School Administrators of Montana

SAM Update 11-14-25

Dear SAM Members,

During these busy times leading up to the holidays, I appreciate our members willingness to stay engaged in the important advocacy work of School Administrators of Montana. We had more than 200 people on the SAM webinar yesterday participating in the discussion about the STARS Future Ready Payment. It is important for everyone to stay engaged in these discussions, as we move from passage to implementation of HB252. Information can be found in this email as well as posted on "Rob's Desk" on the SAM website.
 

SAM November 13 Webinar

 

More than 200 administrators joined us for the 11-13-25 SAM Webinar  - The STARS Act, Future Ready Incentive:  PK-12 supports available to maximize incentive payments.

 

Representatives from OCHE, DLI, OPI, MTDA, and CEN shared updates on their progress in developing guidelines for the STARS incentive payments available to both elementary and high school districts.  A followup webinar will be scheduled in the spring.
Play  

Evaluation and Renewal Unit Certificate:  Do you want to receive an OPI Renewal Unit Certificate for your participation in the webinar?  Did you miss the live webinar but want to earn renewal unit credits for watching the video?  Follow this link and submit the short evaluation. Your certificate will be generated and emailed to you upon completion of the evaluation form:  11-13-25 SAM Webinar Evaluation

 

Recordings and resources for all SAM webinars are housed in the SAM Online Learning Center and accessible to all SAM members.  Once logged in to the SAM website, you will be in the Members Only area.  To locate the webinar resources, click on Resources >Online Learning > Courses >2025-26 SAM Monthly Webinars.  We will continue to add resources as webinars are completed.  Experiencing difficulties?  Contact Kim at the SAM Office (samks@sammt.org)

Webinar Resources:
 

 

Montana Principals Conference:  Present, Register, Celebrate!

 

This January, the heart of Montana education beats in Bozeman. The Montana Principals Conference is where leaders come together to gain fresh ideas, build lasting connections, and reignite their purpose. Under the banner “Solid Country Gold: Where Montana’s Educators Raise Up Tomorrow’s Frontier,” this year’s conference honors the people, purpose, and promise behind every Montana school.

 

You can expect:

  • Inspiring keynotes from state and national leaders
  • Practical, high-impact breakout sessions
  • Meaningful collaboration with principals from across Montana

Join us January 25–27, 2026, in Bozeman, Montana — where golden sunsets meet golden opportunities to lead, learn, and lift up Montana’s kids.

 

Conference Registration Form

 

Call for Presenters - Deadline December 2

Share your expertise and inspire your peers! We are seeking breakout session presenters in the following areas:

  • Leadership - Brave on the Frontier: Courageous Leadership in Shifting Times
  • Advocacy - From Grit to Policy: Turning Belief into Bootstraps Change
  • Innovation - From Campfire Sparks to Wildfire Change
  • Curriculum & Instruction - Beyond the Fence Line: Teaching That Lasts a Lifetime
  • School Culture - Keeping Joy in the Saddle: Sustaining Purpose on the Trail

Submit the Call for Presenters application by December 2 to be considered for a breakout session.

 

Call For Presenter Application

 

Award/Scholarships - Deadline December 5

 

Help us shine a light on Montana’s outstanding education leaders. Nominations are open for MASSP and MAEMSP awards and scholarships, with presentations taking place at the 2026 Montana Principals Conference.

 

Visit the Awards page on the SAM website to view award descriptions and access nomination forms

 

MAEMSP:

  • MAEMSP/NAESP National Distinguished Principal
  • Adrian Langstaff Award 
  • NAESP Conference Incentive Award
  • MAEMSP Aspiring Principal Scholarship Award
  • MAEMSP Friends of Education Award 
  • MAEMSP Appreciation Award

MASSP:

  • MASSP Community Partner in Education
  • MASSP Future Administrator Scholarship 

Award Descriptions and Nomination/Application Forms
 

Opportunities from Education Partners

MTDA Partners with Code.org for Hour of AI Week Coming December 8–12, 2025

 

MTDA Clearinghouse & Frontier Learning Lab are joining forces with our national partner, Code.org ( https://zurl.co/1iRmB ), to bring Montana Hour of AI Week to Montana, December 8-12, 2025. The Hour of AI week will provide online resources & activities, webinars, interviews, and workshops for K-12 students and teachers. Frontier Learning Lab will also kick off its AI Play Lab series live in Missoula. Watch for additional information in the coming weeks!

#HourofAI

The Hour of AI is a global campaign from CSforALL, in collaboration with Code.org.  https://zurl.co/XmQ5N