General Information 

The OPI Special Education Endorsement Project began in 1987 to address the shortage of special education teachers in rural Montana.  

Applications:

Complete applications submitted by September 1 will be given priority.

  • The school district or special education cooperative must have advertised the special education vacancy statewide on the Montana Jobs-for-Teachers website for a minimum of one month and provide documentation to that effect.
  • The district must state that no special education endorsed applicants applied for the position.
  • The candidate must hold a Class 1 or 2 Montana Teaching Certificate and have been offered a contract for the advertised special education teaching position.
  • All candidates admitted to the project need a mentor for their first year and the district should identify the mentor. The mentor should have three years of teaching in special education and have completed training in mentoring which can be through their school district. If there is no mentor available within the district, then arrangements to locate a mentor will be made with the Project Coordinator.
  • The candidate must complete their special education endorsement within three years of their project acceptance date. This includes the program requirement of student teaching in their own classroom.
  • Candidates admitted to the project must hold a special education teaching position in Montana public schools for an additional two years after obtaining the special education endorsement.

OPI Contract:

  • Eligible candidates will be sent a contract by OPI. This must be signed to be accepted into the project.
  • Should the candidate fail to complete the required coursework to obtain the special education endorsement within three years from the date of the agreement, the candidate will be required to repay all sums paid by the OPI under the agreement.
  • Should the candidate fail to complete the required additional two years of service in a Montana school, the candidate will repay all sums paid by the OPI under the agreement.

Submit the following documents to:   rene.rosellyarbrough@msubillings.edu

  • Completed application form
  • Completed participation agreement form signed by all stakeholders
  • Letter from the candidate describing their teaching experience and commitment to teaching in the school
  • Letter from school district or special education cooperative verifying the applicant has been offered a contract
  • Copy of the position advertisement
  • Copy of Montana Teaching Certificate:  Class 1 or Class 2
  • Copies of unofficial transcripts from all universities the applicant has attended that show the semester of student teaching and degree or degrees
  • Plan of Study from the participating Institution of Higher Education, signed by the advisor
  • Stipends are available to teachers accepted, contingent upon completion of coursework. 

Mail completed application to: 

OPI Special Ed Endorsement Project
Rene’ Rosell Yarbrough, Project Coordinator

Montana State University Billings
Montana Center for Inclusive Education

1500 University Drive
Billings, MT 59101-0245

Further information about the project is available in the OPI Special Education Endorsement Project brochure.

 

OPI Quick Links

Participating Institutions of Higher Education

 

Carroll College
Ms. Kathleen Gilboy
406-447-4376
kagilboy@carroll.edu

 

Montana State University Billings
Dr. Susan Gregory
406-657-2152
sgregory@msubillings.edu

 

University of Montana
Dr. Trent Atkins
406-243-4978
trent.atkins@mso.umt.edu

 

Dr. Morgen Alwell
406-243-5512
morgen.alwell@umontana.edu

 

The University of Montana Western

Dr. Goodson Dzenga, BCBA
Office:   406-683-7177
Cell:       412-886-8245
chaidamoyo.dzenga@umwestern.edu

 

*Always contact the school's Admissions Office regarding admission and registration requirements.