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
CSPD Region 1 is requesting nominations for the 2025 Teri Fisk Paraeducator of the Year and the Paraeducator/Teacher Team of the Year awards. Awardees will be recognized at the Montana Council for Exceptional Children Conference in Bozeman, April 8-9, 2026. The date of the award ceremony is Wednesday, April 8, in Bozeman.
If you know of someone or a team deserving of this award and recognition please take the time to submit a nomination on one of the forms below. There is travel assistance available to those recipients who win the award. The Teri Fisk Paraeducator Award travel expenses are limited to: one night lodging at state rate, mileage reimbursement for one vehicle, one day substitute reimbursement directly to district, and meals reimbursed that are not provided by conference during your travel. CSPD Region 1 is able tol pay conference registration fees. The Para/Teacher Team Awards: Maximum of three lodging rooms for one night at state rate, mileage reimbursement for one vehicle, Maximum of three substitutes for one-day reimbursement to districts, meals reimbursed that are not provided by conference during travel. CSPD Region 1 is able pay conference registration fees. Please save all receipts
Teri Fisk Paraeducator of the Year Award
Paraeducator-Teacher Team of the Year Award
Nominations can be mailed to:
Dena Senner, Coordinator
Award Nominations
431 CR 518
Bloomfield, MT 59315
Explicit Instruction, Intensive Instruction (Tier 3), and Writing Instruction
Friday, March 6, 8:30-3:30 Richland Co Extension Office, Sidney, MT
Morning Session: Film Screening — Paper Tigers
We’ll begin the day with a viewing of the award-winning documentary Paper Tigers, which follows the journey of Lincoln Alternative High School in Walla Walla, Washington. The film chronicles a powerful transformation in how the school approaches discipline and student relationships through a trauma-informed lens.
Through the stories of six remarkable students—and the educators who stand beside them—the documentary illuminates how understanding and compassion can break generational cycles of poverty, violence, and despair. Paper Tigers vividly demonstrates the profound impact of trauma on the developing brain, the power of connection, and the difference that caring adults can make when they choose to treat rather than judge.
Afternoon Session: Training & Collaborative Discussion
Following the film, participants will engage in an interactive workshop exploring trauma-informed and trauma-restorative practices designed to meet the needs of today’s students—“kids these days.”
Together, we will:
Examine the underlying factors contributing to high suspension, expulsion, and dropout rates.
Explore evidence-based strategies to regulate before we educate, emphasizing connection as the foundation for learning.
Identify practical tools for building relationships that foster safety, belonging, and engagement—particularly with grades 7-12.
Discuss how educators’ own regulation and presence directly shape classroom climate and student outcomes.
Develop actionable ways to create cultures of regulation and support within classrooms and across school systems.
Strengthen the web of supports that help students not only attend but thrive and graduate.
This session blends reflection, discussion, and skill-building to equip educators, counselors, and support staff with tools that work in real-world classrooms—grounded in compassion, neuroscience, and hope.
Stacy has worked with families for over 20 years. Her passion lies with working with the "tough" kids and their families. She has intense training in trauma-informed practices and excels at providing real-life, applicable strategies to parents, educators, and mental health professionals. She wears multiple hats: international speaker, published author, clinician, Service Member, mother, sister, daughter, friend, co-parent with ex-husband. The most important hat I wear: HUMAN.
Stacy earned a Bachelor's in Science Degree in Psychology Education from Rocky Mountain College and completed a Master's in Social Work through Walla Walla University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Behavior Health Officer in the Wyoming Army National Guard, and is a Certified Phase II Clinician in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics.
She splits time living in Colorado and Wyoming with her husband, two teens, and two pupperoos.
This form is to identify who is interested in Ukeru. Ukeru Systems provides training on how to communicate effectively and de-escalate aggressive behaviors without restraints or seclusion. Learn verbal and nonverbal skills, physical release techniques, physical re-direction and Safe Blocking® in hands-on sessions or train-the-trainer series.
The Train the Trainer will be on Tuesday, April 7th 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday, April 10th from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
For those also attending MCEC, the cost is $800 and for those not attending MCEC it is the regular rate of $950.
Ukeru Interest Link: https://forms.gle/CZGc61CTa7QvH76F9
April 17, 2025 8:30 - 3:30 (1 hour lunch) Prairie View Special Services, Glendive
Facilitated by Becky Berg, becberg@gmail.com
This workshop introduces educators to the theory ,structure and focus of Number Talks. Participants will learn how Number Talks can be a valuable classroom routine in which students are making sense of mathematics, developing efficient computation strategies, and communicating their reasoning and solutions. Participants will learn the key components of Number Talks and understand the importance of each. Throughout the day, we will learn how to scribe student strategies that emphasize the important mathematical ideas.
This training is directly related to improving computational fluency and number sense. This workshop is designed to help teachers:
learn how to effectively implement Number Talks into their classroom instruction as a 5-20 minute routine 3-5 days a week.
learn key components of Number Talks
understand how to help students develop efficient computation strategies
strengthen their own understanding of the various strategies
how to respectfully scribe student thinking and strategies for solving during a Number Talk
Join the Montana Community of Science Teacher Leaders(CoSTL)!
Are you passionate about shaping the future of science education in Montana? The Montana Office of Public Instruction invites K–8 science and STEM educators to join a dynamic statewide professional community dedicated to excellence and innovation.
Why Join CoSTL? As a member of this leadership community, you will collaborate with peers across the state to:
Elevate Instruction: Strengthen 3D science and STEM teaching practices.
Lead the Way: Drive proficiency-based learning and assessment.
Integrate IEFA: Build meaningful IEFA (Indian Education for All) connections into science.
Direct Impact: Influence statewide growth by reviewing MAST items, leading professional development at conferences, and contributing to the Montana Teacher Learning Hub.
Opportunities: Create and referee high-quality lessons for the state science repository and pilot new units with real student feedback.
Time Commitment
When: Virtual meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month through May 2026.
Kickoff: Our first meeting is January 27, 2026.
Our Purpose: We believe every Montana student deserves rigorous, meaningful STEM experiences. By joining this community, you are helping students develop the critical thinking skills they need to thrive in their future careers and personal lives.
The training calendar for registration and session information
https://sites.google.com/opiconnect.org/cspdtrainingcalendar/statewi
State-Wide CSPD Professional Development
The Montana Comprehensive System of Personnel Development offers a variety of professional development across five regions across the state that is opened to all Montana educators. Please check out the Office of Public Instruction's website to find available in-person and virtual workshops.
On-Demand Training and Webinars
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.
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. Montana Empowerment Website