Jump Start 2026: Full Schedule

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

11:00am MDT

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

Limited Capacity seats available

Effective leadership requires more than just communicating a mission—it demands team ownership. Learn how to transform your team into influential thought partners by building a communal vision. In this session, we will explore practical tools and strategies to cultivate a culture where team members contribute to program direction, share constructive feedback, and take true accountability for your organization's mission.

Speakers

Ben Trentelman

Executive Director, Utah Afterschool Network

Ben Trentelman has dedicated his career to serving youth and communities since 2002, with a focus on afterschool programming since 2006. He has led eight afterschool programs across Utah's Wasatch Front, impacting thousands of youth through high-quality learning experiences that integrate... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 101

Admin Leadership Track, Professional Development and Leadership

STRAND Admin Leadership Track
Program Serving Grades Admin & Leadership
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Professional Development and Leadership

1:30pm MDT

Overcoming Resistance to Change: Coaching and Mentorship in Afterschool Staff Development

LIMITED

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

Meeting Room 102

Limited Capacity seats available

This advanced leadership session connects strategic organizational communication with daily program management, focusing on how supervisors can empower front-line staff to build immediate trust with families. Led by a veteran communications director and a seasoned principal, this interactive workshop teaches leaders how to train their direct-care staff in clear, empathetic communication techniques that de-escalate parent concerns.

Attendees will leave equipped with a practical, three-step ""Bridge to Focus"" communication framework. This tool is designed to turn stressful daily interactions into positive, trusted connection points—proving that the little moments of deliberate, reframed communication yield big outcomes in staff retention and strategies for meaningful family engagement.

Speakers

Colin Crebs

CCQS Afterschool and Contracts Specialist, State of Utah

Colin Crebs is the product of quality afterschool in Utah. In 2005 he joined the YouthCity Teen Program in a production of "Shakespeare in the Park'' and liked it so much he became a Youth Facilitator the next year. He's been involved in working with kids and education ever since... Read More →

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 →

Friday October 9, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 102

Emerging Leaders

Program Serving Grades Admin & Leadership
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Professional Development and Leadership

1:30pm MDT

Content Creator Bootcamp: Digital Tools for Creative Communication

LIMITED

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

Ballroom 1

Limited Capacity seats available

Explore digital design to cultivate student agency and self-expression. In this interactive session, we'll examine what creativity looks like in an AI-driven era through active digital content production.

Participants will gain hands-on experience using professional platforms like Adobe Express, learning to guide students in defining target audiences, building brand identities, and mastering graphic design fundamentals. By bridging the gap between students' digital passions and professional aspirations, this workshop provides practical insights into the creator economy, equipping educators to confidently guide students toward relevant 21st-century career pathways.

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 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Ballroom 1

STEM, Professional Development and Leadership

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

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

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 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

One Voice Can Make a Difference: My Journey and Your Opportunity to Advocate

LIMITED

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

Meeting Room 101

Limited Capacity seats available

Afterschool professionals, educators, program leaders, and youth advocates are invited to discover how their voice can create meaningful change beyond their own programs. Drawing from my experience as a nonprofit leader and State School Board candidate, I'll share practical lessons about advocating for students, influencing education policy, building relationships with decision-makers, and effectively telling your program's story. You'll leave with actionable strategies and resources to confidently engage with school boards, legislators, community leaders, and families. Whether you're new to advocacy or ready to amplify your impact, this session will empower you to turn your passion for students into lasting change for the children and communities you serve.

Speakers

Trina Christensen

Co-Director, Sistema Utah - American Preparatory Academy

Trina Christensen is the Co-Director of Sistema Utah, an award-winning nonprofit that provides free afterschool music and academic enrichment programs for more than 500 students annually. A lifelong educator and arts leader with nearly 30 years of experience, she is passionate about... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Meeting Room 101

Emerging Leaders, Professional Development and Leadership

Program Serving Grades Emerging Leaders
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Professional Development and Leadership

11:00am MDT

Beyond Supervision: Coaching Staff for Growth and Impact

LIMITED

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

Meeting Room 102

Limited Capacity seats available

Discover how adopting a coaching mindset as a supervisor can transform everyday interactions with staff into meaningful opportunities for fostering connection, growth, confidence, and ultimately, stronger program quality. We'll explore when to lead, when to manage, when to mentor, and when to coach; practice giving feedback that is both human-centered and actionable; strategize navigating difficult conversations with confidence and empathy; and learn tools for helping staff set goals, solve problems, and reflect on their own practice. Leave with practical coaching tools, conversation frameworks, and immediately implementable strategies that cultivate a positive team culture and strengthen staff performance to create the conditions for young people to thrive.

