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This academy gives the paraeducator knowledge and skills specific to the use of instructional strategies and methods. The academy bases teaching upon the belief that paraeducators must be constantly involved in the dynamic process of analyzing the teaching environment and individual student needs for the particular level of support, degree of adaptation/accommodation or modification, and instructional method that would best facilitate learning. The academy is designed to provide these skills for use by paraeducators supporting students in inclusive classrooms, resource rooms, or in self-contained settings. Paraeducators that attend this training will learn strategies to use with reading, math, and writing instruction. These strategies can be used in whole group, small group or individual instruction.

What:This academy provides the paraeducator with the knowledge and skills needed for working with children who have significant behavior needs. The academy focuses on working with students who have challenging behaviors. Its aim is to provide paraeducators with a basic understanding of behavior support and to provide them with the necessary skills to implement written behavior support plans. Click here to download he flier for complete information!When:March 5, 20128:00 am - 4:00 pmWhere:Columbus High SchoolContact:Monica PughStillwater Sweet Grass Coop.Phone: (406) 322-5298Email: ssgpugh11@yahoo.com

Click here to download the brochure with registration information (PDF) What: This one-day workshop will provide paraprofessionals with training and information that will focus on how paraprofessionals can assist teachers in bringing instruction within the reach of all learners.  Participants will experience a differentiated classroom and learn strategies for identifying student learner characteristics. They will apply this information to a lesson design framework that addresses rich strategies, flexible grouping, differentiated assessment and additional decisions for some learners.  Paraprofessionals will also learn how to assist teachers to create the classroom environment that will support the differentiation process. When: February 21, 2011 9:00am - 3:30pm Mountain Where: First Presbyterian Church 535 North Ewing Street Helena, MT  59601 Additional Notes: The Paraeducator Mid-Winter Conference is provided in the region at no cost to the participants. The conference is intended to increase the skill level of adults supporting children in a variety of educational settings. Certificates will be given to participants to add to their portfolios. Five (5) OPI Renewal Units are available. As in past years, the school district will be reimbursed $25.00 per paraeducator attending the conference. This stipend is an attempt to offset some of the costs incurred by the district.

What: Come to the first annual Paraeducator Mentor Institute on August 11, 2011 in Bozeman. This one-day institute will provide an introduction to effective mentoring skills, and how to develop a paraeducator mentor program at your school or district. Registration information for the institute can be found at: http://www.opi.mt.gov/pdf/speced/Link/11AugParaMentorInsti.pdf For more information, contact Nikki Sandve, nsandve@mt.gov; (406) 444-0299. When: August 11, 2011 Where: Best Western GranTree Inn Bozeman, MT

Click here for full information! (PDF)What:This Trainer of Paraeducator Academies (TOPA) train the trainer session is designed for experienced educators that have worked with paraprofessionals. The session will provide an overview of the essential skills needed to be an effective presenter, how to use Powerpoint presentations, and will give each participant access to online information to teach the twenty two academies. These academies provide a solid working foundation for teachers and paraprofessionals that create a common understanding of special education goals, objectives, and language. These trainings are a great way to create a team approach to meet the needs of students.When:February 1, 20122:00 pm - 4:00 pmWhere:Columbus Middle SchoolMini Computer LabContact:Monica PughPhone: (406) 322-5298Email: ssgpugh11@yahoo.com

What:The Trainer of Paraeducator Academies (TOPA) train the trainer session is designed for experienced educators that have worked with paraprofessionals. The session will provide an overview of the essential skills needed to be an effective presenter, how to use Powerpoint presentations, and will give each participant access to online information to teach the twenty two academies. These academies provide a solid working foundation for teachers and paraprofessionals that create a common understanding of special education goals, objectives, and language. These trainings are a great way to create a team approach to meet the needs of students. When:March 7, 20124:00 pm - 8:00 pmWhere:Laurel Administration Building, Board Room410 Colorado Avenue, Laurel Contact:Stephanie ZickefooseDirector YWCCSSCPhone: (406)628-7903Email: stephanie@ywccssc.k12.mt.us

