The American Montessori Society presents annual awards to recognize individuals whose exceptional contributions advance AMS and the Montessori Movement. These awards celebrate excellence in areas such as advocacy, innovation, service, and philanthropy, honoring those who make a meaningful impact on the Montessori education community.

The Living Legacy, Dr. Nancy McCormick Rambusch, and Montessori Innovator Awards are nominated by AMS community members and selected by AMS committees. The Dr. Maria Montessori Ambassador Award, the Maria and Douglas M. Gravel Benefactor Award, and the AMS Service Award are nominated and chosen directly by AMS committees based on their knowledge of the honorees’ contributions. To ensure fairness, current AMS leadership and representatives—including staff, commissioners, and board members—are not eligible to receive these awards.

The Recognition Committee oversees the awards process to ensure it is transparent, fair, and inclusive. They guide each step, from nomination to celebration, making sure that equity and inclusion are central to the selection process.

Learn more about past award recipients.

Awards Nominated by AMS Community Members

We enthusiastically invite your nominations for the following awards, according to the timetable below.

August 13, 2026: Nomination period opens

October 31, 2026: Nomination period closes

2028 AMS Living Legacy Award

Who is eligible? AMS members 

Number of Recipients: One per year

The American Montessori Society Living Legacy Award acknowledges individuals whose exemplary achievements have had significant impact on children and families in American Montessori Society schools. Each year, the American Montessori Society Living Legacy Award honors an individual for their lifetime of dedication and service to AMS and the Montessori Movement. While recipients of other AMS awards may have made an impact in just one area, the Living Legacy has had several if not many impactful roles in Montessori; for example, as a school or program administrator, teacher, author, researcher, mentor, presenter, lobbyist, union steward, education activist, and/or community leader.

Since its establishment in 1993, the Living Legacy Award has not only honored outstanding Montessori leaders but also supported the AMS Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to aspiring Montessori teachers enrolled in AMS Teacher Education Programs. The Living Legacy honoree plays a vital role in this effort by helping to raise funds through soliciting donations and speaking at fundraising events.

Dr. Nancy McCormick Rambusch Award

Who is eligible? AMS members

The Dr. Nancy McCormick Rambusch Award honors AMS members for their contributions to the development, expansion, and/or recognition of Montessori education in previously unchartered or minimally chartered territories, and opening the doors for others to follow in their footsteps.

Nominees may have made an impact in a variety of ways; for example, by:

• Contributing to the growth of Montessori education in countries outside the United States.
• Supporting the development and expansion of Montessori education in under-resourced areas.
• Helping to expand Montessori education in the public school arena.
• Developing Montessori schools or programs in areas or communities where it had minimal or no representation.

Nominees for the Dr. Nancy McCormick Rambusch Award should meet the following qualifications:

• Promotion of values of diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Service to the Montessori community which includes underserved, marginalized, rural, international or public Montessori schools.
• Created influence and awareness for these populations.
• Established an organizational platform that encourages the continuation of service so that the created resources can continue to thrive and grow.
• Supplemental involvement and engagement in the AMS Montessori community.

This award pays tribute to Dr. Nancy McCormick Rambusch (1927 – 1994), founder of the American Montessori Society.

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Awards Nominated and Selected by AMS Committees

The following awardees are identified and chosen by AMS committees and staff.

Dr. Maria Montessori Ambassador Award

Who is eligible? AMS members and nonmembers

The Dr. Maria Montessori Ambassador Award honors individuals for strides they have made in bringing information about the value of Montessori education to venues that extend beyond the Montessori community, and in so doing, have helped to foster a landscape in which Montessori education can flourish.

By example, one recipient of this award included Dr. Maria Montessori in a book about women who dared to question the status quo, positioning her aside other such notables as Harriet Tubman and Malala Yousafzai; another worked to advance a bill that would enable qualified individuals to become eligible for teacher certification in Maryland Montessori schools.

This award honors individuals who, through their work in a variety of arenas such as the arts, sports, government, and higher education, are fostering a landscape in which Montessori education cannot only thrive, but flourish.

Maria and Douglas M. Gravel Benefactor Award

Who is eligible? AMS members and nonmembers 

The Maria and Douglas M. Gravel Benefactor Award honors individuals whose generosity has contributed to the sustainability and growth of the American Montessori Society. Benefactors may have supported AMS in a variety of ways, such as by volunteering time or effort to AMS for at least 10 years; contributing to one or more AMS fund for at least 10 years, regardless of amount; or raising donations or writing a successful grant proposal in support of an AMS initiative in a non-AMS-staff capacity.

This award pays tribute to Maria and Douglas M. Gravel, whose incredible generosity, unwavering dedication, and commitment to AMS for over six decades have profoundly shaped the organization.

American Montessori Society Distinguished Research Award

Who is eligible? AMS members and nonmembers

The American Montessori Society Distinguished Research Award recognizes an individual whose scholarly contributions have significantly advanced the understanding, evidence base, and practice of Montessori education. The award honors sustained excellence in research that has influenced educational practice, informed policy, strengthened teacher preparation, or expanded the global body of Montessori knowledge.

American Montessori Society Service Award

Recognizing the Lifelong Commitment of Marie M. Dugan

Who is eligible? AMS members 

The American Montessori Society Service Award recognizes members for their vigorous support of the work of AMS; for example, via our committees, commissions, affinity groups, discussion groups, affiliation groups, accreditation teams, or Board of Directors; as participants of AMS initiatives or programs; or as hosts or facilitators of AMS events.

This award honors Marie M. Dugan, whose decades of devotion, mentorship, and leadership exemplify what it means to serve with humility and purpose. Marie’s life is a living blueprint of the values AMS holds dear, and her influence will continue to inspire generations of educators.