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 →

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 102

Admin Leadership Track, Professional Development and Leadership

Program Serving Grades Admin & Leadership
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Professional Development and Leadership

11:00am MDT

Basecamp to Summit: A Facilitated Path to Building Leaders

LIMITED

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

Ballroom 1

Limited Capacity seats available

Leadership isn't a solo climb; it's bringing your team with you. In this facilitated session, Felix Bobo, an after-school administrator, walks program directors, site coordinators, and future leaders through The Climb: casting a clear vision for where the organization/team is headed (the Summit), taking honest stock of the foundation already in place (Basecamp), and recognizing that what got the team here may not get them where they're going. Participants identify, in their own words, the real obstacles standing in their way (Challenges), and explore why even strong leaders need the support of others to bring a vision to life (Support).

Speakers

Felix Bobo

CEO, Unlimited University

Felix Bobo is a keynote speaker, former school counselor, and expanded learning leader with more than 20 years of experience helping students, educators, and communities thrive. As the founder of Unlimited University, he partners with schools and youth-serving organizations to strengthen... Read More →

Saturday October 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm MDT
Ballroom 1

Emerging Leaders, Professional Development and Leadership

Program Serving Grades Admin & Leadership
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Professional Development and Leadership

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

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 →

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

Program Serving Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8.9-12
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Professional Development and Leadership

1:30pm MDT

Building Funding-Ready Afterschool Programs: A Strategic Approach to Growth and Sustainability

LIMITED

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

Meeting Room 201

Limited Capacity seats available

Afterschool leaders, program directors, and staff responsible for growth or sustainability will learn how to build programs that are ready for funding before the grant opportunity appears. This practical session will show how clear goals, measurable outcomes, strong partnerships, realistic budgets, and compelling stories work together to strengthen funding success. Participants will identify common gaps that weaken proposals and use a simple planning framework to assess their own program. Attendees will leave with practical tools to align strategy, program design, and resource development so they can pursue funding with greater clarity, confidence, and long-term sustainability.

Speakers

Kathleen Bideaux

Managing Member and Founder, Elevate Consulting UT

Saturday October 10, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm MDT
Meeting Room 201

Admin Leadership Track, Professional Development and Leadership

Program Serving Grades Admin & Leadership
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Professional Development and Leadership

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

2:45pm MDT

Out of the Box Advocacy

LIMITED

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

Meeting Room 102

Limited Capacity seats available

Advocacy doesn't have to be a drag! While engaging policymakers can feel intimidating, the secret is simple: they’re just people who want real connection. As an afterschool pro, you already have the superpowers needed to win them over. In this session, we’ll ditch the "scary" stuff and discover how to use your existing skills—the same ones you use to connect with youth and families—to become an advocacy rockstar. Let’s reshape how you make the case for your program and turn "cumbersome" into "connection!"

Speakers

Ben Trentelman

Executive Director, Utah Afterschool Network

Saturday October 10, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Meeting Room 102

Admin Leadership Track, Professional Development and Leadership

Program Serving Grades Admin & Leadership
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Professional Development and Leadership
NAA Core Knowledge Skills & Co... Family School and Community Relationships

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

The Missing Piece: Afterschool's Role in Utah's Child Care Solution

LIMITED

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

Ballroom 2

Limited Capacity seats available

Afterschool directors, site coordinators, and youth development professionals play a vital role in helping Utah's children and working families thrive. As Utah faces a shortage of affordable child care, before-school, afterschool, and summer programs have become an essential part of the solution. In this interactive session, participants will explore Utah's child care landscape, discover how out-of-school time programs strengthen families and the workforce, and practice simple storytelling strategies that build community support. Attendees will leave with practical tools to communicate their program's impact, strengthen partnerships, and confidently advocate for the resources children and youth need to succeed.

Speakers

Dr.Sarah Stone

Director, UAEYC Care for Kids (Utah Association for the Education of Young Children)

Dr. Sarah Stone is an accomplished nonprofit founder and executive director with over two decades of experience advancing equitable access to high-quality early learning. Skilled at translating child development research into actionable policy and program strategies, she is passionate... Read More →

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

Emerging Leaders, Professional Development and Leadership

Program Serving Grades Admin & Leadership
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Professional Development and Leadership

4:00pm MDT

Small Shifts, Stronger Teams: Leading Through Change with Confidence

LIMITED

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

Meeting Room 102

Limited Capacity seats available

Change is constant in afterschool programs, but it doesn't have to drain your team. Discover how small leadership shifts can build staff resilience, strengthen team culture, and improve outcomes for youth. Based on 13 years of VentureLab's experience, this session gets you hands-on with a framework rooted in creativity, adaptability, and purpose. Leave with ready-to-use strategies you can implement immediately, plus a complimentary seat in VentureLab's online course to continue the learning!

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 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Meeting Room 102

Emerging Leaders, Professional Development and Leadership

Program Serving Grades Admin & Leadership
NAA Core Knowledge Skills and.... Professional Development and Leadership

11:00am MDT

1:30pm MDT

1:30pm MDT

2:45pm MDT

2:45pm MDT

11:00am MDT

11:00am MDT

11:00am MDT

1:30pm MDT

1:30pm MDT

1:30pm MDT

2:45pm MDT

2:45pm MDT

2:45pm MDT

4:00pm MDT

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