|
Dear Colleagues,
Last week, we attended the Board of Regents meeting at Great Falls College. It was a good opportunity to provide an update from OPI on K-20 partnerships, share a federal update, and gain valuable information from our colleagues overseeing higher education in the state about how we can better reduce barriers between secondary and post-secondary education. There was also a great discussion on the various CTE pathways with a panel discussion on the welding program at Great Falls college.
We also attended the Board of Public Education meeting, where we discussed accreditation, reduced testing requirements for students with disabilities, and provided a federal update as Title, IDEA, and other federal funding streams continue to be disbursed. Additionally, we participated in the IEFA activity and panel at the Paris Gibson Education Center, where students shared their stories about Joe Medicine Crow and expressed their passion for cultural connections through beading and eagle feather work.
As a reminder, please make sure your school directory information is up-to-date as we go into the summer and OPI begins providing updates and guidance on new laws that are going into effect. This is important to ensure quick and accurate communication on a variety of messages from OPI to districts.
We have a few new staffing updates to share. Elsie Workman has joined OPI as the new Pupil Transportation Specialist, Dylan Martin as the new Senior IT Manager, Kellee English as an IT project management specialist, and Emily Kallenberger as an American Indian student achievement specialist.
Finally, OPI just received notice this week that our state’s Title IV, Part A federal allocation has been received and is at anticipated levels.
We hope everyone had a great end to the school year and that you have a relaxing summer.
As always, don't hesitate to reach out to our office.
Best regards,
Susie Hedalen
Superintendent of Public Instruction
2026 Teacher of the Year Nominations: Now Open!
The Montana Teacher of the Year program honors a classroom teacher who embodies innovation, leadership, and dedication to student success. Nominees must be currently certified and employed in a Montana school (public or accredited non-public) as a PreK–12 classroom teacher. Nominations can be submitted by anyone, including fellow educators, school leaders, parents, and students.
-
Nomination Deadline: June 13, 2025
Submit Nominations Online: https://montanaopi.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2lWT9Qc5OW4QtzU
The Montana Teacher of the Year will be announced this fall and will go on to represent the state in national events and professional development opportunities throughout 2026.
For more information about the program and to submit a nomination, visit https://opi.mt.gov/Educators/Teaching-Learning/Teacher-of-the-Year .
Introduction to DLM Assessment Webinar
Join us for an upcoming webinar on the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) alternate assessment, which will become the statewide assessment for alternate science, math, and ELA beginning in fall 2025. This session will include an overview of the DLM model, provide key resources to help you prepare ahead of August training, and allow time for questions and answers.
The webinar will take place on Tuesday, June 10, from 3:30 to 4:15 PM MST.
Click the link below to join the meeting:
Join the DLM Assessment Overview Webinar
Additional Information
Achievement in Montana (AIM)
Assessment
Career, Technical and Adult Education
Coordinated School Health
Gifted and Talented
Indian Education for All
Montana Aligned to Standards Through-Year (MAST)
Montana Autism Education Project
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
School Finance
Special Education
Standards, Instruction & Professional Learning
Title & Federal Programs
Traffic Education
Transformational Learning & Advanced Opportunities
Outside Opportunities
HIRING MENTORS for the MentorMT Program!
MentorMT offers grade- and subject-aligned mentoring for new or underprepared rural teachers, helping them build effective pedagogy and content knowledge in their grade level and discipline. Over 100 K-12 teachers will be matched with mentors next year.
In Summer 2025 we will train at least 50 experienced Montana educators as mentors.
You could be one of them – apply today!
For more information and the application link, go to:
https://tinyurl.com/MMT25MentorFAQ [tinyurl.com]
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, June 13, 2025
(review begins Friday, June 6)
Questions? Contact Jennifer Luebeck, MentorMT Director
Email jennifer.luebeck@montana.eduor call (406) 994-5341
Learn more about MentorMT at www.montana.edu/crre/mentormt [montana.edu]
MentorMT is administered through the Center for Research on Rural Education at Montana State University. MentorMT is funded through Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies and the Montana Office of Public Instruction.
Questions? Contact:
McKenna Gregg, Communications Director
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.
|
