In-depth, ongoing PD for teachers grades 6-12

Want to engage your class with student-driven research projects using primary sources? Want to promote more historical thinking and critical analysis? Want to engage your students in standards-based learning?  

National History Day in Montana and the Montana 250 Commission are looking for 15 Montana teachers to join an exciting professional development cohort that will begin in April 2026 and continue through April 2027. 

Participants will attend all-expenses paid workshops in April, August and October 2026, and participate in ongoing virtual trainings. By the end of the program, they will have earned a $1,000 stipend and $500 in classroom materials, 39 renewal units, and gained access to excellent FREE professional development.

Introduction to National History Day

Bozeman, April 24-25, 2026  

• Learn the ins and outs of NHD and serve as a judge at the Montana state NHD contest.
• Participants will be reimbursed for mileage and hotel. Instructions for booking will be provided. 
• Substitute reimbursement will be provided. 
• Earn 12 renewal units.

Historical Thinking through Student-Driven Research

August 11-12, 2026, Great Falls

• Learn how to introduce your students to historical thinking, research and argumentation.
• Participants will be reimbursed for mileage and hotel.
• Earn 12 renewal units

Ongoing Virtual Support and Trainings

• Attend optional monthly (virtual) mentorship check-ins to provide updates on progress and receive support during the 2026/2027 academic year.
• Attend at least three webinars from NHD’s Revolutionary Ideals webinar series. Webinars can be joined live or watched via video.
• Earn 3 renewal units

Argumentation, Reasoning, and Evidence: Constructing a Historical Argument

October 15-16, 2026, Billings

Now that teachers have launched the National History Day research projects with their students, this workshop dives deeper into  historical argumentation, developing thesis statements, and organizing historical arguments. Teachers will also discuss the importance of revision and model best practices for effective feedback.

• Participants will be reimbursed for mileage and hotel.
• Earn 12 renewal units.

Participant Expectations

• Complete all post-program surveys to provide feedback to the program.
• Engage students in the National History Day process during the 2026/2027 academic year. Teachers may engage students through an academic course, an extracurricular activity, or an academic advisory. Students will complete projects and attend an entry-level regional contest in spring 2027.
• Respond to inquiries in a timely manner and communicate any challenges to the program staff.
• Allow the use of their name and image (photographed or videotaped) in materials (printed brochures, social media, short-form videos) and press releases shared by NHD, its affiliate programs, and/or the Montana 250 Commission.

Participant Benefits

• A stipend of $1,000. This will be payable in two installments. The first half ($500.00) will be paid after the workshop in August 2026, and the second half ($500.00) will be paid after the teacher brings students to compete in an NHD contest in spring 2027 and completes the final feedback survey. 
• A classroom supply budget of $500.00 (teachers will select the items they wish to purchase for their classroom). The request process will be coordinated in fall 2026.
• Mentorship in the form of assistance from team members from the NHD National Office and the NHD in Montana program to answer questions, review materials, and provide advice.
• Thirty-nine renewal units.

Questions? Please contact Melissa Hibbard at melissa.hibbard@mt.gov or 406-444-4741.

Apply here by January 9.