CSPD Region 2 logo, partnering with many, with a sharpened pencil pointed down.

COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT REGION II

Coordinating personnel development to meet the needs of all children and youth in our unique region.

CSPD is a vital component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Montana State Plan for Special Education. CSPD provides pre-service, in-service, and technical assistance for parents, general and special educators, administrators, and other service providers with the end result being better programs and services for all children and youth. 

CURRENT TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Statewide CSPD Professional Learning


In this live schedule, you will find all updated professional learning sessions provided by the five CSPD regions. These trainings are free of charge and offer OPI Renewal Units.


SPED Learning Community


SPED Learning Community - 3rd Tuesday of each month, 3:30 - 4:30 PM


Montana Autism Education Project


The OPI Montana Autism Education Project offers free autism trainings and consultations to Montana public schools educating students with autism. For trainings, consultations or other needs please contact Katie Mattingley at katie.mattingley@mt.gov.

 

You can find information and registration links here


Strategies for Challenging Behaviors: The Power of Emotional Literacy for Increased Student Achievement and School Success

Presented by:  Marci Parks


February 5, 12, & 19 2025 | 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Virtual


 6 OPI Renewal Units are available for this free Region 2 CSPD training

 

Would you like to decrease challenging behaviors? Increase academic gains? Effective approaches to teaching emotional literacy show significant increases in student achievement, academic readiness and positive classroom and school climate. Adult competency is key to authentic growth with students in all domains of Social Emotional Learning (SEL). In this training series we will discuss the science of the brain - how it wires for self-regulation, what happens when childhood is disrupted with chronic stress and how we can use it to get our adult brains and the brains of the children we teach in a state for optimal learning. We will also cover effective, evidence-based strategies that can be implemented immediately resulting in students and adults working to their full potential, resulting in decreased negative behavior patterns and increased engagement in learning.


Session 1: Understanding the Basics to Build a Proactive Approach to Behavior Management 2/5

Session 2: Trauma: Understanding the Effects; Are We Creating More? 2/12

Session 3: Evidence-Based Strategies to Decrease Behaviors and Prime the Brain for Learning 2/19


Marci Parks is an instructional consultant with Side-By-Side Educational Consulting with over 25 years of experience in the education field.  She is passionate about sharing the science of literacy and social-emotional learning as well as coaching best practices and evidence-based instructional strategies with teachers and students.   Her professional background includes preschool teacher/EC mentor, elementary teacher, instructional consultant, and Professional LETRS EC Facilitator.  Marci’s past 13 years of consulting and coaching include work training and supporting educators around the country and numerous School Districts in Montana and Idaho with literacy-focused projects.  Marci lives in Clancy, Montana with her husband and four beautiful children.


Powerful Teaching: Implementing the Core Tenets of Explicit Instruction

Presented by:  Tanya Peshovich


February 19, 26, & March 5, 2025 | 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Virtual


 6 OPI Renewal Units are available for this free Region 2 CSPD training

 

Lesson content aligned to standards is important, but how can we deliver that content in a way that ensures deep learning and active engagement for students? This training will focus on the explicit instructional delivery strategies with the highest effect sizes for increasing student achievement, resulting in powerful teaching for teachers AND powerful learning for students. Educators will walk away with tangible, easy-to-implement tools that they can embed into any lesson and content area to increase student engagement and boost student learning of content.


About Tanya:  Tanya Peshovich is passionate about working with educators to successfully implement evidence-based literacy practices and tiered systems of support based on the Science of Reading--all to ensure children receive a high-quality, rigorous education. She holds a Master's degree in curriculum, instruction, and innovation and is known for providing professional development that arms teachers with the what, why, and how of evidence-based literacy practices. As a former classroom teacher and literacy coach, she is able to help teachers bridge the research-to-practice gap, allowing them to successfully apply new practices in their classrooms. She is Orton--Gillingham trained and tutors children diagnosed with dyslexia, while also supporting various school districts in Montana in the work of building systems of support for students at the district, school, and classroom levels to ultimately increase student outcomes. She currently resides in Colorado with her husband and two daughters. 


