As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of AMS, we realize that our success and the growth of the Montessori movement around the globe would not be possible without the tireless efforts of Montessori teacher educators. Therefore, we are proud to announce that the 2010 Living Legacy honorees are Judi Bauerlein and All Montessori Teacher Educators.

Judi Bauerlein will deliver a Living Legacy Keynote Address on Thursday, March 25, 6 – 7:15 PM. A reception will follow immediately afterwards.

The American Montessori Society Living Legacy designation honors individuals whose exemplary achievements strengthen Montessori education and benefit the entire Montessori community.

About Judi Bauerlein	Buoyed by optimism, a spirt of adventure, and determination, Judi Bauerlein represents the finest attributes of an effective teacher educator. And, serendipitously, Judi shares this anniversary with AMS: she was first introduced to Montessori education 50 years ago when she heard AMS founder Nancy McCormick Rambusch speak at her college. Judi was captivated and decided on the spot that, if she ever had children, they would attend a Montessori school. A few years later, Judi’s formal involvement with Montessori education began when she served on the board of directors of her children’s school. For 45 years—as a parent, teacher, and teacher educator—Judi Bauerlein has been an extraordinary Montessorian. Originally a high school teacher, she decided to enter Montessori education after being at home with her young children. She completed a Montessori teacher education program and began teaching 3-to-6-year-olds at Glendale Montessori School in southern California. In 1975, she applied to teach in a new public Montessori school opening near San Francisco. She remembers being notified on a Friday that she had been hired to start teaching a first and second grade class in San Mateo the following Tuesday.
RELATED LINKS AMS and Judi on Donate to the Living Legacy Teacher Education Scholarship Fund Judi Bauerlein Tribute Book All Montessori Teacher Educators Tribute Book

Judi calls this time in her life “education by fire.” She was teaching 6-to-9-year-olds but had no formal preparation for that level. She visited every private elementary Montessori class she could find, attended workshops presented by Ursula Thrush, and ultimately completed both 6–9 and 9–12 teacher education programs. In 1980, she opened a second public Montessori program in Lagunitas, California. She returned to San Mateo in 1990 and retired from the classroom in 2004, although her work with teachers continues.

Judi began teaching in the Montessori program at the College of Notre Dame in 1980. She went on to inspire teachers in teacher education centers throughout California, as well as in New York, Maryland, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, Colorado, Indiana, and New Jersey. Outside the United States, she has taught in Malaysia, Taiwan, Canada, Mexico, China, and Ukraine. For 35 years, she has presented at AMS conferences, AMS touring symposia, and workshops and offered teacher consultations. She especially enjoys sharing her passion for children’s writing and integrating language into the Montessori cultural/cosmic curriculum. Wherever Judi is teaching, she has the unique gift of touching people’s hearts, the essence of Montessori teacher preparation. She is truly a worthy representative of all teacher educators.

An outspoken advocate for peace, Judi works unceasingly to further public Montessori education and equal opportunity for all children. The AMS Public Policy Committee grew from her vision, and she oversees the work of the Ursula Thrush Peace Seed Committee. She has served AMS in countless capacities, including as president of the Board of Directors from 2005-06.

Judi’s husband, Mark, is a teacher, too. Her three children all benefited from a Montessori education, and she is the proud grandmother of five grandchildren, three of whom have also attended Montessori school.

Gifts to the AMS Living Legacy Teacher Education Scholarship Fund support future teachers in AMS teacher education programs. Contributions may be made in honor of Judi Bauerlein and All Teacher Educators through a secure online connection. For more information, contact Kristine Cooper.

Photo: Mark Stephens