ElevateMT - SAM Administrators Institute 2026

This summer, School Administrators of Montana invites you to step out of the daily grind and into something bigger.

 ElevateMT School Leadership Summit is not just the same SAMAI conference you're used to attending. It’s the statewide gathering of leaders shaping Montana’s schools, coming together to recharge, learn, and elevate what’s possible.

We’re thrilled to welcome Principal Baruti Kafele, Garth Larson, Sarah Elkins, Kristen Booth, and Kee Dunning.  These are some of the most respected voices in education today.  Their messages are powerful, practical, and deeply motivating for anyone leading in today’s school environment.

Across the week, you’ll experience:

• Bold conversations on innovation and leadership

• Strategies for operational success and sustainable wellness

• Guidance and support from trusted business partners who understand schools

• Real connection with colleagues from every corner of Montana

But, it's not just about being in a conference room all day.  We're creating a gathering that extends beyond the enclosed spaces.

Monday night, Old Salt Co-op brings a meal shaped by Montana producers, land stewardship, and a commitment to keeping food systems local.

Tuesday, Mariah Gladstone of IndigiKitchen shares food grounded in Indigenous knowledge, connecting culture, community, and the land that sustains us. 

And, because leadership should come with a little celebration: We’re taking it to the streets with a dance party on historic Last Chance Gulch, complete with our local breweries and wine bar, great food, and the kind of Montana summer evening you’ll remember all year.  

This is the summit Montana leaders deserve.  Bring your team. Elevate your leadership.