MIA was founded in the 1960's under the name, 'Mid-America Montessori Teacher Preparation Center'(MAMTEC) by Dr. Helen K. Billings. After earning her Ed.D. in Education, Dr. Billings enrolled in Montessori training in Italy in 1964. Through her unceasing energy and dynamic speaking ability, MAMTEC became the largest Montessori training program in Missouri and Kansas from the late 1960's until 1972. In 1972 MAMTEC became the Montessori Institute of America (MIA).

Today 7 MIA teacher preparation centers are affiliated with MIA to conduct programs. Hundreds of MIA teachers and schools throughout the world are assisting children to reach their full potential development, cognitively, socially, spiritually, and emotionally. We have a rich heritage dating back to Dr. Maria Montessori who taught us to discover and follow the child.

Our Mission is to provide a harmonious, global organization to support Montessori philosophy through teacher preparation, schools, and individual members.

We advocate the development of the whole child, recognizing Dr. Montessori's emphasis on the spiritual dimension of the child and adult.

Montessori Institute of America (MIA) is a founding member of the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE).

MIA has a history of training adults and serving children since 1964.

As MIA continues to train teachers, add members and expand our services, we enjoy international recognition.

Our short-term goals include:
• To expand teacher preparation programs to other levels of training and advanced degrees, and to more countries.
• To provide consulting services to our members.
• To enhance on-line communications and information.
• To encourage schools to become fully Montessori in principle and method.