WMA started in 2010 as a result of a Think Tank conference held in Sparta, Wisconsin, in which Montessorians from around the state volunteered to meet and discuss issues pertinent to Montessori education. It became clear to the twelve members attending that interests would be best met by forming an “umbrella” under which all things Montessori were grouped. This would include private, public and charter schools, AMI, AMS, and Internet-trained teachers, and anyone else who is interested in Montessori.
The second Think Tank gathering in Weston, Wisconsin, culminated with the by-laws, and a third and final meeting there produced the Interim Board of Directors and goals for the coming year. The Articles of Incorporation and a not-for-profit document were filed, officially establishing us as a bona-fide organization. Our first endeavor was to hold a state-wide Montessori conference and, at that time, introduced our membership of over 100 to their new Board of Directors!
GENERAL SERVICES WMA PROVIDES :
- Sponsors regional lecture series on Montessori matters
- Sponsors regional workshops for Governance Boards
- Sponsors a state-wide annual conference on Montessori Best Practices
- Connects experts, information and resources within the Montessori community
- Coordinates ploy-com video-conferencing opportunities
- Coordinates in-state AMS training for Early Childhood candidates
- Coordinates grant work, start-up consultation and Montessori information via a Toolkit to members
- Acts as a clearinghouse for job opportunities and marketing Montessori goods
WMA Membership offers more services via this website and is currently open for the 2011-2012 year. Register Here →
ABOUT THE WEBMASTER
Rain Lee is a former Montessori student of one of the founding WMA Board Member, Nancy Schaitel. A life long self starter, she taught herself website development and now runs a thriving web business out of her home in the Santa Monica Mountains outside of Los Angeles, California. Rain remembers her time in Nancy’s Montessori class fondly and still thinks of the scent bottles every time she grates nutmeg.
