2025 Summer Institute Registration Opens April 1st!
Preview this year’s course offerings and reach out with questions: brianna@gtccmt.org.
April 1st Registration: https://www.gtccmt.org/
Course Descriptions & Details
2501: PAX Good Behavior Game & PAX Heroes
PLEASE READ course description carefully. There are multiple choices for registration:
CHOICE #1: Day 1 (PAX Good Behavior Game) -AND- Day 2 (PAX Heroes): 15 OPI renewals or college credit option
CHOICE #2: Day 1 (PAX Good Behavior Game) -OR- Day 2 (PAX Heroes) ONLY: 7 OPI renewals/no college credit option
Prerequisite: participants wishing to take day #2 (PAX Heroes) must have taken the PAX Good Behavior Game prior to June 10, 2025
Instructor: Clark Begger
Dates: June 9-10, 2025
Location: Great Falls College MSU - 2100 16th Ave South, Great Falls, MT (room G45/G46)
Target Audience: PreK-6
The PAX Good Behavior Game & PAX Heroes is a classroom-based universal preventive intervention used to teach students self-regulation and to build behavioral skills and stamina for focused attention and on-task behavior.
Day 1: PAX Good Behavior Game initial training provides teachers and educators with the trauma-informed evidence-based program for use with students in schools and classrooms. The PAX Good Behavior Game helps to build children’s self-regulation, resulting in improved focus and attention, improved test scores and other academic outcomes, reduced alcohol and other drug use, reduced psychiatric disorders, and reduced suicide. PAX is unique in arranging for peer reinforcement for exhibiting prosocial behavior and peer reinforcement for inhibiting problematic behavior. PAX truly benefits everyone by making the children the heroes of change.
Day 2: PAX Heroes Training provides experienced PAX Teachers with strategies for students in PAX classrooms who continue to demonstrate behavioral needs. This training delivers explicit instruction in using the PAX Heroes Manual to identify areas of student difficulty and refine PAX Good Behavior Game® (PAX GBG) implementation to support those needs. PAX Heroes Training also provides instruction in analyzing activities and areas of difficulty for
students and selecting targeted Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports to improve their behavioral and academic performance. Prerequisite: all participants must be trained in the PAX Good Behavior Game prior to attending PAX Heroes.
2502: Phun with Phonics Phundamentals: Cracking the Literacy Code
Instructors: Courtney Prosenick & Cassi Smith
Dates: June 11-12, 2025
Location: Great Falls College MSU - 2100 16th Ave South, Great Falls, MT (TBD)
Target Audience: PreK-3
If you are ready to give your students the tools they need to soar as readers, while aligning to your GTCC curriculum and standards, this is the place to be. We will explore the shift from a whole language approach to a phonetically-rich, scientifically-based, systematic approach to reading instruction that really works! The education world is filled with buzzwords like “science of reading”, “heart words” and “orthographic mapping”, which can seem overwhelming. But, we have done the research, put it into practice and are ready to share with you what we have come to rely on and love. This is your chance to level up your reading instruction. Rest assured this will be a stress reliever, not just one more thing you need to do.
2503: Maximize Learning With Explicit Instruction
Instructor: Nichole Pieper
Dates: June 12-13, 2025
Location: Great Falls College MSU - 2100 16th Ave South, Great Falls, MT (room G45/G46)
Target Audience: PreK-12
Discover how to use explicit instruction to create a classroom where every student shines. We'll break down strategies, vocabulary, and concepts into bite-sized pieces, making learning fun and effective. Get ready to design lessons that inspire participation and build independent learners. These strategies work for special needs learners as well. This two-day course is your chance to connect with fellow educators, practice new skills, and leave with a toolkit of ready-to-use ideas!
2504: Playing with Early Numeracy
Instructor: Dr. Eliza Thomas
Dates: June 16-17, 2025
Location: Great Falls College MSU - 2100 16th Ave South, Great Falls, MT (room G45/G46)
Target Audience: PreK-3
In this course, participants will be reminded about the importance of play and early numeracy in our youngest learners. Participants will also learn the combined integral role of both play and early numeracy in our young learners’ future mathematical (and academic) success. Numeracy development can (and should) take place in a developmentally appropriate and playful way. Come spill the beans, roll the dice, deal the cards, and get playfully engaged in mathematical tasks that will help your students see themselves as the mathematicians they are. Throughout this course, participants will also learn how these strategies will support young learners to meet developmental milestones and academic standards.
2505: Science Inquiry: Unlocking the Scientist in EVERY Child!
