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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11:00am MDT

Empowering the Next Generation: A Youth Leadership Training

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

This training will benefit program coordinators and staff who are interested in building leadership skills in youth.You will learn to teach tangible leadership skills that youth can practice within the afterschool environment and carry into their adult lives. These include peer mentoring, conflict resolution, activity planning, service learning, group leadership, and advocacy.This training will equip you with tools and strategies to cultivate a strong youth leadership component in your program. By empowering youth to take ownership, serve as positive role models, and lead with purpose, you can boost engagement, improve program quality, and create a more meaningful and impactful afterschool environment.

Speakers

Mason Pappas

Afterschool Consultant, Utah Afterschool Network

Before joining UAN as an Afterschool Consultant, Mason Pappas, a Utah native, spent five years working in afterschool and summer programs with the YMCA in Salt Lake City and Ogden. His passion for youth development began while working as a school custodian at a site that hosted afterschool... Read More →

Lilianna Akalonu

Family Liaison, Promise South Salt Lake

This year, Lili Akalonu will celebrate 10 years of working in afterschool programs, but her journey in afterschool started long before that. At just 8 years old, Lili became a club kid at the Boys & Girls Club, where her passion for becoming an afterschool leader first began. That... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Ballroom 3

Developing High Quality Programs, Program Planning and Development

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

11:00am MDT

Habits for Health and Happiness

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Grand Ballroom B

Limited Capacity seats available

When emotions run high, it’s easy to feel exhausted and make choices that don't lead to lasting happiness. But what if the key to navigating those moments starts with the habits we build every day? The healthy choices we model and encourage in children can shape their futures for years to come. Join us as we explore a holistic approach to health—connecting physical wellness, mental well-being, and meaningful relationships—to create positive habits and lifestyles where children can truly thrive.

Speakers

Kristen Knoche

Lead Afterschool Consultant, Utah Afterschool Network

Kristen Knoche is an Afterschool Consultant with the Utah Afterschool Network. She graduated from UVU with a bachelor's degree in Speech Communication. She has enjoyed advocating for youth with multiple organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, UVU PREP, GEAR UP, Community... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Grand Ballroom B

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

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Safety and Wellness

11:00am MDT

Addressing Bullying Behavior

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Meeting Room 202

Limited Capacity seats available

Helping students who are involved in “bullying behavior” develop
their prosocial skills contributes to a positive classroom environment.
In this training, you will learn best practices for intervening and
resolving bullying scenarios.

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 202

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... Relationships and Interactions with Children and Youth

11:00am MDT

Staying in your Window: Understanding the Window of Tolerance

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Ballroom 2

Limited Capacity seats available

This presentation will lead the attendees through what the Window of Tolerance is and how it impacts students' behavior in the classroom. Attendees will be given the science behind regulation of students and self, what happens when students' environment moves beyond their own windows and how to better help students stay within their own windows so that learning can occur.

Speakers

Amie Huggins

TBRI Coach for Schools, Raise the Future

Amie Huggins M.Ed. has been a teacher in the classroom for 30 years. She has also a foster/adopt mom, a grandma and a TBRI Practitioner. She is the co-author of the book Creating a Connected Classroom with Marti Smith. Her dream is that all people who work with kids understand the... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Ballroom 2

Prevention, Child/Youth Growth and Development

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

11:00am MDT

Space, Paper, AI! Hands-On ESTEAM Challenges for Every Classroom

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Meeting Room 203

Limited Capacity seats available

Whether your program has zero access or one-to-one devices, this workshop meets you where you are. Experience an engaging, space-themed ESTEAM Design Thinking Challenge that stands alone as a no-tech prototyping activity or becomes an AI-powered learning experience, bridging together entrepreneurship, creativity, and science. You'll build, experiment, and play your way through adaptable lessons designed for any K-12 environment!

Speakers

Lindly Fernandez

Program Coordinator, VentureLab

Imagine a future where every young person is ready to dream big, tackle real challenges, and create what comes next. VentureLab makes entrepreneurship and STEM accessible to ALL youth through hands-on experiences that build creativity, collaboration, and resilience. Our evidence-based... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 203

STEM, Learning Environments and Curriculum

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

11:00am MDT

Social Development Strategy in the Classroom and Beyond

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT

Meeting Room 201

Limited Capacity seats available

With most students spending about 20% of their year in a classroom, creating bonds with teachers and afterschool professionals provides students with protective factors that last beyond the classroom into adulthood. In this interactive and connecting breakout session, attendees will walk away with proven strategies to provide opportunities, skills, and recognition to youth to promote healthy outcomes. Every child needs one trusted adult to believe in them. We provide a way to become that person for the youth in our community.

