The Last Best Learning

Ep. 21 Culture, Consistency, and Collaboration: Victor's Instructional Work, with Jamie Standaert

In this month's episode, our special guest is Principal Jamie Standaert from Victor Public School, who joins us for a part two on building school culture. She shares how Victor school has built a culture of collaboration, how she and her staff dig into data to hone their instruction, and how they've maintained a sustainable instructional coaching model.

Ep. 20 - Culture to Curriculum: Valier’s MTSS Blueprint, with Joshua Reed

This month, our special guest is Superintendent Joshua Reed from Valier School District, who joins us to share how he maintains positive staff culture and leverages MTSS to focus on district goals, including strategies for improving attendance and engaging the community.

Ep 18 - Teacher Burnout: What Can We Do? with John Sommers-Flanagan, PhD

In this episode, special returning guest John Sommers-Flanagan, professor and Director of the Center for the Advancement of Positive Education at the University of Montana, continues sharing his expertise from his December episode--this time, about teacher burnout. Learn about the warning signs of burnout and strategies we can use to mitigate it.

Ep. 19 - AI in Assessment with Miguel Saringumba, Jr.

Miguel Sarigumba, a math teacher in Lame Deer shares how he uses AI to examine assessment questions in order to meet the diversity of his students.
Miguel Sarigumba, Item Analysis Resource: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1546iR7ERRs-o7WmASorx1W3DFYjOg6GP?usp=drive_link
What would you like to know more about?
Receiving feedback via the Last Best Learning Podcast Feedback Form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1sfvievE-rm6YFzMNwsYODk9Hf3KLrtRB00ZdnXeGlMQ/edit, helps your hosts improve the quality of episodes and ensures the content remains relevant to your needs.
For instructions on how to earn Professional Development Unit (PDU) Certificates for listening to these recordings, please refer to the collaborative listener guide, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m3E4k141BQzTuwKEB72E5vVE-MlCelq7/view.

Ep. 17 - Combatting Conflict with John Sommers-Flannagan, Director of the Phyllis J. Washington Center for the Advancement of Positive Education (CAPE) and the Happiness Project

Join us in this episode wherein John Sommers-Flanagan, Director of the Phyllis J. Washington Center for the Advancement of Positive Education (CAPE) and the Happiness Project shares his expertise on how to deal with conflict.
Objectives:
Recognize approaches to stymie conflict with colleagues; be proactive instead of reactive
Realize actionable strategies to de-escalate conflict
Ascertain tactics that can be applied to preempt or soften our personal responses to conflict
Slide deck with resources 
How to receive Professional Development Units (PDUs) as a school group is shared in the Collaborative Listener Guide 
If you wish to provide feedback on this episode or suggest topics for future episodes, please respond to this brief survey 

Ep. 12 - Social Emotional Learning: More than just Chair Yoga, with special guests Rhiannon Beery and Darin Hannum from Bainville Public Schools

In this episode, Superintendent Darin Hannum and Principal Rhiannon Beery of Bainville Public Schools join us to share their schools experience and success implementing Social Emotional Learning across K-12. 

Ep. 16 - IEFA: You Don’t Have to Be an Expert, But You Do Have to Begin with special guest Connie Michael from Hardin School District

In this episode, hosts Katrina, Claire, and Michelle are joined by special guest Connie Michael from Crow Agency Elementary School in the Hardin School District. Connie shares her experiences integrating Indian Education For All (IEFA), offers advice for teachers who are seeking to do more, and encouragement for all. 
Episode Objectives: 
Identify common barriers educators face when implementing Indian Education for All (IEFA), including misconceptions, lack of confidence, and fear of doing harm.
Explore actionable strategies and entry points for integrating IEFA into everyday instruction, especially for educators without firsthand cultural experience.
Amplify the importance of authentic partnerships with tribal communities and showcase how collaboration supports respectful, accurate, and impactful IEFA instruction.
How to receive Professional Development Units (PDUs) as a school group is shared in the Collaborative Listener Guide (https://opi.mt.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=eeiBbSiLiy4%3D&portalid=182)
If you wish to provide feedback on this episode or suggest topics for future episodes, please respond to this brief survey (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqDClTT_Q2zxDDa_W_zj4QqBuHN38b9-Ck8myJ_Fc4W-ZjCA/viewform?usp=header) 
 

Ep. 15 - MAST in Motion: Lessons from Implementation with special guest Rachel Barkell, Anaconda School District

In this episode, our special guest Rachel Barkell, a 4th grade teacher at Anaconda School District, joins us to share lessons and insights she and her team have gained from the first official year implementing MAST.
Episode 15 slides
Feedback form/suggest a topic

Ep 13 - Getting Ready, New School Year, New Standards Coming with OPI's Math Content Specialists

In this episode we visit with Katrina Engeldrum, Math Instructional Coordinator and Claire Mikeson, ELA Instructional Coordinator as they share with us what we can expect from the updated standards in both math and English Language Arts.
Objectives: 
Listeners will be introduced to the changes coming with ELA and Math Standards to be implemented in 2026
Listeners will discover the resources available on the OPI website for ELA, Math, and Science
Did you know that your content coordinators are available to answer any questions you may have regarding standards, implementation, and to connect you with resources.  We are here to assist you!
Slide Deck with Resource links
How to receive Professional Development Units (PDUs) as a school group is shared in the Collaborative Listener Guide (https://opi.mt.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=eeiBbSiLiy4%3D&portalid=182)
If you wish to provide feedback on this episode or suggest topics for future episodes, please respond to this brief survey (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqDClTT_Q2zxDDa_W_zj4QqBuHN38b9-Ck8myJ_Fc4W-ZjCA/viewform?usp=header) 

Ep 4 - Mentor Teachers in Browning: The Teacher Residency Program with special guests Angie, Carol, and Marci from Browning School District

Hometown Mentorship: The Teacher Residency Program - Applying theory into action with special guests Angie, Carol, and Marci from Browning School District., Objectives: 
Define and outline the structure of the mentorship program. 
Share how the program has evolved to encourage a school-wide culture of mutual support, fostering a sense of belonging and appreciation for the contributions of each team member.
Demonstrate how mentorship programs serve as essential tools for enhancing the professional growth, resilience, and retention of educators.  
Discuss strategies that schools and districts can implement to develop effective mentorship programs.