Click here to download the full flyer with registration information (PDF) What: This academy is intended to give the paraeducator knowledge and skills specific to the use of instructional strategies and methods. The academy bases teaching upon the belief that paraeducators must be constantly involved in the dynamic process of analyzing the teaching environment and individual student needs for the partic-ular level of support; degree of adaptation/accommodation or modification, and instructional method that would best facilitate learning. The academy is designed to provide these skills for use by paraeducators supporting students in inclusive classrooms, resource rooms, or in self-contained settings. When: October 20, 2011 8:00am - 5:30pm Where: Marias River Electric Coop Shelby, MT

Click here for complete information and registration!What:Instruction in any classroom is a responsibility shared by all teachers and paraprofessionals regardless of level or content. Educators who accept this idea are already a step ahead - but for teachers and paraprofessionals who may have never had the opportunity to learn how to teach basic instructional support and engagement strategies, the task is daunting. This hands-on session will examine Before, During, and After reading strategies that can be applied in all classrooms and support increased comprehension of any content area text. Paraprofessionals will practice the strategies and receive tools to begin immediately applying the new learning when they return to their classrooms. When all teachers and paraprofessionals have students use common strategies, it leads to greater independence, more responsibility in the learning, and increased student outcomes for all students. When:February 20, 20129:00 am - 3:30 pmWhere:1325 N. 7th AvenueGranTree InnBozeman, MT  59715Contact:Denielle M. Miller, CoordinatorPhone: (406) 587-4970Email: dmiller@bridgeband.com

Click here to download the full brochure with registration information (PDF) What: Behavior Management This academy is intended to give the paraeducator knowledge and skill in instructional methods that support students who have challenging behaviors in inclusive classrooms, resource rooms, elf-contained classrooms, domestic settings and the community. The module focuses on interactions that paraeducators have with students whose behaviors are challenging and on the role they lay in assisting the professional members of their teams with behavior challenges. Effective behavior management is a complex system of proactive strategies, positive reinforcements and natural or logical consequences. The most important concept to understand is that good behavioral management begins with the educator; that ultimately the only person anyone can truly control is him or herself. Our focus, therefore, must be on changing what we, as educators do, as opposed to attempting to make or force our students to change. This academy will address this issue and provide participants with a “tool box” of ideas and strategies that have been proven to encourage positive behavior in students. If your school is an MBI school, these strategies are consistent with the MBI philosophy. Number Theory and Rational Numbers This academy was designed to provide paraeducators with the skills and knowledge needed to assist students, grades 5-8, with mathematics skills taught in the classroom. The course content is designed and adapted from standards recommended by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. It includes the specific skill-building areas of number sense, computational techniques for fractions, decimals and percentages; and their related applications for intermediate and middle-school learners. Participants are encouraged and welcome to attend both days of training. When: June 8-9, 2011 Where:Robins Administration Building Upstairs Conference Room 425 6th Street Havre, MT Register: Register online at www.havre.k12.mt.us Click on the CSPD icon (upper right hand corner) Click on CSPD Calendar

You can register online here or download the flyer for more information!What:This session will begin with a description of Positive Behavior Supports focusing on the theory/background of this management strategy. The discussion will then move into a description of the processes suggested for successful implementation. The presenter will also discuss the steps for creating a proactive crisis intervention plan specific to individuals who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. This will be followed with a brief look at the National Autism Center’s list of research-based interventions and identifying those that may be considered as part of a Positive Behavior Support Plan for people with ASD.Who Should Attend?This session is appropriate for job coaches, job developers, VR counselors, transition age special educators and paraeducators, employment specialists, advocates, families, non-profit leadership staff, and employers.CEUs:.15 CEUs are pending approval through Minot State University. The recording fee for MSU CEUs is $20.00. Three contact hours for ND Social Workers and nurses are also available.Technical Requirements: Participating sites need a computer with Windows ‘98 (or newer) operating system, CD-ROM drive, and PowerPoint software OR a computer with a high speed internet connection and an LCD projector if the number of participants warrants it. The call-in number is a toll free number. There will be no long distance charges for sites.When:February 16, 20128:00 am - 9:30 am Mountain TimeContact:Stacey Johnston at courtney.rockvoy@minotstateu.eduor Courtney Rockvoy at stacey.johnston@minotstateu.edu Phone: (800) 233-1737