Speakers

Lori Larsen

Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Weber Human Services

Lori Larsen has worked in the mental health field for the past seven years serving people with mental illness and substance use disorder. She managed and ran two residential facilities with 28 staff, and up to 36 clients. Her passion for helping people improve their lives resulted... Read More →

David Sekulich

Ogden Communities That Care Coalition Coordinator, Weber Human Services

David Sekulich is a community advocate with extensive experience in substance use prevention and recovery support. His work centers on implementing evidence-based strategies that strengthen public health responses to the opioid crisis and increase equitable access to life-saving interventions... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 201

Youth Development, 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
NAA Core Knowledge Skills & Co... Child/Youth Growth and Development

1:30pm MDT

Creating Safe Spaces in Afterschool Programs

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

Ballroom 2

Limited Capacity seats available

This interactive session equips afterschool staff at all levels with practical strategies for creating safe, supportive, and inclusive program environments. Participants will explore proactive approaches to behavior management and strategies for responding to challenging behaviors in ways that strengthen relationships and foster a positive program culture. Participants will leave with practical tools they can implement in their own programs.

Speakers

Brandis Stockman

Program Manager for Education, National League of Cities

Brandis Stockman is the Executive Director of OST Training That “Sticks” and Program
Manager for Education and Workforce Success with the National League of Cities. She has 25+
years of experience supporting youth and families, including overseeing school-based and
afterschool p... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Ballroom 2

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

1:30pm MDT

Is This Really Happening? From Tube Tops to the Tooth Fairy, Maintaining Joy in Your Educator Journey

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

Ballroom 1

Limited Capacity seats available

Being an educator feels a bit like signing up for a marathon and discovering it’s an ultra-marathon...with hurdles… in hot sand… with no shoes. From managing wardrobes of students (tube tops) to debating the existence of the Tooth Fairy, the surprises never end. The journey of an educator is often filled with unexpected challenges, changes, and an emotional grind that make us all pause and wonder at some point, “Is this really happening?” This session explores the strategies used by two educators navigating the demanding yet rewarding path of education and how they got lost and found their way back.

Speakers

Travis Moss

Principal Mapleton Jr. High School, Nebo School District

Travis Moss is the Principal at Mapleton Jr. High School and a husband to the most patient woman in the world and the father of five amazing kids that keep him busy and laughing. Travis started out as a Spanish teacher and has always enjoyed languages and the challenge and joy of... Read More →

Brittany Lundell

Assistant Principal Springville Jr. High School, Nebo School District

Raised on a farm, Brittany learned early the value of hard work, patience, and a good sense of humor. She spent eight years teaching special education before moving into school administration, dedicating her career to students and families in the Nebo School District. She holds degrees... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Ballroom 1

Developing High Quality Programs, Program Planning and Development

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

1:30pm MDT

YARN: The Ultimate Makerspace

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

Meeting Room 202

Limited Capacity seats available

In this highly interactive session, you'll experience hands-on yarn activities that require little more than inexpensive supplies and a spirit of curiosity. Explore fiber arts, collaborative challenges, and creative invitations that foster problem-solving, persistence, fine motor skills, social connection, and youth leadership. You'll discover practical, low-cost ideas that can be adapted for a wide range of ages and abilities.
Together, we'll explore the WEAVE framework for designing meaningful afterschool experiences: Welcome, Explore, Achieve, Value, and Empower. You'll leave with fresh inspiration, practical resources, and a new appreciation for how one simple material can unlock endless possibilities for creativity, belonging, and learning.

