All courses have been listed in Midas.
PIR Day Trade and step-up credit is not guaranteed for all of these opportunities. PIR Trade is awarded at the discretion of the Executive Director of Curriculum and step-up is based on contract language and PDAAC approval. To request step-up credit for any of the eligible opportunities below, complete the district pre-approval process before beginning the course.
PLEASE NOTE: Self-paced virtual courses should NOT be taken during contracted work hours.
This course will introduce the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its applications in education. Learn how AI technologies can enhance your classroom instruction, personalize learning experiences, and streamline administrative tasks. You will also explore ethical considerations related to AI and how to integrate AI tools effectively into your teaching practices. By the end of the course, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to leverage AI technology to create engaging and innovative learning environments for your students.
Ready to level up your AI skills? This course dives deep into advanced AI, empowering you to create personalized learning, revolutionize assessment, and lead ethical innovation. Build mastery through hands-on projects and collaborative learning, transforming your classroom with cutting-edge AI.
*This course is for teachers who have previously completed the AI for Teachers course.
Dive into the world of EduProtocols with this self-paced course. Teachers will learn how to implement instructional lesson frames that engage students through dynamic activities and strategies. This course will guide you in adapting EduProtocols to various subjects and grade levels, fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity in your classroom. Streamline your lesson planning and enhance student engagement by mastering these structured, repeatable processes.
Throughout this course, you will leverage Google Classroom as a platform to actively involve your students. By the course's conclusion, you will have established a new class within Google Classroom, facilitated student invitations, and assigned diverse forms of classwork. This user-friendly tool streamlines grade and assignment management for both educators and learners. Armed with this knowledge post-course, you will be well-equipped to seamlessly integrate Google Classroom into your educational framework.
Located in Bozeman, MT
$69 fee for FOUR DAYS of learning
Summer learning hosted by OPI in Bozeman, Montana. Check out the schedule here. You will receive OPI renewal units, but will need to submit a special request for trade. $69 registration fee gives you access to all four days of Summit learning.
The 7th Annual STEM Summer Institute is a one-of-a-kind, Montana-made showcase for STEM integration across all grades and subject areas. You’ll enjoy exemplary K-12 STEM instruction and resources, inspiring national speakers, and the best of Montana! Up to 15 OPI renewal units are offered, however, BPS teachers would need to apply for a special request for trade and/or step-up.
CSPD provides a newsletter highlighting professional development opportunities in our region. There is a combination of free and paid high quality courses available. OPI renewal units are offered, however, BPS teachers would need to apply for a special request for trade and/or step-up. Access the archive of newsletters with PD opportunities by clicking here, and subscribe to their newsletter by clicking the button.
Online July 30-31st
$110 cost to register
15 OPI renewal units
This course will be taught online by Traci Piltz and offered through the Golden Triangle Curriculum Cooperative. This course has a fee for non-members of the cooperative, and participants will earn 15 OPI renewal units. Submit a special request for trade and/or Step-Up.
Monday, August 18th
9:30am-3:30pm
Billings Public Library Community Room
During this interactive and hands-on Tech Summit teachers will participate in a variety of roundtable experiences and discussions centered around digital citizenship, effective technology integration and Artificial Intelligence in education. We will focus on the instructional technology standards and purposeful integration. Teachers will learn best practices and digital tools that support each standard, then have the opportunity to explore and create using a variety of programs and tools.
August 21st 9:30-12:30
Billings Public Library Community Room
A Seesaw Show and Tell is hosted by Seesaw Ambassadors or Seesaw Certified Educators focused on collaboration and sharing innovative practices among educators using Seesaw. It features interactive activities, quick presentations by teachers and administrators, networking, and workshop stations where attendees can explore new features and resources.
Teachers will have the opportunity to learn about Newline interactive boards. A trainer from Newline will share the basics of getting started with Newline boards, as well as an overview of best practices for using the boards to integrate seamlessly into classroom curriculum and instruction. Participants will have time to explore the board hands-on, as well as collaborate and share ideas with other participants.
