Monthly IEFA Professional Development Series: Integrating Indian Education for All
2025 - 2026
This virtual workshop series is thoughtfully designed to support educators in fulfilling Montana’s Indian Education for All (IEFA) requirements. Through engaging, standards-aligned sessions, participants will deepen their understanding of Montana's tribal histories, cultures, and contemporary issues while gaining practical strategies to authentically incorporate Indigenous perspectives across content areas.
Each session is facilitated by experienced and knowledgeable presenters who offer culturally responsive resources, classroom-ready materials, and opportunities for reflective practice. Whether you’re new to IEFA or looking to enhance existing efforts, this series provides valuable tools and guidance to enrich instruction, foster inclusive learning environments, and uphold the educational commitments outlined in the Montana Constitution.
Each virtual session will be recorded and made available to participants for a limited time following the session.
IEFA 101📅 September 10, 2025 (4:00-6:00 PM)
👩🏫 Facilitator: Dr. Anna East
Participants will explore the history and theory behind Montana’s Indian Education for All initiative, including the Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians, constitutional foundations, and an overview of key existing classroom resources.
Applied IEFA📅 October 8, 2025 (4:00-6:00 PM)
👩🏫 Facilitator: Dr. Anna East
Learn how to critically evaluate classroom materials for cultural relevance and accuracy. This session will also provide updates on current IEFA-related laws and policies that impact curriculum, instruction, and compliance in Montana schools.
Federal Indian Policy Eras📅 November 5, 2025 (4:00-6:00 PM)
👩🏫 Facilitator: Dr. Erin Lipkind
Participants will examine the major eras of federal Indian policy and how they have shaped tribal communities. The session includes age-appropriate lesson plans and resources for classroom use across grade levels.
Boarding School Era📅 January 14, 2026 (4:00-6:00 PM)
👩🏫 Facilitator: Michele McGuire
Take a deeper look into the historical and lasting impacts of the American Indian boarding school system. Participants will engage with primary texts and adaptable classroom activities for all ages.
Resilience, Resurgence, and Activism📅 February 4, 2026 (4:00-6:00 PM)
👩🏫 Facilitator: Michele McGuire
Explore the resilience and cultural resurgence of Indigenous communities through the work of authors, artists, and activists—many from Montana. Activities and resources will support educators in framing lessons around Indigenous strength and survival.
An Indigenous Peoples’ History📅 March 11, 2026 (4:00-6:00 PM)
👩🏫 Facilitator: Sindie Kennedy
This session centers on rethinking dominant narratives by incorporating Indigenous perspectives into U.S. history. Learn strategies for helping students critically examine collective national identities and the complexity of America's past.
American Indian Sovereignty and Jurisdiction📅 April 8, 2026 (4:00-6:00 PM)
👩🏫 Facilitator: Dr. Anna East
Gain an understanding of tribal sovereignty, jurisdictional boundaries, and the legal principles that shape tribal–state–federal relationships. Key treaties, Supreme Court cases, and contemporary implications will be addressed.
14 OPI renewal units provided
Location:Virtual
Each virtual session will be recorded and made available to participants for a limited time following the session.
Individual Pricing
SSOM Member Discount
➡️ Schools that are members of SSOM receive 20% off all pricing tiers.
🔎 Check if your school is a member: mt-schools.org/members.html
Course Number: 26521027
For more information, contact [email protected]
Register: https://forms.gle/sPDEUps4Ace81Le58
2025 - 2026
This virtual workshop series is thoughtfully designed to support educators in fulfilling Montana’s Indian Education for All (IEFA) requirements. Through engaging, standards-aligned sessions, participants will deepen their understanding of Montana's tribal histories, cultures, and contemporary issues while gaining practical strategies to authentically incorporate Indigenous perspectives across content areas.
Each session is facilitated by experienced and knowledgeable presenters who offer culturally responsive resources, classroom-ready materials, and opportunities for reflective practice. Whether you’re new to IEFA or looking to enhance existing efforts, this series provides valuable tools and guidance to enrich instruction, foster inclusive learning environments, and uphold the educational commitments outlined in the Montana Constitution.
Each virtual session will be recorded and made available to participants for a limited time following the session.
IEFA 101📅 September 10, 2025 (4:00-6:00 PM)
👩🏫 Facilitator: Dr. Anna East
Participants will explore the history and theory behind Montana’s Indian Education for All initiative, including the Essential Understandings Regarding Montana Indians, constitutional foundations, and an overview of key existing classroom resources.
Applied IEFA📅 October 8, 2025 (4:00-6:00 PM)
👩🏫 Facilitator: Dr. Anna East
Learn how to critically evaluate classroom materials for cultural relevance and accuracy. This session will also provide updates on current IEFA-related laws and policies that impact curriculum, instruction, and compliance in Montana schools.
Federal Indian Policy Eras📅 November 5, 2025 (4:00-6:00 PM)
👩🏫 Facilitator: Dr. Erin Lipkind
Participants will examine the major eras of federal Indian policy and how they have shaped tribal communities. The session includes age-appropriate lesson plans and resources for classroom use across grade levels.
Boarding School Era📅 January 14, 2026 (4:00-6:00 PM)
👩🏫 Facilitator: Michele McGuire
Take a deeper look into the historical and lasting impacts of the American Indian boarding school system. Participants will engage with primary texts and adaptable classroom activities for all ages.
Resilience, Resurgence, and Activism📅 February 4, 2026 (4:00-6:00 PM)
👩🏫 Facilitator: Michele McGuire
Explore the resilience and cultural resurgence of Indigenous communities through the work of authors, artists, and activists—many from Montana. Activities and resources will support educators in framing lessons around Indigenous strength and survival.
An Indigenous Peoples’ History📅 March 11, 2026 (4:00-6:00 PM)
👩🏫 Facilitator: Sindie Kennedy
This session centers on rethinking dominant narratives by incorporating Indigenous perspectives into U.S. history. Learn strategies for helping students critically examine collective national identities and the complexity of America's past.
American Indian Sovereignty and Jurisdiction📅 April 8, 2026 (4:00-6:00 PM)
👩🏫 Facilitator: Dr. Anna East
Gain an understanding of tribal sovereignty, jurisdictional boundaries, and the legal principles that shape tribal–state–federal relationships. Key treaties, Supreme Court cases, and contemporary implications will be addressed.
14 OPI renewal units provided
Location:Virtual
Each virtual session will be recorded and made available to participants for a limited time following the session.
Individual Pricing
- $50 per session
- $225 for full series access (all sessions)
- 1–5 (instructional) staff: $500
- 6–15 (instructional) staff: $750
- 16+ (instructional) staff: $1,000
- Instructional staff includes anyone who works directly with students (e.g., teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, specialists, interventionists, etc.).
SSOM Member Discount
➡️ Schools that are members of SSOM receive 20% off all pricing tiers.
🔎 Check if your school is a member: mt-schools.org/members.html
Course Number: 26521027
For more information, contact [email protected]
Register: https://forms.gle/sPDEUps4Ace81Le58