Speakers

Marlin Taylor

SACC Specialist, Utah Afterschool Network

Marlin Taylor is a School-Age Child Care Specialist with the Utah Afterschool Network, where she conducts statewide quality observations and coaching. Her background spans linguistics research and university-level teaching, preschool education with a focus on project-based STEAM learning... Read More →

Janelle Gutierrez

Afterschool Consultant, Utah Afterschool Network

Janelle Gutierrez is an Afterschool Consultant with the Utah Afterschool Network. Holding a degree from BYU Idaho in Child Development, she is a dedicated youth development professional with more than 20 years of experience serving children and families through early childhood and... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 202

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

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

1:30pm MDT

Count Me In: Increase Math Understanding Through Sports

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

Grand Ballroom B

Limited Capacity seats available

After a long school day, the last thing kids want to do in an afterschool program is sit at a desk for more math. They want to get moving, play with friends, and burn off energy! But what if you could deliver high-quality math reinforcement without a single worksheet?This active, hands-on workshop will show you how to turn recess favorites and team sports into stealthy learning opportunities. You will discover practical ways to weave critical math concepts—like geometry, fractions, statistics, and estimation—directly into the playground games kids already love. Come ready to move, laugh, and learn how to bring fun and games to your program, completely by the numbers!

Speakers

Denise Taylor

Program Coordinator, Utah State University Extension

Denise Taylor serves as a program coordinator for USU. Over the last 14 years, she has extensive experience with making afterschool educational and fun for kids of all ages. She provided checkout materials for use in schools and afterschool throughout Utah. In her spare time she enjoys... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Grand Ballroom B

STEM, Learning Environments and Curriculum

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

1:30pm MDT

What's Love Got to Do With It?

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT

Ballroom 3

Limited Capacity seats available

Discover how confidence, self-esteem, self-care, and connection can impact learning, resilience, relationships, and a child’s ability to thrive. This engaging session will give after-school professionals practical strategies for creating environments where children feel valued, capable, and connected. We’ll also explore the importance of caring for ourselves while caring for others, because you can’t pour from an empty cup. No magic wand required, just compassion, connection, and understanding that one caring adult can make a lasting difference in a child’s learning by improving confidence and self-esteem.

Speakers

Donna Hortin

Therapist, LCSW

Donna Hortin has a Masters Degree from the University of Utah and has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and therapist for over 20 years. She has worked in hospice, substance abuse, domestic violence, children's mental health, crisis response, and individual and couples counseling... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Ballroom 3

Youth Development, Child/Youth Observation and Assessment

STRAND Youth Development
Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Child/Youth Growth and Development
NAA Core Knowledge Skills & Co... Relationships and Interactions with Children and Youth

2:45pm MDT

Accessible Programming without Overwhelm

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

Ballroom 1

Limited Capacity seats available

This training is meant to help afterschool professionals identify blind spots in their program development in a way that feels tangible. Oftentimes, creating programs can be overwhelming because you have so many people to think about, on an individual level. This training will help bring a collectivist mindset in our planning to help decrease feelings of anxiety when planning for various people from a wide range of backgrounds. Come and be a part of the discussion and create an intersectional framework that works for you.

Speakers

Encircle

Encircle LGBTQ+ Youth and Family Resource Center - Salt Lake

Encircle is a resource center that offers drop in hours, peer support programs, and creative programming for LGBTQ+ folks ages 12+, as well as education and support for their families and loved ones. Each location offers unique programming specific to their area. We also offer therapy... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Ballroom 1

Developing High Quality Programs, Family School and Community Relationships

Program Serving Grades 6-8, 9-12 6-8, 9-12 | TEENS
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Family School and Community Relationships
NAA Core Knowledge Skills & Co... Program Planning and Development

2:45pm MDT

Beyond Social Media: Understanding the Emerging Digital Challenges Facing Today's Youth

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

Meeting Room 201

Limited Capacity seats available

Afterschool professionals are supporting young people in a digital landscape that looks dramatically different than it did just a few years ago. Today's youth are navigating AI chatbots, influencer culture, sports betting ads, deepfakes, online scams, and algorithm-driven platforms that shape how they think, connect, and make decisions. This interactive session moves beyond traditional internet safety to explore emerging digital trends through real-world scenarios, discussion, and hands-on activities. Participants will learn to recognize potential risks while building youth digital resilience through critical thinking, media literacy, and decision-making skills.

