Time of the American Montessori Association

By mcsmith01
  • Nancy McCormick Rambusch founds the American Montessori Society

    Nancy McCormick Rambusch founds the American Montessori Society

    In the 1950s, Rambusch, having trained as a Montessori teacher in London and opened a Montessori school in Connecticut, became the AMI representative in the United States. Following that, she founded the AMS and became its first president.

  • Article in Time magazine highlights Rambusch, her school, and the re-introduction of Montessori to America.

    Interest in Montessori education began to grow, spurred by the publication of this article and others like it over the next several years.

  • Rambusch's book, Learning How to Learn, is Published

    The publication of Rambusch's book further energizes public interest in Montessori education, leading to the opening of new Montessori programs.
  • Cleo Monson becomes executive secretary of AMS

    Cleo Monson becomes executive secretary of AMS

    Cleo Monson became the executive secretary for AMS, a position she held for ten years, before becoming the organization's first executive director in 1973.

  • From its earliest years, AMS conferences and symposia have been held every year.

    Annual conferences and symposia have been held (regionally, nationally and internationally) from the first conference held in 1963, in Chicago, Ill.

  • AMS begins to offer consultation services to affiliated schools.

    AMS consultants visited affiliated schools and observed classes and environment, offering feedback and suggestions for improvement. AMS also developed standards for teacher training and certification.

  • First international symposium held in Athens, Greece.

    The first International Symposium, held in Athens, Greece, was a great success.

  • Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education founded.

    MACTE accredits Montessori teacher education programs with the aim of improving the quality of such programs, and assuring the public of their quality.

  • National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector founded.

    Originally founded by AMS in 2012, NCMPS became an independent organization in 2015. Its mission is to grow and support Montessori education in public schools.

  • Montessori Public Policy Initiative founded.

    AMS and AMI/USA joined together to work on public policy issues, combining forces to provide a unified voice in advocacy and public policy.