A Primer for Building A Personalized and Proficiency-Based Learning Model

The purpose of this course is to build foundational knowledge of personalized and proficiency-based learning while setting the next steps in your learning journey. This course is intended for school and district leaders, including teacher leaders.

By the end of this course, school and district leaders will understand the core principles of personalized and proficiency-based learning and will be equipped to begin planning and preparing for school improvements that incorporate aligned principles and practices.

Visit the Learning Hub to take this course.

Identifying and Supporting English Language Learners

This course is designed to help educators identify and screen potential English Language Learners. Throughout this course, you will gain a greater understanding of the identification and placement of English Language Learners, as well as strategies to welcome ELL’s into your school, and support their academic success through culturally and linguistically responsive practices.

Transformational Educational Leadership Practices Administrators and Teachers

This online course for teachers and administrators is designed to take you through the best practices of educational leadership. The course begins by teaching the basics of how to create and implement a shared school mission/vision by setting goals and branding their mission/vision. From there, you will learn how to cultivate a strong, positive school climate so that staff are more confident and independent in their ability to manage their own classrooms. The course then takes a deep dive into the four “non-negotiables,” or four foundations upon which academic success is built — standards-based curriculum, data-informed teaching, expecting quality work, and differentiated instruction as the default. You will also learn what it takes to successfully develop and employ professional development, as well as how to build strong professional, community, and student relationships, all without taking it personally. The “nuts and bolts” of school leadership is saved for last, as you learn how to manage meetings and stay organized, all while keeping the big ideas of evaluation in mind as you strive to create a safe school environment.

For more information, visit the website.

Part 1 Bullying Series: Understanding and Responding

This is part 1 of a two part series addressing Bullying in the state of Montana. You will learn how to identify bullying, how to respond to it and how to take a preventative approach to bullying at your school.

This course can be found on the Learning Hub.

Calibration for School Leaders

In this course, you will learn inter-rater reliability and creating high-quality feedback based on the district’s instructional framework. Dr. Jo Swain facilitates small cohorts using the Teach Forward Align Platform to acquire calibration competency. School leaders are encouraged to create collaborative groups to practice capturing classroom observation evidence and crafting high-quality feedback.

General School Issues and Administration

Data Talks: The Process

It is important for school staff to Understand Data Literacy and the importance of data literacy in relation to student achievement. School staff should collaboratively establish a clear plan for measurable targets of progress based on data analysis. As a result of completing this course, districts will be more focused on strategic planning, decision-making, and improving educational outcomes. Districts will cultivate a culture of continuous improvement by regularly reviewing and reflecting on data, adjusting strategies as needed, and celebrating successes.

Mindfulness for Teacher

A 5-week Group Book Study using the Book Mindfulness for Teachers by Patricia Jennings. You will earn 14 CEU’s to participate in reading the book, answering 10 discussion questions and attending 4 one-hour webinars.

Early Childhood, Lower Elementary (K-2), Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), Post Secondary

General School Issues and Administration, Integration with Other Subjects (Cross-Curricular), Social/Emotional/Behavioral
Online
OPI renewal units only
$100 before June 15, 2024 $200 After June 15, 2024
Contact:The Montana Mindfulness Project – courtnay@mtmindfulness.org

Instructional Teamwork for Paraeducators

This course is designed to help paraeducators work effectively on a team. The course consists of introductory material regarding teamwork, delineation of roles and responsibilities, classroom instruction, and behavior management. Can be taken by individual paras and teachers, but is most effective when teams take the course together.

This course is for paraeducators or para/teacher teams.

IRIS Professional Development Modules

Self-guided and self-paced, IRIS PD Modules cover numerous relevant topics in a way that is in-depth but approachable. These online resources can be used to improve educator’s knowledge of:

-Evidence-based instructional and behavioral practices
-IEPs
-Accommodations
-Teaching English language learners
-Instructional supports for students with disabilities
-And more

OPI Renewal Unit Provider

N2X STEM Pathways

Through our interactive audio you can listen anywhere, at anytime to the content and conversations within STEM education which include “STEM Education”, “STEM Project Based Learning”, “STEM Applications”, and “STEM Pathways”. This technology was developed to fit into the margins of your busy life. Listen while you drive, talk a walk, or work in your garden. The interactive features will ask questions, record your reflections on our servers for verification of completion, and link you to additional resources. When you have completed your desired clock hours we update your Montana Renewal Units professional development account. Then you are done! All without ever having to attend a weekend conference or Zoom meeting, it really is that easy and will change how you think and interact in your educational practice!
In the N2X STEM Pathways course we explore where STEM can take a student. The sky’s the limit with STEM! Our interactive audio host, Dave Gamon, interviews some rock star women of STEM in diverse fields of practice, covering the many diverse options for STEM careers, how the future of STEM education might look, computer science in the classroom and how to assist students to be successful in STEM.

OPI Renewal Unit Provider