Proudly serving Eastern Montana and beyond
Each one Reach one
CSPD events will be hosted on the OPI website. OPI will also be handling evaluations and renewal units. Thank you
Here is the link to the OPI training calendar.
https://sites.google.com/opiconnect.org/cspdtrainingcalendar/statewide-events?authuser=0
More events will be posted soon! Thank you for your continued support.
This interactive two-part training with Side-by-Side consultant and dyslexia specialist Tanya Peshovich introduces educators to dyslexia, its impact on learning, and the instructional approaches that ensure reading success for all students, including those most at risk. Participants will learn how dyslexia is defined, explore its common characteristics, and understand how phonological processing difficulties affect reading and writing development. A structured literacy approach will be clearly defined, with examples of explicit, systematic, evidence-based practices that support students with dyslexia while strengthening Tier 1 instruction for all learners.
The training will also review the Montana Dyslexia Law and its implications for schools and educators.
ZOOM October 27 November 3 4-6pm
Science of Reading for intermediate and upper grades ZOOM 4*6m
1. January 13, 2026: Science of Reading for Grades 4-12: What Every Teacher Should Know
2. January 20, 2026: Building Reading Foundations and Vocabulary Across Content Areas
3. January 27, 2026: Boosting Literacy with Informational Reading and Writing Strategies
Reading Foundations ZOOM 4-6 pm
1-October 22, 2025: Science of Reading: Understanding the Basics
2. November 12, 2025: Phonemic Awareness: A Core Foundation
3. November 19, 2025: Beginning Phonics: Sound-Symbol Correspondences and Beginning Decoding
4. December 3, 2025: Advanced Phonics: Syllables and Decoding Multisyllabic Words
5. January 7, 2026: Why and When of Decodable Texts and Teaching High-Frequency Words
6. January 21, 2026: Sticky Spelling: Strategies That Work
7. February 4, 2026: Building Fluency for Confident Reading
8. February 18, 2026: Morphology: Unlocking Word Structure
9. March 4, 2026: Using Assessment to Guide Instruction for Interventions
Big Baffling Behaviors.- We all need connection; relationships are vital to our growth and safety. But what happens when students do not have strong connections? Maybe some big, baffling behaviors! These behaviors are a result of brains switching into protection mode. We will learn how to tell which mode our students are in and what to do to help them.
Often we have parents who want help with their child. They try hard, they communicate with the school well, and they want to play an important role in helping change these behaviors. Join us as we learn some new techniques to try and how we can use this information to support our families at home!
October 24 Sidney 8:30-3:30
More training events are in the works. I hope to have them linked soon.
As always all are free, offer OPI renewal units, and are for all who are interested, Admin, Instructional Coaches, educators, Paras, Special Educators, parents, and more.
The training calendar for registration and session information
https://sites.google.com/opiconnect.org/cspdtrainingcalendar/statewide-events
I want to share some exciting news. The Institute for Neurodiversity at Montana State University Billings’ (MSUB) Montana Center for Inclusive Education (MCIE) is launching virtual support groups for neurodiverse individuals, their families and caregivers starting in November. Our hope is that you will share this information within your organization and beyond. We would like to get this information out to as many people as we can.
There will be two virtual support groups meeting each month. The Youth and Young Adult (ages 14 to 27) will meet the first Monday of each month from 6:00 to 7:00PM starting November 3. The Support Systems Group (parents, siblings, guardians, etc.) will meet on the third Monday of every month from 6:00 to 7:00PM starting November 17. I have attached the flyers for each of the support groups. There is a QR code on each flyer for people to register for the support groups.
Each month’s sessions revolve around topics to get discussions started. Here are each group’s sessions:
Student Group
Week 1: Get to know – Introductions – Interests and Hobbies
Week 2: Social Expectations
Week 3: Relationships
Week 4: Life Skills
Week 5: Employment and Career
Week 6: Safety
Week 7: Wrap up: Experience, what we learned
Caregiver Group
Week 1: Get to know – Introductions – Emotional support/struggles
Week 2: Behavior Management
Week 3: Communication skills
Week 4: Self-help skills
Week 5: School and community services and resources
Week 6: Practical guidance
Week 7: Wrap up: Experience, what we learned
The facilitators for the group are Kelsey Osmond and Dwight Welch. Kelsey is a licensed mental health counselor at MSUB Student Health Services and has a private mental health practice for the Billings area. Dwight Welch is an ordained pastor in the United Church of Christ and the MSUB United Campus Ministries chaplain. He is the sponsor of the MSUB Autism Club and speaks often of his experience as an individual on the Autism Spectrum. Both are excited to begin this adventure of building a virtual neurodiverse community in Eastern Montana.
If you have questions about the support groups or what to learn more, please contact either Kelsey (kelsey.osmond@msubillings.edu) or Dwight (dwight.welch@msubillings.edu). They would love to answer any questions.
I do hope that you will share this information throughout your organization. We are excited to kick this off in November. If there are any questions you might have for me, please contact me at the information below. Thank you for helping us in this endeavor.
John Keener
Interim Director
Montana Center for Inclusive Education
Montana State University Billings
john.keener@msubillings.edu
406-657-1743
The Montana Autism Education Project (MAEP) is a statewide initiative housed within the Special Education Professional Development Unit at the Montana Office of Public Instruction. Launched in 2010, the MAEP was created in response to a growing number of technical assistance and training requests from schools supporting students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Since that time, the MAEP has expanded its scope to address the evolving needs of educators working with students across a range of developmental and behavioral profiles. Today, the project offers comprehensive services including individual and classroom consultations, coaching and capacity building programs, professional development opportunities, conference scholarships, and a virtual library with resources, research, and field tools for educators. The MAEP remains committed to building educator capacity, promoting inclusive practices, and enhancing outcomes for all students.
All trainings provided by MAEP are free to Montana Public School Educators and Service Providers.
For more information, please contact Katie Mattingley at katie.mattingley@mt.gov.
MYT Conference
November 12-14
Copper King Convention Center
Butte , Montana
Free Support for Families of Children with Disabilities
Families of children and young adults with disabilities across Montana have access to free, confidential support through the Montana Empowerment Center, the state’s federally funded Parent Training and Information Center.
Our mission is to empower, encourage, and educate families so they can make informed choices and advocate effectively for their children ages 0-26,” said Heidi Gibson, Executive Director at the Montana Empowerment Center.
In addition to in-person workshops, the Center also offers webinars and a wide range of parent-friendly resources on its website.
Empower Hour webinars 11:30am-12:30pm (with Q&A at the end):
● Oct 9: Alternatives to Guardianship with Theresa & Isaac Baldry, Rural Institute
● Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-montana-empowerment-center-70215974153