Thursday, June 18, 2026

Thursday Early Birds

 7:15 - 8:15 AM

• "Watch Your Language": Common Language and Strategies Across MTSS Behavior Interventions and Programs | Joe Moriarty, OPI

• From Funding to Futures: Making the Most of the Montana Advanced Opportunities Grant | Krystal Smith, OPI

• Mindfulness Practice and Soothing Immersive Sound Experience | Katie Mayfield, Full Circle Wellness

• Pioneering Math Success: Montana’s Bridge to Algebra Readiness | Virg Hale & Jacquie Teasdale, Montana EdReady

• Removing Barriers to Success and Achievement for Students Experiencing Homelessness | Justine Guthrie, OPI

• Student Safety and Wellness: A Listening Session | Sarah Music, OPI

• Supporting Proficiency-Based Learning with Clearinghouse Resources | Marcella Flannigan, MTDA

Thursday Keynote

8:30 - 10:00 AM

• What to Do When the Interventions Didn’t Work | Dr. Matthew Burns, University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI)

Thursday Morning 2-Hour Workshops

10:15 AM - 12:15 PM

• Using Data at Tier 1 and Tier 2 | Dr. Matthew Burns, UFLI

• Building a High School - Sponsored Pre-Apprenticeship Program | Darbi Linder & Amber Lamb, DLI

• Building Better Behavior in the Classroom | Lacey Cole, Kalispell Public Schools

• Creating a K-8 Career Connected Learning Plan | Courtney George & Julissa Bencia-Hensel, DLI

• Educational Achievement and Success for At Risk Youth: Collaboration, Programming, and Federal Funds  | Marisa Britton-Bostwick, Justine Guthrie, Kimberly Rebich, & Richard Hanley, OPI

• From Fragmented to Focused: How to Build a Coherent Middle School/Junior High MTSS Instructional Model That Actually Improves Literacy Outcomes | Debbie Hunsaker, STRIVE

• Increasing Tribal Student Attendance: Successful Strategies and Lessons Learned in South Dakota | Michele Henson, Matt Bell, & Jen Murphy, OPI

• Introduction to Data-Based Individualization (DBI)  | Sheila Lovato, American Institutes for Research

• MATH: Using Contexts and Models to Promote Students’ Meaningful Sense Making of Ratios and Rates | Frederick Peck, University of Montana

• Restorative Practices for a Safe and Healthy School | Nora Gibbons, SSoM & Rachel Wanderscheid, MT Afterschool Alliance 

• The Culture Climb of Success – Are You Ready? | Capturing Kids Hearts

• Thinking Through MAST Score Reports to Drive School and District Improvement (For Instructional Leaders) | Marie Judisch & Erin de Graw, OPI

Thursday Lunch & Learns

1:00 - 2:00 PM

• Access for All: An Overview of Effective Inclusive Practices for Students with Significant Disabilities | Lacey Cole, Kalispell Public Schools

• Foster Care Students 101: Points of Contact, Supports and Expectations | Marisa Britton-Bostwick, Justine Guthrie, and Kimberly Rebich, OPI

• From Curiosity to Careers: Work Based Learning (WBL) for Montana’s Grades 5–8 | Kaitlin Trutzel, Shannon Boswell, and Ethan Ego, OPI

• Media Mavericks: The Power of Youth Media | Ann Bernard, Montana PBS

• Morphology: Strategic Approach to Improve Literacy Outcomes | Tammy Hall, Terica Schaumloeffel, & Brent Harlan, OPI

• Suicide Among the Young | Karl Rosston, DPHHS

• Turning Plans into Action: Supporting College, Career & Life Readiness Through Student Follow-Through | Stephen Guillette, Level All

Thursday Afternoon 2-Hour Workshops

2:15 - 4:15 PM

• How Do You Know if the Intervention Aligns to the Science? | Dr. Matthew Burns, UFLI

• Career Development: Best Practices for Middle School | Laurie Gorence, DLI

• Designing and Delivering Effective Specially Designed Instruction with Data-Based Individualization | Sheila Lovato, American Institutes for Research

• Durable Skills Aren’t “Soft”: Teaching What Graduates Actually Need | Dr. Burke Wallace, MSU Northern

• High Ceilings, Solid Foundations: Reimagining MTSS to Challenge and Support High-Ability Learners | Jenny Jarvis, OPI

• Mathematics as Disciplined Creativity | Frederick Peck, University of Montana

• Nurturing Hearts, Growing Minds (PK-3)  | Morgan Ator, LCSW

• PREPARED for Complex Text: Putting Complex Text at the Center of Teaching and Learning | Debbie Hunsaker, STRIVE

• The BEST Classroom Management Plan | Nicole Pieper, Power Public Schools

• Transforming Historical Harm into Community Healing and Power | Crystal Hickman, Jen Murphy, & Michele Henson, Matt Bell, and Dr. Brooke Gondara, OPI

Safe Travels & Thank you attending!