I am not sure when I realized the “White Man” that civil rights leaders referred to meant “White People” collectively and “White supremacy”. I became aware that I, a White woman, was included in this group. I was embarrassingly late to this realization. It was even later when I became aware

Click here to download:
the AMIUSA 2023-2027 Strategic Plan

Click here to read the February 2023 E-Newsletter!

We will be posting resources for our Montessori community regarding school funding opportunities and corresponding videos.

Stay tuned for more and come back often!

Grant Opportunities:

January Grant Opportunities

February Grant Opportunities

March Grant Opportunities

Download our 2023 Montessori Experience Media Advisory here

BLK History Month

By: Nikki Giovanni

If Black History Month is not

viable then wind does not

carry the seeds and drop them

on fertile ground

rain does not

dampen

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service – January 16, 2023

On this day of service, the nation will honor the memory and tireless work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  On this day, and after it passes, all educators, from all backgrounds, will be well served by

Hot off the (virtual) press. To see our schedule, session descriptions, presenters, and more, please download: 2023 Montessori Experience brochure.

Plan to join us in Baltimore at the Montessori Experience: Refresher Courses and More by registering here.

Click here to read the January 2023 E-Newsletter!

We’re starting our year off right with these offerings for you! Click on each graphic below for more.

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Dr. Martha Urioste

October 2, 1937 – December 8, 2022

Community,

With a heavy heart we announce the passing of Dr. Martha Urioste. She transitioned from this world Thursday, December 8, 2022. Dr. Martha was one of the first persons to bring Montessori to the public sector in Colorado.

Click here to read the December 2022 E-Newsletter!

We are excited to announce over 40 presenters for this year’s Montessori Experience: Refresher Courses & More!

Learn more about our presenters by clicking here 

Click here for the November 2022 E-Newsletter

Willa Mae Golden
October 10, 1938 – October 25, 2022

“Willa Mae Golden—inspired teacher and loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend—passed away on October 25, 2022, in Washington, DC. She was 84.”

This heartfelt opening can be found in the 11/9/22 life celebration obituary for Mama Golden, as I affectionately referred to

Gratitude for The National Day of Mourning

By: Siobhan Growing Elm Brown, Mashpee Wampanoag

As a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, my elders taught me that to be Wampanoag is to live in a state of gratitude. To me, walking in gratitude

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Webinars

As our 2020 Racial Equity Statement declares, “We acknowledge that building and maintaining an inclusive, racially equitable culture will be never-ending and that ever-lasting transformation requires courage, persistence, unwavering commitment, and individual and collective accountability.  We encourage all members, especially those

Announcing the 2023 AMI/USA Montessori Experience, Refresher Courses and More!

Join us in Baltimore, MD from February 17 – 20, 2023 for a weekend to focus on the Spiritual Preparation of the guide in service to all children. Each track and offering will provide a unique perspective on this

Researchers want to hear from you!

A research study designed to learn more about what AMI Certified Montessori Teachers with students ages 3 – 6 years in the United States report regarding scientific observation for assessment as a disposition and as a disposition in action.

RESEARCH FLYER_National Study of Montessori Teacher Dispositions

Click here for the October 2022 E-Newsletter

AMI/USA wants to understand Montessori teachers’ and administrators’ experiences with supporting students with developmental disabilities or delays. So, you are invited to participate in a research study & take a FREE online course on the Use and Implementation of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) in Montessori settings. Click the link

Indigenous Peoples Day 2022

How do we come to the circle? At AMI/USA we are intentional about how we hold space for our collective work. On this Indigenous Peoples Day, we recognize that we are on Indigenous land and give gratitude for the original stewards of the land. Moving beyond land acknowledgements

Friends,

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Lawrence Vincent Schaefer on September 29, 2022 at 91 years. A beloved member of the Montessori global community with a legacy that will be cherished and held close to heart by all who loved him. AMI/USA sends thoughts of compassion

Image and beadwork design by Tia Marie Pocknett©

Orange Shirt Day – September 30th

 This summer, I had the opportunity to meet my biological family in Canada–my Mi’kmaq family.  My homecoming was filled with a spectrum of

International Day of Peace, 2022

Peace Like A River: Inner Peace and the Prepared Environment

International Day of Peace is being observed today, September 21, 2022.  This is the day that the United Nations (UN) invites all countries and people to honor cessation of hostilities during the day

September 15th – October15, 2022

“Hispanic heritage holds an indelible place in the heart and soul of our Nation, and National Hispanic Heritage Month reminds us that the American identity is a fabric of diverse traditions and stories woven together. Since the beginning,

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

Pride is More Than a Parade
By: Angela Ma

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:

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Association of Montessori International/USA

Black History Month 2022

How We Teach History is Just as Important as What We Teach

A Word to Guides

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

From the United Nations website:

“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.

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From the Desk of the HRSJ Advisor
Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2021
Moving Beyond Land Acknowledgments

Click here to read.

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
Time: 7pm ET

From the Executive Director’s Desk

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

BMEF 2021 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS IS NOW OPEN