Resilient Rural

9:00 AM Registration and Breakfast
10:00 AM Shotgun Start

Raffle drawing, lunch, & prizes following play

Ponderosa (2nd Floor)

Sponsored by Nations Group

Learn more about this session: https://www.azruralschools.org/news/arsa-pre-con-24

Lobby & Abineau/Fremont

Abineau/Fremont, Pre- Function, & Kiosk Desk

Pre-Function

Humphreys

"Building Rural Arizona’s Next Education Workforce"
Humphreys

Doyle

Humphreys

Sponsored by Veregy

Abinau/Fremont

Abinau/Fremont

Speaker: Andrew Marotta

In High Performance Under Pressure: Tales from the Hardwood, Andrew dives deep into powerful stories and experiences from his time as a Division One men’s college basketball official. He will take you through the ups and downs, successes and failures, and the journey of trying to be the best you can be under the spotlight and intense scrutiny. Take-a-ways from the session are: *How to be your best when it matters most.*Next play--get the next one right. *Empower: Be the mentor you wanted to have when you started. *How to ‘make the right call’ in the toughest situations--and come out thriving. *Our true job description: absorb chaos, create calm, and provide hope.

Speaker: Cole Young

Join us for an inspiring session where lead innovators and student creators share their journey in establishing the Innovation Lab at Mohave Valley Junior High in rural Arizona, a place we fondly refer to as 'Where the Sidewalk Ends…'. This initiative embodies Mohave Valley Elementary School District's vision of being ""Student Focused! Future Driven."" Through experiential learning, students engage with subjects like film and broadcasting, graphic design, engineering, aviation, coding, and 3-D printing, leveling the playing field for ALL students.

During the session, you'll hear students' testimonials of success, improved focus, and enhanced learning achievements. Additionally, we will delve into collaborative team practices, strategic administrative planning, overcoming implementation challenges, and the design of a nontraditional curriculum.

Embracing our rallying cry of ""Why not our students?"" This session underscores our unwavering dedication to providing equal opportunities and innovative educational approaches, aiming to level the playing field for ALL students, not just those who happen to live in the 'right' zip code. Don't miss the chance to learn from the creative minds behind this reinvention of learning, shaping the future of rural education.

Speakers: Ty White and Christina Musselman

Join the ARSA Borderlands Rural Teacher Caucus in its third year of advocacy for rural education. After holding listening sessions with various stakeholders, they focused on the trending challenges across the state, and found possible strategies to address them. Topics this year include Teacher Recruitment and Retention, Chronic Absenteeism, Changing Public Perception of Schools, and Infrastructure Investments. Meet this year’s advocates and learn how to participate in next year's program!

Speakers: Leslie Anway, PsyD, NCSP & Anthony Guillen, MSW

Connection, Belonging, Regulation. Time and again, these aspirational but essential building blocks of a resilient educational model have shown us that when we intentionally foster connection and an environment of felt safety, we can prevent the adult disconnection, burnout, and attrition levels that are currently soaring in our country.

Fortunately, we have the power to mitigate this in our schools. When we provide educators dedicated time to connect with one another, and to learn in ongoing, healing-centered spaces of engagement, we empower them to catalyze a domino effect of resilience throughout the entire educational community.

Speaker: Claudia Leon

In this session, we will explore the fundamental principles that underline cooperative organizations and the unique contracts they offer. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the various cooperative models, their benefits, and their operational framework. We will delve into the importance of compliance with local regulations and contractual aspects, providing practical insights into how cooperatives and cooperative contracts are structured. Whether you're a superintendent, a procurement professional, or simply curious about a cooperative program model, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to navigate and leverage the power of cooperatives effectively.

Speakers: Ben Dalton & Pam Powell

Howley (2021) notes that “rurality is not a deficit, not a problem to be solved. Rather, rurality is a circumstance, a set of conditions” (p. 4). Thus, rurality simply “is” and related to place and condition, it is not steeped in deficits. Furthermore, rural America cannot be defined definitively. Tieken and Mongomery (2021) state, “ ‘Rural America,’ then, is actually “rural Americas…..(p.8). This session underscores the strengths in a rural school district in southern Utah including mention of the recruitment and retention of teachers, access to services, access to specialized and varied courses, up to date technology and bandwidth, transportation, health services, early intervention, facility updates and care, access to social and emotional learning resources, and pathways to career choices. It incorporates current status along with the plans and strivings for the future with the hope of intersecting with rural Arizona for future collaboration.

