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.
If you are interested in taking any of the Gifted and Talented Courses listed below, visit Gifted & Talented Courses - MTPLC.ORG for information on registration and further course description.
All Courses are available for Undergraduate or Graduate Credit, unless noted. Students must complete the course through MT-PLC, with a passing grade, before registering for credits. If you were not instructed by MT-PLC to use one of the portals below, please do not register for any open section. If you have questions about the registration portals, please email coco.ponce@mso.umt.edu
Available Courses:
EDU 455/555 Exploring the Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Students
This 2-credit course will introduce you to a framework for a better understanding of the emotional and interpersonal needs of gifted children. Gifted children need academic guidance and support for their strength areas, but it is important that they also receive support in social and emotional areas. This course is the equivalent to 30 classroom hours (30 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 2 university credits.
EDU 455/555 Nurturing Individual Potential
This two-credit course, Nurturing Individual Potential, is for individuals who would like to gain a better understanding about the characteristics and unique learning needs of the gifted learner. Participants will learn how to implement successful differentiation for all students, but especially high ability/high potential students using these methods: Compacting, Learning Contracts, Extension Menus, flexible grouping, subject acceleration and integration of technology. This course is the equivalent to 30 classroom hours (30 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 2 university credits.
EDU 455/555 Overcoming Underachievement in Gifted and Talented Students
This two-credit course is for individuals who would like to gain a better understanding about academic underachievement in the gifted student population. Participants will learn about identifying underachievement, its causes, and explore ways to reverse it. The course will look more closely at underachieving student profiles and how students, parents, and teachers can work together to overcome underachievement. This course is the equivalent to 30 classroom hours (30 OPI professional development units), which is the equivalent of 2 university credits.