Become a Teacher Leader in Montana History

The Montana Historical Society (MTHS) is soliciting applications from 6-8 teachers interested in helping improve history education (and especially the teaching of Montana history) in their schools, districts, and regions by becoming Teacher Leaders in Montana History. 

Successful applicants will demonstrate a commitment to history education, interest and experience in teaching Montana history, excellence in the classroom, experience in sharing best practices with their colleagues, and familiarity with the Montana Historical Society’s work and educational resources. 

In addition to the criteria above, up to eight program fellows will be chosen to reflect Montana’s geographic and educational diversity, assuring representation from different regions and both small and large schools. 

Those accepted as Teacher Leader Fellows will be brought to Helena for a two-day Teacher Leader in History Summit, to be held at the Montana Historical Society, June 26-28, 2023, at the conclusion of which they will be certified as Montana Historical Society Teacher Leaders in History.

Throughout 2023-2024, this select group of Teacher Leaders in History will join current Teacher Leader Fellows to: 

• Serve as a members of the Montana Historical Society Educator Advisory Board, providing advice and classroom testing of lesson plans on an as-needed basis.
• Work to increase the Montana Historical Society’s visibility in their schools and communities.
• Promote Montana Historical Society resources to teachers in their region.
• Assist teachers in their schools in finding appropriate resources/implementing lessons that reflect best practices in elementary history education.
• Communicate with Montana Historical Society staff throughout 2023-24, documenting the outreach they have conducted and participating in up to three one-hour virtual meetings (scheduled at mutually agreeable times).

Teacher Leader Fellows will be expected to: 

• Share Montana Historical Society Resources
  • through a formal presentation at one or more regional or statewide conferences (for which they may earn OPI Renewal Units).
  • within their own school or across their district through informal outreach and/or formal presentations.
• Communicate with Montana Historical Society staff throughout 2023-24, documenting the outreach they have conducted.

In return, the Montana Historical Society will provide the following (valued at more than $500):

• Full travel scholarships to attend the free two-day June 2023 Summit.
• An honorarium of $100 to cover travel expenses to one regional conference, at which the participant is presenting or up to $100 to your school to pay for a substitute teacher so you can present in a nearby district.
• Ongoing support and consultation, including model PowerPoint presentations to use and adapt for presentations to fellow educators.
• A certificate designating the participant as an official MTHS Teacher Leader in History.
• A scholarship to attend the Montana History Conference in Helena, September 28-September 30 (attendance is optional).
• Free shipping for one MTHS Hands-on History Footlocker during the 2023-24 school year.
• Up to 15 OPI Renewal Units.   

Only eight teachers will be selected for this special program. Apply online here. Applications are due April 23. Awardees will be notified by April 28.   

Questions? Contact Martha Kohl at mkohl@mt.gov or 406-444-4740.