Instructor: Stephanie Lester
Dates: June 18-19, 2025
Location: Great Falls College MSU - 2100 16th Ave South, Great Falls, MT (room G45/G46)
Target Audience: PreK-5
Discover how to ignite curiosity and scientific thinking in every student! This highly interactive, hands-on, two-day course immerses PreK-5th grade teachers in inquiry-based learning using the 5E Lesson Model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, Evaluate). Aligned with NGSS & GTCC Standards, this training integrates STEM and literacy, helping educators design engaging, real-world investigations that build critical thinking, problem-solving, and interdisciplinary connections. Conduct experiments, collaborate, and leave with ready-to-use lesson plans and strategies that will transform your classroom into a hub of exploration and discovery. This 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. Join us and inspire the next generation of young scientists, engineers, and innovators!
2506: “Warming Up” to Learning Through Play!
Instructors: Wendy Reynolds & Kris Paro
Dates: June 23-24, 2025
Location: Great Falls College MSU - 2100 16th Ave South, Great Falls, MT (room G45/G46)
Target Audience: Prek-3
Are you ready to banish the winter blues and spark a love of learning in your students? This immersive course delivers a powerhouse of engaging activities—from thrilling escape rooms to captivating games and book-based centers—all tailored for December through February themes. Our dynamic instructors will guide you through creating a collection of make-and-take resources, ensuring your students experience the joy of learning all winter long. Don't miss this chance to create a classroom where winter is synonymous with excitement!
2507: Art for All: Bringing Literacy to Life
Instructor: Dawn Sievers
Dates: June 23-24, 2025
Location: Power School - 420 Central, Power, MT (room 4)
Target Audience: 3-12
Let's unlock the joy of learning through art! If you've ever thought, 'I wish I could incorporate more art into my teaching,' this course is for you. Your instructor will guide you through a series of accessible and engaging art projects that are perfect for enriching reading and writing comprehension. Discover how simple art techniques can make a big difference in reaching your students. You'll not only learn new ideas but also create your own beautiful examples, experiencing the projects just like your students. No need to be ‘artistic’ to take this course - we will learn together! Join us for a friendly and inspiring session where we'll explore the wonderful connection between art and literacy.
2508: Decode the Writing Code! K-8 Writing Success
Instructor: Amanda Tramill
Dates: June 25-26, 2025
Location: Great Falls College MSU - 2100 16th Ave South, Great Falls, MT (room G45/G46)
Target Audience: K-8
Writing connects to every subject and teaching domain. Learn the clear progression of writing skills and discover realistic expectations for your students. Understanding writing expectations at your grade level, as well as above and below, is vital in supporting students to become strong writers. This hands-on workshop provides you with practical strategies to boost writing confidence and competence across all grade levels.
2509: Cricut Classroom Creations: Crafting Learning with Technology
Instructor: Kalli Rummel & Trinity Young
Dates: July 1-2, 2025
Location: Malta High School - 1 South 9th Street West, Malta, MT (library)
Target Audience: K-12
This hands-on course introduces teachers to the Cricut machine and Design Space software, enabling them to create engaging classroom materials, labels, and displays. This workshop will focus on starting on the basics and moving on to more advanced features and techniques as time/abilities allow. Participants will walk away with projects, a deeper understanding of the machine and software, and ideas for the next school year. Participants must have a Cricut or share with 1 other person.
2510: 6+1 Engagement Strategies: A Tangible Breakdown for Classroom and Student Success
Instructors: Casey Schurtz & Brian Miller
Dates: July 7-8, 2025
Location: North Middle School - 2601 8th Street NE, Great Falls, MT (room # TBD)
Target Audience: 3-12
Public education is committed to student achievement, providing healthy, safe, and secure schools, while teaching students stewardship and accountability. The 6+1 Types of Engagement ensures all three. Through its strategic breakdown of engagement types, the 6+1 Types of Engagement allows students easier access to content and intellectual growth, by providing clear and easy pathways. Be it through personal, cultural, emotional, physical, or social engagement, teachers will have a better understanding how each type connects kids with content; allowing for a more rigorous, diverse, and purposeful classroom. If you are eager to connect with your students, connect your students to the content, and refresh your teaching and assessment practices, come join us for a fun-filled, energetic, and purposeful summer course! We promise, you will not be disappointed!
2511: Art on the Rocky Mountain Front
Instructor: Megan Genthner
Dates: July 9-10, 2025
Location: Augusta, Montana (Sun River Game Range and Sun Canyon)
Target Audience: 4-12
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Rocky Mountain front with this hands-on course, utilizing the French style of ‘Plein Air Watercolor Painting’! Individuals will learn to capture the essence of landscapes and nature, while painting on location near beautiful Augusta, MT. Course participants will use a limited palette and a wide range of expressional strokes and painting techniques to develop a watercolor painting. Participants will also learn and utilize basic drawing techniques through the process of creative art-making. Relax and develop your observational skills in the relaxing environment of mother nature, while exploring art concepts of composition, color theory, and design, while building confidence in working with watercolor in the ever-changing natural light. This course is suitable for all levels of artists from beginning to advanced and will include art history, art vocabulary, and a unique IEFA experience with a visit to a historical Native American pictograph site on the Sun River.
