Welcome to 2024 SAM Administrators Institute Conference Landing Page! 

Thank you for joining us for the 2024 SAM Administrators Institute!  Use the menu below to quickly navigate between Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 sessions.

Find out more about conference presenters, session descriptions, and session resources by following the links below. 

• Pre-Conference and Day 1 Session Resources/Presenter Information 
• Day 2 Session Resources/Presenter Information
• Day 3 Session Resources/Presenter Information

Printable version of the full conference schedule

Please submit the conference evaluation form following the conference: 2024 SAM Administrators Institute Conference Evaluation (coming soon). We value your feedback! And, if you're attending to earn OPI Renewal Unit credits, completing the survey will generate your certificate.

Thank you to our SAM Business Partners, Conference Sponsors, and Reception Sponsors!   

Be sure to visit the SAM Business Partner Exhibit Hall! Stop by the exhibit booths to learn more, register for PRIZES, and get a signature on your Exhibitor BINGO card. Follow the link for a full list of SAM Business Partners in attendance:   2024 SAM AI SAM Business Partners (coming soon)

Conference Sponsors:  Audio Enhancement and SchoolSims

Tuesday Reception Sponsors:   MREA/MCS and Discovery Education

If you have questions or are experiencing technical difficulties, please email Kim ([email protected]), Marcus ([email protected]), or Rob ([email protected])

Monday, July 22

2024 SAM Administrators Institute Day 1 

 Pre-Conference only

         (Registration/  
Continental
Breakfast
  at 7:30 AM)   

 8:15 AM  
to
 9:00 AM  

Pre-Conference

(Registration and Continental Breakfast starting at 7:30 AM)
Lunch will be provided for those attending the Pre-Conference.

Pre-Conference Welcome & General Session:
Next Gen Teacher's Assistant,  Putting AI at Your Service in the Classroom 
Jason Neiffer

   Room 
         Location       

  Pre-Conference only
Focus Zone 1

9:15 AM
to
10:15 AM

                     Talk to Me: Find the Right Words to Inspire,                
         Encourage and Get Things Done      
                   Kim Bearden                

        Move the Crowd:  Managing Change      
         Troy Kemp   
Lunch will be provided for those attending the Pre-Conference.

       11:45 AM    
    to  
   12:45 PM

                                             Conference Registration                                                         

Pre-Conference/SAM AI  
12:45 PM
to
2:15 PM

                Welcome - SAM President, Carol Phillips                
Opening General Session

Ron Clark, Keynote Presentation       

    2:15 PM 
to
2:45 PM

Network and Visit SAM Business Partners

Pre-Conference/SAM AI

Focus Zone 1

2:45 PM
to
3:45 PM

   Network and Visit SAM Business Partners     

Pre-Conference/SAM AI   

Focus Zone 2       

4:00 PM
to
5:00 PM

Proficiency-Based Education:
Shift Toward a
Student-Centered Model

Genevieve Thomas

Tuesday, July 23

2024 SAM Administrators Institute Day 2

                   Continental Breakfast & Conference Registration                    

          Welcome and Program Overview            

Carol Phillips, SAM President

Opening Keynote: Lead Like a Pirate 
Beth Houf 

           Network and Visit SAM Business Partner             

        Focus Zones       

Inclusion

Room Location 

Focus Zone 3

10:00  AM
to
  11:00 AM 

Para Pathways Project

Patrick Cates &
Danni McCarthy

 Building Safe, Inclusive,
& Supportive Environments
with Montana's Whole
Child Competencies

Melissa Tovaas

Growing Teacher Leadership
Through Collective Efficacy

Barbara Frank

       11:00 AM      
to
  11:30 AM   

      Network and Visit SAM Business Partners               

      11:30 AM  
to
  12:30 PM

Panel Discussion
K12 Education Priorities for 2025: A Panel Discussion with
MT Constitutional Players Committee

12:30 PM
to
1:30 PM

Lunch provided for all conference attendees

      Focus Zone 4     

      1:45 PM           
to
2:45 PM   

The Next Education Workforce:
Team-based Staffing Models
for Better Educator &
Student Outcomes

Jan Vesely         

Disability Rights Montana

Michelle Weltman  

Lead in the Water

Brian Miller

        2:45 PM         
to
     3:00 PM     

        Network and Visit SAM Business Partners           

3:00 PM
to
4:30 PM

SchoolSims

Ken Spero

4:45 PM
to
6:30 PM

Reception - "SAM Story Hour" - SAM awards/years of service

Dinner on your own

Wednesday, July 24 

2024 SAM Administrators Institute Day 3

     7:00 AM 
to
8:00 AM

Hot Breakfast Buffet               

8:00 AM
to 
9:45 AM 

Welcome and Program Overview                   

Welcome: Carol Phillips, SAM President              

Becoming a Literacy Leader            
Danielle Thompson & Maria Pace           
MT Reading League     

9:45 AM
to
10:15 AM

Break and Visit with Exhibitors

      Focus Zone 

Room
Location

    Focus Zone 7
10:15 AM
to
11:15 AM 

Department of Labor
and
Industry

Sarah Swanson

School Sims

Ken Spero

Data Modernization

Christine Bushnell &
Ashley Perez

     11:15 AM       
 to
11:30 AM  

                                                          
              Network and Visit SAM Business Partners      

Teacher Crisis

Andrea Meiers & Jenny Combs

The Indigenous Whole
Learning Framework &
Strategies to Create Inclusive, Indigenous Environments

Michele Henson

K-12 Accreditation 2024-25

Crystal Andrews, Michelle Price and Ellery Bresler

Closing Speaker: Mike Jetty, IEFA Specialist OPI,
Reaffirming our Commitment to IEFA

12:45 PM
to
1:00 PM

Closing Remarks and Prize Drawings

Carol Phillips, SAM President