovation.
Session #28: A Mighty, Bright Classroom Culture: Building a Classroom Where Culture Drives Learning
Room #: Choir Room (E Hall)
Presenter: Jenny Graviet
Description: IA positive classroom culture doesn’t happen by chance—it’s built with intention. In this session, educators will learn how to design routines, relationships, and structures that make learning the central mission and belonging the daily experience. Walk away with concrete strategies to make your classroom mighty—where every student feels safe, valued, and ready to shine.
Session #29: Beyond "Good Job": Practical Positive Reinforcement for Every Student
Room #: Lecture Hall
Presenter: Janelle Walters and Hannah Hill
Description: Move past generic praise and discover a toolkit of personalized positive reinforcement methods that work for a range of student needs and age levels. This session will cover best practices for using positive feedback, privileges, and peer recognition to improve on-task behavior, increase student engagement, and strengthen teacher-student relationships.