2512: Beyond Dates: Enhancing Literacy with Historical Research Projects
Instructor: Hali Richmond, Jessica Van Kerkhove, Vicky Nytes
Dates: July 14-15, 2025
Location: Shelby Public Schools Admin Building - 1010 Oilfield Avenue, Shelby, MT
Target Audience: 4-12
This multi-grade level, two-day professional development course is designed to equip educators with the skills and strategies necessary to enhance literacy through engaging historical research projects. Moving beyond the traditional memorization of dates and events, this course emphasizes the development of critical thinking, research skills, and literacy competencies, while encouraging increased engagement. Participants will learn and take away effective teaching strategies that can be directly utilized in the classroom.
2513: Teaching Montana History in Any Classroom
Instructor: Ron Buck
Dates: July 16-17, 2025
Location: Great Falls College MSU - 2100 16th Ave South, Great Falls, MT (room G45/G46)
Target Audience: K-12
Struggling to weave lessons together and connect standards? This course is your solution. Learn to seamlessly integrate Montana history into ANY subject and master Indian Education for All (IEFA) lesson creation. Throughout this course, you will build your personal "lesson arsenal" of engaging, ready-to-use plans! Learn all that you can from an energetic Montana History Teacher Leader and start your new school year off with a bang!
2514: Empowering Learner Agency in Literacy Classrooms: Strategies for K-12 Educators
Instructor: Brynn Cadigan
Dates: July 21-22, 2025
Location: MSU Northern Cowan Hall - 300 11th Street West, Havre, MT (room 300)
Target Audience: K-12
In this two-day course, K-12 teachers will explore the concept of Learner Agency and how to apply it effectively in literacy instruction. This course will provide teachers with practical strategies to promote student autonomy, student choice, and how to take responsibility for their learning. Through a focus on authentic assessments, multiple means of displaying mastery, self-reflection, and inclusive practices–participants will learn how to create environments where students actively engage in and take ownership of their literacy development. Don’t miss out on this course, you and your students will benefit!
2515: American Writers and Painters That Have Shaped Our Culture
Instructor: Melanie Home Gun
Dates: July 23-24, 2025
Location: Vaughn School - 480 Central Avenue, Vaughn, MT (cafeteria)
Target Audience: K-12
America has a unique collection of artists and writers that have worked hard to be the voice of America, creating distinct American styles that represent our culture. Your instructor is excited to teach a class that gives examples of these great literary and visual works of art through art integration, as defined by the Kennedy Art Center. The instructor will also use the educational philosophies of Maxine Greene, John Dewey and Viktor Lowenfield to teach this course and present material through the lens of art integration. Art integration, according to the Kennedy Center “requires that students do more than repeat (a song), copy (an art project), or follow directions. They must create something that is original and of value. The creative process in the arts is a process not a single event. It includes many interacting phases and each phase is related to every other”. Throughout this course, we will do just that. Students will work in cooperative learning groups and create works of art along with writing projects that support one another to learn overarching themes from the writers and artists of American history.
2516: Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Key Strategies for Your First Few Years and Beyond!
Instructors: Amanda Tramill & Chrissie Tharp
Dates: July 28-29, 2025
Location: Great Falls College MSU - 2100 16th Ave South, Great Falls, MT (room G45/G46)
Target Audience: Early Career K-8
1,500 Decisions a Day? Conquer Your Classroom! According to research, teachers make an average of 1,500 decisions daily. Don't just survive the school year, THRIVE! This hands-on course will equip participants with the tools to master the first weeks (and beyond!). From routines to rowdy parents, we've got you covered. Build your personalized resource portfolio and start strong, while engaging and collaborating with teachers from across Montana!
2517: Tech-Savvy Teaching: Empowering Educators With the Latest EdTech Tools
Instructor: Traci Piltz
Dates: July 30-31, 2025
Location: Virtual
Target Audience: K-12
Special Instructions: REQUIRED - Participation must be on a computer or laptop with reliable internet. Participants must have "basic computer skills" and the ability to join and navigate a Zoom meeting and the ability to perform basic technology tasks independently. Full & active participation, with cameras on, is required. A Zoom link will be sent to your registration email before the course starts.
This course is designed to help K-12 educators explore and master the latest educational technologies that can enhance their teaching and engage students in meaningful ways. Participants will gain hands-on experience with a variety of tech tools and platforms, learning how to seamlessly integrate them into their classroom practices. We will focus on a variety of tools for interactive learning including collaboration & student creation, as well as AI tools for teachers and kids. Time will also be spent discussing digital citizenship, online safety and student digital literacy to help YOU become a tech-savvy teacher and enhance your tech-y skills!