The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) was established in 1929 by Dr. Maria Montessori to maintain, propagate, and further her ideas and principles for the full development of the human being. AMI, with headquarters in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is to date entrusted with her legacy. AMI functions as the source of complete Montessori training and as a center for continuing research and development. Learn more at www.montessori-ami.org.

Maria Montessori
Maria Montessori graduated from the medical school of the University of Rome in 1896 and was among the first women to practice medicine in Italy. As a physician, Dr. Maria Montessori was very involved with the care of young children. Through scientific observation, she came to see how children interacted with one another, learned through the use of materials she provided, and went through specific phases of development.

Her approach to education was developed based on her observations in conjunction with her background in psychology and her belief in the education of children as a means to create a better society. She continued to observe children around the world and found that laws of development she had recognized in Rome were universal and inherent in children of all races and cultures. The Montessori approach to education continues to be respected and practiced internationally.

AMI/USA
Association Montessori International of the United States (AMI/USA), a branch office of AMI, brings the principles of Maria Montessori to the education of children, to help them attain their full potential in our society. Objectives:

• To advance the growth of Montessori education as
• formulated by Maria Montessori in both private and
• public schools;

• To promote the development of teacher training to
• foster Montessori education and meet the growing
• needs of member schools;

• To foster understanding in families and communities of
• the Montessori pedagogical principles and practice;

• To promote Montessori education in traditional academia
• through research;

• To continue outreach, participation, and collaboration
• with affiliates as well as kindred organizations that share
• the purpose of service to children; and

• To maintain effective fiscal and organizational strength.

There are currently 13 AMI affiliated training centers and 170 AMI schools in the U.S.