OPI Professional Development for Educators & Montana Businesses
July 30, 2025
By Christina Henderson
Dear Friends in Education and Work-Based Learning,
I’m reaching out to share a free, one-day professional development opportunity for Montana business and tech educators organized by the Montana Office of Public Instruction. This training is open to any educator interested in work-based learning, industry connections, and preparing students for high-demand, fulfilling careers.
Dates and Locations:
Billings: Thursday, July 31 at Skyview High School
Great Falls: Monday, August 4 at C.M. Russell High School
Missoula: Friday, August 8 at Missoula College
Time: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost: Free to attend
Renewal Units: Up to 8
Session highlights include:
Business and Industry Panel + Q&A (hosted by Montana High Tech Business Alliance and Montana Jobs Network)
Apprenticeships and Industry Credentials (led by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry)
Dual Enrollment (facilitated by local universities)
Work-Based Learning Tools and Tracking
AI and Gamification in the Classroom
Agenda Overview
8:00 AM | Registration and Welcome
8:30 AM | Dual Enrollment: Making it Work (Local Universities)
9:30 AM | Break
9:45 AM | Managing & Tracking WBL Experiences (Ben Meyer – AET)
11:45 AM | Lunch Break
12:30 PM | Apprenticeships in the School (MT Dept. of Labor and Industry)
1:00 PM | Business & Industry Panel + Q&A (MHTBA / MJN)
2:00 PM | Break
2:15 PM | Industry-Recognized Credentials (DLI + Ethan Igo)
2:45 PM | Gamifying the Classroom & Using AI (Ethan Igo – OPI)
3:30 PM | Wrap-Up and Resource Sharing
Questions? Contact Ethan Igo at ethan.igo[at]mt.gov
Thank you for helping connect Montana classrooms to careers.
Sincerely,
Christina Henderson
Executive Director
Montana High Tech Business Alliance & Montana Jobs Network
About the Publisher: Launched in 2014, the Montana High Tech Business Alliance is a nonpartisan nonprofit association of more than 200 high tech and manufacturing companies and affiliates creating high-paying jobs in Montana. For more information, visit MTHighTech.org or subscribe to our biweekly newsletter.
The Montana Jobs Network (MJN) was established in 2001 as a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit to promote skilled workforce development in Montana, and in 2023 became affiliated with the Montana High Tech Business Alliance (MHTBA). Montana Jobs Network shares staff and resources with the MHTBA, but is governed by an independent board of directors. For more information visit MTHighTech.org/montana-jobs-network.
About the Author: Christina Henderson has served as executive director of the Montana High Tech Business Alliance (MHTBA) since its launch in April 2014. She holds an English/Education degree from the University of Iowa and an MBA from the University of Montana. She is also the executive director of the Montana Jobs Network, a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit to promote skilled workforce development in Montana that became affiliated with the MHTBA in 2023.
