AMI Canada - AMI Canada

Our Story

Mario Montessori conceived the idea of AMI (Canada) in the 1960s. The idea was to promote Montessori education and the ideals of Montessori philosophy in a country that was open to new ideas and possibilities. The project was so important to Dr. Montessori’s son, and the Montessori family, that they sent Renilde Montessori, Dr. Montessori’s youngest granddaughter, to Canada to undertake this great work. Over the years great headway was made in the national Montessori Movement, and the community grew across the country. As Montessori grew in Canada there was a period of time in which the name AMI (Canada) was not actively used. Now, after working in collaboration with Montessorians in Canada and the AMI international community, we are pleased to say that the name AMI (Canada) is active once again. We are ready to spread the word not only about Montessori education, but also about Montessori as a social movement. Over the last 5 decades a strong foundation has been built and now our goal is create a beautiful structure on that foundation; a structure that unites the entire Montessori community in Canada to work together toward our common goal of education as an aid to life.

The Montessori Society of Canada, The AMI Alumni in Canada (MSC), has offered AMI membership, workshops and conferences to Montessorians in Canada for the past 18 years. As we join together this work will continue and be further developed by the Member Services and Professional Development arms of AMI (Canada). The AMI School Recognition program that AMI has offered, through the Montessori Quality Assurance group, also continues under the umbrella of AMI (Canada) as we participate in the AMI Global Standards Program that will be unveiled by AMI international in the coming year. AMI (Canada) is proud to be working with the individuals who made MSC and the MQA programs a success.

Renilde Montessori

AMI (Canada) is an Affiliated Society with the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), which is the organization Dr. Montessori started in order to protect the great body of work she did in her lifetime. AMI is an international authority on education, and a member of UNESCO as well as a non-governmental organization with the United Nations and we are pleased to work in partnership with them. As part of an international organization we work to spread the philosophy of education and human development that Dr. Montessori shared with us over a century ago. At the same time we are part of cutting edge research that proves Dr. Montessori’s ideas and continues to investigate best practices in education that lead to the wholesome development of our children. To honour our roots, membership in AMI (Canada) includes membership in AMI global, and the benefits that come with it, as well as some perks and publications that are unique to our Canadian community. AMI (Canada) is an inclusive organization with membership open to everyone who shares our mission to support natural development in children from birth to maturity. Montessori diploma holders, classroom assistants, administrators, parents, teachers who use other methods of education, and anyone interested in the natural development of human beings are welcome to join AMI (Canada). We firmly believe that children will transform society and lead us to a harmonious and peaceful world if we give them every opportunity to mature in a positive and natural way.