AAC Assessment Demonstrate an understanding of common AAC terminology, myths, multimodal communication, and the four AAC competencies.  Demonstrate the importance of the team approach to assessment and implementation.  Demonstrate an understanding of common assessment frameworks and the primary components of the assessment. Demonstrate an understanding of feature matching and trials within the assessment process. 

Demonstrate an understanding environmental needs, opportunities, and barriers related to implementation of AAC. Demonstrate an understanding of the AAC user’s communication status based on the four AAC competencies. Demonstrate an understanding of developing a plan to include vocabulary needs, training, and team approach. Demonstrate an understanding of goals/objectives and data collection methods used during implementation. Demonstrate an understanding of resources and strategies to support implementation.

Montana teachers and students need support. COVID-19, along with highly politicized social divisions over masking, vaccinations, gender issues, and racism, has increased teacher distress and exacerbated students’ problems with mental health and suicidality. Many teachers feel over-stressed and under-appreciated. In this two-day experiential class, Montana educators can receive either OPI renewal units or 1 free graduate credit from the University of Montana (a small and relevant additional homework assignment and completion of research questionnaires will be required for UM graduate credit) for learning about how to apply evidence-based happiness skills and strategies to themselves and to their students. All participants will have access to online happiness-related resources and sample homework assignments for students.

Montana teachers and students need support. COVID-19, along with highly politicized social divisions over masking, vaccinations, gender issues, and racism, has increased teacher distress and exacerbated students’ problems with mental health and suicidality. Many teachers feel over-stressed and under-appreciated. In this two-day experiential class, Montana educators can receive either OPI renewal units or 1 free graduate credit from the University of Montana (a small and relevant additional homework assignment and completion of research questionnaires will be required for UM graduate credit) for learning about how to apply evidence-based happiness skills and strategies to themselves and to their students. All participants will have access to online happiness-related resources and sample homework assignments for students.

Recognizing that culturally responsive instruction helps educators close achievement gaps, NEA offers a program that expands the capacity of educators to serve students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. In this 3 hour interactive training, participants will deepen their own cultural self-awareness, understand the link between cultural self-awareness and cultural competence and identify culturally responsive teaching practices • share strategies for promoting culturally responsive instruction

Participants will engage in writing activities and strategies to better meet the standards in content areas and the requirements for Indian Education for all set out in Article X of the Montana State Constitution. We will explore how to actively engage students in a caring way to maintain high standards for all, regardless of their cultural background. Co-presenters are all Elk River Writing Project consultants, are part of the Billings Public School IEFA Leadership Team and specialize in Social Studies, English Language Arts and Mathematics. We are a community of educators dedicated to outreach, professional growth, and promising practices. We are committed to culturally-relevant education, which includes Indian Education for All, authentic student voice, indigenous knowledge of place, and social justice. We will explore writing and engage in activities that teachers can take back to their classrooms immediately to ensure we provide quality education for all students. Co-Presenters: Brooke Taylor, Lacy Watson, and Cheyenne Aldrich

This workshop will focus on activities for acquisition while planning for multiple levels of instruction. You will leave with concrete ideas and examples of how to use weekend chat and other routines, high-frequency verb units, films, and more to maximize input without stretching yourself too thin. Learn tips and tricks for sustainable planning, practices, and activities for any educator, but specifically as a #deptof1, the only World Language teacher at a school or district.

This workshop will focus on activities for acquisition while planning for multiple levels of instruction. You will leave with concrete ideas and examples of how to use weekend chat and other routines, high-frequency verb units, films, and more to maximize input without stretching yourself too thin. Learn tips and tricks for sustainable planning, practices, and activities for any educator, but specifically as a #deptof1, the only World Language teacher at a school or district.

2020 Montana Teacher of the Year Linda Rost, 2022 Montana Teacher of the Year Bill Stockton, and 2023 Montana Teacher of the Year Catherine Matthews, will share their experiences in the classroom and provide practical skills and knowledge that will help as you navigate classroom management, parent communication, teacher time management, special education and inclusion, and IEFA best practices.