In this episode of the UCET Podcast, host and UCET president Kiera Beddes continues the special series “The Elements of UCET” ahead of the UCET conference on March 16–17, welcoming keynote speaker and Utah State Superintendent Dr. Molly Hart. Dr. Hart shares her education journey from paraprofessional to substitute, teacher, assistant principal, principal, school board member, and now superintendent, noting experience across charter, traditional, and homeschool communities and emphasizing education as central to being human. She discusses how students’ disconnection from their senses may contribute to apathy and disengagement, then selects “Grounded” as her key UCET element, urging educators to filter noise, stay aligned to principles and goals, maintain balance and high standards, and remember the purpose and joy of helping students grow.
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.