AMI Teachers Offer Support in Meeting Demands

About 40 public Montessori educators affiliated with AMI-USA gathered in Milwaukee in early November to discuss the challenges they face.

"From what I can gather," said Virginia McHugh Goodwin, executive director of AMI-USA, "the people in the schools are struggling with how to comply with No Child Left Behind and not give up Montessori."

The result, Goodwin said, "was very affirming. They all agreed: 'we are going to do Montessori.'"

She said there was a consensus that they could meet NCLB standards and still remain a quality Montessori program. "I left with a very positive impression. They certainly weren't discouraged or negative."

Steve Huffman, a former Milwaukee public school administrator and AMI-USA board member, coordinated the meeting.

Goodwin said the group plans to reassemble in early November of 2006.