2026 Living Legacy Award Nomination

Living Legacy Award Nomination

The American Montessori Society Living Legacy is an annual tribute to an individual whose dedication and leadership has made an impact on the AMS community. We invite you to nominate a Montessori educator who is a respected model of Montessori values and who has had significant influence and made contributions to the Montessori community including through engagement in peace and social justice or international Montessori efforts. The committee will evaluate the nominee based on those criteria as well as their years of Montessori experience and service and their AMS affiliated involvement and volunteerism.
Please Note:

This nomination will require an interview of the nominee prior to completing the application in order to fully address their qualifications within this nomination form, and their willingness to accept this honor, if selected. The Living Legacy nominee must be comfortable with the expectation that they will speak at fundraising events to support the Teacher Education Scholarship fund. Only one nomination per nominee will be reviewed by the committee. In the case of multiple letters of nomination for the same person, AMS staff shall contact all individuals to encourage them to collaborate and resubmit one nomination with one designated contact person and a list of supporters. The nomination must be for a current member of AMS. The Living legacy nominee cannot have won another recognition award in the past. Thank you for honoring your colleague through participating in this nomination process. Whether or not your nominee is selected as the next Living Legacy, it is indeed a great honor to be nominated and to be so deeply appreciated and respected by another Montessori educator.
Nominator's Name:*

First NameLast Name
If applicable, please list the full names of other supporters of this nomination below:
Nominator's Email:*
example@example.com
Nominator's Phone Number:*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Nominator's Address:

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Nominator's Title:*
Nominator's Organization/School/Teacher Education Program:*
Nominee's Name:*

First NameLast Name
Nominee's Email:*
example@example.com
Nominee's Phone Number:*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Nominee's Address:*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Nominee's Title:*
Nominee's Organization/School/Teacher Education Program:*
Narrative

In narrative form, (500 words max) please address the following areas including the questions below and any additional information you believe should be considered. Please note that it is not essential or expected that any one nominee matches every criterion suggested below.
Describe how the nominee reflects and models Montessori values
How do they evidence respectful interactions with adults and children in the Montessori community (and beyond)?
- How do they exemplify integrity and responsibility?
- How do they exude enthusiasm and promote diversity and inclusiveness?
- How have they upheld high-fidelity Montessori practice? (high fidelity refers to criteria for AMS accredited schools)
Share their contributions and influence on others.
How have they advanced Montessori education, accomplished noteworthy endeavors?
- How have they led, supported, coached or mentored Montessorians and/or Montessori efforts?
- How have they impacted Montessori in and beyond their school, home community?
Share their involvement with peace and social justice work in the context of their Montessori work and/or their contributions to Montessori activities internationally
- How have they demonstrated engagement in peace/social justice activities?
- In what ways have they contributed to Montessori efforts internationally?
Please use this space below to answer the questions above in narrative form (500 word max.)*
Please answer the following questions to expand on the nominee's experience and leadership:
How many years has the nominee been in Montessori?*

Less than 5 years5 – 10 years11 – 20 yearsMore than 21 years
How long has the nominee been an AMS member?*

Less than 5 years5 – 10 years11 – 20 yearsMore than 21 years
Does the nominee hold Montessori credentials? Which one(s)? From what year(s)? Please be specific.*
In which of the following ways has the nominee been in a Montessori leadership role?*

Head of school, school administrator, director or key faculty of a teacher education programMontessori organization diversity, equity, and inclusion officer or committee chairTeaching children, teaching adults, and mentoring adults and/or childrenPresenting at AMS annual conferences, NAEYC, and/or other national/international education conferencesPublished articles in Montessori Life, research papers, books, journals, etc.
Has the nominee served AMS in any of the following ways?*

AMS Board member, officer, committee chairAMS Section Chair: Teacher Educators, Heads of Schools, or Teachers SectionsAMS Commissioner: Teacher Education Action Commission and/or School Accreditation CommissionAMS Teacher Education Program Accreditation Team or AMS School Accreditation Team memberAMS conference or professional development eventAMS affiliated Montessori school founder or founding school board member
In completing this application form, I understand these answers to be true to the best of my knowledge (upon speaking with the nominee) and the nominee has agreed to accept this award should they be chosen by the committee.*

Clear
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Living Legacy Award Nomination

Please Note:

Narrative

Please answer the following questions to expand on the nominee's experience and leadership: