Events
Upcoming Events!
Upcoming Workshops - Register Below!
8/19-20/24 - 2024 Special Education Boot Camp - Fairmont
8/26/24 - Science for Foundational Reading Skills; Elementary Level; Carrie Cole
8/26/24 - Powerful Teaching for Literacy; Middle School Level
9/26/24 -
Special Education Bootcamp
August 19th & 20th at Fairmont
Join your fellow colleagues at beautiful Fairmont Hot Springs for the 2024 Special Education Boot Camp on August 19-20, 2024. Topics will include IEP requirements, Infinite Campus, School-Based Evaluations and Screening for Dyslexia, Report-Writing, and Evaluation Review Meetings.
Monday- Unsure of the characteristics of dyslexia? Wondering about the research-based recommendations for the evaluation of dyslexia? Confused about what we can and cannot “diagnose” in the school setting? You’re not alone! Join Genevieve Thomas, Nationally Certified School Psychologist and Dyslexia Specialist for a conversation about school-based evaluations of reading difficulties. We will define and explore common misconceptions about dyslexia, learn about research-based recommendations for the evaluation of dyslexia, review state and federal policies that influence school-based dyslexia evaluations, and practice interpreting assessment data and generating treatment recommendations.
In the afternoon, join Genevieve to learn an approach to comprehensive, student-centered academic evaluations. Learn how to supplement formal academic evaluations with informal measures to develop a comprehensive picture of student strengths, craft family- and teacher-friendly evaluation reports, and present findings using an asset-based, culturally responsive approach
Tuesday - The day will be spent learning/reviewing IEP requirements, looking at available OPI resources, and learning hints for using Infinite Campus. Time will be available for getting your "burning questions" answered.
Register here!
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/k5vtu6z/lp/59f0ff38-f5d4-4a07-83bb-25bb5ecb723b
Science of Reading for
Foundational Reading Skills
Elementary Level
August 26, 2024
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Prickly Pear Gym
325 Academic Street, East Helena, MT 59636
This introductory training provides understanding of literacy and language development for foundational skills, empowering educators with the tools and knowledge needed to provide effective instruction at all tiers of instruction - resulting in reduced reading difficulties for students and increased literacy achievement. We have a laser focus on bringing the “why” and the “how” together with educators, creating pathways between research and classroom practice, providing educators the instructional tools to better meet the varied needs of the students they serve, including students at-risk for dyslexia.
Carrie Cole began her education career in the classroom as an elementary teacher and secondary reading teacher. She holds a master’s degree in literacy and is a contributing author for CORE’s Teaching Reading Sourcebook (2nd Edition). She is known for her ability to not only effectively communicate best instructional practices, but also demonstrate how to put the latest research into practice in the “real world” classroom. She is especially passionate about serving children living in poverty. She has worked with and advised state officials, district leaders, school administrators, instructional coaches, and teachers across the country, as well as written and delivered on-site professional development at the state, district, and school levels that is centered around fundamental knowledge in evidence-based literacy practices. Prior to consulting, Ms. Cole was a professional development specialist for the Idaho State Department of Education, adjunct professor in literacy at Idaho State University, regional educational consultant for a major publishing company, and a classroom teacher.
6 OPI Renewal Units
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/6pquejr
Powerful Teaching for Literacy
Middle-High School Level
August 26, 2024
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
East Helena High School Commons
2760 Valley Drive, East Helena, MT 59635
This introductory training provides understanding of literacy and language development for foundational skills, empowering educators with the tools and knowledge needed to provide effective instruction at all tiers of instruction - resulting in reduced reading difficulties for students and increased literacy achievement. We have a laser focus on bringing the “why” and the “how” together with educators, creating pathways between research and classroom practice, providing educators the instructional tools to better meet the varied needs of the students they serve, including students at-risk for dyslexia.
Drea Beale is an equity-centered educator with over 25 years of experience in public schools. Drea’s first thirteen years of service were as a 6-10th grade teacher in rural Maine and then a high school Humanities teacher in Oakland, CA. Subsequently, she served as an instructional coach, a high school principal, an elementary and middle school principal, and the superintendent of a K-8 district in Montana. Currently, Drea is an educational consultant with a focus on literacy and transformational adult learning experiences. She has taken a deep dive into the Science of Reading and the role of early literacy in serving all students. Drea holds teaching credentials in several states, two Masters degrees, and a superintendent's license in Montana.
6 OPI Renewal Units
Sessions with Dori Phillips
9/26/24 AM - Building Number and Fraction Sense (Number Sense); PM - (Fraction Sense)
9/27/24 - Making the Most out of Math; K-5
C'Mon Inn - Bozeman
6139 East Valley Center Road
Bozeman, MT 59718
Join Dori Phillips to engage in Building Better Number Sense and/or Making the Most Out of Math.
