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1953 -Humble Beginnings
Nancy McCormick Rambusch -aspiring teacher from New York City on a quest for a better approach to educating American children
Went to Paris for the Tenth International Montessori Congress, met Mario Montessori
Mario urged Rambusch to take coursework in Montessori education and to bring the Montessori Method to the U.S. -
1956, Rambusch family moves to Greenwich, CT
Nancy became involved with a group of prominent parents who wanted to be deeply involved with their children’s education -
1958, Rambusch founded Whitby School
Nancy Rambusch with the support of prominent parents, founded Whitby School which was the first Montessori school to open in the U.S. -
1959- Mario Montessori
1959- Mario Montessori appointed Nancy Rambusch to serve as the U.S. representative of the AMI. -
1960-The American Montessori Society was founded
The American Montessori Society was founded with the vigorous support of parent-advocates
The goals of AMS mirrored those of AMI: to support efforts to create schools, develop teacher education programs, and publicize the value of Montessori education. -
1961 -A Community Galvanized
1961 the American public, was galvanized and parents turned to AMS in large numbers for advice on starting schools and study groups -
1962 -Learning How to Learn
1962 of Rambusch’s book, Learning How to Learn
led to dramatic growth in the number of American Montessori schools and students -
Mid-20th Century
All teacher educators should have a college degree so that the coursework could, potentially, be recognized by state education departments. A need for cultural accommodation. Professor John J. McDermott, a colleague, and friend
stressed the need to move Montessori into the public sector so that it would be available to all children, regardless of their circumstances A vital underpinning of the organization, along with a belief in the need for adaptability. -
AMS Today
A professional membership organization with thousands of supporters worldwide A leading advocate for and supporter of Montessori education.
Agile and collaborative, the organization is becoming increasingly influential in the realms of education policy, the public sector, Montessori quality assurance, research, teacher education, and more The passion of the community it serves is moving AMS into the future together