How Well You Teach = How Well They Learn:
The Power of Explicit Instruction
Presented in partnership by MTPLC and School Services of Montana (SSoM)
Virtual
3 Sessions | 4:00–6:00 PM MT
November 19, 2026: Foundations of Explicit Instruction: From Learning Science to Lesson Design
December 3, 2026: Active Learning: Opportunities to Respond & Effective Feedback
December 16, 2026: Purposeful Practice: Moving Students Toward Independence
School Services of Montana (SSoM) is a full-service, Montana-based education services organization with a vision of a Montana where every school district has the resources, opportunities, and confidence to thrive. SSoM serves schools, districts, and mission-aligned organizations of all sizes across the state.
🔗 Learn more about SSoM
Facilitator Bio:
Dr. Genevieve Thomas is a literacy consultant based in Northwest Montana. Her career in education includes roles as a special education teacher, school psychologist, and district-level special education leader. She now designs and delivers professional learning focused on evidence-based literacy instruction, curriculum development, and MTSS implementation. Genevieve holds master’s degrees in Special Education and School Psychology, and a Doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Reading Science. Outside of her work in schools, you can usually find her enjoying Northwest Montana on her bike or skis, depending on the season.
🔗 Learn more about Genevieve: https://www.sparkeduconsulting.com/
Workshop Description/Objectives:
Explicit instruction is an evidence-based approach to teaching that helps students move from novice learners toward increasingly accurate, fluent, and independent performance. In this three-part virtual series, participants will explore the learning science underlying explicit instruction and examine high-leverage practices for designing and delivering effective instruction. Sessions will emphasize practical application, including selecting critical content, reducing cognitive load, increasing opportunities for students to respond, providing effective feedback, and designing purposeful practice. Participants will leave with concrete strategies they can apply across grade levels, content areas, and instructional settings.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the series, participants will be able to:
- Explain how principles of learning inform effective instructional design.
- Identify and describe key elements of explicit instruction.
- Apply explicit-instruction principles to lesson design and delivery, including focusing on critical content and providing clear modeling and scaffolded support.
- Plan meaningful opportunities for all students to actively respond and use student responses to monitor learning.
- Provide effective affirmative and corrective feedback that supports student learning.
- Design purposeful practice by considering the type, timing, and level of support students need as they move toward independence.
- Reflect on current instructional practices and identify specific opportunities to strengthen explicit instruction.
Workshop Format & Schedule
Format: Virtual | 3 Sessions | 4:00–6:00 PM MT
Each session includes approximately 90 minutes of professional learning plus 30 minutes of Q&A and/or Problem of Practice application.
Please Note — Live Participation Required:
Sessions are live, synchronous, and interactive. Participants should plan to join from a location where they can actively participate throughout each session, including through chat, discussion, and breakout rooms. Camera use is requested during collaborative portions of the series. Sessions will not be recorded or shared.
- November 19, 2026: Foundations of Explicit Instruction: From Learning Science to Lesson Design
- December 3, 2026: Active Learning: Opportunities to Respond & Effective Feedback
- December 16, 2026: Purposeful Practice: Moving Students Toward Independence
Materials: Participants should have Zoom access and bring a current lesson or instructional resource for application activities. Optional text: Explicit Instruction: Effective and Efficient Teaching (Archer & Hughes, 2011). Digital resources will be provided.
Virtual Link: Provided to registered participants prior to workshop sessions.
🎓 6 OPI Renewal Units Available
Registration Fees
💻 $149 per participant
MTPLC Member Rate
🏷️ 20% off for MTPLC members
- 20% discount: $29.80
- Reduced cost: $119.20 per person
https://www.mtplc.org/mtplc-membership-plans.html
Group / School Discount
👥 15% off for groups of 3 or more registrants
- 15% discount: $22.35
- Reduced cost: $126.65 per person
This series provides 6 hours of specialized professional learning with Dr. Genevieve Thomas for just $149 per participant. Comparable district-based training with the facilitator is typically $1,500 per day, making this virtual series an affordable way for individual educators and school teams to access high-quality, evidence-based professional learning.
For more information, contact [email protected]
Register: https://forms.gle/wpGHKuiAEtBJjJKG6