UCET Podcast with Kiera Beddes

Welcome back to the UCET podcast, where we talk all things Utah, education, and technology. In this special series, we ask the following question to our featured guest:

The Conversation

In this episode, host and UCET President Kiera Beddes is joined by a very special guest: Utah State Superintendent Dr. Molly Hart.

Dr. Hart shares her remarkable journey through the world of education, having served in nearly every role imaginable—from paraprofessional and substitute teacher to principal and school board member. Driven by a desire to bring a stronger educator voice to policymaking, she now leads the state with a focus on human-centered learning. She discusses the challenges of modern student apathy and disengagement, reframing education not just as a series of tasks, but as a fundamental human experience that must engage all our senses.

UCET Elements

When asked to choose from the four conference strands—Spark, Amplify, Flow, and Grounded—Dr. Hart finds her anchor in Grounded.

For Dr. Hart, staying Grounded means more than just following data; it’s about aligning actions with core principles and cutting through the "noise" of public and political discourse. She speaks passionately about maintaining balance and high standards while never losing sight of the "magical" purpose of teaching: helping students grow without letting the weight of the profession lead to burnout. This conversation serves as a powerful reminder to reach for the stars while keeping our feet firmly on the ground.

Episode Timeline

00:00 Welcome to UCET

00:45 Meet Dr Molly Hart

02:27 Education as Human Experience

03:34 Senses and Student Engagement

04:18 Conference Elements Overview

04:58 Why Grounded Matters

05:17 Staying Grounded Amid Noise

06:40 Keep Reaching for Stars

07:11 Closing and Next Time

Conference Details

This year's conference is March 16 & March 17th at the Salt Palace. Our theme is "UCET Elements." Don't miss the chance to hear from leaders like Dr. Hart as we explore how to stay grounded in our practice while sparking new innovations.

Find more info at: ucet.org/conference/

Special thanks to Kayla Towner for the podcast producing & editing and Kiera Beddes for hosting.

Welcome back to the UCET podcast, where we talk all things Utah, education, and technology. In this special series, we ask the following questions to our featured guests:

The Conversation

In this episode, host Kiera Beddes sits down with UCET conference keynote speaker Bennett Borden, the founder and CEO of Clarion AI Partners. As a leader in AI-focused law, strategy, and development, Bennett brings a profound perspective on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the landscape of human knowledge and instruction.

Bennett identifies three classroom essentials for the AI era: psychological safety so students can take intellectual risks, purpose and meaning so they understand why learning matters, and a skilled, trusted teacher to guide responsible AI use. He argues that in a world where AI makes "answers" cheap, the teacher's role shifts from being a primary source of information to a shaper of meaning—acting as a curator, sense-maker, and ethical anchor for their students.

UCET Elements

When exploring our conference strands, Bennett chooses Grounded as his key element. He believes that while innovation is vital, it must be balanced with foundational principles to keep technology from destabilizing what truly matters in education.

He describes AI as a "super suit" for educators—a tool that can personalize learning and amplify a teacher's impact rather than replace it. This conversation offers a fascinating sneak peek into his keynote address on leading transformative AI in education and how we can maintain our human "grounding" in a high-tech world.

Episode Timeline

00:00 Welcome to UCET

00:47 Meet Bennett Borden: Founder and CEO of Clarion AI Partners

01:47 Why AI in Education?

02:36 Three Classroom Essentials: Safety, Purpose, and Guidance

06:06 Teachers as Meaning Makers in an AI Era

06:46 How EdTech is Redefining the Teaching Profession

09:30 AI as the Teacher's "Super Suit"

10:51 Choosing the Elements: Why "Grounded" Wins

11:29 Navigating Grounded Innovation

12:30 Keynote Sneak Peek: Leading Transformative AI

13:36 Conference Wrap-Up

Conference Details

This year's conference is March 16 & March 17th at the Salt Palace. Our theme is "UCET Elements." Don't miss Bennett Borden's keynote address, where he will dive deeper into the strategies for integrating AI with purpose and judgment. Find more info at: ucet.org/conference/

Special thanks to Kayla Towner for the podcast producing & editing and Kiera Beddes for hosting.

