Jump Start 2026: Full Schedule

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

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9:10am MDT

OPENING SESSION | Dr. Matt Zakreski | Riding Out the Storm: Managing Emotional Intensity in Students

Friday October 9, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Today’s students are marked by their intensity, particularly their emotional intensity. These emotional outbursts can be very disruptive and dysregulating to the students, as well as their peers, parents, teachers, and
community supports. Drawing on years of psychological experience, Dr. Zakreski will walk participants through several different trouble areas (i.e., peer relations, failure, social outings) and give concrete strategies on how to manage those feelings and behaviors at home, at school, and in the community.

Friday October 9, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am MDT
Grand Ballroom

Developing High Quality Programs, Safety and Wellness

STRAND Developing High Quality Programs
Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Admin & Leadership
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Safety and Wellness

11:00am MDT

Ask, Listen, Empower: Shifting from Control to Connection

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Meeting Room 102

Limited Capacity seats available

Explore how small, intentional shifts away from directive, compliance-based strategies to open-ended, curious facilitative communication approaches can strengthen staff-youth relationships, amplify youth voice, and create environments where young people feel encouraged and empowered to contribute to their learning and development. Appropriate for all youth development professionals, this interactive workshop will leverage ideation, reflection, discussion, and practice. Learn to listen deeply, collaborate boldly, and design interactions with intention that nurture competence, appropriate risk-taking, persistence, and joy in youth. Leave with simple, effective, and immediately implementable tools and frameworks designed to create more responsive, engaging, and youth-centered experiences.

Speakers

Hailee Moehnke (she/her)

Community Engagement + Experiences Manager, Mizzen Education

Mizzen Education is a completely free platform offering 1500+ plug-and-play lesson plans for grades K-12 across 10 content areas, at your fingertips. Plus, find free team collaboration tools to keep program planning simple! Whether you're at a camp, classroom, community center, or... Read More →

Kristin Stayer (she/her)

VP of Engagement + Educator Experiences, Mizzen Education

Kristin Stayer, Mizzen’s VP of Engagement + Educator Experiences, is dedicated to creating inspiring experiences for youth learning and staff development.

Kristin previously served as the National Manager of Curriculum and Content Development for After-School All-Stars, empowering students for 21st-century learning. Prior, she spent a decade at Park Place Community Center in Anderson, Indiana, addressing educational, health, and food... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 102

Developing High Quality Programs, Youth Engagement Voice and Choice

STRAND Developing High Quality Programs
Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Youth Engagement Voice and Choice
NAA Core Knowledge Skills & Co... Relationships and Interactions with Children and Youth

11:00am MDT

Every Moment Matters: Engagement Strategies to Support Youth Beyond the School Day

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Meeting Room 202

Limited Capacity seats available

Helping afterschool professionals explore engagement strategies that help youth feel seen, heard, valued, and connected beyond the school day. Discover how intentional everyday moments strengthen relationships, increase participation, and foster confidence, leadership, and future readiness. Engage in collaborative activities, reflection, and real-world scenarios, and walk away with an Engagement Strategy Plan and practical tools they can immediately implement to create meaningful experiences that lead to lasting impact.

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 202

Developing High Quality Programs, Relationships and Interactions with Children and Youth

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Relationships and Interactions with Children and Youth

11:00am MDT

Self-Compassion for Children & Caregivers

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Meeting Room 103

Limited Capacity seats available

Parents and professionals will benefit from this playful approach to self-compassion for the positive social-emotional well-being of school age and preschool children. They will be introduced to developing awareness and a sense of curiosity using the feelings habit animals. Resilience habit animals will help us know we are not alone and we can be kind to ourselves. These characters will support adults in practicing and modeling self-compassion with children by responding to mistakes and stress with understanding and resilience. The habit animals provide a shared language of habits that can be used as external compassionate voices and to teach specific self-compassion skills to children. Online resources about the curriculum, training, and how to incorporate in programs will be discussed.

Speakers

Teri Henke

Associate Professor, Emerita, Retired from Weber State University

Dr. Teri Henke has held teaching and leadership roles in programs serving children and adults across a variety of settings for over 40 years. Prior to retiring from the Child and Family Studies Department at Weber State University in 2024, she taught early childhood education courses... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 103

Prevention, Safety and Wellness

STRAND Prevention
Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Safety and Wellness

11:00am MDT

Hands On With AI: Learning the Tools of AI

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Meeting Room 203

Limited Capacity seats available

What is an LLM? What is a RAG? Is my data safe? What can use these tools for that are not just writing a lesson plan? Come explore the newest AI tools including chatbots, automations, RAGs, and more Learn how to create automations, build AI tools to support your classroom work quickly, and help you get hours back from your teaching schedule. This is a hands-on session.

