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Applications Sought for 2025 AMS Board of Directors

August 1, 2024—If you are an energetic and engaged member of the AMS community and would like to deepen your commitment and involvement, we invite you to apply for our board of directors. As a director, you would be part of a working board that devotes substantial time to seeing through projects and policies for the betterment of AMS and the global Montessori community. You would also be helping to chart the course of AMS—the world’s largest and most influential Montessori organization. 

The Directorship Committee of the AMS Board of Directors will review all applications and approve select applicants as candidates to enter the election, with intent to ensure that the board is representative of its constituents and well-equipped to work on its strategic goals.

The application window for the AMS Board of Directors is now closed. Thank you to those who have submitted their applications.

Timetable

  • August 1 – September 30, 2024: Applications are accepted.
  • Fall 2024: Applicants are reviewed and chosen applicants are notified of their candidacy status.
  • Winter 2024: Elections are open for AMS membership. 
  • January 2025: Election results are announced.
  • March 2025: New directors are required to observe and attend our spring board meeting at The Montessori Event. Term of office begins after the meeting.

Why Serve on the AMS Board of Directors?

Serving on the AMS Board will give you the opportunity to contribute talent, expertise, and energy to support our mission and be a vital link between our organization and members. Your time on committees and in work groups will further the strategic priorities while assisting the work of the AMS staff. Board Directors review, discuss, and vote on items that lead to great change and progress in the Montessori community. The work is exciting, impactful, and purposeful.

General Requirements for All AMS Board Directors

All AMS Board Directors:

  • Shall be active members in good standing of AMS.
  • Shall affirm acceptance, endorsement, and promulgation of AMS by-laws and policies.
  • Shall actively work to carry out the mission and strategic goals of AMS.
  • Shall understand and accept all aspects of confidentiality during and after appointment periods.
  • Shall have the willingness and ability to devote the time necessary to support board activities. This includes spending 4 – 5 hours a week on board activities; attending virtual board meetings throughout the year; attending The Montessori Event and in-person board meeting each March; serving on multiple committees; and reading and responding to board updates posted on AMS Connect throughout each month.
  • Shall have the willingness and ability to support the board's financial commitment. The board follows a "give or get" policy.
  • Shall serve on a task force and/or committee or workgroup along with staff and other volunteers on AMS-related projects.
  • Shall not engage in activities that constitute a conflict of interest to board members. Broadly defined, board members shall be considered to have a conflict of interest in any vote or decision if there exists a possibility of personal gain, either directly or indirectly, for themselves or their relatives as a result of such decisions.
  • Shall agree not to represent one’s self as a spokesperson of the board or AMS without the express authorization of the president, both while serving as a board member and after leaving board service.
  • Shall have an understanding of the governance operations of a strategic planning and policymaking body.
  • Shall have an understanding of the financial and fiduciary responsibilities of the board to the Society membership.
  • Shall be willing to participate by contributing to AMS fundraising initiatives.
  • Shall present themselves as directors loyal to AMS, while serving on the AMS Board of Directors and after leaving board service.

Open Positions

Professional Director - Public School Representative

The directors on the board represent all members and constituents within our global professional organization and follow the general requirements of the board as listed above. the term of office for the professional director position is 3 years.

In addition to the general requirements, applicants must also have:

  • Working knowledge and history in the field of public school education.
  • Working knowledge on the role and function of a nonprofit board. Previous board experience strongly preferred.
  • Strengths in the areas of development and global work.
  • Good communication and organizational skills.
  • Ability and willingness to contribute the time and effort needed to fulfill the obligations of the position. This includes preparation for and travel to board, committee, task force, and work group gatherings and having the support of their employer.

Professional Director - Private School Representative

The directors on the board represent all members and constituents within our global professional organization and follow the general requirements of the board as listed above. The term of office for the professional director position is 3 years.

In addition to the general requirements, applicants must also have:

  • Working knowledge and history in the field of private school education.
  • Working knowledge on the role and function of a nonprofit board. Previous board experience strongly preferred.
  • Strengths in the areas of development and global work.
  • Good communication and organizational skills.
  • Ability and willingness to contribute the time and effort needed to fulfill the obligations of the position. This includes preparation for and travel to board, committee, task force, and work group gatherings and having the support of their employer.

Chair of the Head of Schools Section

The purpose of the Heads of Schools Section is to represent AMS member heads of schools and administrators within our global professional organization. Listen to their needs and concerns as Montessori school leaders, providing opportunities to meet with fellow heads of school and communicate views of member schools’ administrative leaders to AMS leadership. The term of office for the Section Chair is 3 years.

Applicants must:

  • Be a member in good standing of AMS.
  • Be an active head at a full-member or accredited AMS school with 5+ years of experience as a head.
  • Be a good communicator, listener, and organizer.
  • Working knowledge on the role and function of a nonprofit board. Previous board experience strongly preferred.
  • Be able and willing to contribute the time and effort needed to fulfill the obligations of the position. This includes preparation for and travel to board, committee, task force, and work group gatherings and having the support of their employer.

Responsibilities:

  • Host a Heads Section meeting and lead the Heads Networking Session at AMS conferences.
  • Participate along with AMS staff in planning and arranging professional development events for heads throughout the year.
  • Be a good communicator, listener, and organizer.
  • Assist the AMS office in arranging a track for heads of schools at AMS conferences.
  • Communicate with AMS-member heads of schools through such vehicles as community emails and Montessori Life.
  • Moderate and lead discussions with heads of schools in an online community.
  • Represents the interests of heads of schools as a member of the AMS Board of Directors.

To Apply

Review the information above to make sure that you qualify. If you do, complete the application by 5:00 PM (ET), September 30, 2024. If you have further questions, please reach out directly to the Chair of the Directorship Committee, Anita Hanks, at anitahanks@starwoodacademy.com.