The Montana Professional Learning Collaborative (MTPLC) is an ESA and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing educational outcomes for students by providing comprehensive professional development and support services to educators and schools. MTPLC serves schools of all sizes, including those in extremely rural and tribal communities. MTPLC offers affordable self-paced online courses for continuing education credit through the University of Montana focusing on English Language Arts, Gifted Education, and Indian Education for All (IEFA), a Montana constitutional mandate that all students learn about the history, diversity, cultures, and sovereignty of Montana’s tribes. Other program areas include in-person and virtual workshops on such topics as Artificial Intelligence in Schools, Dyslexia, Behavioral and Mental Health and hosts the yearly August Institute, a three day hybrid conference currently in its 28th year.
MTPLC also delivers specialized consulting and administrative support in the areas of special education, teacher mentorship, Title I program development and monitoring. Finally, MTPLC administers a Stop School Violence Grant, which includes programs like Montana Cares, Mandt training, and Character Strong, providing mental health support and social emotional skill development for rural and tribal students.
MTPLC also delivers specialized consulting and administrative support in the areas of special education, teacher mentorship, Title I program development and monitoring. Finally, MTPLC administers a Stop School Violence Grant, which includes programs like Montana Cares, Mandt training, and Character Strong, providing mental health support and social emotional skill development for rural and tribal students.
O U R S E R V I C E S
Helping Your Professional Development Needs
Self-paced online courses for professional development units or University of Montana credits. We also offer VESi and Thinkific online courses.
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We offer in-person, and blended conferences.
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Special Education/504, School Counseling & Stop School Violence Grant
MTPLC Special Education/504 Services We recognize the critical role we can play in supporting students with disabilities, particularly in rural areas where schools may struggle to recruit and retain qualified special education staff. By offering a range of consulting services, we can help fill gaps in expertise and ensure that schools provide high-quality, legally compliant, and evidence-based support to students with disabilities. |
Stop School Violence Grant The SSV Grant encompasses 3 components (Montana Cares, MHRN, & E-Therapy) |
Meet Our Team
Our Board
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Claire Hibbs-Cheff
Board Chair |
Janelle Beers
Vice Chair |
Chris Morigeau
Secretary/Treasurer |
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Ionela Rusnac
Board Member |
Abby Stitt
Board Member |
Matthew Driessen, Ed.S.
Board Member |
Our Staff
Jessica Johnson
Executive Director
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Erin Lipkind
Continuing Education Course Manager
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Daisy Carlsmith, M.Ed. |
Dr. Cindy Fouhy |
Megan O’Hern |
Shelley Emslie |
Website
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Mental Health Director,
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Mandt Trainer
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PD Facilitator
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Jon Martin
SPED Services |
Holly Duffey
SPED Services |
Julie Fiske
SPED Services (Click on photo for bio.) |
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Emily Feller
PD Facilitator |
Shanna Burchwell
PD Facilitator |
Jeanne Donais
SPED Services |
Advisory Board Directors
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Emily Salle
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Shawna Kientz
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T E S T I M O N I A L S
Happy People
A great organization offering great continuing education opportunities!
Jennifer K. Schoffer Closson |
Thank you again, for all your feedback and insight with this course. I have gained a GREAT deal from this course. Thank you!
Crystal Hoffman
Crystal Hoffman
I wanted to reach out and thank you for the great opportunity you provided for our staff and students yesterday. Your presentations were so impactful. It opened the communication for students and staff to feel comfortable connecting with one another. I personally had several conversations with staff discussing how much they appreciated hearing what the students shared as well as visiting with my own child on ways to make a positive difference in our community and school. Thank you!"
Montana School Counselor
Montana School Counselor