Georgia has officially become the 49th country in the world with an affiliated association of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), following the official recognition of the Georgian Montessori Association as an AMI affiliated association.
Founded by Dr. Maria Montessori in 1929, AMI is the international organization established to preserve the authenticity of Montessori education and ensure that it continues to develop according to the educational principles created by Montessori herself. Today, AMI works with affiliated associations and training centers across the world to uphold professional standards, support teacher education, and promote authentic Montessori practice.
For Georgia, the affiliation is more than an international distinction. It formally connects the country to the global Montessori community and gives the Georgian Montessori Association the responsibility of supporting the authentic development of Montessori education in accordance with AMI standards.
The affiliation follows several years of work by the Georgian Montessori Association to establish authentic Montessori education in the country and strengthen cooperation with the international Montessori community. As AMI’s official affiliated association in Georgia, the organization will focus on professional standards, teacher preparation, international cooperation, and the continued development of Montessori education.
In a previous conversation with Inga Pataraia, Co-founder of the Montessori Kindergarten and Head of its Academic Department, we discussed the philosophy behind Montessori education, why Maria Montessori believed that every child is the creator of their own personality, and the importance of preparing an environment where children can develop independently.
This time, our conversation centers on Georgia’s newest achievement, what it means for the country’s educational landscape, and what responsibilities come with becoming AMI’s official representatives in Georgia.
Georgia has become the 49th country with an AMI affiliated association. What does this mean for Georgia’s educational landscape, and how significant is this milestone for the country?
This is a historic event for Georgia. It has officially joined the international network of countries that develop authentic Montessori education according to the standards of the Association Montessori Internationale. This means that our country now has an internationally recognized professional representative responsible for the proper development of Montessori pedagogy.
This is not simply the success of one organization. It is a new opportunity for Georgia’s education system through international cooperation, professional development, quality education, and the exchange of global experience. For us, it is recognition that Georgia has become part of the global movement that has spent nearly a century developing education based on children’s dignity, freedom, and natural development.
For many parents, AMI is simply an abbreviation. How would you explain what the Association Montessori Internationale is and why this recognition is so significant?
The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) is the world’s most authoritative organization in the field of Montessori education. It was founded in 1929 by Dr. Maria Montessori herself to preserve the authenticity and quality of her educational approach.
Today, AMI brings together dozens of countries, prepares teachers according to international standards, establishes professional criteria, and ensures that the Montessori method develops around the world in accordance with its original philosophy and scientific foundations.
When a country becomes home to an AMI affiliated association, it means there is an organization that has earned the trust of the international professional community. That is why this status is not only a matter of prestige but also a mark of quality, responsibility, and international recognition.
How challenging was the process of obtaining AMI affiliated status? How long did it take, what criteria did you have to meet, and what was the greatest challenge?
It was a multi-year process that required a great deal of responsibility. An organization cannot become an AMI affiliated association simply because it wishes to. Its work must fully comply with international professional standards, it must have a clearly defined mission, transparent governance, meaningful activities, and a long-term vision for the authentic development of Montessori education.
Throughout the process, we remained in constant communication with AMI representatives, sharing our work, achievements, and future plans. Ultimately, it was through years of dedicated work and the trust we built that we received official affiliated status.
The greatest challenge was that we had to build an authentic Montessori professional community in Georgia almost from scratch. That is why this recognition is especially meaningful for us. It confirms that we are moving in the right direction.
As AMI’s official representatives in Georgia, what responsibilities do you now take on?
This status is, above all, a responsibility. Our primary mission is to ensure that Montessori education in Georgia develops according to the principles created by Maria Montessori and safeguarded by AMI.
This includes introducing professional standards, providing high-quality teacher preparation, strengthening international partnerships, raising public awareness, and promoting the values that are rooted in children’s dignity, independence, and natural development.
We want the word ‘Montessori’ in Georgia to become synonymous with quality, rather than simply a popular name.
Today, many educational institutions use the word “Montessori.” How can parents distinguish an authentic Montessori environment from one that simply uses the name?
This is one of the most important issues today. The word ‘Montessori’ alone does not mean that an institution genuinely operates according to Montessori principles.
Parents should pay attention to several important factors: whether the school or kindergarten has teachers who have been trained according to international standards; whether the environment is fully based on Montessori principles; whether authentic Montessori materials are used; whether children have opportunities for independent choice and self-development; and whether the entire educational process is built on respect for the child.
Authentic Montessori is not simply a beautiful environment or a collection of special materials. It is a fundamentally different educational philosophy that requires professionally prepared teachers, the right environment, and deep knowledge.
As AMI’s official representatives in Georgia, what will be your main priorities in the coming years?
“Our goal is much broader than simply opening new Montessori schools. Our vision is to build a strong Montessori ecosystem in Georgia.
“In the coming years, we will place particular emphasis on preparing teachers according to international standards, strengthening cooperation with universities, raising public awareness, and expanding international partnerships.
“We will also work to make Montessori education more accessible to different social groups, develop research and academic initiatives, increase the availability of professional Montessori literature in the Georgian language, and encourage Georgia’s more active participation in international professional dialogue.
“We believe that meaningful change in education begins with changing the way we see the child. That is why the ultimate goal of our work is not only the development of Montessori education but also the creation of an educational culture that respects every child’s dignity, abilities, and potential.”
Georgia’s recognition as the 49th country with an AMI affiliated association marks an important step for Montessori education in the country. The affiliation brings international recognition, but it also represents a long-term responsibility to continue developing Montessori education according to internationally recognized standards.
For the Georgian Montessori Association, this milestone opens a new stage focused on professional development, teacher preparation, international cooperation, and expanding access to authentic Montessori education.
More than a century after Montessori’s ideas first reached Georgia, the country is now officially part of the international Montessori community, continuing a history built around respect for children, independence, and natural development.
Interview by Kesaria Katcharava
