The Montana OPI MTSS High School Forum brings together teachers and administrators from around Montana to network and discuss “best practice" in the secondary school environment. 

Attendees engaged in this forum will learn about MTSS tools and resources to enhance the implementation framework and strengthen school climate to provide all students with the best opportunities to maximize achievement, both academically and behaviorally. 

Keynote Speakers

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Susan Barrett, Monday Keynote


"Centering Wellness in School"

🔴 Ballroom (Executive, Legislative, & Judicial);🕣  8:45-10:00 AM

In order to effectively meet the social- emotional-behavioral needs of ALL of our students, it is critical to redesign the school-based behavior health system. Learn how school systems are using PBIS core features to streamline efforts, consolidate teaming structures, elevate school and community employed clinicians to be social emotional leaders, and expand the capacity of the whole school community to create a culture of caring.

📁MATERIALS: Centering Wellness in School Powerpoint

Presenter: Susan Barrett, MA, serves as a Director for the Center for Social Behavior Support (CSBS) at Old Dominion University and a Technical Assistance Director with the Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). She assists with large-scale implementation of PBIS; partners with researchers to evaluate the impact of PBIS on students, school staff, and school communities. She also co-leads the development of the Interconnected Systems Framework, a mental health and PBIS expansion effort. Susan has been published in the areas of large-scale adoption of PBIS, mental health, cost-benefit analysis, advanced tier system development, and adoption of evidence-based practices in schools.


Jen Adams, Tuesday Keynote

"MTSS: Spotlight on Middle and High School Implementation"

🔴 Ballroom (Executive, Legislative, & Judicial); 🕗 Tuesday, 8:00-9:15 AM

📁Materials: MTSS Keynote Presentation

Jen Adams is a licensed school psychologist and MTSS expert who hails from the state of Iowa. Jen has worked in the Area Education Agency system for Heartland AEA and her hometown of Great Prairie AEA. Most recently she worked as an MTSS Education Program Consultant for the Iowa Department of Education. She resides in Des Moines, Iowa with her son William, and a zoo of animals, including the house rabbit, Jelly Bean. Jen's latest venture, Curious Consulting, is an affiliate of Public Progress, LLC. 

Workshop Speakers

Jen Adams

The Public Progress Group

Tamara Fisher Alley

K-12 Gifted Education Specialist

Polson School District

2023 Montana OPI Teacher of the Year Finalist

Karl Rosston

Montana Suicide Prevention Coordinator

DPHHS

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Andrea Visocan

English Teacher

Belt Schools

OPI MTSS Coach

Educational Consultant & Health and Wellness Coach

Keith Hoyer

MTSS Coach, OPI

Business Teacher, Belt Public Schools

Kathy Kidder

Assistant Principal

Capital High School 

Hollee Goody

Math Teacher/Instructional Coach

Capital High School 

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Alicia Doney

Youth Tribal Coordinator

Office of Public Instruction


Matt Allison

Assistant Principal

Flathead High School, Kalispell

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Dr. Beverly Chin

Professor Emeritus of English

University of Montana

Mary Ellen Earnhart

Career Lab Supervisor

Department of Labor


Lona Carter

School Health Grant Facilitator

Helena Public Schools

Michele Henson

School Safety Program Manager

Office of Public Instruction

Jason Neiffer

Executive Director

Montana Digital Academy

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Todd Wester

Principal Sleeping Giant Middle School & Director of Community Partnerships and School-Based Mental Health 

Livingston Public Schools

Matthew Johnson

Director of Student Services

Buffalo Hide Academy/ Browning School District

Beckie Frisbee

7-12 Curriculum Coordinator

Great Falls Public Schools

Aimee Konzen

Director of School Improvement 

Office of Public Instruction

Julie Gavin

School Improvement Specialist

Office of Public Instruction

Lindsay Mahoney

School Improvement Specialist

Office of Public Instruction

Sara Tiffany

School Improvement Specialist

Office of Public Instruction

Location

2301 Colonial Drive, Helena, MT 59601

Phone: 406-443-2100 or 1-866-211-4604 and mention the function "OPI HIGH SCHOOL FORUM" or click here by Oct. 22 to get the state rate. 

Educators can earn up to 11 OPI Professional Learning Units at this event sponsored by the Office of Public Instruction Coordinated School Health and Special Education Departments.

 Questions, please contact: 

Tammy Lysons, CETA UNIT MANAGER Tamara.Lysons@mt.gov  406-431-2309 

Jackie Ronning, MTSS PROGRAM SUPPORT SPECIALIST Jackie.Ronning@mt.gov 406-438-0522

Anne Carpenter, PROGRAM SUPPORT SPECIALIST Anne.Carpenter2@mt.gov 406-465-0922