Awards

SAM and Affiliate Awards

School Administrators of Montana and its six affiliates recognize its members and the community through a variety of awards on both the local, regional and national levels.  Nomination information and schedules are posted on each affiliate's website and distributed to the membership throughout the year.  

SAM Awards

• G.V. Erickson Award:  The G.V. Erickson Award is given to a member of the School Administrators of Montana who has made the greatest contribution to the betterment of education in Montana; something that G.V. did throughout his career. This is the most honored award a Montana school administrator Montana can receive.
• Erdie Memorial Scholarship:   A Dr. Jay Erdie Memorial Mentor Scholarship in the amount of $1000 will be awarded annually to a deserving educator. The purpose of the scholarship is to train and mentor new Montana school administrators. The scholarship will be awarded to a school administration candidate who plans to begin and/or complete his/her administrative credentials and intends to work in a Montana school district. Once the candidate has secured a position and notified the SAM office, a trained mentor will be provided through the SAM Leaders Professional Learning Program to assist during his/her first year on the job. 

MASS Awards

• MASS/AASA Superintendent of the Year
• MASS Regional Superintendents of the Year
• MASS School Board of the Year:  The purpose of the award is to recognize and focus attention on the dedicated and ethical service rendered by school boards to the children of Montana.  Nominations for the MASS School Board Awards may be submitted by any Montana Superintendent of Schools. The MASS Executive Board recommends that each of the nine regions submit a nomination. Two Outstanding School Boards in Montana may be chosen. The winners will be announced at the annual MCEL meeting in October. 
• MASS AASA Conference Incentive Award:   The Montana Association of School Superintendents Incentive Award Program is intended to provide a special opportunity for MASS members to attend the AASA National Conference on Education (NCE) that will be held in New Orleans, March 6 - 8, 2025. 

MASSP Awards

• MASSP Principal of the Year - This award recognizes outstanding secondary principals who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to the profession. An eligible candidate must have been an active principal for at least three consecutive years.

• NASSP Conference Incentive Award - The award is offered to one member and will consist of paid registration to the Conference and round-trip airfare to the site of the Conference. The date/location of the 2025 National Principals Conference is July 11-13, Seattle, WA. 
• MASSP Community Partner in Education - The Community Partner in Education Award is presented to a private citizen outside of the professional educational organization who is always there to support education and youth through his/her involvement in activities or projects that truly impact the schools and communities.  The recipient is announced and recognized at the Montana Principals Conference in January.
• MASSP Future Administrator Scholarship - MASSP offers a Future Administrators Scholarship in the amount of $1,100.00 to a graduate student in at least the second semester of an approved course of study for the Master of Education Leadership Degree. The candidate cannot be financially supported by a school district, cannot receive both the MAEMSP and MASSP scholarships, and must intend to continue working in Montana. The candidate must have completed three years of successful teaching in middle school, high school, or counseling experience and hold a current Montana certificate. 

 MAEMSP Awards

• MAEMSP/NAESP National Distinguished Principal - The NDP program recognizes excellence in elementary and middle level school leadership and is sponsored by NAESP.  It was established in 1984 to recognize elementary and middle level principals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character and climate for the students, families and staffs in their learning communities.  
• Adrian Langstaff Award - This award is one of the highest recognitions that can be given to a deserving member of MAEMSP.  The award is in the name and memory of Adrian Langstaff.  Adrian was an outstanding elementary principal who was a very recognized leader in his school, community and state
• NAESP Conference Incentive Award - This award is given to an MAEMSP member who has never attended an NAESP Conference. The 2025 NAESP  Pre-K–8 Principals Conferences will be held July 11-13, 2025 in Seattle, WA. The recipient will receive: Paid registration to the National Conference, paid round trip airfare to the conference.
• MAEMSP Aspiring Principal Scholarship Award - MAEMSP provides an annual Scholarship/Incentive Grant of $800 to a student successfully applying to or currently enrolled in an approved course of study for the Masters of Education Leadership Degree.  The applicant must have completed three years of successful teaching in elementary or middle school education (K-8) and hold a current Montana Class II teaching certificate. 
• MAEMSP Friends of Education Award - This award is given to any person in the community who has gone above and beyond with duties that support and promote public education. The recipient of this award must be a private citizen that is outside the professional educational field. 
• MAEMSP Appreciation Award - This award is given to an individual, organization, or business that has provided outstanding support to the Montana Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals.

META Awards

• META Technologist of the Year 
• META Empowered Superintendent of the Year

MACSS Awards

• MACSS County Superintendent of the Year Award
• MACSS Rural Teacher of the Year

MCASE Awards

• MCASE Distinguished Service Awards
• MCASE Special Education Director of the Year
• MCASE Special Education Teacher of the Year

2023 G.V. Erickson Award

The 2023 G.V. Erickson Award was presented to Dennis Parman

SAM is proud to announce the 2023 G.V. Erickson Award recipient, Mr. Dennis Parman.  Mr. Paman was awarded this distinguished honor at the annual Montana Conference of Education Leadership (MCEL) held October 18-20, 2023.   This distinguished award is given to a SAM member who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the advancement and betterment of public education in Montana.  This is the most prestigious award a Montana school administrator can receive.  The award is named in honor of Mr. G.V. Erickson, a school administrator who dedicated his career and life to education and the children of Montana.    

Mr. Parman has been a driving force in education since 1981, leaving an indelible mark as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and advocate.  With a career spanning over 40 years, he has distinguished himself as a highly respected pillar of Montana public education. 

