USU Collaboratory

The USU Collaboratory for Innovation in Teaching and Leadership was created in partnership with the Emma Eccles Jones Foundation to enrich and support the careers and development of Utah's teachers. The Emma Eccles Jones Foundation is deeply committed to supporting educators, ensuring teachers continue to thrive beyond their training at Utah State University.
Utah LEARNS (Learning for Educators And Researchers through Networked Systems) - hosted by the USU Collaboratory is a teacher professional learning network that uses multiple programs targeted to early career teachers, master teachers, and school leaders, providing growth and support to new teachers and opportunities for leadership to others. We will achieve this through four strategic objectives designed to strengthen teaching and leadership in Utah schools.

Through our Early Career Teachers Academy (ECTA), we will create a seamless transition from college to career for USU teaching graduates and develop with them a supportive learning community facilitated by master teachers. The Collaboratory will provide agency over professional learning through its Model Schools conferences and Statewide Learning Teams (SLTs). Increased agency over teacher practices and school development will be a focus of the School Leaders Network (SLN).

At Utah LEARNS, we believe that:

When teachers thrive, students benefit.
Teachers do amazing things when they're supported and encouraged to innovate.
Teachers have unique perspectives on their students' needs and how to meet them.
Connecting teachers across school and district boundaries creates new and meaningful opportunities for professional learning.
Teachers are more likely to remain in the profession when they feel valued,connected, supported, and inspired.

A mentor teacher is teaching a class to other educators who are all engaged.

Early Career Teachers Academy

A learning community of recent graduates, with graduate credit available

$A large group of teachers gathered in a classroom learning an interactive math game for students.$

Utah Model Schools

Regional conferences and classroom observation days, with USBE credit available

A group of teachers gather around two Utah LEARNS conference leaders for instruction.

School Leaders Network

Focuses on building learning organizations, graduate credit available

The state's first learning team gathers to talk about 2nd grade math teaching strategies.

Statewide Learning Teams

Educators and researchers connecting across Utah, graduate credit available starting Fall 2026

A large group of teachers gathered in a classroom watching a presentation.

Our Mission

Our overarching aim is to cultivate thriving teachers and leaders across the state and to support their long-term commitment to the profession.

A group of teachers learning a science game for students.

Our Vision

Our vision is to create a vibrant, interconnected community of educators who are passionate about their work and empowered to grow through the USU Collaboratory for Innovation in Teaching and Leadership.

Due to the generosity of the Emma Eccles Jones Foundation, our vision can become a reality.

Aerial view of Edith Bowen Laboratory School

The Emma Eccles Jones Foundation

The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services took its name from a longtime friend and philanthropist.

Emma Eccles Jones became Northern Utah’s first Kindergarten teacher in 1926 and her dedication continued long after she stopped teaching and would later result in enormous support for the College which now bears her name.

Over a period of 41 years she and the Emma Eccles Jones Foundation contributed a total of $45 million to education programs at the College. These funds helped build both the former and current Edith Bowen Laboratory School, the Emma Eccles Jones Education Building and the Emma Eccles Jones Early Childhood Education Building. Today these funds make the USU Collaboratory for Innovation in Teaching and Leadership possible.

This conference was refreshing and reenergizing. I left feeling empowered and excited to better engage with my students and it validated the importance of student connection.

Utah LEARNS Conference Participant

Message from the Director

Dear Friends,

Welcome to Utah LEARNS – hosted by the USU Collaboratory for Innovation in Teaching and Learning. We are excited to partner with you in this new statewide effort to strengthen teaching and learning across Utah. This initiative is more than a one-day experience —it is a growing, connected community of teachers, specialists, and researchers united by a shared commitment to improving outcomes for all students.

Thank you for investing your time, expertise, and energy into your own professional learning and into the collective growth of educators statewide. Your involvement is essential. As you participate in this initiative, we encourage you to engage fully—ask questions, share your insights, and contribute your voice to this expanding network. Everything we do is centered on supporting you in the vital work happening in classrooms every day.

Nate Justis, Director of Utah LEARNS

At the heart of our work is a simple but powerful design principle: We design professional learning to meet teachers’ needs so they can meet students’ needs.

We are grateful for the experience, passion, and perspective you bring to this community. We look forward to learning alongside you as we build a statewide network that lifts and empowers educators—and, ultimately, the students we serve.

Best regards,

Nathan Justis, Ph.D.

Principal, Edith Bowen Laboratory School

If you need assistance, please contact Carolina Harward carolina.harward@usu.edu or call (435) 797-3088.