The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) 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 is the recognised international authority on Montessori education and directs studies in affiliated teacher-training institutions around the world. The high standard of AMI’s teacher-training institutions is ensured through the extensive and ongoing training of the Course Directors and through the provision of external examiners for each course.

The courses developed by AMI are conducted by qualified AMI Teacher Educators and constantly reviewed by the AMI Pedagogical Committee. The Pedagogical Committee appoints the course directors in liaison with each institute, monitors the conduct of each course, organises the external exams for each course and reviews the outcomes of each course held. The Pedagogical Committee also oversees the AMI Training of Trainers program, which fosters the development of local Montessori teacher educators.  

There are approximately 35 AMI affiliated teacher education centres operating throughout the world.  They offer courses for one or more age levels, i.e. 0-3, 3-6 and 6-12.  Special Montessori education courses for those wishing to work with children who have additional needs and emotionally disturbed children, are also available.

During its long history AMI has fostered the growth and development of Montessori education practices and standards through active work with member schools, teachers and educators. Regular study conferences of AMI have served as important milestones in the exchange of insights which have grown out of the application of Montessori to widely differing lands and cultures. The objectives of the Association are to maintain, propagate and further the ideas and principles of Dr. Maria Montessori for the full development of the human being.

AMI’s activities include:

	providing guidance for AMI training courses;
	co-ordinating a Training of Trainers program;
	encouraging the creation of Montessori schools;
	preparing Educateurs sans Frontières;
	guiding approved manufacturers in the production of Montessori materials;
	overseeing the publication of Dr. Montessori’s books;
	organising congresses and study conferences;
	affiliating Montessori Societies; and
	publishing the magazine 'Communications' and a web site on the World Wide Web.