This is a self-paced course. Starting June 15th- April 2026
Understanding the power of creativity, why it matters, and how to leverage it in your teaching helps to prepare students by giving them the 21st-century skills they need to succeed. This course helps educators understand what creativity is, why it’s important, and how to develop creativity in their students across subjects and grade levels, from young children through to college students and adult learners.
Register on Midas to earn 3 OPI credits. After completing the course, submit documentation in this form to receive credit.
Canva is a powerful creation tool that can be leveraged by teachers and students for a variety of tasks. This course will help teachers learn essential tools in Canva to create engaging teaching resources, lesson plans, and activities. Use tools to save time, track progress and give meaningful feedback.
Register soon on Midas to earn 2 OPI credits. After completing the course, submit documentation in this form to receive credit.
Explore the catalog below of local and national productions from PBS and Montana PBS.
Fill out a form to sign up to view as many of the films as you want.
Watch your email for directions about how to watch the film and complete the reflection activity.
Build your content knowledge while being inspired to create engaging lessons for students when you watch full length, award winning programs from PBS and Montana PBS–and earn credit for doing it! This FREE professional development activity can be done when and wherever you are and is always open–no deadlines!
Learn more about PD with Montana PBS here.
Earn 2 OPI renewal units for each program. Submit special request for trade. Approved for step-up.
Earn 2 OPI renewal units for each program. Submit special request for trade. Approved for step-up.
Build your content knowledge while being inspired to create engaging lessons for students when you watch full length, award winning programs from PBS and Montana PBS–and earn credit for doing it! This FREE professional development activity can be done when and wherever you are and is always open–no deadlines!
Learn more about PD with Montana PBS here.
This self-paced Seesaw Learning Pathway contains different modules to help beginning Seesaw users learn the basics:
Document Learning in Student Portfolios
Engaging with Families
How to Create a Seesaw Activity
Register on Midas to earn 3 OPI credits. After completing the course, submit documentation in this form to receive credit.
This is a self-paced course. Starting June 15th- April 2026
Become a Seesaw Pioneer to jumpstart your Seesaw community journey and learn within a supportive group of educators. Seesaw Pioneers are beyond the Seesaw basics and are ready to take the next step to grow alongside others.
🌟Gain ideas and inspiration from community experts
🌟Connect in a supportive community of global educators
🌟Access exclusive resources and community events
🌟Grow as a leader within your school
Register on Midas to earn 2 OPI credits. After completing the course, submit documentation in this form to receive credit.
All sessions online 4:00-6:00pm
February 5th: Intro to AI
February 12th: Engaging Students with AI
February 19th: Differentating with AI
Join Montana PBS and special guests, Traci Piltz and Sarah Rainey, Technology Integration Specialists in Billings to learn the ins and outs of teaching and learning with artificial intelligence. Montana PBS Media Lab is an interactive and hands-on virtual learning experience!
Media Lab workshops are FREE and everyone who attends live has the chance to win cool prizes! Two OPI units will be granted to all participants who attend live sessions and participate! We will NOT record Media Lab sessions so come join us live!
This workshop will focus on the multimodal tools and formative assessment features within Seesaw that help students make their thinking and learning visible. Teachers will learn how to utilize the multimodal tools within Seesaw to help students share their learning, and explore Seesaw activities that are already created that align with district adopted resources. We will also explore the formative assessment creation tool within Seesaw and teachers will have the opportunity to create formative assessments to support our district adopted standards and curriculum.
Are you looking to grow your computer science teaching skills? AVID, in partnership with Code.org, is offering virtual workshops that will help boost your coding and computer science skills. Join Traci for a virtual Computer Science Fundamentals (K-5) workshop, which will be held December 7th 9:00am-3:00pm (6 OPI renewal units).