Speakers

Kaitlyn Handley

Digital Trainer, Digital Citizenship Foundation

Kaitlyn Handley is a Digital Trainer with the Digital Citizenship Foundation, where she delivers educational programs for children, teens, and parents on safe, healthy, and responsible technology use. Through her work, she empowers individuals and families to navigate the digital... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Meeting Room 201

Developing High Quality Programs, Professional Development and Leadership

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

2:45pm MDT

Co-Workers, Not Competitors: Cultivating Trust & Communication in School Partnerships

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

Meeting Room 203

Limited Capacity seats available

We’ve all been there: a classroom left messy, a forgotten gym key, or a miscommunicated student incident that derails a relationship. This session is a sanctuary for Utah youth workers to talk about the real-world friction of school partnerships—and how to fix it. We will blend deep relationship-building with practical communication strategies, giving you the tools to co-create boundaries and build unshakeable trust with your school-day partners.

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 →

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Meeting Room 203

Developing High Quality Programs, Family School and Community Relationships

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

2:45pm MDT

Strategies for Supporting Growing Brains

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

Meeting Room 101

Limited Capacity seats available

90% of brain development happens before age 5. The remaining 10% is mostly what we see developing in the kids we work with. This session will cover specific strategies for supporting that remaining growth in an intentional, fun, and meaningful way. Participants will walk away with new considerations as they build lesson plans of their own and can incorporate brain based strategies for learning.

Speakers

Angie Toone

School-Age Child Care Specialist, Utah Afterschool Network

Angie Toone is a school age childcare specialist with the Utah Afterschool Network. Angie completed her master's degree in Human Development and Social Policy at the University of Utah. She is passionate about creating safe spaces for young people to explore the world and finding... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Meeting Room 101

Developing High Quality Programs, Child/Youth Growth and Development

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

2:45pm MDT

Supporting Teen Literacy in Afterschool

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

Meeting Room 202

Limited Capacity seats available

Afterschool professionals can have a lasting impact on teens' relationship with reading—without becoming reading teachers. This interactive session explores how to distinguish between skill-based and motivation-based reading struggles, create welcoming reading environments, and foster literacy through relationships, choice, and authentic engagement. Participants will leave with practical, research-informed strategies for building a positive reading culture, supporting struggling readers within their role, and helping young people see themselves as lifelong readers.

Speakers

Marlin Taylor

SACC Specialist, Utah Afterschool Network

Janelle Gutierrez

Afterschool Consultant, Utah Afterschool Network

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Meeting Room 202

Developing High Quality Programs, Learning Environments and Curriculum

Program Serving Grades 6-8, 9-12 | TEENS
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Program Planning and Development

2:45pm MDT

Prevention Science: Small Moments That Can Change a Life

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

Grand Ballroom B

Limited Capacity seats available

Did you know that you have the power to change a young person’s trajectory in just five minutes? In this interactive session, afterschool professionals will explore how Prevention Science and intentional interactions can significantly enhance protective factors such as resilience, belonging, and confidence in youth. Through motivational activities and thought-provoking reflections, participants will learn about the five simple steps to create little moments that lead to big outcomes. Making a difference in prevention efforts takes a village, and it can start with you. By the end of this session, you will be equipped with evidence-based strategies that you can immediately implement in your schools and communities.

Speakers

Moniksha (Mony) Madan

Prevention Program Manager, Volunteers of America, UTAH

Moniksha Madan is the Program Manager of the Prevention Services at Volunteers of America, Utah. She oversees a team of certified Prevention Specialists who implement evidence-based Social-Emotional Learning and Substance Abuse Prevention curricula in Title 1 schools and community... Read More →

Joshua Figueroa

Prevention Specialist, Volunteers of America, UTAH

Joshua Figueroa is a certified prevention specialist with Volunteers of America. In this role, he teaches evidence-based social-emotional learning curriculum to students within the Salt Lake City School District. Teaching throughout the Salt Lake Valley, he has had the opportunity... Read More →

Alexis Mainord

Prevention Specialist, Volunteers of America, UTAH

Alexis Mainord is a Prevention Specialist at Volunteers of America where she facilitates social and emotional learning groups with youth throughout the school year, during summer programs, and in after-school programs. She also helps facilitate other community resources, such as parenting... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Grand Ballroom B

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

2:45pm MDT

Making Math Groove: Teaching Numbers Through Rhythm, Song, and Movement

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

Ballroom 3

Limited Capacity seats available

Unlock the hidden math in every melody! This hands-on workshop equips afterschool educators with dynamic, "stealth math" strategies to teach foundational math concepts through high-energy music activities. Instead of worksheets, you will learn to use rhythm, song, instruments, and dance to reinforce learning naturally. Participants will actively jump, drum, and sing their way through interactive lessons. By the end of this session, you will have a ready-to-use toolkit of active musical experiences that make math feel like play.