Speakers: Robbie Koerperich & Ildi Laczko-Kerr

Teacher development and retention are essential for student success and overall school performance. In 2024, Holbrook Unified School District began collaborating with Ribbit Learning to offer coaching support for new teachers. This initiative aimed to boost teacher confidence, enhance instructional quality, improve student achievement, and increase teacher retention. Join us to explore this innovative model and its positive impact on new teacher development and retention.

Speaker: Jennifer Tripp

The mental health of students in small and rural districts is a growing concern, compounded by unique challenges such as limited access to resources and heightened isolation. This session focuses on the transformative power of performance coaching as a protective measure for student mental health.

Performance coaching, when delivered with fidelity and consistency, builds resilience, increases attendance, and fosters future-based thinking among students, thereby enhancing their overall well-being and academic performance.

Experts in the field will share innovative strategies for effectively implementing performance coaching in small and rural schools, demonstrating how to integrate coaching into existing programs and leverage technology for remote coaching sessions.

Don't keep doing the same things expecting different results. This session will inspire leaders to embrace new and impactful approaches that truly make a difference.

Speakers: Dr. Michael Wright & Gabriel Jaramillo

Blue Ridge Unified School District (BRUSD) and Sitgreaves Community Development Corporation have developed a plan on district-owned land to build eight units for attainable teacher housing. Vivablox will develop prefabricated self-contained units ready for installation. On the same property, the school district is envisioning the construction of a child care center. This endeavor promises not only effective solutions for the district's workforce but also a positive impact on the broader community it serves.

Speaker: Dr. Kellie Burns

This session will outline one school district's training in human trafficking and ultimate identification of 5 students in the district who were victims. It will also help other's identify the signs of human trafficking in their schools and victimized students.

Speakers: Justin Roberson & Caroline Brackley

This panel will discuss the in's and out's of getting your BRG project accepted. Project's include a "walk-in" freezer, a major renovation of a campus that did not meet MAG standards, and the process of getting a rural campus condemned and rebuilt.

Speaker: Melani Edwards

In this session, Coolidge Unified’s Director of Curriculum, Melani Edwards, along with members of the Defined Learning team, will share their approach to re-envision teaching and learning. Coolidge Unified’s goal is for every student to have access to explore and pursue their aspirations, paving the way for a promising future. By fostering a culture of real-world learning and enlisting the help of key partners like Defined Learning, Coolidge leaders will discuss how they use career-connected project based learning to foster students’ excitement about careers and their future, while also building the critical skills needed to succeed in college, careers, and life. Career-connected learning that offers students real-world problems fuels student engagement and even closes the achievement gap.

Speaker: Terra Patient

Our Student Loan Solutions program gives educators no-cost access to the tools and resources they need to take control of their debt.

Speaker: Maria Cuzzocreo

Legacy Learning Community offers a transformative solution for rural schools and districts grappling with student dropout and graduation rates. By partnering with these schools, we aim to boost graduation rates and reduce dropouts. Our dedication to collaboration tackles critical issues like budget shortfalls, teacher recruitment and retention, fluctuating enrollment, and the need for flexible learning environments tailored to individual student needs. Our resources are invaluable for students balancing education with work, home, or health challenges. Legacy Learning Community is committed to ensuring no student or family is left without support, striving to create a flexible and supportive educational community. Our mission is to partner with schools and districts to address these challenges and foster a nurturing and adaptable learning environment for all.

Speaker: Erik Francis

What does teaching and learning with an inquiring mind involve? How could we pose good questions that encourage teaching and learning through inquiry and by questioning? Learn how to rephrase the performance objectives of academic standards and learning targets into good questions that will set the instructional focus, serve as assessments, personalize learning, and promote student inquiry.

Speakers: Alex Reader & Shannon Goodsell

Join us for this hands-on and engaging session led by the founder of STIIX, Alex Reader, alongside Dr. Shannon Goodsell, the superintendent of Window Rock Unified School District. During our time, we will share about the success surrounding our initiative to use STEM to engage families in Window Rock, spend some time sharing /navigating resources, and even get hands-on ourselves by building a Project-Based learning STEM project.

Our hope is you can leave with some amazing ideas on how to use STEM as more than just a classroom tool, but to engage families and get kids excited about careers along thew way. The best part is...what we will be sharing is free / affordable, and incredibly easy to implement.

Speaker: Dr. Kristen Rex

The Arizona Historical Society (AHS) aims to connect people through the power of Arizona's history. We promote history through leadership, partnership, and scholarship, partnering with Arizona teachers to provide lessons, contests, tours, traveling trunks, and other educational tools that align with state standards.As the steward of Arizona’s history, AHS offers a unique resource through its extensive collections of artifacts and manuscripts. These collections support public programming, educational outreach, exhibitions, and research, helping to understand contemporary issues like water availability, immigration, free trade, mining, and urban development.National History Day Arizona (NHDAZ), developed for grades 4-12, engages students in historical, cultural, scientific, and social research through project-based learning. This program includes classroom activities, after-school clubs, workshops, and competitions. Additionally, the 3rd Annual AHS Postcard Contest offers a special opportunity for 3rd graders to celebrate Arizona Statehood in February, aligning with Arizona Social Studies standards and topics like the Penny Postcard and the 5 Cs of Arizona.

Speaker: Joe O'Reilly

The ASU Helios Decision Center for Educational Excellence has developed tools for you to use in focusing schools on student success. This session will provide an overview of our tools and how they are used by your colleagues throughout Arizona. The tools include:
* How your middle schoolers do in Arizona high schools
*Admitting students to ASU/NAU/UA before they apply
* How you graduates do in community college and state universities.
* Learn from teachers whose students excel at universities
* Census community data and education data by high school attendance area.
* Workforce needs and occupations in your county and CTE participation.
We will describe these resources and invite participating rural school leaders to discuss their use. We will also share an invitation to come to Helios to use the tools or access them remotely. Get a preview at decisioncenter.asu.edu.

Speakers: Pilar Holtrop & William Santiago

Join us for an engaging session where participants will delve into the intricacies of educational leadership through the lens of the NIET Principal Standards Rubric. Through interactive discussions, examples, demonstrations and impact stories, we will explore how this rubric and the coaching process empowers school leaders to influence student outcomes. Gain insights into the correlation between leadership initiatives and student success, empowering you to reflect on your current practices and strategize your next steps. Together, let’s uncover strategies that maximize your impact on student achievement and pave the way for a brighter educational future.

Speakers: Dr. Shannon Goodsell & Lee McIlroy

The College Board and the Window Rock Unified School District hosted a first-of-its-kind AP Symposium in Spring 2024 to share new AP Access courses with rural school districts. Join this session to learn why we are implementing these new courses and how our participation will allow us to also implement grade-level, standards-aligned Pre-AP courses to better prepare all students for additional coursework throughout their high school journey and beyond.

Speakers: KaRa Lyn Thrasher & Mike Penca

What happens when young people participate in decisions on how school dollars are spent? Research has shown that they develop a strong sense of personal agency and responsibility, build stronger relationships with their peers and educators, exhibit increased engagement, and strengthen important skills such as communication, problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking. School Participatory Budgeting (SPB) is an innovative civic learning process where students learn democracy by doing. With support from school leaders, students participate in democratic decision-making to decide how to spend a portion of their school or district budget. Join this session to hear how Flagstaff Unified School District successfully piloted this model to empower student choice in budgeting decisions.

Speakers: Matthew Toth & Erika Johnson

In this session, you will learn that basic needs and mental health play an enormous role in the safety and well-being of your schools and communities. We will be discussing trauma, regulation, and other factors that lead to poor wellness and at-risk behaviors within your schools. Using data and real examples to show these behaviors increasing nationally and tools you can use to build an effective mental health and wellness hub to deter these behaviors and connect families to the resources they need.

Speakers: Stephen Schadler & Emily Sankey

Discover how Santa Cruz Valley is revolutionizing personalized learning through innovative AI solutions and other district-wide efforts. This session will showcase the district's efforts to streamline resources, enhance teacher effectiveness, and foster student success. Learn from the assistant superintendent and other team members about their journey, challenges, and triumphs in integrating AI and other tools into their personalized learning initiatives, and gain practical insights to apply in your own educational context.

Speaker: Dr. Stephanie Miller

Learn and brainstorm how to create and analyze individualized data sheets, for every student, to track academic growth and make informed decisions. Participants will be given specific examples of data sheets Congress Elementary School uses for tracking student progress, data analysis, and will explore usage of data for decision making. Congress Elementary School is an "A" rated rural school and was awarded in January 2024 an award of “Excellence in Arizona Education” from the Arizona House Education Committee. Come and enjoy data.

Speakers: Sean Ross, Jessica Mueller, and Sean Smith

Join us for an essential session on the latest updates in Arizona's state accountability, including the 2023-2024 school year letter grades and specific indicator letter grades. This collaborative effort between the State Board of Education and the Arizona Department of Education will explore recent advancements in accountability measures for traditional, alternative, and AOI schools. Expect insights from the Board's upcoming presentation on indicator scoring on August 26, 2024. The session will also feature a synthesis of public feedback, collected through surveys, informal gatherings, and written comments, and its anticipated influence on indicator letter grades and their integration into current strategies. Participants can engage directly with presenters during a dedicated Q&A segment, enhancing understanding, fostering dialogue, and soliciting further feedback. We look forward to your participation!

Speaker: Steve Whaley, Alternative Fuels Manager at Blue Bird Corporation

A great deal of attention has been given to electric powered buses, but are there other alternatives that provide emission reductions with near-zero options that are cost effective? This session will compare all four power sources; Diesel, Propane, Gasoline, and EV including range capabilities, vehicle costs, infrastructure costs, and the energy costs to operate these buses. This session will also address a total cost of ownership for each power source.

Speaker: Kimberly Tobey

This presentation from the education team at Rio Salado College addresses the critical teacher shortage in rural areas by introducing a cost-effective bachelor's degree program. This initiative empowers communities to nurture local talent, ensuring schools have dedicated, qualified teachers. The benefits of the program will be outlined, such as completion of an entire bachelor degree for less than 17k, flexible learning options, and community support. We'll also highlight apprenticeship opportunities and discuss how Growing Your Own educators can create a sustainable pipeline of teachers who understand and are committed to their communities. Join us to explore how this innovative approach to receiving a 4-year degree at a community college can transform education in rural areas and ensure every child has access to quality teaching.

Speaker: Dr. Mary Schmitz, OTD, OT/L

To be in compliance with the Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA: P.L. 108-446), school districts must provide a free and appropriate public education with related services designed to address the unique needs of of children with disabilities. However, recruitment and retention of qualified and sufficient personnel may limit the extent of the related service interventions provided by all disciplines. When limited personnel are available, the occupational therapist is called upon to do a little bit of everything, but how could this utilization of personnel be stronger and perhaps more effective for everyone, yet apply evidence-based interventions? This presentation will immerse participants into evidence-based activities that could be co-led by an occupational therapist with an educator, school nurse, or paraprofessional to address the unique needs of the preschool to elementary school age students in your districts.

Speakers: Mike Martinez, Heather Mock, Annette Moreno

Join us for "You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know," a vital workshop designed to illuminate the often-overlooked aspects of school business and compliance. We’ll cover critical topics such as managing state deadlines, knowing when to involve your governing board, and navigating a range of unexpected challenges in school district administration. This session will equip you with essential insights and practical strategies to address areas you may not even be aware of, ensuring you’re well-prepared for every aspect of school business.

Pre-Function

Humphreys

"The Real VIPs of the World - Leading with Vision, Integrity, and Purpose"

Humphreys

Abinau/Fremont

Abinau/Fremont