Science Inquiry: Unlocking the Scientist in EVERY Child!

Presented by:  Stephanie Lester


March 4, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Great Falls Hampton Inn
6 OPI Renewal Units are available for this free Region 2 CSPD training.  


Join us for an immersive, all-day workshop designed specifically for PK-5th grade teachers, where you will explore the power of inquiry-based science education. This hands-on training will highlight how fostering continuous science inquiry in the classroom can unlock every child's potential as a natural scientist.

Children are inherently curious and eager to explore the world around them. By nurturing this curiosity through ongoing science inquiry, we provide young learners with the opportunity to ask questions, explore as they conduct investigations, and explain their discoveries. This approach not only builds their scientific reasoning skills but also lays the foundation for critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Effective science inquiry requires more than just fun and engaging materials; it demands a strategic integration of activities that encourage deep, purposeful learning. Throughout the day, you'll learn how to balance engaging experiments with the intentional development of high-level critical thinking skills. Additionally, you'll discover how science naturally connects with literacy and math, creating a rich, interdisciplinary learning environment that keeps students motivated and cognitively engaged.

 

Objective:  By the end of this all-day workshop, PK-5th grade teachers will have acquired a deep understanding of inquiry-based science education and its role in developing young students' scientific reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

 

Participant Benefits:

-  Practical Tools for the Classroom: Leave the workshop with a toolkit of ready-to-implement activities and strategies that can immediately enrich your science curriculum.

-  Enhanced Teaching Techniques: Develop a deeper understanding of how to foster inquiry and critical thinking in young students through science.

-  Resource Access: Receive electronic access to all workshop materials, ensuring you have the support needed to implement what you've learned.

 

This all-day workshop is an invaluable opportunity for PK-5th grade teachers to deepen their understanding of inquiry-based science and leave with the confidence to inspire the next generation of young scientists. Don't miss out on this chance to transform your classroom into a hub of curiosity, discovery, and learning!


 About our presenter:

Stephanie Lester has over 40 years in education including:  educational consulting, teaching preschool and a Project-Based Learning Multiage K-1st program, professional development speaker, author, College Instructor, Assistant Principal, Early Childhood Education Director, and Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment. Currently Stephanie partners with school communities as an Educational Consultant focusing on providing support to educators on a variety of topics aligned with evidence and research based best practices (including but not limited to:  science of reading, classroom management, guidance, instructional strategies, executive functions, science, math, leadership).

Stephanie believes that children learn best when they are excited, engaged, and experiencing success in the learning environment.  Stephanie has published two books: Year-Round Project-Based Activities for STEM and Science Through the Year. Stephanie is passionate about inspiring, educating, and motivating teachers to implement evidence-based instructional practices with the goal of developing the social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills that children will need to experience SUCCESS in school and life. 

Stephanie primarily supports educational programs in the states of Montana and California. When Stephanie isn’t exploring with her grandchildren, you will find her creating hands-on STEM activities, presenting workshops on a variety of topics, consulting with teachers throughout the country, gardening, birdwatching, and playing with her dog, Grizzly.

Stephanie Lester holds a MA degree in Education: Curriculum and Instruction, an Administrative Credential, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, a CLAD Certification, CLASS certification, and a Program Director Child Development permit.


Mathematical Foundations to Increase Student Learning and Overall Achievement K-6  

Presented by:  Rhonda Birnie


March 19, April 2, & April 23, 2025 | 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Virtual Platform
6 OPI Renewal Units are available for this free Region 2 CSPD training.  


How can we develop and support numeracy in our students as they progress through the grades? In this training series, participants will look closely at the progressions of big ideas, models, and strategies that develop as students become more numerate. Participants will walk away with a better understanding of the progression of models in the K-6 experience as well as tangible strategies they can use in the classroom to ensure student mastery of critical mathematical foundations. 

