UCET Elements: Stacey King

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:

• How has educational technology changed what it means to be a great teacher, and what timeless teaching qualities remain unchanged?
• What do you believe are the three most essential elements every classroom needs to thrive in today’s world?
• Which one of our UCET Elements are you drawn to the most and why?

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

• 00:00 Welcome to the UCET Podcast + Meet Your Host
• 00:11 Guest Intro: Stacey King’s Education & Tech Journey
• 01:13 The “Elements” of an Ideal Classroom: Engagement & Support
• 04:00 UCET Conference Theme Breakdown: Spark, Amplify, Flow, Grounded
• 04:33 Why Stacey Chooses “Spark” (and Why Tech Must Be Purposeful)
• 08:13 How Tech Has Changed Teaching vs. What Never Changes
• 09:54 Online Teaching: Using Video and Canvas to Remove Barriers
• 11:26 First-Time Conference Advice: Focus on 1–2 Actionable Wins
• 12:51 Final Thanks & See You at the Conference

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.