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On behalf of Region III CSPD I would like to welcome you back to another school year! I would also like to let you know what we have planned (so far) for the upcoming year. I hope to have all of the events listed on the CSPD website, www.msubillings.edu/cspd , soon and will add the brochures for the events as I get information from the presenters. If you have questions, would like to join the Region III CSPD Council, or would like to suggest professional development topics for 2010/2011 please feel free to contact me at 657-2072 or e-mail me at dmiller@msubillings.edu. Thanks, and have a wonderful school year! - Debra Miller, Region III CSPD Coordinator

This three-hour training is intended to identify, explore and develop awareness and a basic understanding of the Best Practice in Gifted Education.  This general introduction and overview will also highlight how Gifted and Talented education is an integral part of a comprehensive Response to Intervention (RTI). Materials are provided and the following topics will be addressed: Identification Curriculum and Instruction for high-ability/high potential students Management Social/Emotional Professional Development Support Services Program Development There are no fees for this training but registration is required. Mileage reimbursement will be paid for those outside of the Billings area. SCHEDULED TRAININGS: At MSUB, College of Education Building, Room 122: February 22, 2011 (9:00AM to noon) March 15, 2011 (9:00AM to noon) At Lincoln Center (415 N. 30th Street), Room 213, Billings: (If not an employee of the Billings School District please check with Gail Surwill at surwillg@billings.k12.mt.us for space availability before registering.) March 8, 2011 (4:00 to 7:00PM) March 21, 2011 (4:00 to 7:00PM) April 5, 2011 (4:00 to 7:00PM) MORE INFORMATION: http://www.msubillings.edu/smart/training/giftedtalented.htm REGISTER ONLINE: http://www.msubillings.edu/mcdregister/GTregistration.htm If you would be interested in scheduling or attending a training session on Gifted and Talented contact John Keener, MRESA3 Coordinator, at john.keener@msubillings.edu or call 657-1743 for more information or to schedule a training.  There is no fee for this service.

What: Montana Digital Academy is pleased to announce its first educational technology workshops for teachers. Join MTDA staff as we train on iOS devices in Bozeman or Missoula in June OR join the workshop remotely from any location with a discounted virtual seat! Bozeman: June 21, 2011 10:00am - 5:00pm Mountain Bozeman High School Library OR anywhere virtually To register, click here Missoula: June 30, 2011 10:00am - 5:00pm Mountain University of Montana OR anywhere virtually To register, click here

What:As families grow and age they reach many crossroads. Each crossroad generates more questions. Family Life Expo was designed to provide Billings families with answers to their many questions and direct families to local professionals and providers who can help.When you register to exhibit at the 2012 Family Life Expo, you will also be included in the network of professionals and providers on FamilyLifeExpo.com, fully launching to the public dare of the expo, February 4, 2012. At FamilyLifeExpo.com families can get the latest news and updates on just about any issue such as healthcare, financial planning, education, real estate, jobs, vacations, insurance, retirement, and more! Most importantly, families can link directly to one of our network professionals or providers that can help. When:February 4, 2012 Where:MetraPark PavilionBillings, MTContact:Phone: 406-294-9116Email: familylifeexpo.comProceeds to benefit the Special K Ranch.

Download the Save the Date here!What:About MASPA key aspect of the mission of the Montana Association of School Psychologists (MASP) is to promote the educational and mental health needs of all children and youth. The MASP Summer Institute serves educators and other professionals who work with children and youth by offering professional development opportunities that bridge the latest research findings with real-world practice. Early Bird and student discounts will be offered! (Details will appear on the website in late March or early April.) The registration fee includes all conference materials and handouts, delicious lunches on Monday and Tuesday, and delightful snacks each day. To qualify for the student discount, you must be a student actively enrolled in an accredited degree program. Electronic registration coming in late March or early April. Intended Audiences:School Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, Teachers (Regular and Special Education), and Administrators Credit available:OPI Renewal credits (12); Continuing Professional Development credits (12); Billings Public School Step-Up credit (1) When:June 4-5, 2012Where:Mansfield Health Education CenterBillings, MontanaContact:Rick BartschPhone: (406) 855-4277Website: http://www.masponline.us/summer-conference

Webinars from the Clerc Center Our webinars are a convenient way to meet professional development requirements as well as supply families with needed resources. Without incurring traveling expenses or workshop fees, individual educators, professionals, and parents can interact with professionals in the field of deaf education from the comfort and convenience of their own office, school location, or home computer. It's also possible for groups of colleagues, teachers, and/or families to view the webinars from one central location. The webinars are presented in American Sign Language (ASL) with a spoken English voiceover and captions.

Sharing Autism Research on Deaf or Hard of Hearing Students

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About ASL/English Bimodal Bilingual Education

On any given day, the feeds of my social media accounts are brimming with resources, stories, and motivation about disabled people: parenting tips, educational advice, how to work with someone who has a disability, etc. About us, but too often not including us. There are countless communities geared towards supporting parents, family members, and professionals, sharing words of encouragement on how to be the best advocates for the disability community. And while I understand such support networks are usually well intentioned, in many cases, they take the power out of the hands of the people who know themselves and their needs best: people who are actually disabled. Don’t get me wrong – allies, or what I refer to as advocate-allies, are incredibly important to advocacy efforts. “Ally” implies being supportive, while “advocate-ally” paints a more accurate picture of people who join in along with self-advocates. And true advocate-allies deserve the utmost respect. But a real advocate-ally is someone who doesn’t overshadow the voices and efforts of the people who experience being disabled every single day. Of course, as a disabled child is just beginning life, parents and professionals have a responsibility to play a key role as advocates. Obviously, a four-year-old wouldn’t be able to discuss medical procedures or know what kind of environmental access modifications are needed, so we can hope that parents will make sound and informed decisions on their child’s behalf. But as disabled children grow older, if they can communicate effectively in any way, then the primary goal should be to embrace the child’s form of communication, working with them to develop their own voice for advocacy. It can become problematic if parents or professionals are reluctant to relinquish their positions of authority and move to the role of advocate-allies, advocating alongside, instead of on behalf of, disabled people. Therefore, as important as it is to step up as advocates, it’s more important to know when to step down.

KidActivities.net is dedicated to school-age care professionals--additionally it is a resource for pre-school thru high school educators, parents, and program directors--in short anyone who loves engaging children.