Statewide Learning Teams

Connect and collaborate with teachers across Utah with an exciting new opportunity: teacher-led, university-supported statewide learning teams (SWLTs)!

Utah State University, in partnership with the Emma Eccles Jones Foundation, is opening doors for Utah teachers to connect, learn, and innovate together. Visit classrooms, collaborate online, share expertise statewide, and earn graduate credit in the process!

Statewide learning teams are teams of two or more passionate educators from at least two different schools. The teams are centered on key educational topics and are focused on growth and knowledge sharing. They are judgment-free and self-directed spaces for professional learning.

The teams have launched through the USU Collaboratory for Innovation in Teaching and Learning. Join a learning team today!

Our Core Beliefs

When teachers thrive, students benefit.
Teachers innovate when supported and encouraged.
Teachers know their students' needs best.
Cross-school connections spark meaningful growth.
Valued, connected teachers stay inspired and stay in the profession.

Join Today!

A group of teachers having a discussion in a classroom.

Our Teams

$An elementary teacher supports early grade math learning in the classroom.$

Early Grades Math

This learning team brings together K–2 educators committed to strengthening early mathematics instruction. Grounded in research showing early math as a powerful predictor of long-term academic success, the team will explore effective strategies, deepen content understanding, and refine instructional practice. Participants will collaborate, share classroom-tested approaches, and build confidence in teaching mathematics in the critical early years—supporting both student growth and teacher expertise.

Team Leader: Dr. Joey Kozlowski

$Teachers present strategies for upper grade math instruction.$

Upper Grades Math

This teacher-led learning team brings together upper elementary educators committed to building deep, conceptual understanding in math—not just teaching procedures or tricks. Facilitated by experienced upper grades teachers, the team will explore questions such as: How do students develop true number sense? What instructional moves reveal student thinking? How can we support reasoning, discourse, and transfer across math concepts?

Team Leaders: Nancy Stewart and Jan Farmer

Teachers participate in a yoga-based wellness activity.

Teacher Wellness

This learning team creates space for teachers to pause, breathe, and feel better leaving than when they arrived. Focused on sustainable wellness practices—not added to-do lists—participants build habits, share community, and access practical tools they can use immediately. Just show up as you are, take what helps, leave what doesn’t. This is for you.

Team Leaders: Cami Player and Stu Baggaley

Curriculum Mapping

The curriculum is the foundation of our teaching. The clearer our understanding of what we are teaching, the easier it becomes to thoughtfully plan how we teach it. This group would focus on developing and expanding scope and sequence maps to help you make the most of your instructional time. Together, we would work through standards, program alignment, and meaningful integration across subjects.

Team Leader: Dr. Laura Reina

Teachers engage in a discussion focused on inclusive education.

Elementary Special Education: Inclusion

This learning team will focus on ways to offer an inclusive education for children with disabilities. We will discuss research-based practices and strive to identify barriers to inclusion. In addition, ways to teach the alternate curriculum for students with extensive support needs will be highlighted.

Team Leader: Dr. Rachel Fields

Teachers learn a play-based classroom activity.

Elementary Special Education:
Specific Learning Disabilities

Join a Special Education learning team led by educators with complementary expertise. This team focuses on alternate curriculum, and specialized instruction strategies that promote consistent growth for students with Specific Learning Disabilities. Collaborate with peers, share practices, and strengthen support for diverse learners across classrooms.

Team Leader: Elizabeth Ringo

Play-based Learning in Kindergarten

In this learning team, kindergarten teachers explore how play-based and nature-based practices can be intentionally integrated into daily instruction. Educators examine developmentally grounded strategies using hands-on exploration, inquiry, and outdoor learning, with opportunities to observe, practice, and reflect. Together, we embed these approaches into literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional routines to elevate engagement and deepen learning.

Team Leader: Leslie Larsen

Teachers learn a science-based classroom activity.

Science and Writing

This learning team strengthens science instruction through authentic, hands-on investigations paired with high-quality writing. We will design meaningful learning experiences where students explore natural phenomena, connect to the world around them, and communicate their thinking through purposeful writing. Supporting both lower and upper grades, the team builds deep understanding that prepares students for RISE success—without teaching to the test.

Team Leaders: Mandy Seifert and Jessica Hoggan

Classroom Management

This learning team brings elementary teachers together to refresh their practice, strengthen classroom management, and deepen student engagement. In a supportive, judgment-free community, educators share ideas, explore proven strategies, and learn from one another. Together, we build joyful, well-managed classrooms that support teacher well-being and promote academic and social growth for all students.

Team Leaders: Joel López and Lorena Jiménez

A teacher leads students in outdoor learning activities.

Outdoor Experiential Learning

Getting kids outside matters. This team brings together educators at all stages to expand curriculum-based outdoor learning. We’ll take a deep dive into what research says about outdoors and brain development, mental and physical health, and teaching and learning. We’ll also tackle logistics—funding, transportation, risk management, and community support—to make meaningful outdoor learning accessible and joyful for all students.

Team Leader: Dr. Joey Kozlowski

A student creates art as part of classroom instruction.

Arts Integration

Learning creatively helps content stick, yet creativity can be difficult to prioritize alongside core subjects. This group supports educators in integrating the arts across content areas through shared ideas and collaboration. Members explore classroom needs, develop practical lessons, exchange resources, and examine the academic and social-emotional benefits of making the arts a meaningful part of daily instruction.

Team Leader: Dr. Laura Reina

A group of educators gather around two mentor teachers for instruction.

Elementary PE Teachers

This statewide team brings together educators who believe movement matters. Led by an experienced K–6 PE educator and classroom teacher, members connect in a supportive community to share ideas, celebrate successes, and explore purposeful play. We will design professional learning that strengthens PE programs and expands movement-rich learning across classrooms. Come learn, play, and grow with us.

Team Leader: Jason Johnson

Two teachers present on music instruction in classrooms and schools.

Music Teachers

This learning team connects music educators to share ideas, troubleshoot challenges, and learn from one another in meaningful, practical ways. Designed to support teachers across all music programs, the team offers ongoing conversation, resource sharing, coaching, and collaboration—creating a community where music teachers feel energized, supported, and valued as they work to meet the needs of their students.

Team Leader: Ethan Fallis

Early Literacy

Are you passionate about early literacy and eager to grow your practice with a supportive community? Connect with educators who are excited to learn, grow, and innovate together. Each month we will dive into high-impact practices, share resources, and support one another in bringing the Science of Reading to life in our classrooms.

Team Leader: Shannin Kishbaugh