Speakers

Matt Winters

AI Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Matthew Winters is the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Educational Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education. He was formerly a product manager and statewide trainer for Utah Education Network.He was the Utah Coalition for Educational Technology (UCET) President for 2022-2024... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 203

STEM, Learning Environments and Curriculum

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Learning Environments and Curriculum

11:00am MDT

Learning in Disguise: Painless Academic Support Through Play

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Ballroom 2

Limited Capacity seats available

Kids learn best when they do not even realize they are studying. This hands-on session provides a pattern to help afterschool educators weave critical math and literacy skills directly into the activities children naturally choose. You will learn to turn everyday play, crafts, and games into high-impact learning moments. Participants will roll up their sleeves and experience these joyful, "stealth-learning" activities firsthand. You will leave with a practical toolkit of activities that spark curiosity, preserve child autonomy, and seamlessly boost academic confidence, motivation and understanding.

Speakers

Deborah Ivie

Associate Professor, Utah State University Extension

Deborah Ivie is an associate professor at Utah State University, working with formal and informal educators to create innovative activities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Over the past six years Deb has secured and implemented over 12 million dollars in STEM and afterschool... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Ballroom 2

STEM, Learning Environments and Curriculum

STRAND STEM
Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Learning Environments and Curriculum
NAA Core Knowledge Skills & Co... Program Planning and Development

1:30pm MDT

Classroom Management 101

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

Meeting Room 103

Limited Capacity seats available

Managing a classroom can feel quite overwhelming for newer professionals in Out of School Time. In this session you will learn top strategies for building classroom culture and norms. Attendees will walk away with easy tips to make your classroom feel calm and in control.

Speakers

Maggie DeSpain

Extension Assistant Professor, Utah State University Extension

Maggie Despain comes from a rich background of youth programming with her early beginnings working with residential camps. She started working with Salt Lake County in 2016 and has become a well seasoned Site Coordinator where her program shines with many best practices in staff and... Read More →

Danielle Latta

Afterschool Program Manager, Salt Lake County Youth Services

Danielle Latta has over 20 years of experience in the field of youth development and community programming. Her career in this field started at age 16, as a Youth Mentor in her hometown YMCA of San Luis Obispo, CA. Danielle received a BA in Recreation Management from the University... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 103

Developing High Quality Programs, Program Planning and Development

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Program Planning and Development

1:30pm MDT

Real Talk About Data: Lessons from OST Programs Across Utah

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

Meeting Room 201

Limited Capacity seats available

Data collection can feel like one more thing on an already full plate, but what if it could actually make your job easier? If collecting attendance, registration, or reporting information feels overwhelming or inconsistent, this session is for you. Join fellow afterschool professionals for an interactive discussion about what's working, what's not, and how small changes can make a big difference. You'll leave with practical ideas to improve data quality, simplify processes, and spend less time fixing problems and more time supporting youth.

Speakers

Lauren Levorsen

School Alignment & Data Specialist, Utah Afterschool Network

Lauren Levorsen is the School Alignment and Data Specialist at the Utah Afterschool Network. She has a B.S. in Marriage & Family Studies from BYU-Idaho and an M.Ed. in Educational Psychology from the University of Georgia. She happened upon afterschool programming by accident during... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 201

Developing High Quality Programs, Program Planning and Development

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Family School and Community Relationships
NAA Core Knowledge Skills & Co... Program Planning and Development

1:30pm MDT

30 Minutes of Movement

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

Grand Ballroom B

Limited Capacity seats available

You do not need a gymnasium to get students moving. Physical activity can be seamlessly woven into your existing curriculum. Integrating physical activity into academic and enrichment programming is a fantastic way to boost engagement, improve knowledge retention, and support overall student well-being. When students move, they learn better. During this session you will develop a comprehensive guide to blending movement with learning, managing groups, and facilitating adventure-based teamwork.

Speakers

Sarah Roundy

Health Specialist, Utah Department of Health and Human Services

Sarah Roundy is a public health specialist dedicated to building healthier schools. As the Health and Wellness School Specialist at the Department of Health and Human Services, she provides professional development opportunities for schools to incorporate physical activity and nutrition... Read More →

Katie Lowery

Education Specialist, SHAPE Utah, President

Hello fellow educator! I am Katie Lowery, and I am the current President of SHAPE Utah. Please see me with any questions on joining our SHAPE committee, or on anything that will help you navigate your day here at the conference!

I recently returned from Washington DC, where... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Grand Ballroom B

Healthy Eating and Physical Activity | Safety & Wellness, Youth Engagement Voice and Choice

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Youth Engagement Voice and Choice

1:30pm MDT

Read It, Mix It, Discover It-Where Science and Literacy Come Alive!

