Whether it is Martin Luther King Day of Service, Memorial Day, Independence Day, or Veteran’s Day, behind most national recognition days lies a history of struggle, evidence of perseverance and courage, and most importantly, a story of resilience. The historic Juneteenth holiday, a commemoration of the end of slavery, is a
June is Caribbean-American Heritage month. Over 13.4 million Americans claim Caribbean heritage. The thirteen Caribbean countries are all islands. (Operation World). About 90% of Caribbean-Americans come from five countries: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago. “Caribbean immigrants have been contributing to the well-being of American society
I want to share the joy of Pride–the elation of living and loving out loud, the color, and the unabashed queerness in the streets. I want to share the joy, I do, but it’s
AMI/USA is growing! We are adding three brand-new positions to our team and are looking for qualified candidates to apply. Come join a dynamic team dedicated to advancing inclusive Montessori education in the United States. Click on the links below to review the job descriptions and instructions for applying. We look
The undersigned Montessori organizations challenge the national, state, and local legislative policies and laws that serve to regulate, limit, and intentionally omit what is taught about an honest history of the United States of America, the roles that all citizens played in its development, and exploration and discussion of racism and
In response to a March 3 article in The New Yorker, entitled “The Miseducation of Maria Montessori,” our Executive Director, Dr. Ayize Sabater, submitted a response to the magazine for their consideration and publication. Here is a summary of our questions and concerns that were submitted:
We are so grateful for the diverse skills, knowledge, cultures, and human experiences of the AMI/USA community. There are many talents and voices within our membership that can be amplified via AMI/USA platforms. We are extending an invitation to our members to collaborate with the AMI/USA team to pen statements for
From the Desk of the Human Rights & Social Justice Advisor
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of National Service
January 17, 2022
“The Tranquilizing Drug of Gradualism”
Summer came, and the weather was beautiful. But the climate, the social climate of American life, erupted into lightning flashes, trembled with thunder, and vibrated to the relentless,
Coaching and mentoring offer effective support for high fidelity practice and teacher retention. Individualized growth paths, especially early in a teacher’s career, can make a significant difference in job performance and satisfaction. AMI/USA’s Coaching Program assists our schools in achieving excellence and stability. We have a pool
“Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December — the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a milestone document, which proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a
On behalf of AMI/USA, I welcome Sinuda Kapalczynski as our guest writer during Indigenous Heritage Month. Please enjoy her eloquent and rich story about what we know as Thanksgiving. Sharing our stories helps us arrive at understanding and to create a shared human narrative. We are grateful for you, Sinuda!
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 2021, we interviewed a few Latinx Montessorians to hear their unique perspectives on what the month means to them personally and how to respectfully and inclusively incorporate celebrations and reflections into the Montessori classroom. Click on the images below to read the full spotlights.
Ready? Well, ready or not, another school year has already begun. As with the start of school years in the past, there are many things to grapple with in order to be prepared. Yet this school year’s readiness is particularly challenged by some complex matters. For one, the continuing and resurgent
AMI/USA is excited to continue learning alongside our community through a series of webinars focusing on issues of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion through a Montessori lens. Listen, learn, share and connect with experts and peers as we work to make Montessori spaces more
From the Executive Director’s Desk
– Guest Essay –
Sheri Bishop
AMI/USA Human Rights & Social Justice Advisor
The Truths are Self-Evident
On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence to dissolve the connection between Great Britain and the thirteen colonies declaring the “United Colonies of
We are so grateful for the skills, knowledge and experience of the AMI/USA community. Your unique perspectives are valuable. We are extending our annual call for proposals differently this year. In addition to inviting submissions for The Montessori Experience, we are expanding this call on a rolling basis for
Click here to access the recording from this session!
Date : June 9, 2022
Join us on Wednesday, June 9 at 7pm ET (4pm PT | 5pm MT | 6pm CT) as we discuss the AMI/USA Equity Statement that was released in February and serves as our commitment
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Memorial Day Blessings and 100th Tulsa Remembrance
As Executive Director, I am humbled to send blessings on behalf of AMI/USA to all of our nation’s fallen soldiers, on this Memorial Day.* Memorial Day is a time when many within our nation show gratitude and reverence
With the recent events around the AAPI community, AMI/USA is collaborating with WMI, Virginia Montessori Association and Loyola University to host an evening featuring a viewing of the short film Asian Americans: Part 5 and a panel discussion with Asian colleagues. This is a free event and it will be held
Join us on Earth Day April 22 starting at 7pm ET for a diverse panel of community leaders who will share on topics related to environmental education, environmental justice and sustainability. After the speakers share, we will have a Q&A and a casual conversation space.
