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Saturday, October 10
 

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
avatar for Kristen Knoche

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

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

11:00am MDT

Beyond the Survey: Turning Student Data into Meaningful Action with Terrace Metrics
LIMITED
Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 101
Limited Capacity seats available
Afterschool leaders, site coordinators, educators, and youth development professionals are invited to discover how resilience data can strengthen programming and improve outcomes for youth. This interactive session explores how Terrace Metrics connects resilience assessment results with practical, evidence-informed lessons and strategies that support social-emotional learning, behavior, and student success. Through real-world examples and hands-on activities, participants will learn how to identify student strengths and needs, select targeted interventions, and use data to guide continuous program improvement. Attendees will leave with practical tools, implementation ideas, and a framework for creating more intentional, responsive afterschool programs that help every young person thrive.
Speakers
avatar for Rich Gilman

Rich Gilman

President and Co-Founder, Terrece Metrics
Dr. Rich Gilman is President and Co-Founder of Terrace Metrics, where he helps schools and organizations use resilience science to improve behavioral health, well-being, and performance. A licensed child and clinical psychologist, Dr. Gilman has held faculty positions at Georgia State... Read More →
avatar for Kathleen Bideaux

Kathleen Bideaux

Managing Member and Founder, Elevate Consulting UT
Kathleen Bideaux is the founder and principal consultant of Elevate Consulting UT, where she partners with nonprofits, government agencies, schools, and community organizations to strengthen programs, build organizational capacity, and secure sustainable funding. Throughout her career... Read More →
Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 101
  Prevention, Safety and Wellness

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
avatar for Amie Huggins

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

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
avatar for Lindly Fernandez

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

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
avatar for Lori Larsen

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 →
avatar for David Sekulich

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

1:30pm MDT

Best Practices for Afterschool Activities
LIMITED
Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 102
Limited Capacity seats available
Designed for program staff working directly with youth, this interactive session utilizes facilitator-led modeling to demonstrate high-impact program delivery. Upon entering the room, participants will experience the session from the youth perspective as the facilitator actively models best practices in real time. Through this live demonstration, you will observe firsthand how to seamlessly integrate youth leadership opportunities, scaffold skill-building support, and facilitate intentional conversations before, during, and after activities. Come ready to engage in this dynamic, role-play-driven professional development experience.
Speakers
avatar for Verlina Adame

Verlina Adame

School-Age Child Care Specialist, Utah Afterschool Network
As a School-Age Child Care (SACC) Specialist with UAN, Verlina "V" Adame supports childcare programs throughout the state through coaching, training, and technical assistance. She brings 14 years of experience to the child care and afterschool field, including 11 years as an instructor... Read More →
Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 102
  Developing High Quality Programs, Program Planning 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
avatar for Brandis Stockman

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

1:30pm MDT

Little Moments, Big Readers: Build Your Afterschool Literacy Playbook
LIMITED
Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 203
Limited Capacity seats available
This hands-on workshop is for afterschool professionals who work with elementary-age youth and want to turn ordinary moments—snack, transitions, read-alouds, and play—into real literacy growth. Grounded in the Science of Reading, you'll see why the caring adult, not a curriculum, is a child's most powerful literacy tool. Then you'll do the work: practice research-backed literacy "moves" with a partner and build your own next-day plan inside a free companion app made for this session. Bring a device—you'll leave with your plan built, not just your notebook full. In 90 minutes, you'll move from "I should do more with literacy" to "here's exactly what I'll try Monday."
Speakers
avatar for Marci Houseman

Marci Houseman

Founder | CEO, rinnalla literacy
Marci Houseman is the Founder and CEO of rinnalla, a Science of Reading–based coaching platform that equips the caring adults in a child's life to turn everyday moments into literacy growth. A former Title I and turnaround principal with 30+ years in education and school improvement... Read More →
avatar for Whitney Wilson

Whitney Wilson

Founder & CEO, Chasing Impact, Science of Reading Panel, Utah State Board of Education
Whitney Wilson, M.Ed., is a literacy educator and advocate with over 15 years of experience helping students, families, and schools unlock the power of literacy. She brings a background in Early Childhood and Special Education, with direct classroom teaching experience in 1st and... Read More →
Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 203
  Developing High Quality Programs, Learning Environments and Curriculum

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
avatar for Denise Taylor

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

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
avatar for Donna Hortin

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

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
avatar for Lauren Levorsen

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

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
avatar for Angie Toone

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

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
avatar for Moniksha (Mony) Madan

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 →
avatar for Joshua Figueroa

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 →
avatar for Alexis Mainord

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

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
avatar for Nicole Rich

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

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
avatar for Jess Ung

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

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
JH

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 →
avatar for Miranda Simmons

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

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
avatar for Sarah Broadbent

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
 

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Friday, October 9
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Ogden Eccles Conference Center
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  • Admin Leadership Track
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  • Emerging Leaders
  • Healthy Eating and Physical Activity | Safety & Wellness
  • Prevention
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  • Child/Youth Growth and Development
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  • Program Planning and Development
  • Relationships and Interactions with Children and Youth
  • Safety and Wellness
  • Youth Engagement Voice and Choice
  • NAA Core Knowledge Skills & Co...
  • Child/Youth Growth and Development
  • Family School and Community Relationships
  • Learning Environments and Curriculum
  • Professional Development and Leadership
  • Program Planning and Development
  • Relationships and Interactions with Children and Youth
  • Safety and Wellness
  • Youth Engagement Voice and Choice