Target Audience:
Pre-K educators, elementary educators, Title 1 teachers, special education teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals.
Dori Phillips is the K-12 School Counselor in Broadus, Montana. She has also taught elementary students from Kindergarten-8th grades in two other Montana school districts. She lives on her family’s ranch with her husband and enjoys time with her daughters and their families. Dori is passionate about helping educators understand trauma and the long-term impacts it has on students. She also has been training teachers on math-related topics for over twelve years.
Building Number and Fraction Sense
Thursday, September 26, 2024
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Spend the day in a hands-on workshop creating manipulatives and playing games that will be classroom ready the next day. The morning will focus on Number Sense, the basic skills that children need to learn to work fluently with numbers. When students have good number sense they are more fluent with basic math facts and better problem-solvers!
The afternoon will focus on “Fraction sense”, the basic skills that children need to learn to work fluently with fractions. Spend the afternoon learning the progression of fractions skills and playing games that will increase students’ “fraction sense”.
Making the Most Out of Math
Friday, September 27, 2024
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Do you like hands-on workshops? Then this one's for you!! This course will include activities and games that support fact fluency in the Montana Math Content Standards (K-5). Time will be spent learning about warm ups for ongoing cumulative review, instructional tools, and ideas of how to extend learning for students who finish early. Come play lots of games while at the same time learn how to make math meaningful and fun. Participants will create many hands-on activities and learn games to use in their classrooms!
6 OPI RENEWAL UNITS (per session)
Past Workshops
The Science of Teaching Reading
12 Part Series with Carrie Cole
September 8 to December 1, 4:00-6:00 via ZOOM
REGISTER HERE
Training Description
Being a teacher of literacy—whether teaching beginning reading skills or the advanced skills of using reading to enhance learning of content—is complex and requires considerable knowledge and skill. This comprehensive, 12-part training spanning the 2021-2022 school year will empower teachers to understand the what, why, and how of evidence-based reading instruction in foundational reading skills so that they can better meet the varied needs of the students they serve.
Training will be delivered in small, two-hour segments approximately twice/month, allowing educators time to process the information and implement practices into their own classrooms. Participants will learn the basics of reading at any age and how to strengthen instruction in reading foundations through structured and fast-paced routines that build on a hierarchy of skills that are necessary for students to become proficient readers and writers, including explicit, systematic, and multisensory instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics (basic and advanced), spelling and orthographic awareness, and fluency. Connections will be made to the latest research and evidence-based practices, including the Science of Reading and how this connects to Scarborough’s Reading Rope and Gough and Tunmer’s Simple View, best practices for literacy assessment to diagnose student need, and how this information relates to current Montana dyslexia legislation. Overview of content for each session is provided below in each session description.
About the Presenter
Carrie Cole is an independent educational consultant with Side-by-Side Educational Consulting, specializing in the training and delivery of evidence-based literacy practices grounded in the Science of Reading. She leads the Side-by-Side team, working in schools and districts, supporting consultants, and ensuring that clients receive the highest quality support possible. Ms. Cole holds a master’s degree in literacy and is known for her ability to not only effectively communicate the latest research on effective education practices, but also demonstrate how implement latest research into the “real world” classroom. She is
especially passionate about serving children living in poverty. She has worked with and advised state officials, district leaders, school administrators, instructional coaches, and teachers across the country, as well as written and delivered on-site professional development and coaching at state, district, and school levels centered on effective instruction and evidence-based literacy practices. She is particularly skilled at partnering with leaders to create systems that reduce the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students in all disaggregated groups, while also helping schools and districts build site-based capacity and
sustainability in the improvement process. She is a contributing author for CORE’s Teaching Reading Sourcebook (2nd-3rd Editions). Prior to consulting, Ms. Cole was a professional development specialist for the Idaho State Department of Education, a regional educational consultant for a major publishing company, and a classroom teacher at the elementary level (all subjects) and secondary level (English Language Arts and literacy interventions).
Option for Credit
We are currently in the process of working for credit approval of this course through University of Montana Western (2 credits). Educators that choose this option must attend all 12 sessions ( makeup sessions available through Region i) and complete outside reading and homework. Educators will receive a CORE Teaching Reading Sourcebook (3rd Edition) and CORE Multiple Measures assessment book as a course text—containing literacy resources that can be used with students K-12, valued at $140.00. For those not taking sessions for credit, CEUs are available for each session attended.
Training Description
Being a teacher of literacy—whether teaching beginning reading skills or the advanced skills of using reading to enhance learning of content—is complex and requires considerable knowledge and skill. This comprehensive, 12-part training spanning the 2021-2022 school year will empower teachers to understand the what, why, and how of evidence-based reading instruction in foundational reading skills so that they can better meet the varied needs of the students they serve.
