The Timeline of AMS

By jsgreenbaum

  • First known trip to the USA

    In 1915, Dr. Maria Montessori was invited to come to the United States by McClure's Magazine. She gave a training course in Santa Monica, CA.

  • Columbia University

    In 1916, Dr. Maria Montessori began lectures at Columbia University Teachers' College. These lectures are on micro film now in Washington D.C.

  • Dr. Montessori Leaves the USA

    In 1917, Dr. Montessori left the United States never to return.

  • Sputnik!

    In the 1950s, the United States was interested in reevaluating its education system. Much of this was related to the space wars with Russa. The Russians ultimately beat the USA to space with the launching of Sputnik in 1957. The USA ultimately decided on an approach to education that is similar to what we see currently in public schools.

  • Nancy McCormick Rambusch

    In 1953 a well-educated and excited, Nancy McCormick Rambusch, went searching for a "better approach to educating American children." (American Montessori Society, Humble Beginnings)

  • New York

    Of course, Rambusch accepted the suggestions of Mario Montessori and remained just as passionate for the Montessori method. Soon she held Montessori classes for her own and a group of other children in her apartment in New York City. (American Montessori Society, Humble Beginnings), (A Long Letter to Montessorians in America, Mario Montessori)

  • Meeting with Mario Montessori

    Rambusch went to the 10th International Montessori Congress. There she met Mario Montessori, Dr. Maria Montessori's son and Head of the Association Montessori Internationale. He encouraged Rambusch to take trainings in Montessori education, go to university for Education and bring the method to the United States if she still felt as passionately as she did. (American Montessori Society, Humble Beginnings), (A Long Letter to Montessorians in America, Mario Montessori)

  • The Parents Movement

    In 1956, Rambusch moved to Greenwich, CT, and joined with other parents who were just as passionate about their children's education.(American Montessori Society, Humble Beginnings)

  • Whitby School

    In 1956, Rambusch and the parent group started the Whitby School. This was the first Montessori school to open in the United States since the first introduction in the early 1900s. Rambusch was selected as Head of School. (American Montessori Society, Humble Beginnings)

  • US Representative of AMI

    In 1957, Mario Montessori appointed Nancy Rambusch as the United States Representative of AMI. (American Montessori Society, Humble Beginnings)

  • Formation of AMS

    Nancy Rambush, with the support of parent-advocates, formed the American Montessori Society with the goals to "support efforts to create schools, develop teacher education programs, and publicize the value of Montessori education." (American Montessori Society, Humble Beginnings)

  • TIME Magazine

    On May 12, 1961, Nancy Rabusch, the Whitby School, and the American Montessori Society were featured in TIME magazine. The article was met with parents turning to AMS in large numbers seeking support to open schools and study groups. The movement became so popular it was publicized in Newsweek, The New York Times, and the Saturday Evening Post. (American Montessori Society, Humble Beginnings)

  • Learning How to Learn

    With all of the press, Rambusch wrote the book, Learning How to Learn, which supported the even further growth of American Montessori schools and students. (American Montessori Society, Humble Beginnings)

  • AMS Advances

    Nancy Rambusch and AMS looked to keep Montessori in with other teacher professional standards. Teachers in training were expected to have college degrees and the curriculum was broadened to include Montessori coursework in traditional teacher preparation programs. (American Montessori Society, Humble Beginnings)

  • Professor John J. McDermott

    Professor John J. McDermott, a friend and colleague of Rambusch, pushed for Montessori education to be available for all, by supporting the movement into the public sector. (American Montessori Society, Humble Beginnings)

  • MACTE

    In 1995, The Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) was formed. MACTE accredits Montessori Teacher Training programs including AMS trainings for teachers. This process has attributed to many Montessori Teachers becoming accredited teachers in public, private, and charter schools and child cares.

  • NCMPS

    The National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector was formed by AMS in 2012 and incorporated in 2015 to support equity and access to Montessori.

  • MPPI

    The Montessori Public Policy Initiative (MPPI) was formed in 2013 with the support of AMI/USA and AMS. MPPI supports the ongoing advocacy work both nationally and within each state.