Welcome back to the UCET podcast, where we talk all things Utah, education, and technology. In this special series, we ask the following questions to our featured guests:

The Conversation

In this episode, host Kiera Beddes is joined by Carly Maloney, the 2024 Utah Teacher of the Year and a current Utah Teacher Fellow. Carly wears many hats, teaching psychology and English to newcomer multilingual learners at Viewmont High School, as well as serving as an online instructor and mentor coach.

Carly shares her signature "recipe" for an ideal learning environment: strong relationships, teachers as lifelong learners, and students with a growth mindset. She discusses the importance of creating a safe space where mistakes are celebrated as part of the learning process—a philosophy she modeled recently by using AI tutors with her AP students to ensure learning continued during her maternity leave.

UCET Elements

When exploring the four conference strands—Spark, Amplify, Flow, and Grounded—Carly identifies most strongly with Amplify. She views technology as a powerful vehicle for equity, giving students more voice and choice in how they engage with the curriculum.

Reflecting on the evolution of EdTech, Carly notes that while tools now allow us to personalize learning and offer virtual field trips, the core of "good teaching" remains unchanged. Whether in a physical classroom or an online space, the holistic connection between a teacher and their students is the one element that technology can never replace—only enhance.

Episode Timeline

00:00 Welcome to the UCET Podcast + Meet Carly Maloney

00:23 Carly’s Teaching Roles & Utah Teacher of the Year Journey

01:36 The “Recipe” for an Ideal Learning Environment

03:37 Modeling Lifelong Learning: AI, Mistakes, and Growth Mindset

05:56 UCET Elements Overview: Spark, Amplify, Flow, Grounded

06:31 Why “Amplify” Matters: Student Voice, Choice & Equity

08:10 AI Tutors in Action: Extending Learning Beyond the Classroom

09:22 EdTech Then vs. Now: What Changes—and What Never Does

14:21 UCET Conference Tip: Make Connections with the Experts

15:41 Final Thanks + Conference Details & Sign-Off

Conference Details

This year's conference is March 16 & March 17th at the Salt Palace. Our theme is "UCET Elements." If you want to attend the UCET conference as a vendor, or as an attendee, you can find more info at: ucet.org/conference/

Special thanks to Kayla Towner for the podcast producing & editing and Kiera Beddes for hosting.

Welcome back to the UCET podcast, where we talk all things Utah, education, and technology. In this special series, we ask the following questions to our featured guests:

The Conversations

In this episode, host Kiera Beddes is joined by Lindsey, a fourth-year special education teacher in the Granite School District and a current Utah Teacher Fellow. Lindsey shares her inspiring journey from higher education and school secretary roles into the classroom—a transition sparked by the unique challenges of the COVID-19 era.

Lindsey discusses the vital role of the Utah Teacher Fellows, a non-partisan nonprofit dedicated to teacher leadership and retention. Her "essential element" for the modern classroom is a balanced hybrid approach: finding the sweet spot between direct, analog instruction (like textbooks and paper) and individualized online curriculum. She emphasizes that technology is a powerful partner, but never a replacement for the foundational skills and human connection found in traditional methods.

UCET Elements

Among the four conference strands, Lindsey feels most connected to Amplify. Working in special education, she is passionate about helping her students build confidence and realize the power of their own voices.

She shares how supportive tech tools—particularly in writing—can help students "Amplify" their thoughts and abilities. Reflecting on the post-COVID landscape, Lindsey reminds us that while technology has fundamentally shifted how we deliver instruction, the creativity, enthusiasm, and relevance a teacher brings to the room remain the most timeless elements of education.

Episode Timeline

00:00 Welcome to the UCET Podcast + Series Intro

00:28 Meet Lindsey: From School Secretary to Special Ed Teacher

01:11 Becoming a Utah Teacher Fellow (and Why It Fit)

02:18 What Are the Utah Teacher Fellows?

