Sept Update
Eric Tilleman
September
5 – Chapter Report – Montana FFA Reporter, ffaau...@gmail.com
9- Big Muddy DLS-Sidney
10- Eastern DLS – Rosebud
11- South Eastern – Huntley Project
12- Southern – Belfry
13- Foundation Golf Tournament – Billings
15- Western DLS – Frenchtown
16 – Glacier DLS – Choteau
17 – Judith Basin / Milk River – Geraldine
18 – SouthWestern / Yellowstone – Belgrade
23 – Ruby Valley Invitational – Sheridan
OPI Scholarship Application for Montana ACTE Fall Institute
This scholarship will cover your early bird registrations but not your Montana ACTE Membership. By applying for this scholarship, you are ensuring that you are also registered and attending the OPI New Professionals Workshop Series (all four sessions).
Scholarship application must be submitted by the end of the day (11:59 pm MST) on September 8, 2025. Verification of your OPI New Professionals Registration has been completed. Montana ACTE membership is not required; however, it is strongly recommended.
Please note that Perkins funding as well as State CTE funding can be used to support Professional membership, conference registrations and travel expenses.
Perkins Reserve Grant FY26 Application
LEAs who have been in good standing with their local application funds for two years prior to the current application year. This includes adhering to grant application and reporting deadlines, submitting accurate data reports, appropriate fiscal supporting documents, adherence to all Perkins V and Civil Rights monitoring.
Districts are only eligible for a total of $5,000 in awards, must have completed the Perkins Grant Application for Fiscal year 26 and receive an allocation of less than $15,000.
Vision for Perkins Reserve Funding:
• Foster innovation through the identification and promotion of promising and proven career and technical education programs, practices, and strategies, which may include programs, practices, and strategies that prepare individuals for nontraditional fields; or
• To create career awareness, recruit students to a CTE Secondary Program of Study or promote the development, implementation, and adoption of programs of study or career pathways aligned with state-identified high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations or industries in the middle grades.
Schools could use the funds to help:
• establish foundational elements for work-based learning
• improve transitions from middle grades into secondary CTE programs of study.
• establish innovative delivery methods for career exploration
• expose students to employability skills earlier
Advancing Agriculture Grant
The application process for Advancing Ag-Ed for the 2025-27 cycle will open soon. The assessment tools is being designed but should be available by the end of this month and you will be able to apply for your 2025-27 funding.
Regional Comprehensive Local Needs Assessments (CLNA) workgroups
The CTE Specialists have been assigned regionally to schools. The regions are Eastern, Northcentral, Northwest, Southcentral, and Southwest. These assignments will be used to review the 2025- 2026 Perkins Grant application and any remaining 2024-2025 amendments.
Along with our partners at the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, we will plan regional meetings to prepare for the FY 27 Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment for the 2026-2027 Perkins Grant cycle.
The tentative dates and locations are:
- Eastern Region- Miles City , MT September 9, 2025
- Northcentral Region- Great Falls, MT September 10, 2025
- Northwest Region- Pablo, MT September 15, 2025
- Southwest Region- Butte, MT September 18, 2025
- Southcentral Region- Billings, MT September 22, 2025
We will provide more information as dates, locations, and start times are secured.
If you have any questions or need assistance, our team of specialists is available to support you. Map Key can be found here.
New CTE Professionals Hybrid Workshop 2025
Workshop Dates
- September 16th - Virtual Meeting - 3:45-5:15 pm
- September 30th - Virtual Meeting - 3:45-5:15 pm
- October 16th - In Person Meeting - Bozeman Best Western GranTee Inn and Convention Center
- November 6th - Virtual Meeting - 3:45-5:15 pm
The Office of Public Instruction’s Career, Technical, & Adult Education unit invites all new Montana Career & Technical Education (CTE) professionals to participate in a FREE hybrid professional learning experience. Who benefits from the New CTE Professionals Hybrid Workshop?
- New to the CTE classroom with five years or less of experience in Montana.
- Local administrators, counselors, and CTE or WBL coordinators
- Individuals who have participated in the past are also invited to participate again.
What are the benefits of attending the workshops?
- Discover leadership and professional growth opportunities
- The fundamentals of Career & Technical Education, federal and state funding programs, professional organizations, curriculum resources, program standards and guidelines,
- Marketing and advising Career & Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs),
- Advanced learning opportunities for CTE students through dual enrollment and work-based learning.
FFA Updates
Fall Semester Long Grant -
Application closes Friday
This grant provides
middle/high school FFA chapters with up to $1,200 per semester to implement a
service-learning project in their community for one semester. Apply today.
Local Volunteers Needed for the 98th
National FFA Convention & Expo
Local Volunteers are needed to assist during the 98th National
FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, Oct. 29-Nov. 1. Check out the many opportunities to volunteer for the National FFA Convention & Expo.
Final 2025 Alumni and Supporters
Grant Deadline
Sept. 1 is the final
2025 deadline to apply at https://www.ffa.org/alumni-and-supporters/chapter-opportunities/
[ffa.org] for National FFA
Alumni and Supporters Legacy and Nutrien Ag Solutions grants to help start and
improve alumni and supporters chapters, partner students and adults on special
events, and fund plant science projects. Active alumni and supporter chapters and
state associations are eligible to apply.
NAAE Updates: For Every Age and Every Stage
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Save the Date for National #TeachAg Day!
We invite you to join us on Thursday, September 18, 2025 to celebrate the BEST. CAREER. EVER. on National #TeachAg Day! Whether you're participating in the nationwide #TeachAg Breakout Challenge or hosting a screening of It Starts in the Classroom, NAAE’s inspiring short documentary about the journey to becoming an agriculture teacher, we’re excited to celebrate with you!
For the most up to date information about National #TeachAg Day, visit our website.
SAE for All:
New Foundational SAE Resource Document
Integrating Foundational SAEs into the classroom can be challenging for educators. To help bridge this gap, we have developed a comprehensive Foundational SAE Resource Document designed to provide guidance and support. This resource includes a curated collection of educator resources from the National FFA, all aligned with the five components of a Foundational SAE.
Teacher Resources: Curriculum Options
i. CASE
ii. AgEdNet
iii. MyCaert
iv. CIMC
v. iCEV