Applications Sought for AMS Board of Directors

November 9, 2018.

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 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.

We are accepting applications now through 4:00 PM, EDT, December 14, 2018.

We seek a wide spectrum of candidates to fill several open positions, including (but not limited to) Chair of the Teachers Section and Chair of the Heads of Schools Section.

The Directorship Committee of the 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.

You will find a link to the application at the bottom of this page.

Timetable

• November 9, 2018 – December 14, 2018: Applications are accepted.
• February 15, 2019: Applicants are notified of their candidacy status.
• March 1 – April 2, 2019: Elections are open. This includes voting onsite at The Montessori Event (formerly known as the AMS Annual Conference), during which time AMS members will have the opportunity to meet candidates at a public forum.
• March 21 – 24, 2019: Candidates attend The Montessori Event
• July 13 or 14, 2019: New directors are encouraged to observe 1 day of our summer board meeting in St. Louis, MO.
• July 15, 2019 – July 15, 2022: Term of office.

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. You will play a critical role in helping us to view issues through multiple dimensions—legal, financial, and fundraising, as well as from the perspectives of public relations, communications, and professional development. You will also assist with the all-important working knowledge of the substantive, programmatic work of our organization, including the realization of Board-ratified strategic goals.

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 a minimum of 5 – 9 hours a week on board activities; traveling to 3-day board meetings 3 times a year, attending The Montessori Event (formerly known as the AMS Annual Conference, and held immediately before or after a board meeting), 1 virtual meeting conducted via video conference; serving on 1 or more board committees, and reading and responding to entries on the AMS online community message board at least once a week throughout the year.

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 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.

Chair of Teachers Section

The purpose of the Teachers Section is to foster professional development of the teacher members. The term of office for Section Chair is 3 years.

In addition to meeting the general requirements for all AMS Board Directors (above), an applicant for chair of the Teacher Section must be a:

• Practicing, credentialed Montessori teacher with 5 or more years in the classroom of a current AMS member school in good standing. The applicant should be credentialed at the level he or she is teaching. The credential must be issued by an organization recognized by AMS (AMS, AMI, or other MACTE-accredited program).
• Good communicator, listener, and organizer.
• Thoughtful reader who reflects on teaching practices and keeps abreast of educational trends.
• Moderate and lead discussions with teachers in an online community.
• Has the willingness and ability (including the support of their employer), that will allow them 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 meetings.

Chair of Heads 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. The chair listens to their 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 Section Chair is 3 years.

• Be a member in good standing of AMS
• Be an active head at a full-member or accredited AMS school with 5 or more years of experience as a head
• Good communicator, listener, and organizer
• Has the willingness and ability (including the support of their school), that will allow them 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 meetings.

Job Description

• Hosts a Heads Section meeting and leads the Heads Networking Session at AMS conferences
• Participates along with AMS staff in planning and arranging professional development events for heads throughout the year
• Assists the AMS office in arranging a track for heads of schools at AMS conferences
• Communicates with AMS-member heads of schools through such vehicles as community emails and Montessori Life
• Moderates and leads 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 and email it, along with a résumé or curriculum vitae, to the AMS Directorship Committee: leadership@amshq.org, by 4:00 PM EDT, December 14, 2018.

AMS Board of Directors Application 

Application Confirmation

Upon successful receipt of your application and résumé or curriculum vitae, AMS will send you a confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation email, your submission has not been received and you must resubmit. If you still do not receive a confirmation email, please contact AMS offices for assistance before the close of the application period. No exceptions will be granted to the deadline.