02:45 Essential Classroom Element: The Hybrid Analog + Digital Approach

04:31 Why Paper Still Matters: Foundational Skills & Real-World Surprises

05:56 UCET Elements Spotlight: “Amplify” Student Voice & Confidence

08:24 How Technology Changed Teaching: Post-COVID Shifts + What Stays Timeless

10:34 Tech as Enhancement, Not Replacement: Finding the Balance

11:39 Wrap-Up + UCET Conference Invitation

Conference Details

This year's conference is March 16 & March 17th at the Salt Palace. Our theme is "UCET Elements." If you want to attend the UCET conference as a vendor, or as an attendee, you can find more info at: ucet.org/conference/

Special thanks to Kayla Towner for the podcast producing & editing and Kiera Beddes for hosting.

Welcome back to the UCET podcast, where we talk all things Utah, education, and technology. In this special series, we ask the following questions to our featured guests:

The Conversation

In this episode, host Kiera Beddes welcomes David (Dave) Blake, the EdTech Coordinator for Box Elder School District. With 23 years of experience in education and serving his second year on the UCET board, Dave brings a wealth of knowledge on how technology integrates with high-quality instruction.

Dave outlines his three essential elements for a great classroom: strong student connections, high student engagement, and frequent opportunities for students to respond. He emphasizes the importance of creating space for hesitant speakers and the power of "messy learning," where vulnerability and collaboration lead to multiple paths toward an answer.

UCET Elements

When discussing the UCET conference theme, Dave notes that while Spark resonates with his love for discovering new ideas, Amplify is his true favorite. He believes UCET’s greatest strength is its focus on lead-class instructional practices first, using technology as the tool to enhance and elevate those methods.

Reflecting on the evolution of the classroom—from simple whiteboards to modern displays—Dave highlights how tech has allowed for faster, "chunked" instruction and immediate feedback. However, he maintains that teacher collective efficacy and human relationships remain the core, unchanging elements of successful schooling.

Episode Timeline

00:00 Welcome to the UCET Podcast + Mini-Series on the Elements of Education

00:32 Meet David Blake: From Math Teacher to District EdTech Coordinator

01:06 Behind the Scenes at UCET: Board Service & the Rural Education Voice

02:04 David’s Essential Elements of a Great Classroom: Connection, Engagement, Responding

04:00 Messy Learning Done Right: Vulnerability, Collaboration, and Multiple Paths

06:08 Which UCET Element Fits Best? Spark vs. Amplify (and Why Amplify Wins)

08:23 How Tech Has Changed Teaching vs. What Never Changes

10:34 UCET Conference Survival Tips: Go With a Friend, Reflect, and Decompress

12:02 Final Thanks & Wrap-Up

Conference Details

This year's conference is March 16 & March 17th at the Salt Palace. Our theme is "UCET Elements." If you want to attend the UCET conference as a vendor, or as an attendee, you can find more info at: ucet.org/conference/

Special thanks to Kayla Towner for the podcast producing & editing and Kiera Beddes for hosting.

Welcome back to the UCET podcast, where we talk all things Utah, education, and technology. In this special series, we ask the following questions to our featured guests:

The Conversation

In this episode, host Kiera Beddes sits down with Stacey King, a Logan native, Utah State University alum, and a powerhouse in the Utah edtech community. With a diverse background ranging from math and family consumer sciences to computer science, Stacey brings a unique "problem-solver" lens to the classroom.

Stacey breaks down her three essential elements for a thriving classroom: an engaged teacher, engaged students, and robust support from parents and administrators. She also shares her wisdom from 13 years of online teaching, discussing how tools like Canvas and individualized video can bridge gaps for students and remove barriers to learning.

UCET Elements

While the UCET conference features four distinct strands—Spark, Amplify, Flow, and Grounded—Stacey finds her strongest connection with Spark.

Focusing on emerging tech and transformative strategies, she offers a vital reminder: technology should never be used for its own sake. For Stacey, the "Spark" must always be purposeful, meeting specific instructional needs while remaining firmly Grounded in evidence-based pedagogy. She reflects on how tech has streamlined the "backend" of teaching and provided new avenues for differentiation, all while maintaining that the human connection remains the most timeless element of all.

