ABC’s of Behavior – Know Where to Start when Behavior is a Problem
Dr Keith Radley III
The day will cover a review of the essentials for conceptualizing behavior and developing interventions to modify behavior within educational settings. Basics of behavior functions will be introduced, as well as the three-term contingency (i.e., Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence). Strategies for collecting data at school, class, and individual student levels will be reviewed with a focus on how school professionals may more effectively use data to make valid and reliable decisions regarding intervention effectiveness
Discussion of the use of school-wide behavior supports, which serve as preventative within a Tier 1 structure, will focus on effective and efficient means of supporting the behavior of all students.
Dr Eliza Sorte Thomas
Join Eliza to dig into creating intentional learning experiences for our youngest learners. Use the four domains (Physical, Cognitive, Communication, and Social Emotional) to help strategize high yield invitations for learning for children. Consider ways to focus on one domain or extend to encompass others. Participants will use all available Montana state documents to support this process and share tips and tricks for planning, using the environment as the third teacher, and documenting learning.
Participants will;
Evaluate all available learning standards documents for the developmental age of the children they work with.
Brainstorm essential understandings, materials, and learning invitations for a variety of early childhood topics.
Create documentation story templates for planned invitations.
Adjust class information to meet the needs of the educational setting of the participant
Teaching Cognitive Engagement in Math: It’s More Than Just Keeping Them Awake!
“Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your math instruction and ignite student thinking!
Stephanie Lester
Join us for a full day of practical strategies, interactive learning, and empowering tools that will help every student do the heavy lifting in math—thinking, reasoning, and truly understanding
Have you ever wondered how to ensure your students are doing the real thinking—analyzing, discussing, problem-solving—in your math lessons? Based on the work of Lemov (2015) and grounded in current research on student engagement and brain-based learning, this full-day, 6-hour training session will equip K–6 educators with actionable strategies to increase cognitive engagement during math instruction.
Participants will learn how to embed high-impact, opportunities to respond (OTR) and checking for understanding (CFU) techniques into daily math routines. Emphasis will be placed on promoting deeper student thinking, encouraging active participation, and ensuring students take ownership of their learning. With a focus on practical application, teachers will leave this session with ready-to-use strategies and a clear understanding of how to apply them consistently to strengthen math understanding across all levels of learners.
IEP BOOTCAMP - Unlock the Full Potential of the IEP Process: A Comprehensive Workshop with the Montana Empowerment Center
Montana Empowerment Center Inc with Heidi Gibson Executive Director
Are you ready to tackle the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process from start to finish? Join us for an immersive workshop hosted by the Montana Empowerment Center team, where we’ll guide you through each critical stage of the IEP journey—from early childhood to adulthood!
We’ll kick things off with a deep dive into Early Intervention programs and IFSPs, setting the stage for how the process begins. Next, we will explore the evaluation process and transition into an Individualized Education Program (IEP). We will walk through the IEP section by section, and also delve into essential transition planning. This planning is crucial for helping students successfully move from high school to the next phase of life, whether that involves further education, career pathways, or independent or supported living.
But that’s not all! This workshop brings together a powerhouse of community partners who play a vital role in the IEP process. You’ll hear directly from experts in Early Intervention, Family Education and Support (FES) programs, Developmental Disabilities, Independent Living Centers, and Vocational Rehabilitation/Pre-ETS staff. These speakers will offer valuable insights, share strategies, and answer your questions—giving you an encompassing view of how to support students throughout their entire journey.
Whether you’re a parent, educator, or service provider, this workshop will equip you with the tools, knowledge, and connections you need to make the most out of the IEP process and empower every student for success!
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn more about empowering students.
Facilitated Consensus for School Problem Solving
Dr Rob Watson
9am to noon (1/2 day session only 3 OPI Renewal Credits)
Empowering School Teams to Tackle Real Issues Through Collaborative Dialogue
Schools are dynamic environments filled with passionate educators working tirelessly toward student success. Yet along the way, persistent challenges inevitably arise—issues that linger year after year, create tension among staff, and often seem immune to traditional problem-solving methods. These are known as problems of practice: real-world, recurring challenges that emerge from the everyday work of schooling and demand thoughtful, collective attention ( ie staff conflict, disagreements about curriculum / instruction, persistent student issues, or communication breakdowns within a team).
This interactive workshop introduces participants to a structured, hands-on approach for tackling such issues using a facilitated consensus process. Through this training, participants will learn how to engage diverse viewpoints, identify shared concerns, and develop action-oriented agreements that everyone can live with. Participants will actively experience each phase of the consensus process, applying it to real-world issues from their own experience or from scenarios provided during the session.
Open to school administrators, teachers, school teams, and any staff member working within a school, the session offers more than a tool—it offers a new mindset for tackling problems that have too often gone unresolved. Participants will leave with both the skills and the confidence to implement this process in their own schools, helping to create a more cohesive, responsive, and empowered educational environment. When school teams embrace this way of working, they don’t just solve problems—they build trust, strengthen professional relationships, and foster a shared sense of ownership that can transform the entire school culture.
Personalized, Competency Based Education (PCBE): What Is It & Why Are People Talking About It?
Sara Cole
1pm to 4 pm (1/2 day session - 3 OPI Renewal Credits)
Register for this session "PM session Sara Cole PCBE this day only"
This professional learning session will explore the core principles of Personalized Competency-Based Education (PCBE). Through engaging activities, reflective discussions, and collaborative planning, attendees will leave with clear insights into the shifts from traditional systems to PCBE. This session is designed to inspire educators to embrace a student-centered mindset, fostering equitable and inclusive educational experiences. Most of all, participants will leave with tangible examples and actionable next steps!