November 19 | Great Falls, MT @ Holiday Inn and Convention Center
Keynote: Carrie Cole, Literacy for All
With additional sessions from Carrie and Drea Beale on the Science of Reading for Secondary and Administrators and Powerful Teaching for Engagement. Featured sessions on Building Thinking Classrooms for All Content Areas and Mathematics with Jared Sliger, BTC. Mental Health and Behavior sessions featuring Shawna Heiser and Jerry Girard. Special Guests from Build Montana and ElevateMT. OPI Staff presenting on Secondary MTSS, Early Warning System, Transformational Learning, CTE & Montana Perkins Grant Revisions, and Indigenous Whole Learner Framework.
This event is FREE! Reserve your substitutes and register today!
OPI provides travel reimbursement for up to 5 staff per public school district traveling greater than 50 miles.
New for 2024: Pre-Forum Training
On Monday, November 18, we have added three full-day training events you won’t want to miss. Registration for Pre-Forum Training will be on the Forum website.
Check & Connect
Presented by Joe Moriarty, OPI, 8:30-4:00 PM
The Power of A Caring Adult In A Student’s Life. For over 30 years, Check & Connect (C&C) mentors have helped keep thousands of students on track toward graduation. C&C is the only dropout prevention intervention listed on the IES: What Works Clearinghouse found to have positive effects on staying in school.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Presented in partnership with AHEC, 8:00-5:00 PM*No Pre-work, 1 hour lunch
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations.
Restorative Practices
Presented by Crystal Hickman, OPI, 8:30-4:00 PM
The Restorative Practices are based on the understanding that humans are hard-wired to connect and relate to one another. While Restorative Practices are a relatively new field in the social sciences, the practice itself is deeply rooted in an Indigenous world view and culture of connection. This training will provide participants with new ways of thinking about, cultivating, and nurturing relationships from an indigenous perspective. There are four practices that will be discussed: Mindset, Talking Circles, Restorative Inquiry, and Restorative Talking Circles. Participants will have ample opportunity to participate and observe talking circles and will leave with a basic understanding of the talking circle format and a deepened understanding of how mindset and values work together to create a culture of connection and restoration.
Family Education and Support Providers
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2200 Box Elder Street, Miles City, MT 59301, (406) 243-6034
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11 N 26th St, Billings, MT 59101, (406) 248-2055, Email: info@step-inc.org
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1212 Helena Ave, Helena, MT 59601, (406) 442-1571
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1601 2nd Ave N, Great Falls, MT 59401, (406) 403-0087
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2016 GRAND Ave, Billings, MT 59102, (406) 281-5885
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2200 Box Elder Street, Miles City, MT 59301, (406) 243-6034
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1212 Helena Ave, Helena, MT 59601, (406) 442-1571
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3rd Tuesday of each month, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM October 15th – May 20th
November 19: Accreditation Information
Featuring OPI Accreditation Specialists Michelle Price and Ellery Bresler
These meetings are one-hour sessions held on the third Tuesday of the Month from 3:30-4:30. There will be a short 10-20 minute presentation on a topic followed by a discussion around that topic. The purpose of these meetings is to provide technical assistance and support for Special Education teachers as well as help build a network for teachers throughout Montana.
For more information, go to the Special Education Learning Community website and learn about future monthly topics.
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Special Education Endorsement Project
Have you recently hired an educator to teach Special Education as a paid intern in your district (teaching Special Education under a current Montana educator license while attending school to obtain the SPED Endorsement)?
Is your district not yet financially supported through the OPI SPED Endorsement Project?
If you answered yes to these questions, please reach out to Annette Viciedo Young (406-444-0299; ayoung3@mt.gov) for information on how the SPED Endorsement Project may be helpful to your new hire.
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Scholarship Opportunity with SIMS Scholars
Funded by OSEP (Office of Special Education Programs), SIMS (Specialized Interventionists for Montana Schools) Scholars is an opportunity for future special educators and speech-language pathologists to be fully funded through their programs (2 years). In return, they work for Montana schools for four years. View the SIMS Scholars Abstract here.
Open to all students eligible for admission into the University of Montana Teacher Education Program, and those admitted to the speech-language pathology graduate program. These are the specialized course sequences for SIMS Scholars:
Questions, contact Jennifer Schoffer Closson or Morgan Alwell.
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Explore virtual and in-person training options on our CSPD website.
INFORMATION October 29, 8:30AM to 3:30PM
MSUB College of Education, Room 122
This full-day training provides an overview of the innovative process of Big Picture Planning and how it can be effectively applied from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The presentation begins with a strong rationale for using the approach across various grade levels, highlighting its adaptability and effectiveness in guiding a student's future paths. Attendees will learn how to enhance IEPs and transition plans using this framework, ensuring more meaningful and successful implementation. Additionally, the training will equip educators with actionable insights to predict and support improved outcomes for students with disabilities, making this an essential session for those committed to fostering student success.
6 OPI Renewal Units. Cost is free
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Register Today!
November 6 – 8, 2024, Great Falls Heritage Inn
Welcoming youth with disabilities, families, educators, and service providers for an unforgettable and fun learning experience. The MYT conference offers the resources to help you create successful transition plans for independent living in the adult world.
IMET SELF-PACED ONLINE COURSES
The Utah State University TASK12 Interpreter, Mentorship, Education, & Training (IMET) Program offers a variety of independent study, self-paced, online training courses produced for sign language interpreters. The courses are designed to be completed independently on various knowledge- & skill-based topics.
Courses are self-paced and fully online using the Canvas platform. Participants can self-enroll for courses here. Questions, contact LeeAnn Lundgreen.
Special Education General Information:
Contact Kelley Brown, 406-444-5661 or check out our webpage.
Danni McCarthy, Montana's State Special Education Director, 406-594-3610
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
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