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

Meeting Room 203

Limited Capacity seats available

The Quirkles and Fuddlebrook Science School Series features engaging read-aloud stories with at least two science activities in each book. Participants will be introduced to these books, but also to other pieces of literature that are fun to use with science. We will explore how science investigations can strengthen reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking, all of which support the Science of Reading. Yes, eggs will fly, water will disappear, and potions will fizz all while teachers discover practical strategies for building vocabulary, deepening comprehension, and inspiring curiosity. Come and truly see how little moments will have big outcomes! You might get messy, but fun will be had by all!

Speakers

Terri Johnson

Developer/Owner, Quirkles and Fuddlebrook Science Series

Terri Johnson is the creator of the Quirkles and Fuddlebrook Science Series. She also developed an after-school program, Fiction, Facts, & Fun, that served over one thousand children in Springfield, Missouri. Terri is passionate about making literacy engaging and fun. In addition... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 203

STEM, Learning Environments and Curriculum

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Learning Environments and Curriculum

2:45pm MDT

Balancing AI Policy and Frameworks: Preparing for the Future While Responding to Today

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

Meeting Room 201

Limited Capacity seats available

Most educators, parents, and students are navigating AI without a map, responding to federal directives, state policies, and classroom realities that are all moving at different speeds. Join USBE AI Education Specialist Matt Winters for a candid, field-level look at what is actually happening across the country, what it means for Utah right now, and how to lead communities through this moment with clarity, confidence, and humanity at the center.

Speakers

Matt Winters

AI Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education

Friday October 9, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Meeting Room 201

Developing High Quality Programs, Professional Development and Leadership

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Professional Development and Leadership

2:45pm MDT

Connecting Youth to Their Community with Food Waste Reduction

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

Meeting Room 203

Limited Capacity seats available

This session helps elementary-aged youth connect with their community and teaches them how they can actively participate in reducing food waste. Learn how to help youth understand what food waste is, where it happens, and the impact it has, as well as how you can play an active role in reducing food waste in your own homes, school, and the community where you live. Walk away with a curriculum and resources to use in your afterschool program that will get kids having fun and being excited while learning how to make a difference within their sphere of influence.

Speakers

Amberly Lambertsen

Program Coordinator, Hunger Solutions Institute

Amberly Lambertsen is the Program Coordinator for the NourishSmart Initiative under the Hunger Solutions Institute. NourishSmart addresses hunger and food waste in Utah communities, engaging individuals, especially youth, in reducing food waste within their sphere of influence. Amberly... Read More →

Palak Gupta

Extension Specialist - Hunger Solutions, Assistant Professor, Hunger Solutions Institute

Dr. Palak Gupta is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist for Hunger Solutions at Utah State University and Co‑Director of the Hunger Solutions Institute. She is faculty in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program, where she teaches graduate‑level courses focused on... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Meeting Room 203

Healthy Eating and Physical Activity | Safety & Wellness, Safety and Wellness

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Safety and Wellness
NAA Core Knowledge Skills & Co... Learning Environments and Curriculum

2:45pm MDT

Beyond Behavior: Understanding and Supporting Youth Mental Health in After-School Programs

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

Ballroom 1

Limited Capacity seats available

After-school professionals are often the first to notice when a child is struggling, yet many receive little training in recognizing and responding to youth mental health concerns. This interactive session will help participants understand common mental health challenges, distinguish typical behavior from signs of concern, and view behavior through a trauma-informed lens. Attendees will learn practical strategies to prevent and respond to dysregulation, support emotional well-being, and know when additional support may be needed. Participants will leave with ready-to-use tools, activities, and resources they can immediately implement in their programs.

Speakers

Alyson Funn

Chief Clinical Officer, Utah School Mental Health Collaborative/Mountain West School Mental Health Foundation

Alyson Funn, PhD, is the Chief Clinical Officer for the Mountain West School Mental Health Foundation, where she leads clinical services while maintaining an active practice conducting school-based psychological evaluations, consultation, and behavioral health services for children... Read More →

Susan Smaellie

Parent Community LiaisonnnHopeful Beginnings School-Based Therapist (Canyons School District), Utah School Mental Health Collaborative/Mountain West School Mental Health FoundationnnCanyons School District

Susan Smaellie supports students and families with compassion and clinical expertise as a School-Based Therapist in two Utah Title I elementary schools. As the Parent Community Liaison with the Utah School Mental Health Collaborative, she provides education for parents, caregivers... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Ballroom 1

Prevention, Safety and Wellness

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Safety and Wellness
NAA Core Knowledge Skills & Co... Child/Youth Growth and Development

4:00pm MDT

Beyond Program Time: Building Youth and Family Connections Through Adventure

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

Meeting Room 102

Limited Capacity seats available

Little moments can create big outcomes when youth feel seen, heard, and connected. This session is for after-school leaders, site coordinators, and front-line staff who want simple, engaging ways to strengthen youth voice, family connection, and positive peer interaction. Participants will explore how Discovery Hunt-style activities can turn everyday program moments into meaningful opportunities for belonging, skill-building, reflection, and recognition. Walk away with practical ideas for creating quick challenges, family engagement prompts, and youth-led activities that support resilience, confidence, and connection for ages 5–18.