Session 1: Exploring Best Practices and High Impact Routines in K-6 Math Instruction 

Session 2: Numeracy Basics (Part 1): Understanding Base Ten and Addition and Subtraction Progressions 


Session 3: Numeracy Basics (Part 2): Understanding Multiplication and Division Progressions 


Rhonda Birnie is a math specialist who is passionate about helping people find joy in math. 

She taught grades K-8 for 24 years and was a math specialist with the Idaho Regional Math Centers for nine years. She currently works with the Boise State University Math Education Collective and Side-by-Side Educational Consulting, consulting with school districts to support teachers as they help students explore and understand math. Rhonda has a particular passion for lesson study and has facilitated more than 80 teams over the years.  When Rhonda is not investigating student mathematical thinking, she can be found on her horse, running on the trails, or paddleboarding on a mountain lake. 


Engaging Students Through Intentional Math Instruction

Presented by:  Eliza Thomas

1425 2nd St. NW

March 20, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Havre -Best Western Inn & Suites


6 OPI Renewal Units are available for this free Region 2 CSPD training.  


Join Eliza for a fast-paced day of Math instruction where participants will learn about how to enhance their math instruction through intentional Math routines, procedures, and vocabulary. Participants will actively engage in warm-up activities, games, and problem-solving throughout the day.

Participants will:
-- Experience and plan for data-driven routines,
-- practice and plan for student opportunities for productive struggle,
-- play and plan for games that can support routines and productive struggle,
-- experience a problem-solving strategy that can support productive struggle, student discourse, and the opportunity for students to write about their mathematical thinking.


The Mandt System 

March 28 & 29, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Presented by Clarissa Shaffer
  Great Falls Hampton Inn
  11 OPI Renewal Units are available for this free Region 2 CSPD training

 

The Mandt System builds on skill development through a system of gradual and graded alternatives for de-escalating and assisting people using a combination of interpersonal communication skills, conflict resolution strategies, and physical interaction techniques. The goal is to assist others in managing themselves and the safety of all involved through skillful and nonphysical means. Physical strategies are also taught to provide additional “least restrictive” options in the event the person poses a clear threat of substantial harm to self or others if physically unassisted. The Mandt System focuses on prevention.

Schedule:
  7:45-8:00-Sign in (Both days)
  8:00-4:00-Mandt Training (Day One)
  8:00-12:00(Day Two)
  2:00-4:00 (Day Two as needed)

This is a two-day training, and attendance is required on both days. Those recertifying also need to attend both days. Saturday involves learning the physical part of the training. Groups are limited to 10 people by the MANDT Company. If we reach our maximum of 20, our presenter will break participants into two groups on Saturday of the training (a.m. and p.m.)

Our Presenter:

Clarissa Shaffer is in her fifteenth-year teaching at Centerville School. She has worked with special needs students through an after-school program and Youth Dynamics for several years where she developed her passion for the MANDT system. Her hobbies include going to the cabin, spending time with family, snowmobiling, and reading.

The Data-Driven School: Collaborating to Improve Student Outcomes

Presented by Daniel Hyson

April 25, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  Great Falls Hampton Inn
6OPI Renewal Units are available for this free Region 2 CSPD training

 

This session will review and discuss the 5 key tenets of a data-driven school and provide additional tools for and practice in engaging in systems-level data-driven problem solving, including especially with respect to problem analysis.  Participants will also be introduced to a model for culturally responsive problem solving and prompted to reflect on their own data-driven practice using the model.  Finally, data on the potential impact of systems-level data-driven problem solving on student outcomes will be shared and participants will be provided an opportunity to consider how they can plan for assessing the impact of their work.

Our Presenter:

For the past 11 years, Dan has served as a faculty member within the school psychology graduate program at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Previously, Dan spent 7 years as Data Management Coordinator for a cooperative of school districts in Minnesota and 6 years as a school psychologist in a large school district in suburban Minneapolis. He is the lead author of a Guilford Press book entitled The Data-Driven School: Collaborating to Improve Student Outcomes.  In his spare time, he is an avid sports fan and an animal lover.

