Proudly serving Eastern Montana and beyond
Each one Reach one
Teacher/Team Marcy Adams and Amber LaPierre of Glendive
Teri Fisk Para Educator Trista Papka of Sidney
CSPD events will be hosted on the OPI website. OPI will also be handling evaluations and renewal units. Thank you
Please know that when registering you will not receive a confirmation, when you successfully submit your registration consider yourself registered.
Registration link is below
June Institute Registration Link
June 1-Explicit Instruction research, elements, principles, teaching skills and strategies.
June 2 Teaching vocabulary and knowledge EI practices- This 2 day workshop offers a deep dive into Explicit Instruction as a powerful, evidence based approach to improving student learning across content areas and grade levels. participants will strengthen their instructional delivery and leave with concrete strategies, tools and plans for integrating Explicit Instruction into daily teaching.
June 3 Evidence Based Strategies for Designing Intensive Instruction- Data-Based Individualization is a systematic method for intensifying instruction within MTSS. The Steps of the DBI process will be learned and explored to address persistent learning challenges. Participants will learn to apply DPI by adapting interventions in group size, instructional strategies and materials. Participants will leave with greater confidence and practical strategies for supporting students who need more intensive individualized instruction.
June 4 Evidence Based Writing Instruction-Research to Practice Come to explore best practices for writing instruction grounded in research and application by examining key findings on effective writing instruction and daily application. The Writing Rope will be the guiding framework . Educators will leave with practical tools and a clearer vision for strengthening writing instruction in their own classroom.
Live, synchronous training online via Zoom 4 training sessions, 2 hours each, 4-6 pm
1. April 15, 2026 2. April 22, 2026 3. April 29, 2026 4. May 6, 2026
This interactive four-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.
April 27 4-6 via ZOOM
Meaningful Transition Assessment: Driving Postsecondary Goals Through Purposeful Practice
Transition assessment is more than an IDEA requirement — it is the foundation of strong, student-centered transition planning. This interactive session will examine the purpose of transition assessment, what information teams must gather before selecting tools, and how to align assessments with students’ strengths, interests, and postsecondary goals. Participants will explore assessment options for students with complex or significant disabilities, review concrete examples of how results translate into measurable transition IEP components, and practice selecting age-appropriate assessments through case studies. The session will conclude with a review of the assessment guidance from the regional postsecondary transition resource guides, ensuring participants leave with practical tools to support meaningful postsecondary planning.
Kari Tarter earned her B.S. in Special Education: Mild-Moderate Disabilities from The University of Arizona. Following this, she completed her master’s in Special Education: Severe and Multiple Disabilities, through the same institution while working as a teacher for the district. Kari has worked in the special education field since 2018, with her primary focus on supporting and instructing students with emotional and behavioral disabilities in the K-12 population. During her internship for her master’s degree, she enjoyed supporting older learners as a peer mentor for Project Focus: a unique post-high school transition program for young adult students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Kari moved back home to Montana in 2021 and started work as an independent contractor where she provided private academic intervention services. She joined The Rural Institute in 2023 as a Public Education Specialist supporting the Montana Transition and Employment Resource Projects and the Montana DeafBlind Project. Kari also serves as a Peer Support Specialist for the Montana Family to Family Health Information Center.
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