Association Montessori International of the United States (AMI/USA)

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🌟 Exciting News! Join Us Monday for an Unmissable Webinar! 🌟

Being a teacher is no joke! The yearly school calendar never seems to let up. Opening preparations, learning about the children and their needs, lesson plans, parent interactions, fundraising activities, decisions, decisions…on and on and on. There is a sweet spot between your career being rewarding and it being wrought with overwhelming stress. Join this fun and interactive experience that demonstrates how you can use your mind and body to access more joy and well-deserved relaxation through breathing techniques and laughter yoga.

Register at https://amiusa.org/event/the-power-of-breath-and-laughter-for-teachers-and-children-in-the-classroom-2/

🌟 Exciting News! Join Us Monday for an Unmissable Webinar! 🌟

Being a teacher is no joke! The yearly school calendar never seems to let up. Opening preparations, learning about the children and their needs, lesson plans, parent interactions, fundraising activities, decisions, decisions…on and on and on. There is a sweet spot between your career being rewarding and it being wrought with overwhelming stress. Join this fun and interactive experience that demonstrates how you can use your mind and body to access more joy and well-deserved relaxation through breathing techniques and laughter yoga.

Register at https://amiusa.org/event/the-power-of-breath-and-laughter-for-teachers-and-children-in-the-classroom-2/

Meet our Human Rights & Social Justice Advisor Sheri Bishop. Sheri received her AMI Elementary diploma in 2014 from the Montessori Institute of Atlanta, her M.Ed. from Loyola University of Baltimore in 2015, and her AMI Primary Diploma from the Montessori Institute of North Texas in 2022. After eight years of classroom experience, she founded Catalyze Consulting, LLC. She currently assumes her role at AMI/USA as the Human Rights and Social Justice Advisor, offers support to the Montessori Institute of North Texas as their Diversity and Equity Consultant, and occasionally enjoys the opportunity to reconnect with children as a Montessori classroom substitute.

Today, we celebrate the incredible legacy of Dr. Maria Montessori, born on this day in 1870. Her revolutionary approach to education has transformed the lives of millions of children around the world.

Dr. Montessori was a pioneer in education, advocating for a child-centered approach that emphasizes independence, hands-on learning, and respect for a child's natural development. Her innovative methods have inspired educators, parents, and learners alike to see the world through a lens of curiosity and exploration.

"The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, 'The children are now working as if I did not exist.'" - Dr. Maria Montessori

As we honor her today, let's continue to embrace her vision of nurturing the potential within every child. Whether you're a teacher, a parent, or someone who believes in the power of education, Dr. Montessori's work reminds us that every child has the ability to change the world.

Meet Kazi Chad Dennis. Kazi is the Office and Bookstore Manager at AMI/USA. Kazi holds a bachelor's degree in African-American Studies from Howard University. Kazi is passionate about history and social justice issues. Kazi wants AMI/USA staff, membership and the greater Montessori community to know that his job is to support them with information and books. He has been in this role since February 2022. He has been supporting the AMI/USA bookstore since December 2020.

Discover the transformative power of becoming an AMI-trained educator! With AMI training, you'll gain the skills and knowledge to inspire young minds and create meaningful learning experiences. Whether you're an aspiring guide or looking to deepen your expertise, AMI training centers offers programs that align with your goals.

Explore our Training Center Locator to find a program near you and start your journey: https://amiusa.org/teacher-training/teacher-training-programs/training-center-locator/

Join a global community of educators dedicated to making a difference!

AMI/USA is hiring an Events Manager!

The AMI/USA Events Manager is a key role responsible for orchestrating impactful events that elevate our brand, enhance member loyalty, and enrich the AMI/USA community experience. With an enthusiastic “can-do” attitude, the Events Manager will lead the development of our signature annual Montessori event and other strategic gatherings. This role requires a creative and organized professional who can plan, coordinate, and execute events that align with our mission and objectives.

Come join our team!