Training will be delivered in small, two-hour segments approximately twice/month, allowing educators time to process the information and implement practices into their own classrooms. Participants will learn the basics of reading at any age and how to strengthen instruction in reading foundations through structured and fast-paced routines that build on a hierarchy of skills that are necessary for students to become proficient readers and writers, including explicit, systematic, and multisensory instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics (basic and advanced), spelling and orthographic awareness, and fluency. Connections will be made to the latest research and evidence-based practices, including the Science of Reading and how this connects to Scarborough’s Reading Rope and Gough and Tunmer’s Simple View, best practices for literacy assessment to diagnose student need, and how this information relates to current Montana dyslexia legislation. Overview of content for each session is provided below in each session description.
About the Presenter
Carrie Cole is an independent educational consultant with Side-by-Side Educational Consulting, specializing in the training and delivery of evidence-based literacy practices grounded in the Science of Reading. She leads the Side-by-Side team, working in schools and districts, supporting consultants, and ensuring that clients receive the highest quality support possible. Ms. Cole holds a master’s degree in literacy and is known for her ability to not only effectively communicate the latest research on effective education practices, but also demonstrate how implement latest research into the “real world” classroom. She is
especially passionate about serving children living in poverty. She has worked with and advised state officials, district leaders, school administrators, instructional coaches, and teachers across the country, as well as written and delivered on-site professional development and coaching at state, district, and school levels centered on effective instruction and evidence-based literacy practices. She is particularly skilled at partnering with leaders to create systems that reduce the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students in all disaggregated groups, while also helping schools and districts build site-based capacity and
sustainability in the improvement process. She is a contributing author for CORE’s Teaching Reading Sourcebook (2nd-3rd Editions). Prior to consulting, Ms. Cole was a professional development specialist for the Idaho State Department of Education, a regional educational consultant for a major publishing company, and a classroom teacher at the elementary level (all subjects) and secondary level (English Language Arts and literacy interventions).
Option for Credit
We are currently in the process of working for credit approval of this course through University of Montana Western (2 credits). Educators that choose this option must attend all 12 sessions ( makeup sessions available through Region i) and complete outside reading and homework. Educators will receive a CORE Teaching Reading Sourcebook (3rd Edition) and CORE Multiple Measures assessment book as a course text—containing literacy resources that can be used with students K-12, valued at $140.00. For those not taking sessions for credit, CEUs are available for each session attended.
Evidence-Based Strategies for Teaching Foundational Reading Skills:
Part 1 Overview of Science of Reading
with Carrie Cole
Wednesday, June 23, 2021 8:30-3:45
C'Mon Inn-Bozeman
6 RUs available, Credit Pending
Teaching reading effectively, especially to students experiencing difficulty, requires considerable knowledge and skill. But what type of classroom instruction benefits beginning readers and/or struggling readers the most? This training will provide an overview of proven instructional methods that explicitly and systematically teach foundational reading skills to children in ways that are engaging and multisensory. Connections will be made to the latest research, including the science of teaching reading, assessment, and how this information relates to current dyslexia legislation.
Evidence-Based Strategies for Teaching Foundational Reading Skills:
Part 2-Digging into Phonology, Phonological Awareness, and Beginning Phonics
with Carrie Cole
(Note: Part 1 of training is not a prerequisite for attending Part 2 of training.)
Thursday, June 24, 2021 8:30-3:45
C'Mon Inn- Bozeman
6 RUs available, Credit Pending
Teaching reading effectively, especially to students experiencing difficulty, requires considerable knowledge and skill. But what type of classroom instruction benefits beginning readers and/or struggling readers the most? This training will focus on proven instructional and assessment methods for foundational reading skills to children in ways that are engaging and multisensory, with a specific focus on the speech sounds of English, phonological awareness, and beginning phonics. Teachers will walk away with a better understanding of assessment in these areas, as well as instructional methods they can immediately implement into their classrooms.
Evidence-Based Strategies for Teaching Foundational Reading Skills:
Part 3-Spelling Development and Word Study
with Carrie Cole
(Note: Parts 1-2 of training are not a prerequisite for attending Part 3 of training.)
Friday, June 25, 2021 8:30-3:45
C'Mon Inn-Bozeman
6 RUs available, Credit Pending
Teaching reading effectively, especially to students experiencing difficulty, requires considerable knowledge and skill. But what type of foundational instruction benefit students the most? This training will focus on proven instructional and assessment methods for foundational reading skills to children in ways that are engaging and multisensory, with a specific focus on spelling development and advanced word study, including multisyllabic word reading. Teachers will walk away with a better understanding of assessment in these areas, as well as instructional they can immediately implement into their classrooms.