Speakers

Nicole Rich

Afterschool Site Specialist, Utah State University Extension

Nicole Rich is a trained educator and USU Extension afterschool site specialist in Salt Lake County. She has many years' experience working in both formal and informal education. Music is one of Nicole's great loves, and she is excited to share her experiences.

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Ballroom 3

STEM, Learning Environments and Curriculum

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

4:00pm MDT

How Pop Culture, Video Games, and Pixie Dust Helped Me Banish The Final Boss of Learning: Boredom

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

Ballroom 1

Limited Capacity seats available

Afterschool educators are invited to discover practical strategies to transform your everyday activities into experiences kids can't wait to join. This interactive panel explores how gamification, "subverting reality" by adding playful twists to familiar activities, and pop-culture-inspired themes can help level up your classes and make learning fun and memorable. You'll leave with ready-to-use ideas and adaptive curriculum frameworks to beat boredom--the final boss of learning.

Speakers

Jess Ung

Senior Community Programs Manager, SLC Division of Youth & Family YouthCity

Jess Ung is the Senior Community Programs Manager at YouthCity at Liberty Park, part of Salt Lake City’s Division of Youth & Family. After starting her career in video games and entertainment art, Jess made the move into out-of-school time youth care and quickly discovered that... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Ballroom 1

Developing High Quality Programs, Learning Environments and Curriculum

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

4:00pm MDT

Connecting Before Correcting: Creative Strategies for Reaching Youth with Challenging Behaviors

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

Ballroom 2

Limited Capacity seats available

Afterschool professionals and youth educators: managing challenging behaviors can often feel overwhelming, but connection is the key to transformation. In this interactive session, explore innovative, practical strategies designed to reach school-age youth when traditional behavior management falls short. Discover how relational approaches, creative de-escalation techniques, and intentional engagement can turn moments of friction into opportunities for growth. Walk away with an actionable toolkit of low-cost, high-impact strategies, real-world activity ideas, and practical resources you can implement immediately in your program. Join us to transform how you respond to complex behaviors and build lasting, positive connections with the youth you serve.

Speakers

JoAnna Hagen Manzanares

Director, Little Learners Charities Non Profit

JoAnna Hagen Manzanares holds a B.S. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and a National Administrator Credential (NAC). With nearly 20 years dedicated to early childhood development, she serves as the Director of Little Learners Charities, the largest non-profit childcare... Read More →

Miranda Simmons

Assistant Director, Little Learners Charities Non Profit

Miranda Simmons serves as the Assistant Director at Little Learners Charities and works with the Children's Justice Center, bringing extensive expertise to early childhood support. She holds a National Administrator Credential (NAC), CDA credentials in Infant/Toddler, Preschool, and... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Ballroom 2

Prevention, Relationships and Interactions with Children and Youth

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Relationships and Interactions with Children and Youth
NAA Core Knowledge Skills & Co... Child/Youth Growth and Development

4:00pm MDT

Love Them or Hate Them, STEM Activities Are Real Winners

LIMITED

Saturday October 10, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

Ballroom 3

Limited Capacity seats available

Mention "STEM" to afterschool educators, and you'll often hear two things: excitement for high engagement, or anxiety over mess, noise, and feeling out of their depth.This interactive session proves why STEM is worth the chaos. Participants will discover how hands-on activities build critical skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and perseverance. Attendees will jump into a hands-on design challenge, explore a showcase of STEM projects for every budget, and learn how to tap into local Utah funding and lending libraries. Leave with low-cost strategies and the confidence to run winning STEM experiences!

Speakers

Sarah Broadbent

STEM Curriculum and Engagement Project Specialist, Utah STEM Action Center

Sarah Broadbent is the new STEM Curriculum and Engagement Project Specialist at the Utah STEM Action Center. She spent the last 6 years teaching STEM rotations to grades K-6 at an elementary school in the Jordan School District. Five of those years she has organized and taught STEM... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 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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