History of AMS

  • Maria Montessori Born

    Maria Montessori Born
    Maria Montessori is born in Chiaravalle, Italy.
  • Montessori's First Tour of the US

    Montessori's First Tour of the US
    Maria Montessori travels around the United States speaking of child development and philosophy.
  • Montessori's Second Tour of the US

    Montessori's Second Tour of the US
    Montessori travels around the United States speaking on child development and philosophy.
  • Montessori Education Falters in US

    Despite the initial accolades and attention of her first two tours, Montessori's philosophy loses traction amongst the US's mainstream education system.
  • Period: to

    Montessori Philosophy Connects with Parents

    During the 1940s, parents began connecting with the Montessori philosophy again because it coincided with their lived experiences with their children. An attention to the child grew dramatically at this time.
  • Maria Montessori Dies

    Maria Montessori Dies
    Maria Montessori passes away in 1952. Nancy Rambusch explains this allows for her philosophy to expand beyond her as a person.
  • Tenth International Montessori Congress

    Tenth International Montessori Congress
    Nancy Rambusch attends the Tenth International Montessori Congress in Paris, France. She meets Mario Montessori for the first time.
  • Period: to

    Expansion of Montessori Philosophy

    Technology allows for the expansion of Montessori philosophy and ideals. Instead of being passed from "father to son," it is able to spread "immediately and simultaneously" (Rambusch)
  • Whitby School is Founded

    Whitby School is Founded
    Nancy Rambusch founds the Whitby School. It's the first Montessori school established in the United States since the early 20th century.
  • American Montessori Society (AMS) is Founded

    American Montessori Society (AMS) is Founded
    Nancy Rambusch founds the American Montessori Society after being authorized by Mario Montessori as the United States representative for Montessori education.
  • Nancy Rambusch in TIME Magazine

    Nancy Rambusch in TIME Magazine
    TIME Magazine features Nancy Rambusch, the Whitby School, and the Montessori movement in one of its issues.
  • Nancy Rambusch's Book

    Nancy Rambusch's Book
    Nancy Rambusch gets her book 'Learning How to Learn' published. This lead to more media outlets such as the New York Times and Saturday Evening Post covering the Montessori movement.
  • Montessori Schools Grow

    In 1963, pockets of interested parents around the country begin to establish Montessori schools. They help build furniture, gather materials, teach, transport to & from school, and much more.
  • AMI & AMS Philosophical Differences

    Due to their differences in the growth of the Montessori philosophy, the Association Montessori Internationale stops recognizing the American Montessori society as a Montessori organization.
  • Cleo Monson Joins AMS

    Cleo Monson Joins AMS
    In 1963, Cleo Monson joins AMS as the Executive Secretary to establish administrative protocols. This allowed the organization to flourish, and she became crucial to the organization.
  • Nancy Rambusch Leaves AMS

    In 1963, after Cleo Monson helps establish the administration of AMS, Nancy Rambusch turns her focus to children's education. She would continue with this until 1994 when she passed. AMS moves from Greenwich, CT to New York City.
  • Period: to

    Educational Change in US

    As desegregation had changed the education system in the United States, magnet schools grew in popularity. This favored the Montessori movement and allowed for small scale attempts to establish pubic Montessori schools.
  • Cleo Monson - AMS's First National Director

    Cleo Monson is elected the first National Director of the American Montessori Society. She would remain in this position until her retirement in 1978.
  • AMS's 1st International Symposium

    The American Montessori Society hosts its first International Symposium in Athens, Greece.
  • MACTE is Established

    MACTE is Established
    The Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) is established in 1995. Their goal is to help improve the academic (degree and certificate) programs to ensure best practices and assure the public of their quality.