montessori ed

The following thoughts are based on my observations, and if I have missed relevant facts or drawn erroneous conclusions I would appreciate someone setting me straight.  That being said…

I don’t see AMI  organizing its members to take action in advancing the Montessori Movement.  

There are many conferences and published articles with a focus on classroom practice, which is an important aspect of AMI’s role as a professional organization, but it is not actively spreading the Montessori Movement.  I will concede that excellent classroom practice passively spreads the movement as more families experience excellent Montessori education and share that information with others.  

The disctinction between passive and active can be shown in an analogy from the environmental movement.  Passive: developing green habits around the home, such as composting, reducing waste, recycling grey water for irrigating plants, etc… as this may demonstrate the advantages and accessibility to others.  Active: lobbying the legislature to pass tax relief for purchases of more expensive but less environmentally damaging building materials such as solar cells and wind turbines.

The only active efforts I hear about from AMI are undertaken at the executive level, such as advances in Thailand, China, and Argentina.   These are often monumental and amazing, but sadly I do not feel involved in these advances.  I feel like I’m sitting on the bench watching the starters score goals. 

I want to help advance the Montessori Movement, but how?  I would really appreciate AMI organizing and directing activism at a local or even individual level.

Here are a few websites that demonstrate what I mean…

• Sierra Club – on the home page is a link titled TAKE ACTION leading to a series of pages detailing how anyone can “Find out about the latest Sierra Club campaigns and get involved”
• National Education Association – a US Teacher’s Union has an ISSUES and ACTION menu described thus,  “This area of NEA’s Web site contains resources for Association leaders, members, parents and community members who are contemplating, planning, or engaged in statewide or local salary initiatives.”

International and National organizations don’t need to direct every step of activism.  These websites show how an organization can “call the play” , meaning provide an outline that supports and coordinates independent action toward a common goal.

I love working with children, and to me, the Montessori Method is genuinely making the world a better place.   When I think of all the children who could be recieving Montessori education I become frustrated that I am not doing more to amke that happen, but I don’t know what to do and I feel like I am one small ant.   If AMI will organize and direct all its members, including the ants, I know we can move mountains.

If you share my desire to be involved in AMI organized activism, please contact AMI and share your support.   Thank you.

Lately I have wanted to better understand the major Montessori organizations in the United States.  As a member of NAMTA and AMI, I feel it is my right and responsibility to understand how these organizations manage my annual dues to accomplish their goals.  

I have also been thinking about the Sierra Club, a volunteer, non-profit that is national, well organized, and a major player in advancing the Environmental movement.  I am attracted to this kind of community and political activism and I am searching for an equivalent organization in the Montessori community.

As an initial investigation I have been comparing mission statements (some of these sites have clearly labeled mission statements,and others list member services.)

NAMTA

NAMTA is a membership organization open to parents, teachers, and anyone else interested in Montessori education.

NAMTA provides a medium of study, interpretation, and improvement of Montessori education through its publications, audio-visual collection, electronic communications, conferences, and research and service projects throughout North America and the world.

NAMTA endeavors to provide real services in response to the needs of teachers, schools, and parents.

NAMTA was founded in 1970 and is an affiliate organization of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), Amsterdam, Netherlands.

 AMI

The Association Montessori Internationale was founded in 1929 by Dr. Maria Montessori to maintain the integrity of her life’s work, and to ensure that it would be perpetuated after her death. AMI’s activities include:  

· Providing guidance for AMI training courses;

· Co-ordinating a Training of Trainers programme;             

· Guiding the manufacturers recognised by AMI in the production of approved Montessori materials;

· Overseeing the publication of Dr. Montessori’s books;                 

· Organising congresses and study conferences;

· Affiliating Montessori Societies; and                                 

· Publishing the magazine ‘Communications‘, the AMI Bulletin and a website.                                  

AMS

AMS MISSION STATEMENT

AMS provides the leadership and inspiration to make Montessori a significant voice in education.  The Society advocates quality Montessori education, strengthens members through its services, and champions Montessori principles to the greater community.

 Sierra Club

To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth;
To practice and promote the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems and resources;
To educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.

While I have my own thoughts regarding the various statements, I wanted to present this entry without editorial comments to allow readers to draw their own conclusions.