Association Montessori International USA (AMI/USA) seeks an experienced Director of Finance (DF) to join our leadership team. Click the link and/or image below to download the position description.
To make a confidential application, please submit resume with salary requirements to montessori@amiusa.org.
We, the undersigned Montessori leadership organizations in the United States of America, are responding to the recent actions of the leadership of the Maria Montessori Academy in North Ogden, Utah, which allowed parents to make the decision regarding their children’s participation in Black History month
Dear AMI/USA Colleagues, Members, Collaborators and Montessorian Community Members At-Large,
Since the first day of the 2020 AMI/USA Refresher Course in Seattle, many of you have been speaking to issues of equity and have called for organizational analysis and
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We are thrilled that Koren Clark is part of our distinguished speaker line up for the upcoming Virtual Montessori Experience. Koren will be sharing on the topic of Montessori as a healing tool for our liberation. In preparation for her workshop, we are excited to share a link to an article
The AMI/USA Board of Directors would like to announce the selection of Dallas Nelson, Jacqui Miller, and Barbara Williams to serve on the Board of Directors. We had a robust response to our call for nominations and these individuals were selected from a pool of excellent candidates.
As I rise this morning, on the day when the USA celebrates the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (although his actual birthday was last week), I ponder Dr. King’s profound significance during his lifetime and for us today.
“As I arose this morning I had deep thoughts about the American political upheaval which recently transpired on January 6, 2021 in Washington, D.C. My primary question and concern as a father, educator, and educational leader is, “How are we addressing the #AttemptedCoup on the #USCapitol” not only with our own
Share Your COVID-19 Success Story at The 2021 Virtual Montessori Experience (February 12-15)
We want to celebrate you and all of the amazing things happening in your school community! We know this year has been a challenge mainly because of this pandemic but your ability to adapt
Join AMI/USA & EAA February 12-15, 2021 for The Virtual Montessori Experience
The year 2020 has been full of transitions — on a local, national and global scale. Many of these transitions have required unfathomable feats of adaptability. Join us February 12-15, 2021 as we explore these two concepts, through a justice lens, over the course
Good Afternoon,
I had an extended conversation with Queta Harlan this afternoon, Estela Palmeri’s sister, who informed me that Estela passed away on November 5.
I was a former student of Estela’s in Los Angeles for the school year 1971-1972. At that time she was unmarried
Check out the recording from Sheri’s webinar that took place on Sunday, November 15, 2020 – Preparing Ourselves Spiritually and Mentally for Revolutionary Social Change – click here!
AMI/USA is excited to learn alongside our community through a series of four free webinars focusing on issues of race, bias and injustice through a Montessori lens. Listen, learn, share and connect with experts and peers as we work to make
Association Montessori International of the United States (AMI/USA) is dedicated to bringing the principles of Dr. Maria Montessori to the education of children through its support and advancement of the AMI Montessori community in the United States.
AMI/USA has committed to strategically examining and dismantling institutional racism and other social justice issues
Applications for AMI Recognition Status and Recognition Consultations 2020-21 are open! The program will take place wholly online and provides opportunities for supportive discussions with Montessori experts. Consultations will be relevant to the conditions currently affecting schools and focused on ensuring schools maintain the recognition status their hard work and dedication
AMI/USA recently established Human Rights and Social Justice Committee provides insights, guidance and recommendations to the AMI/USA Board. A diverse group of advisers to the Committee provide a voice for the wider Montessori community in establishing goals and strategies as well as offering direct input into developing areas of equity, diversity and
AMI/USA is pleased to announce that Mary Levy has become Chair of its Board with immediate effect. Previous Chair, Gretchen Hall, has accepted the position of Vice Chair.
Further changes at the recent Board meeting included a resolution to extend the number of Board seats from eight to ten persons. The expansion will enable
We would like to share with you two beautiful, short documentaries, which have been produced by BBC StoryWorks. BBC StoryWorks is part of BBC Global News. They specialize in producing short documentary style films, focusing on creating beautiful stories to inspire and educate audiences.
