Montana Digital Academy

31/05/2026

No-cost AI Professional Learning for every educator—to the benefit of every student.

At Frontier Learning Lab, we believe AI training shouldn't be one-size-fits-all. Whether we are partnering with an entire district, a single school, or a specialized group of educators representing different roles, we tailor our learning to fit your unique day-to-day needs.

Case in point: Our Ambassador, McKenna Akane, recently led MCPS Special Educators through specific, thoughtful strategies to leverage AI effectively—all while keeping student data safe and protected.

No matter your role in education, we’re ready to work with your team. Let's build your custom AI learning plan today!

[email protected]

28/05/2026

Summer is calling, but you can still get ahead (or catch up) on your own schedule! ☀️ 💻

With Montana Digital Academy's Summer Original Credit courses, you can earn high school credits while working entirely from home. These 5-week intensive sessions are a great way to knock out required high school credit!

Choose one or both sessions:
📚 Session 1: June 15–July 17
📚 Session 2: July 20–August 21

⏳ Deadline to enroll is June 12!

Talk to your local school counselor today to get registered.

28/05/2026

We are thrilled to announce that Montana Digital Academy is a State Winner in the Presidential AI Challenge! 🎉🏔️

This national challenge brings together K-12 youth, educators, mentors, and community teams to solve real-world problems in their communities using AI-powered solutions.

We are incredibly proud to be recognized for our work in:
✅ Equipping youth with the foundational knowledge and skills to thrive in an increasingly digital society
✅ Empowering educators to confidently guide students through this complex and evolving field
✅ Providing widespread access to AI resources, training, and support across Big Sky Country

Thank you to our dedicated MTDA team members. Find out more: https://zurl.co/vx2vf

23/05/2026

Know the feeling of “Document Chaos?” It’s that specific brand of exhaustion that comes from knowing the answer to your question exists somewhere, in a PDF from 2022, a district handbook, or a curriculum map, but having no way to find it without losing an entire prep period to the hunt.

In our first cohort of MT AI Educator Coaches, Grace Cassens (St. Joseph Elementary and Middle School, Missoula) and Matt Clausen (Big Sky High School, Missoula), decided to stop hunting and start building.

They’ve both spent the last few months developing knowledge bases using a tool that readers of this Substack will recognize, called NotebookLM. The goal? To give teachers some time back without sacrificing accuracy. Find out how to stop the hunt at https://zurl.co/sUBmY .

21/05/2026

Planning for next year? Email [email protected] to talk through your potential needs—whether that’s full-school adoption, GT support, filling curriculum gaps, covering open positions, or exploring flexible learning options.

Tell us what you’re facing in Fall 2026. We’ll help you problem-solve!

19/05/2026

Registration is now open for our Summer & Fall 2026 MTDA elective courses! 💻

Explore new topics, enhance your skills, and have fun learning. Sign up at your local school today!

18/05/2026

TOMORROW, our own McKenna Akane joins ISTE+ASCD as a panelist for their latest Innovation Spotlight Webinar! They’ll be having a candid, conversational deep dive into the themes shaping student success today.

If you're able to tune in on Tuesday, May 19th at 11:00am MST, check the registration link below!

https://zurl.co/VHI5B

16/05/2026

We’re excited to expand our partnership with Imagine Learning for the 2026–27 school year!

Montana middle schools will now have access to engaging, teacher-led world language courses built specifically for middle school learners, including:
French • German • Chinese • Spanish • Latin

✔ Certified teacher
✔ Start anytime
✔ Flexible for your schedule

A powerful way to expand your middle school course offerings—without needing additional staff. Check out our course catalog and message [email protected] to learn more! Course Catalog: https://zurl.co/pxAG3

11/05/2026

Meet Stimson Dolesh, a senior at Columbia Falls High School who is using MTDA to pilot his own path to success! ✈️🥁⛰️

Whether he’s performing with the percussion ensemble, climbing Glacier's peaks, or logging flight time for a future in commercial aviation, Stimson has found that Montana Digital Academy offers the flexibility and variety he needs to excel.

Check out his story to see how MTDA helps students:
Bridge Schedule Gaps: When AP US History didn't fit his in-person schedule, MTDA made it possible.
Explore New Interests: Stimson expanded his schooling with classes not typically offered in his local curriculum.
Balance Passion & Academics: The flexible pace allows him to travel for band and drumline without falling behind.
Master Life Skills: From time management to self-advocacy, Stimson is building the discipline needed for his future goals. As his teachers say, the "hidden curriculum" of MTDA—like communication and monitoring your own progress—is essential for success in life.

Watch the full Student Spotlight below!



https://zurl.co/sfOIX

Meet Stimson Dolesh, a student at Columbia Falls High School using MTDA's Distance Learning Program to ensure he gets all the classes he needs to excel while...

08/05/2026

Congratulations to our first cohort of Frontier Learning Lab AI Educator Coaches! These educators have transitioned from AI users to strategic leaders through a collaborative 4 week session focused on technical, ethical, and pedagogical foundations.

Montana AI Educator Coaches focus on:
• AI Literacy and Technical Understanding: Proficiency in explaining core AI concepts—such as generative models and pattern prediction—using common language for any and all in their school community.
• Ethical Governance and Privacy: Mastery of student data privacy laws, including FERPA, COPPA, and Montana-specific regulations to serve as advocates and resources for safe and responsible practice.
• Human-Centered Coaching: practice and strategies for facilitating professional learning for peers grounded in your school's context and priorities.

Opportunity to Level Up
The Montana AI Educator Coach Program continues to build a network of leaders ready to guide their communities in an AI-integrated world. Educators interested in developing these skills for their own districts are encouraged to join an upcoming cohort.
Find out more about our upcoming cohorts by sending a short message to [email protected]