Speakers

Sharilee Griffiths

Director, Discovery Family Coalition

Sharilee Griffiths is a popular speaker, and youth development advocate with 30+ years of experience presenting at local, state, and national conferences. She has delivered hundreds of workshops on youth leadership, mentoring, community engagement, volunteerism, family engagement... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Meeting Room 102

Developing High Quality Programs, Family School and Community Relationships

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Family School and Community Relationships
NAA Core Knowledge Skills & Co... Youth Engagement Voice and Choice

4:00pm MDT

Little Actions, 10X Outcomes: Helping Youth Think Big, Build Confidence, and Take Action

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

Ballroom 1

Limited Capacity seats available

What could happen if young people learned to Think Big, Believe Big, Act Big, Invest Big, and Live Big? Designed for afterschool professionals, teachers, site leaders, and mentors serving youth ages 5–18, this interactive session brings the 10X Kids University mindset to life. Participants will explore engaging strategies that build confidence, goal-setting, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, leadership, and influence. Through practical activities, attendees will learn how to help youth identify their potential, use money as a tool, turn ideas into action, and increase their positive impact. Leave ready to create little moments that prepare the next generation for lifelong success.

Speakers

Kimberly Jacobsen

CEO, Total Impact Hub

Kimberly Jacobsen is an educator, author, entrepreneur, and Certified 10X Business Coach with more than 15 years of classroom and youth-development experience. As founder of Total Impact Hub, she creates practical programs that help youth and adults build confidence, strengthen skills... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Ballroom 1

Emerging Leaders, Learning Environments and Curriculum

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Learning Environments and Curriculum

4:00pm MDT

Game On! Using Play to Drive Learning and Build Community

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

Grand Ballroom B

Limited Capacity seats available

Can you come out to play? Join us for an interactive workshop powered by Playworks to experience the joy of games firsthand, and the power to leverage play as a vehicle for learning and well-being.We will explore the strategy behind purposeful play. You will learn specific, easy-to-implement games designed to actively support student learning, build inclusive communities, and foster personal growth. Why attend? You will walk away with a fresh toolkit of proven, low-resource activities and facilitation techniques to immediately transform your program's culture and keep kids engaged. Come ready to move, laugh, and harness the power of play!

Speakers

Amanda Jolley

Partner Experience Manager, Playworks

Amanda Jolley AKA Coach Jolley has been leveraging the power of play for over a decade, bringing Playworks strategies and fun to audiences of all ages. The name in incredibly fitting because everyone that interacts with her walks away feeling joyful and inspired.

Eric Payne

Program Director, Playworks

Eric Payne AKA "Coach Payne", certified goofball, has been bringing the joy of play to both children and adults for 12 years. Playworks is the dream job for him because play allows one to express their true self and there's nothing quite like getting silly. From speaking about the... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Grand Ballroom B

Healthy Eating and Physical Activity | Safety & Wellness, Relationships and Interactions with Children and Youth

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Relationships and Interactions with Children and Youth

4:00pm MDT

STEAM-Powered Learning: Play-based Activities for Young Innovators

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

Ballroom 3

Limited Capacity seats available

Bring hands-on STEAM learning to life with PCS Edventures! This interactive session showcases engaging, play-based activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity in young learners. Explore three dynamic stations tailored to different grade levels: Cubelets Bot Builder introduces engineering and robotics, Rockin’ Robots with Sphero indi combines coding and music, Ready Set Drone! builds teamwork and problem-solving skills through mini-drone challenges. Discover how these activities promote critical thinking, collaboration, and a love for STEM while making learning fun and accessible for all students. Walk away with ideas to elevate your program with interactive, age-appropriate experiences!

Speakers

Lindsey Prociw

Project Coordinator, Product Development, PCS Edventures!

Lindsey Prociw is the Project Coordinator for the Product Development team at PCS Edventures. Bringing over a decade of experience in STEM education, she has managed summer camp programs, led teacher professional development, coordinated school field trips and developed curriculum... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Ballroom 3

STEM, Learning Environments and Curriculum

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Learning Environments and Curriculum

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