Making It All Add Up 

RESCHEDULED

Presented by:  Stephanie Lester


August 6, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Havre Best Western Inn & Suites
6 OPI Renewal Units are available for this free Region 2 CSPD training.  


Join us for a comprehensive 6-hour training designed specifically for PK-2nd grade teachers, focusing on building and reinforcing foundational math skills in young learners. This two-part session, "Making It All Add Up!," will equip educators with the knowledge, strategies, and hands-on resources needed to ensure every child develops a strong mathematical foundation.

 

Part 1: Developing Children’s Number Sense
The first part of the training will dive into the developmental progression of number sense in young children. Participants will explore key predictive indicators for school readiness in mathematics and numeracy, such as subitizing, counting, one-to-one correspondence, cardinality, and hierarchical inclusion. This session will provide targeted instructional strategies to help teachers effectively introduce, reinforce, and build these critical concepts, setting the stage for academic success in mathematics.

 

Part 2: Math EVERY Day for EVERY Child!
The second part of the training will focus on integrating math into everyday classroom activities and routines. Teachers will be introduced to a variety of instructional strategies that give students continuous opportunities to practice and reinforce essential math skills throughout their day.

 

Participants will learn about inclusionary practices that ensure all students, regardless of their learning needs, have access to meaningful math experiences. The session will also cover developmentally appropriate strategies for knowledge and skill acquisition, making math accessible and engaging for every child.

 

In addition to classroom strategies, this session will present ideas for strengthening home-to-school connections, offering practical games and activities that can be easily shared with families to reinforce math skills at home. Teachers will also explore intervention strategies to support students who may need extra help mastering key concepts.

 

As a hands-on component, participants will have the opportunity to create make it/take it math activities. These ready-to-use resources will focus on the foundational skills discussed during the training, providing teachers with practical materials they can implement immediately in their classrooms.

 

Overall Objective:

The "Making It All Add Up!" training aims to equip PK-2nd grade teachers with a comprehensive understanding of the developmental progression of number sense in young children. By focusing on key indicators for school readiness in mathematics, this training provides teachers with effective instructional strategies to introduce, reinforce, and build foundational math skills necessary for every child's academic success.

 

Participant Benefits:

This training is a valuable opportunity for PK-2nd grade teachers committed to enhancing their students' mathematical journeys. By attending "Making It All Add Up!," you'll not only gain essential knowledge and tools to improve your math instruction but also leave with hands-on resources and strategies that can be implemented immediately in your classroom. Don’t miss this chance to make a lasting impact on your student's math success—join us and take the first step towards making math an engaging and integral part of every child’s daily routine! 


Stephanie Lester has over 40 years in education including:  educational consulting, teaching preschool and a Project-Based Learning Multiage K-1st program, professional development speaker, author, College Instructor, Assistant Principal, Early Childhood Education Director, and Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment. Currently Stephanie partners with school communities as an Educational Consultant focusing on providing support to educators on a variety of topics aligned with evidence and research based best practices (including but not limited to:  science of reading, classroom management, guidance, instructional strategies, executive functions, science, math, leadership).

Stephanie believes that children learn best when they are excited, engaged, and experiencing success in the learning environment.  Stephanie has published two books: Year-Round Project-Based Activities for STEM and Science Through the Year. Stephanie is passionate about inspiring, educating, and motivating teachers to implement evidence-based instructional practices with the goal of developing the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills that children will need to experience SUCCESS in school and life. 

Stephanie primarily supports educational programs in the states of Montana and California. When Stephanie isn’t exploring with her grandchildren, you will find her creating hands-on STEM activities, presenting workshops on a variety of topics, consulting with teachers throughout the country, gardening, birdwatching, and playing with her dog, Grizzly.

Stephanie Lester holds a MA degree in Education: Curriculum and Instruction, an Administrative Credential, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, a CLAD Certification, CLASS certification, and a Program Director Child Development permit.