Learn more at https://amiusa.org/news/ami-usa-is-hiring-events-manager/

Meet Soraya Lallani. Soraya serves as Pedagogical Director of Consultation and Coaching for AMI/USA. In addition to providing pedagogical expertise, Soraya is responsible for overseeing the Recognition Program, the Coaching/Mentoring program, and will help guide AMI/USA with the forthcoming Global School Accreditation Program.

Soraya’s passion in facilitating societal change stems from an ardent belief that through Montessori education, children can create lasting and effective transformation in society. They are our change makers.

She holds both AMI Primary and Elementary Diplomas and a master’s degree in education from Loyola University in Baltimore. Her 12 year experience in both primary and elementary classrooms was the catalyst for becoming a founding member, lead guide and director of a Montessori Childcare Center in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Soraya’s dedication to Montessori education continued in her work with the Arthur Waser Foundation. It was here that she spearheaded and oversaw innovative Montessori projects in East Africa. Witnessing the transformative power of Montessori education in these remote communities catapulted her into the AMI Training of Trainer’s Program where she achieved Auxiliary Trainer status. As a consultant and trainer, Soraya has delivered refresher orientation, refresher courses, and numerous workshops to numerous educational institutions before joining AMI/USA.

"The child gives us a beautiful lesson – that in order to form and maintain our intelligence, we must use our hands." – Maria Montessori

We'd love to hear from you! How have you seen the power of hands-on learning in your own life or the lives of learners around you? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below!

Photo courtesy of one of our member schools: Indiana Montessori Academy ❤️

MPPI is so excited to announce our 2024 Keynote Speaker Lucy Recio! See more here: https://montessoriadvocacy.org/mppi-2024-advocacy-conference/

The Sanford Jones Fund for the Arts provides AMI/USA members with the opportunity to expand on arts related activities in their Montessori environments.

Grant awards may be used to purchase art materials, art history materials, musical instruments, songbooks, costumes and set decorations. Grants may also be used to attend professional development workshops. Requests for amounts from $100 to $400 will be considered. Funding for these grants is made possible by the generous support of AMI/USA members and friends.

“Good friendships developed through sewing together. Children were not just proud of their work but that they had helped others complete theirs. We could not have had this successful project without the Sanford Jones Fund for the Arts award. Thank you so much for funding our sewing art projects.” - Katherine Russell, 2022-23 Recipient

With the help of The Sanford Jones Fund for the Arts Katherine Russell purchased sewing kits for every student in her class with needles, hoops, fabrics, colored yarn, beads, shells, bells, sequins, tiny decor, pin cushion, and fabrics for their age and ability.

Learn more and apply for The Sanford Jones Fund for the Arts: https://amiusa.org/sanford-jones-fund-for-the-arts/

Did you know AMI/USA has a Journal? When you become a member, you'll get our Journal sent directly to your inbox, ensuring you never miss out on valuable updates and exclusive content.

Sign up to become a member today! https://amiusa.org/signup-renew-membership/

Meet our Director of School and Member Operations, Lynne Breitenstein-Aliberti. Lynne serves as AMI/USA’s Director of School and Member Operations guiding the AMI Recognition Program and supporting our Membership. In this role, Lynne works with parents, administrators, teachers, trainers, trainees, and consultants, in addition to the wider educational community. With over 25 years of experience within the Montessori community, she has experienced the power that Montessori education has to create a more peaceful world.

Lynne is committed to educational and outreach activities for advancing equity and access, and to collaboration, personal growth, and positive thinking. Previous roles were with North American Montessori Teachers Association, Ohio Montessori Alliance, and Ruffing Montessori. Lynne achieved the AMI Primary Diploma from Ohio Montessori Training Institute and a Master of Education degree from Loyola College of Baltimore.

🌟 Your Opinion Matters! 🌟

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts on The 2024 Montessori Experience: Refresher Courses and More! Join us for a Zoom call and give us your valuable feedback.

Contact our Director of Communications, Madison, at [email protected] to schedule your call!

Please note: Calls will be recorded for marketing purposes.

Reflecting, Recharging, and Reconnecting: Our Administrators Retreat in Minneapolis was a transformative experience filled with inspiration. A special thank you to everyone who attended, as well as our sponsors!