What: During this presentation listeners will learn how to get the most use from the documents in the toolkit, created to provide guidance to successfully work with a Paraprofessional in a school setting.  A paraprofessional is an aide that works one on one with a student in classes and throughout the day. Students will share their own experiences of what has worked, and challenges they faced working with paraprofessionals.  There will also be information about the process of creating these documents, what goes into running a Youth Led organization like KASA and the importance of youth involvement!  When: 4:30 PM MT

Mark your calendars to attend the Montana Conference for Exceptional Children Conference on April 13-15th in Billings, Montana. Scholarships are available for this event (see below). The Theme this year is: Special Education in the 21st Century: Tools for the Future If you are interested in presenting at this conference, visit http://www.mtcec.org/conference Click here to download the Scholarship Application (PDF) A limited number of scholarships are available on a first come, first serve basis for residents of Region IV consisting of the following counties:  Park, Gallatin, Meagher, Broadwater, Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, Madison, Powell, Granite, Silverbow and Beaverhead Scholarships are available to use for registration costs up to $400.00 per school/organization. Scholarships will be awarded to teams attending one of the listed conferences. Teams should include a combination of personnel such as General Educators, Special Educators, Paraeducators, Administrators, Related Service Personnel, Parent, and/or Agency Personnel.  Each team must attach a narrative identifying the school/organization goals and a description of how attending the specified conference will help the team make systemic changes to the school/organization. CEC (Council for Exceptional Students) Conference in Billings, April 13-15, 2011 MBI (Montana Behavior Initiative) Summer Institute in Bozeman, June 20-24, 2011 MEI (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) Conference in Helena, June 14-16, 2011 MASP (Montana Association of School Psychologists) Summer Institute in Billings, June 12-14, 2011 Scholarships will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis.  If interested send this form with required narrative to: Denielle M. Miller, Coordinator Region IV CSPD 3929 Baxter Lane Bozeman, MT  59718.  Or email as an attachment to dmiller@bridgeband.com

WM- CSPD is offering Scholarships for the following in-service opportunities to residents of Region 5  Counties (Lincoln, Lake, Flathead, Sanders, Missoula, Ravalli and Mineral) TEAM SCHOLARSHIPS: 2 team scholarships per county to attend any of these conferences: Teams must include a combination of General Educator, Special Educator, Paraeducator, Administrator, Parent and/or Agency Personnel.

The Division of Special Education and the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) are offering a new para-educator academy on Secondary Transition. Two in-person workshops will occur this year.  In addition, there will be a follow-up webinar.  Secondary transition education settings require that the para-educators assist the certified teacher with a number of instructional and employment-related activities such as: implementing school and community-based instruction; implementing employment sampling and job trainings programs; and monitoring and collecting instructional data. This transition academy is designed to provide participants with the tools to effectively work as a member of a team in a transition setting. These workshops will occur in Billings on January 11-12, 2011, and in Missoula on February 10-11, 2011.  The workshops are designed for para-educators, high school special education teachers, and directors of special education.  More information, including workshop objectives, can be found at: http://www.opi.mt.gov/pdf/SpecED/Link/11JanParaAcademyST.pdf Questions?  Contact Nikki Sandve at nsandve@mt.gov or (406) 444-0299.