Mr. Parman's remarkable career in education, from teacher to superintendent, to his role as Deputy Superintendent at the Montana Office of Public Instruction and Executive Director of the Montana Rural Education Association, has made him one of the most influential figures in Montana's public education landscape. His ability to build relationships, inspire collaboration, and achieve tangible results underscores his immense value to the organizations he has served.

Mr. Parman is an outstanding educator with a vast understanding of school curriculum, educational opportunities, operations, policy development, child development, and the role higher education plays in preparing education leaders. While serving as the Deputy Superintendent at the OPI, Mr. Parman was instrumental in facilitating the review and modernization of accreditation standards and educator licensure.  

Mr. Parman is well known in the education community for his outstanding ability to analyze data and implement research-based strategies in compelling ways that influence action in the best interest of all students.  His ability to research and communicate state legislative and congressional actions connected to education has been outstanding and has enhanced Montana education. His leadership on both district and state levels has been instrumental in driving important initiatives forward. His commitment to public education has contributed to collaborative efforts that drive positive change.

Dr. Rob Watson, Executive Director at School Administrators of Montana (SAM), stated Mr. Parman has a long and successful career as a Montana educator. With his varied experience, his institutional knowledge is unmatched. Mr. Parman has approached each of his roles with professionalism and kindness. We are excited to have the opportunity to honor Dennis with this award - the highest award we give at SAM. 

The G. V. Erickson Award was presented by Sara Novak, Director of Great Divide Education Services and President of SAM.  The entire SAM membership congratulates Mr. Dennis Parman for being honored with this prestigious award, celebrating his dedicated service to public education which has left an indelible mark on Montana's education landscape.

Past G.V. Erickson Award Recipients

About Mr. Erickson

Mr. G. V. Erickson was born in Moorhead, Minnesota in 1911 where he attended elementary, high school and college.  G. V. graduated from Concordia College in 1934 with a major in biology and a double minor in German and physical education.  Mr. Erickson completed graduated work at the University of Montana, Montana State University, and Carroll College prior to receiving a Masters Degree in School Administration from the University of Minnesota in 1945.  At his first teaching position G. V. was a principal, coach, and a math and science instructor in New Leipzig, North Dakota for three years.  G. V. then went to Brockton as a science and math instructor and coach in 1937.  After two years he became superintendent and held that position for three years.  He then moved to Glasgow where he was a principal of the junior/senior high school.  G. V. then moved to Havre for three years as high school principal.  In 1948 G. V. moved to Helena as elementary principal of the Bryant, Lincoln, Hawthorn, and Broadwater schools. In 1955 he set up the first Helena Junior High School and was principal there through 1959.  In 1959 he moved to Montana State University in Bozeman as the Director of Student Teaching.  G. V. held this position for 10 years, and when the Department of Education became the College of Education in 1967, he became the Head of the Department of Secondary Education and Foundations.  He held this position until he retired in 1973.
 
Along with his regular position at MSU, G. V. was offered an additional challenge in education.  At the first meeting of the joint organization of MASA-MAESP-MASSP held in Billings in 1971, he was asked b the newly formed Executive Board to become the organization’s first executive secretary.  G. V. held this part-time position in addition to his work at Montana State University.  He was SAM’s Executive Secretary for the first six years of his existence.
 
Also G. V. became a life member of MEA in 1937, the NEA in 1940, the NAESP in 1953, and was also a life member of the MASSP.
 
The term nice guy was created for G. V. Erickson.  He had a great compassion for educators and students.  G. V.’s motivational speeches, which accompanied his annual report to administrators, will never be forgotten.
 
Mr. G. V. Erickson passed away a few short days before the annual G. V. Erickson Award was presented at the Fall Conference in 1996.

Jay Erdie Memorial Scholarship

Dr. John Jay Erdie was a Montana School Superintendent who was well known for his efforts in mentoring promising educators into becoming school administrators. He realized the value of training and retaining quality principals and superintendents.
 
A Dr. Jay Erdie Memorial Mentor Scholarship in the amount of $1000 will be awarded annually to a deserving educator. The purpose of the scholarship is to train and mentor new Montana school administrators.
 
The scholarship will be awarded to a school administration candidate who plans to begin and/or complete his/her administrative credentials and intends to work in a Montana school district. Once the candidate has secured a position and notified the SAM office, a trained mentor will be provided through SAM’s Mentor Program to assist during his/her first year on the job.
The award is sponsored by School Administrators of Montana, Montana Unified School Trust, and the Erdie Family.

2023 Jay Erdie Memorial Scholarship Recipient

The Dr.Jay Erdie Memorial Mentor Scholarship is co-sponsored by the Erdie family, the Montana Unified School Trust, and the School Administrators of Montana.  The award is provided to an administration candidate who plans to begin or complete their administrative credentials and intends to work in Montana.  The award is named after Dr. John Jay Erdie, who was a Montana School Superintendent well known for his efforts in mentoring promising educators to become school administrators.  

This year’s recipient of the Jay Erdie Memorial Mentor Scholarship will receive a $ 1,000 scholarship to assist in completing their education leadership program and will participate in the SAM Leaders Professional Learning Program once they secure their first administrator position.

Ryan Hamilton is in his fourth year as a 2nd Grade Teacher at Bonner Elementary and is expecting to graduate with his educational leadership degree from the University of Montana in December.   Ryan is thankful to the many education leaders who have willingly mentored him over the years.   He would love nothing more than to give back to the Montana education community.