June 14-16, 2026 – Billings, Montana
Teaching Montana’s Constitution: A Summer Workshop for Educators, will bring together Montana teachers for an in-person professional development opportunity focused on incorporating the story of Montana’s Constitution in their social studies, history, and/or government curriculum. Organized by the Friends of the Montana Constitution, a statewide nonpartisan nonprofit, this workshop assembles constitutional experts, historians, retired public servants, and current educators to dive deep into the history of Montana’s unique 1972 Constitution and the people who wrote it. Teachers will leave the workshop not only with new materials and resources, but also with new strategies for incorporating Montana history into their classrooms in exciting and engaging ways.
Target Audience: Montana Educators, either High School or Middle School levels, teaching history, government, civics, english language arts and/or social studies.
Cost: FREE! Lodging and two daily meals are provided, along with a travel stipend.
Registration is now open! We anticipate space and funding for 30 teachers from across Montana to participate. Registration closes June 2, 2026.
Renewal Units: Participants who attend the full two days will receive 12 OPI Renewal Units
Location: MSU Billings Campus, SUB with overnight lodging in the Petro Residence Hall
Session Topics Include: A primer on Montana’s Constitution, stories of the delegates to the 1972 Constitutional Convention including C. Louise Cross, the role of Judges, the history of MT in the 60’s & 70’s, Montana Con Law, how Article X led to Indian Education for All, understanding the initiative process and the role of the legislature, and more!
Presenters Include: Betsy Griffing, retired adjunct Professor of Montana Constitutional Law and Civil Rights Litigator; Pat Cotter, retired Montana Supreme Court Justice; Constance Van Kley, Assistant Professor with the Alexander Blewett III School of Law; Emily Cross, Billings Attorney and Granddaughter of C. Louise Cross- ConCon Delegate; Brad Faulhaber, Gov’t and Criminal Law Teacher with Sidney Public Schools; and Susan Fox, Retired Montana Legislative Services Director. More speakers will be announced soon!
Sponsors: This workshop is organized by the Friends of the Montana Constitution with support and funding from the Montana 250 Commission and the Montana Historical Society.
Contact: Julia Gustafson, Organizational & Community Outreach Coordinator for the Friends of the Montana Constitution, coordinator@montanaconstitution.org