MPPI Receives Implementation Grant

The American Montessori Society and the Association Montessori International/USA are excited to announce that the James Walton Fund of the Walton Family Foundation has awarded a three year implementation grant to the Montessori Public Policy Initiative (MPPI).

MPPI is a collaborative project of AMS and AMI/USA which strives to promote policies that protect authentic Montessori implementation.  The initiative works to build on a groundswell of activism through the establishment and support of state advocacy groups and coalitions, working together toward the shared goal of advancing Montessori by shifting the public policy landscape.

Since this joint advocacy initiative began, MPPI’s state advocate network has grown from 13 states to nearly 40. The implementation grant will provide funding for full time staff and organizational support to further strengthen our state advocacy groups and equip them with the resources and training they need to successfully advocate for public policy that will allow Montessori education to flourish and provide high quality Montessori opportunities for all children.

MPPI’s work over the next 3 years will be driven by its Strategic Plan, which has 4 areas of concentration:

  • Empowering and equipping MPPI state advocacy groups
  • Effectively communicating a universal definition of Montessori education for use in policy work
  • Establishing a seat at the table for national policy conversations
  • Solidifying MPPI’s future by ensuring the organization has sustainable funding, structure, and staffing.

We are equally thrilled to announce that Wendy Shenk-Evans has agreed to be MPPI’s Interim Executive Director. Wendy has been a part of the MPPI Council for three and a half years and has capably led the Council as chair for much of that time. She brings the diverse skill set the position requires along with a deep passion and commitment for MPPI’s work. She will assume her responsibilities on a part-time basis  in the new year, transitioning to full-time once her responsibilities in her current school conclude. You can read a message from Wendy here.