Meet our Deputy Director, Chitra Subramanian. Chitra is an Indian American dancer, choreographer, educator, and nonprofit leader residing in Washington, DC. A Pittsburgh native and originally from South India, Chitra teaches, choreographs, and performs with a collective of artists called chitra.MOVES. Anchored by years of education work with young people and their families, Chitra explores themes centered on relationships, community, and institutions that have transformed her as a person. Chitra’s youth work involved serving as Deputy Director and Executive Director at M.O.M.I.E’s, as well as working as the Human Resources Manager at a local public Montessori school in DC. Chitra has two young daughters who have attended a Montessori school for many years and is excited about her journey to support AMI/USA.

Submit your proposal for the Montessori Research Poster Session that will be held on Friday, February 14, 2025!

We are excited to amplify and encourage Montessori research. We welcome poster proposals that are theoretical, applied, practitioner, participatory, action, basic, policy-focused, and more. Individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences such as graduate students, guides, students, trainers, early career academics, and senior scholars are encouraged to apply. Research poster proposals can include broad topics at any stage but should make sure to highlight the relevance to the Montessori community. Please keep our commitment to equity and inclusion in mind when developing your proposal.

Submit you proposal: https://amiusa.org/mex25-call-for-montessori-research-posters/

Meet our Executive Director, Ayize Sabater. Ayize is a dynamic entrepreneur, educational researcher, author and thirty year educational visionary. He earned his doctorate at Morgan State University in 2018. Dr. Ayize has co-founded several organizations, including a Montessori Public Charter school in D.C. He received a 2021 Montessori Core Principle and a 2012 Orientation (formerly know as Assistant) certificate and is an honors graduate of Morehouse and Wesley. Ayize has been repeatedly featured as a Keynote speaker, has conducted presentations internationally and was a 2010 educational excellence award recipient, presented by First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House. Some of his published research articles are on family engagement, culturally relevant pedagogy, and Montessori education especially for Black folx. Dr. Ayize has been widely featured on TV, radio, in the NY Times, People & Emerge Magazines, and Back Enterprise. Ayize co-founded the Black Montessori Educational Fund and was appointed the 1st Black Executive Director of AMI/USA in November 2020.

Discover how Montessori guides and administrators are enhancing their support for students with developmental delays or disabilities through the Ages and Stages Questionnaires training. Dr. Elyse L. Postlewaite’s evaluation reveals impactful insights and improved educational outcomes. Read the brief and full report: https://amiusa.org/news/read-experiences-of-montessori-guides-and-administrators-supporting-students-with-developmental-delays-or-disabilities/

"How do I address this with my student? How do I discuss this with the family? What will the other parents think? How will it affect the class dynamics? These are all questions that may come to mind when one of your students comes out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. As Montessori guides, we commit to seeing each person as a complete, unique individual and to teaching the whole child. This means our classroom and school communities must seek ways to affirm all parts of our students and their families."

Watch this recording of an insightful panel discussion where Montessori students, guides, and parents shared how they successfully navigated this issue in a positive and supportive way. Moderated by Sheri Bishop and presented by the Virginia Montessori Association. A big thank you to the Virginia Montessori Association for allowing us to share this recording.

https://www.virginiamontessoriassociation.org/sheri-l-bishop-layl.html

"It is interesting to notice that where life is simple and natural and where the children participate in the adult’s life, they are calm and happy."
-Maria Montessori

Montessori, M. (1946). The 1946 London Lectures (p. 153).

Did you know AMI/USA has a newsletter? When you become a member, you'll get our newsletter sent directly to your inbox, ensuring you never miss out on valuable updates and exclusive content.

Click here to become a member: https://amiusa.org/signup-renew-membership/

💥Breaking News💥

Now Offering a Tour of Montessori Center of Minnesota and the International Montessori Museum at the AMI/USA Admin Retreat!

