SAM Update 6-13-25

Dear SAM Members,

Happy June Friday.  I hope everyone is recharging and staying connected.  

We are closely following the School Funding Interim Commission - charged with studying our school funding process and formula. They do have a virtual meeting coming up on June 23.  You can find more info on their website.

We spent the last two days at Delegate Assembly with representatives from our 6 affiliate organizations.  During this meeting we prioritized SAM positions on school funding changes we would like to see as the Decennial Committee continues their work. In the coming weeks I will send all members a copy of the SAM priorities.

Thank you for staying engaged!  Rob

Recharging Leadership Is Better Together – Register Your Team for SAM AI

Register your leadership team for the 2025 SAM Administrators Institute (SAM AI) July 28-30 at the Delta Colonial in Helena and share in an experience that will reenergize your leadership and spark renewed purpose for the year ahead.

When you learn with your colleagues and leadership team, you amplify the value of:

• Pre-conference workshops designed for instructional leadership
• Inspiring keynotes that challenge and uplift your thinking
• Breakout sessions with practical strategies for school and district success
• Time to connect and collaborate as a team away from day-to-day demands

Plus, districts will receive a $25 per person credit when five or more participants register—and there's no need to submit all forms at once.

Make the most of your summer professional learning. Register now, bring your team, and walk away equipped to energize, empower, and elevate your leadership.

Register today:  2025 SAM AI Registration Form

Room block information:

• Delta Colonial (Conference Hotel), $169, "SAM AI" room block
• Great Northern, $190
• DoubleTree downtown, $179

Free Educational Interpreting Training

Are you an interpreter who works with school aged children in Montana?  Do you interpret the complex languages found in math and the sciences?  If so, this training is for you!  The training is a blend of 1 online training and 3 in person workshops to be held at the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind (MSDB) campus in late July.  The training is free for current interpreters!  In addition, if you need housing accommodations, MSDB will provide you free housing during the in-person workshops.  CEUs will be provided by MSDB.

This is a great opportunity for interpreters to meet the 12 clock hours of professional development as identified in ARM 10.55.718.  Registration will close on July 8th!!  Follow this link for more information and to register:  Interpreter Workshop Series
Any questions, please reach out to pfurthmyre@msdb.k12.mt.us

Free Workshop - The Modern Classrooms Project

The Modern Classrooms Project is a nonprofit that is scaling an innovative new method of teaching. They empower educators to implement a blended, self-paced, mastery-based instructional model that can be adapted to any content area or grade level. Through their innovative training programs and online resources, they provide a pathway for teachers, schools, districts, and states to create more personalized and student-centered learning environments for all students while ensuring that teaching is a fulfilling and sustainable profession.

Ready to move beyond “one-size-fits-all” instruction? The Modern Classrooms Project Leadership Collaborative can help you lead educators in your community as they redesign instruction for self-paced, mastery-based, and blended learning.

On Tuesday, June 24th, innovative leaders from around the country will come together to share strategies they are using to shift toward student-centered learning.  (This is a FREE virtual conference for school and district leaders.)

This year’s Leadership Collaborative Summit theme is Meeting Every Learner’s Needs. You can expect collaborative sessions, networking opportunities, and choices to meet your learning needs. No prior experience with MCP necessary. 

Speakers include:

• Rob Barnett, co-founder of the Modern Classrooms and author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs
• Dr. Caitlin Tucker, author of Shift to Student-Led
• Kareem Farah, co-founder and CEO of the Modern Classrooms Project

Sessions will cover:

• Data Collection in Modern Classrooms
• Classroom Structures
• The Future of Student Trackers with Wavio
• Supporting English Language Learners
• Responsive School Improvement
• And more!

Register now and learn more through the 2025 Leadership Collaborative Website: www.modernclassrooms.org/leadership-collaborative