In accordance with Phase I of Virginia’s “safer at home” re-opening plan, the AMI/USA Bookstore is once again open for business and operating on a limited shipping schedule. Orders will be shipped every other Friday starting Friday, June 19th. Please plan to place your order by the end of the day
The Circle of Distinction acknowledges an individual’s lifelong dedication, inspiration, creativity, resilience and passion within the AMI/USA community. We share a sense of commitment to the continuation of Dr. Montessori’s work and there is deep appreciation for the efforts of every individual. The Circle of Distinction offers an
If you missed our March 26 webinar with Jesse McCarthy and Karin Ann, the recording is available for purchase, including bonus audio in which both presenters answer additional questions that were posed by attendees during the live webinar. Jesse and Karin took the opportunity to augment the parent communication
It was with great difficulty that the decision was made to cancel the upcoming AMI/USA Administrators Retreat originally scheduled to take place in July in Traverse City, Michigan. We understand, however, that administrators may have been especially looking forward to this year’s retreat as a respite from the challenges of today, therefore, alternate plans
With the spread of COVID-19 impacting our communities, AMI/USA is sharing resources (below) to ensure that everyone is supported during this unique crisis. We understand that the situation, challenges, and questions are changing with what seems like each passing moment, so we are learning with the rest of the country about how
We are closely monitoring the situation surrounding COVID-19 and will communicate if the event is postponed or cancelled with as much advance notice as possible. At this point in time, we are still moving forward with the July dates listed below.
We greatly appreciate your understanding during this unprecedented time and will
Additional sleeping rooms for “The Montessori Experience: Refresher Course & Workshops” 2020 in Seattle are now available at The Westin Bellevue, just a quick 6-7 minute walk from the Hyatt Regency Bellevue, where the event
Yes, the time has come to announce the opening of applications for the Primary and Elementary consultant training THIS JUNE (2020)! We couldn’t be more excited that the Consultation Committee in partnership with the AMI/USA office is conducting this much needed training. Click here for more information and application materials.
Baltimore/Columbia Workshop Montessori: Learning for All
October 11-12, 2019
Join us in Columbia, Maryland, for our first of two regional workshops in 2019-2020. We look forward to partnering with NAMTA for what will be their final regional workshop as well as with EAA, our continuing partner for major professional development events.
The will is a psychic power that humans are not born with, but one that develops over time through experience following natural laws. The child’s development of will; therefore, is
Through the Montessori Public Policy Initiative(MPPI), AMI/USA and the American Montessori Society are working collaboratively to communicate, influence, and participate in policy developments. We believe that by sharing a common voice with our AMS colleagues, the entire Montessori Movement will be strengthened.
A little over a year ago today, AMI/USA issued a statement on the detrimental effects of separating children from their parents in response to the United States’ practice of removing children from their families and placing them in custody at the U.S./Mexico border.
AMI/USA and NAMTA, in partnership with EAA, are pleased to announce the upcoming regional workshop Montessori: Learning for All. We look forward to offering this exceptional professional development opportunity once again in beautiful Columbia, Maryland. Registration opening soon. Stay tuned for updates by connecting with us on social media or checking our website.
AMI/USA is proud to announce the availability of a new 401(k) plan designed to be affordable and easy to administer. Please, see the attached informational flier with a link to more information or contact Brian Prasifka directly at 972-567-4012 or bp@rsi2.com. For additional collateral materials that might be helpful for your use, click below.
AMI will be offering an Administrators Certificate for the first time in the United States July 7-12 in Houston, Texas! Click here to be directed to the Houston Montessori Institute for more information.
Registration for this year’s AMI/USA Administrators Retreat, formerly held by the Montessori Administrators Association (MAA), is now open! The retreat will follow the opportunity to add knowledge gained through the first AMI Administrators certificate course in the United States. The certificate course and retreat will be held in Houston, Texas this
Montessori Guidance for Adapting to the Global Digital Culture April 4-7, 2019
Greater Tacoma Convention Center, Tacoma Washington
The acceleration of technology and the complexity of changes in our current society will define the future for today’s children. Montessori educators will partner with leaders in the newly emerging field of “human technology” to examine
Refresher Course certificates of attendance are available by email (free) or regular mail (incurs a $5 processing fee). To request your own certificate, please click here. If you are requesting a number of certificates for a school, please download this certificate request form to your desktop and return it
On Friday, February 15th at the opening of the 2019 Refresher Course, AMI/USA Board President, Gretchen Hall, and MAA Board President, John Churn, announced plans to consolidate into one organization.
On Friday, February 15th at the opening of the 2019 Refresher Course, AMI/USA Board President, Gretchen Hall, and MAA Board President, John Churn, announced plans to consolidate into one organization.
In an effort to better communicate and connect our membership with the work of the board, we will be including brief quarterly meeting updates in this and future newsletters. We hope that they serve you as intended.
Our July board meeting was held in Simsbury, Connecticut. The location