Episode Timeline

Conference Details

This year's conference is March 16 & March 17th at the Salt Palace. Our theme is "UCET Elements." If you want to attend the UCET conference as a vendor, or as an attendee, you can find more info at: ucet.org/conference/

Special thanks to Kayla Towner for the podcast producing & editing and Kiera Beddes for hosting.

Welcome back to the UCET podcast, where we talk all things Utah, education, and technology. In this special series, we ask the following questions to our featured guests:

The Conversation

In this episode, host Kiera Beddes is joined by Ryan Rarick, an Educational Pathway Teacher and Instructional Coach from Washington County School District. Ryan shares his insights on the core components of an ideal classroom—quality instruction, safety, and organization—and how technology acts as a force multiplier for student and teacher voices.

UCET Elements

This episode highlights the Amplify element (elevating student voice and equity), but Ryan’s insights also touch on the full spectrum of our conference theme. Whether you are looking to Spark curiosity with emerging tech, find your Flow in leadership and coaching, or stay Grounded in evidence-based pedagogy, this series sets the stage for everything you’ll experience this March.

Episode Timeline

00:00 Introduction to the UCET Podcast

00:54 Meet Ryan Rarick: Educator and Instructional Coach

02:30 Core Elements of an Ideal Classroom

05:54 Exploring UCET’s Educational Elements

06:43 Amplifying Teacher and Student Voices

10:15 The Impact of Educational Technology

13:07 Conclusion and Conference Invitation

Conference Details

This year's conference is March 16 & March 17th at the Salt Palace. Our theme is "UCET Elements." If you want to attend the UCET conference as a vendor, or as an attendee, you can find more info at: ucet.org/conference/

Special thanks to Kayla Towner for the podcast producing & editing and Kiera Beddes for hosting.

Welcome back to the UCET podcast, where we talk all things Utah, education, and technology. In this special series, we ask the following questions to our featured guests:

The Conversation

In this episode, host Kiera Beddes is joined by Traci Rindlisbach and Kelli Cannon, both dedicated members of the UCET board. Together, they dive into the "UCET Elements" theme, exploring how classrooms thrive when they are built on a foundation of relationships, trust, and empathy.

They discuss the shift from the "sage on the stage" to the "guide on the side," highlighting how students have evolved from passive consumers into active producers of content. From AI awareness to authentic assessments like podcasts and portfolios, Traci and Kelli share how technology facilitates a more personalized and curious learning environment.

The UCET Elements

This episode introduces our four conference strands: Spark, Amplify, Flow, and Grounded.

Whether you are looking to elevate student voice or build a toolkit of proven practices, this conversation sets the stage for our upcoming gathering this March.

Episode Timeline

Conference Details

This year's conference is March 16 & March 17th at the Salt Palace. Our theme is "UCET Elements." If you want to attend the UCET conference as a vendor, or as an attendee, you can find more info at: ucet.org/conference/

Special thanks to Kayla Towner for the podcast producing & editing and Kiera Beddes for hosting.

Welcome back to the UCET podcast, where we talk all things Utah, education, and technology. In this special series, we ask the following questions to our featured guests:

• For context, share years you were president and the location/theme of your conference.
• What were you most excited about being in charge at UCET?
• How has technology/learning changed since your UCET presidency?
• What does this year's theme "authentic intelligence" mean to you?
• Anything you are excited about this year's conference?

This year's conference is Feb 25th & 26th at the Salt Palace. Our theme is "Authentic Intelligence." If you want to attend the UCET conference as a vendor, or as an attendee, you can find more info at https://ucet.org/conference/

Welcome back to the UCET podcast, where we talk all things Utah, education, and technology. In this special series, we ask the following questions to our featured guests:

• For context, share years you were president and the location/theme of your conference.
• What were you most excited about being in charge at UCET?
• How has technology/learning changed since your UCET presidency?
• What does this year's theme "authentic intelligence" mean to you?
• Anything you are excited about this year's conference?

This year's conference is Feb 25th & 26th at the Salt Palace. Our theme is "Authentic Intelligence." If you want to attend the UCET conference as a vendor, or as an attendee, you can find more info at https://ucet.org/conference/