July 19-21 in Minneapolis

The internationally recognized Montessori Center of Minnesota has offered rigorous, high-quality, hands-on training in Dr. Montessori’s proven method of education to the world’s leading Montessori teachers for more than 40 years. Located in a beautiful state-of-the-art facility in St. Paul, MN, MCM provides teacher training students from around the world with the rare opportunity to observe, practice, study and make materials in one location.

At the International Montessori Museum, Montessori Journey employs 67 photo/text panels, 12 display cases of period artifacts, two video kiosks, and music from Montessori classrooms of the 1920s and 30s. The exhibit tells a story of growth, independence, and development of children worldwide through Montessori education. The journey culminates in a mural of children’s artwork of 800 images from 35 Montessori schools across the globe—a testament to Maria Montessori and her global impact.

https://amiusa.org/2024-administrators-retreat/

In June 1863, when Abraham Lincoln signed and enacted the Emancipation Proclamation, there were almost four million people of African descent owned by wealthy landowners in this country. The proclamation was to free them all. However, because of greed, systemic racial and economic oppression, and disrespect for human life and labor, this right was denied and delayed for 250,000 human beings for two additional years. In June of 1865, the Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, and delivered the news of freedom to those still uninformed and still enslaved (Smithsonian Institution, n.d.). Today it is a time that the descendants of the African American ancestors are given particular reverence, true freedom is celebrated, and African American cultural practices and traditions are honored. It is also a time when the descendants of enslaved Africans in America remember the efforts their ancestors made to reunite with adult family members and their precious children. The outgrowth of these efforts to reconnect is the modern-day tradition of Black family reunions.

As Montessorians today, we certainly must acknowledge the generational impact of this history. Parent/child separation, during the child's formative years, was the epitome of injustice for parents and a violation of the rights of the child. Dr. Montessori was very clear when she wrote, "Democracy begins at birth. The child must know what is going to happen to him..." (Montessori, 1946, p. 132). As Montessorians, we may wonder why African American parents and caregivers are not flocking to enroll their children in our schools. Some assume the primary reason is economic; that is true for many. However, there are many African American families that are not concerned about the financial costs, but the social/emotional costs. African American parents and caregivers need to be reassured that their children will be fully supported as whole human beings. We can label this support as embracing diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, etc., however, African American families just want to know "what is going to happen" and if their children, especially those identifying as boys, will feel "at home" and thrive in every way in Montessori schools and classrooms.

The AMI/USA staff and board members bear witness to the fact that trainers, guides, consultants, members, Human Rights and Social Justice Advisors, and so many others are acquiescing around this value and goal. We all are challenged to continue until all families and all children know what is going to happen.

Juneteenth became the eleventh federal holiday in the United States in June 2021. There is so much more to explore via the resources below.

References
Montessori, M. (1946). 1946 London lectures.

Save the Children. (2022). The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: Child-friendly version. Retrieved fromhttps://www.savethechildren.org.uk/content/dam/gb/reports/humanitarian/uncrc_child-friendly_2022.pdf

Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.). Juneteenth: Senses of freedom: Exploring the tastes, sounds, and experiences of an African American celebration. Retrieved from https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/taste-sounds-and-experiences-juneteenth-are-celebrated-array-events-national

PBS. (n.d.). Juneteenth: Faith and freedom [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.pbs.org/video/juneteenth-faith-freedom-ap4dcr/

Happy Birthday Miss Stephenson!

Help us celebrate the life of this extraordinary woman on her birthday, June 14, 2024, by donating to the fund that was established in her honor.

The Margaret Elizabeth Stephenson Fund

Miss Stephenson, who was born on this day in 1915, not only trained hundreds of Montessori Primary and Elementary teachers ~ she was an internationally recognized speaker who brought Montessori education to the United States at the request of Mario Montessori in 1960.

She undertook this monumental task with grace and devoted her life in service to children, exemplifying the principles set forth by Dr. Maria Montessori.

Your gift today, on the MES Fund Annual Day of Giving, will ensure that Miss Stephenson's legacy continues and will help those seeking AMI teacher training pursue their dreams, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Cheers to Miss Stephenson!

Donate here: https://mesfund.org/donate/