From the Organizations
We invite Montessori organizations to share their information and views. To do so, contact us at: montessori@jolapub.com or toll free: 866-565-2782
American Montessori Society
AMI-USA
American Montessori Society
Ungerer Looks at Social Justice Options
As this paper goes to press, Richard Ungerer, AMS executive director, will be heading to the DC area to attend the Global Summit on Social Responsibility, sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives. This summit’s goal is to leverage the power of associations to achieve a whole new magnitude of leadership. One of Rich’s personal goals for this summit will be to join forces with other associations that are working toward educating children to become positive agents of change for a global community of peace and social justice.
2008 Conference
This year’s annual conference took place March 6–9 in Washington, DC. Keynote presentations were given by Dr. Jane Goodall, Marian Wright Edelman, Dr. Betsy Coe, Dr. Art Costa and Gail Blanke. Dr. Goodall, a late-breaking addition to the conference lineup, gave a presentation called “Reason for Hope,” which covered her ongoing research on the chimpanzee—our closest relative—at the Gombe Stream Research Center in Tanzania. She also discussed how the programs there have evolved to include conserving the precious forest habitat and improving the lives of people living adjacent to Gombe National Park and in other parts of Africa.
Perhaps of most significant import to Montessorians, Dr. Goodall discussed her youth service-learning program, Roots & Shoots, for children preschool through college. The program is active in more than 100 countries worldwide. Dr. Goodall, a UN messenger of peace, also talked about her reasons for hope in these complex times and ways in which every individual can make a difference, every day.
The conference itself took place at an exciting time in Washington, DC, with November’s election looming large and the palpable buzz of public policy conversations. The 2008 conference was an inspiring and thought-provoking event. We hope you’ll be able to join us in fall 2008 in Garden Grove, CA, and in spring 2009 in New Orleans, LA!
Fall Conference
Online registration for the 2008 AMS Fall Conference, Nov. 13-16 in Garden Grove, CA, is now available. Visit the conference webpage at www.amshq.org/conference2008fall.htm, where you’ll also find hotel information for those wishing to make reservations now. The best deals to be had can be found by registering online by the Early Bird deadline (October 3).
This year’s fall conference keynote speaker will be Jane Nelsen, the guru of Positive Discipline, who will discuss practical, nonpunitive discipline strategies for encouraging children to improve their behavior and helping them develop a healthy sense of capability and self-worth, the foundations of good character. The fall conference will also include a dedicated workshop track for public school Montessorians.
UN Briefings at Your Desk
As a non-governmental organization (NGO) associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI), AMS is entitled to send representatives to weekly briefings at the UN headquarters in New York City. These sessions are now available to you, too, via live and archived webcasts. Topics are diverse and informative. To check them out, go to the UN’s DPI/NGO webpage (www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/index.asp) and click on “Weekly Briefings.”
In Search of a New Job . . . a Change of Scene . . . a New Challenge?
More than 260 postings are now available on our website in states across the U.S. and abroad; simply choose the geographic location in which you would like to apply for a job from the map on the webpage (www.amshq.org/member_employmentOpps.htm), and follow the links!
Posting an employment opportunity on the AMS website is a service the society makes available to all AMS-member schools, AMS-accredited schools, Montessori School Accreditation Commission (MSAC)-accredited schools, and AMS-affiliated teacher education programs. There is no fee. To post a listing, please complete the online form at www.amshq.org/forms/Employment_Opps.htm.
Why Enroll in an AMS Teacher Ed Program?
Adults interested in becoming Montessori teachers begin their journey with AMS teacher education programs for a multitude of reasons: AMS is the foremost advocate for Montessori education worldwide and is committed to promoting quality education for all children from birth to 18 years of age; AMS offers an authentic, true-to-the-source Montessori teacher education; and AMS has the highest standards of Montessori teacher education as measured by instructional and practicum hours.
An AMS teacher is educated in many areas, including human growth and development; Montessori theory, philosophy, and materials; observational skills for successfully guiding students; teaching strategies that support and facilitate the unique growth of each individual; and leadership skills for fostering a nurturing and supportive environment.
Every AMS-affiliated teacher education program is accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education Commission, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. An AMS teacher credential is recognized as a document reflecting nearly 50 years of research and a continual raising-the-bar of professional teaching standards. A teacher with an AMS teaching credential is a professional educator, dedicated to working collaboratively with parents, colleagues and all members of the school community—not to mention engaged in a rewarding and fulfilling profession!
To find an AMS teacher education program near you, visit www.amshq.org/teacherEdPrograms.htm.
Peace Seed Grants
The Peace Seed Grant is awarded annually to the candidate whose proposed project best supports the peace education work of Ursula Thrush, who was a dedicated believer in Montessori’s vision of peace through the education of children. The 2006 winner of an AMS Ursula Thrush Peace Seed Grant was Victoria Montessori School, and the school is thriving! Located in Entebbe, Uganda, the school aims to bring peace education to local, war-torn areas. The school is continually growing and expanding to meet the needs of the children, and volunteers are needed and welcome. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Christine Kijange (lawinockijange@yahoo.co.uk) or Tony or Carolyn Kambich (kambich@montessori-schools.com).
If you are interested in applying for the Peace Seed Grant, please visit www.amshq.org/peaceseedconnection.htm#thrushGrant.
And the 2008 Peace Seed Grant winners are . . .
International: Laure Kominar and Janice Mayhew for their plan to provide three weeks of Montessori teacher education to 30 women in Tanzania, Africa.?These 30 women will then work with children in their communities who have been orphaned because of HIV/AIDS.?
Domestic: Claudia Mann for her proposed Garden for Peace, a project to help children experience the interconnectedness of all living things and to reach out to the community through various channels.
AMS Individual Membership, with a Bonus
AMS is gearing up for an exciting year and would like you to be a part of our fine organization. If you register for AMS membership online by May 30, 2008, for an individual membership, either to join AMS for the first time or to renew an existing membership, you will automatically be eligible to win one of three prizes: a full conference registration to the AMS 2008 Fall Conference, November 13–16, in Garden Grove, CA; a basket of AMS goodies; or two years of AMS membership for the price of one. If your individual membership expires June 30, 2008, join now! Winners will be announced in the July issue of the AMS Newsletter (www.amshq.org/publications.htm#montessoriNewsletters).
For more information about the benefits of AMS membership, contact Marcy Rice: marcyrice@amshq.org.
Announcements
• The AMS publication Montessori Life is seeking articles and photos. For more information, visit www.amshq.org/publications.htm# information, or contact the editors, Kathy Carey and Carey Jones, at edmontessorilife@aol.com.
• If you’re interested in learning more about AMS and related events and initiatives, a great resource is the electronic newsletter that the society publishes monthly. Issues are sent to members every month and posted to the AMS Website the 15th of each month: www.amshq.org/newsletters.htm.
• Check out the latest installment of another AMS publication, the Peace Seed Connection. It’s now available online at www.amshq.org/peaceseedconnection.htm# and includes inspiring stories of action taken by Montessori adults and children, as well as resources for starting peace initiatives of your own.
—Brenda Modliszewski
AMI-USA
AMI-USA Announces Four New Courses
Association Montessori International-USA has announced four new courses:
• An Assistants to Infancy course at the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota in St. Paul
• A Primary summer course at the Southern Montessori Institute in Miami, to be taught in English & Spanish
• An Elementary summer course at the Montessori Institute of North Texas in Dallas
• An Elementary summer course at the Montessori Training Center of New England in Hartford, CT.
INFO: http://ami.edu/usa/request.html
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