Mission Statement
  The International Montessori Society (IMS) was founded by Lee Havis in 1979 to support Dr. Montessori’s vision and work of creating a “new education” in the world. IMS serves this purpose by providing knowledge, training, and other resources about a breakthrough “individual child framework” and “technology” for practicing the same scientific approach that led Dr. Montessori to discover the child’s true nature in 1907. Except now, however, using the IMS tools and support, you can achieve this result in a conscious, objective, and scientific manner that was never possible before.

Letters to the President - During the past several months, I've been corresponding with US President, Donald J. Trump about the importance of including scientific education into his vision and plan to restore the greatness of America. In my comments, I reminded him that our nation's greatness fundamentally rests on its commitment to laws of… read more

Kiddy Planet in Gabon, West Africa - The Kiddy Planet School was founded by Nissrin Makarem Anguilet in Libreville, Gabon, West Africa, in 2018. Starting as a small preschool, it was based on her desire to “create a nurturing environment where children could learn through exploration, independence, and respect for their natural development.” As her enrollment grew,… read more

Teaching the Technology - By Evelyn Onyekonwu (IMS '22) One day, I saw one of my teachers attempt to resolve a misbehavior situation with two children by shouting and grabbing materials out of their hands. Since I was sensitive to his likely defensive attitude if I corrected him at that time, I decided to… read more

Working with other Adults - by Lee Havis - "The only way by which the individual may escape is that by which all humanity may be saved....help one another, or you will die." Dr. Maria Montessori  from Spont. Act. in Ed., p. 277    In scientific education, resolving disorder in the "adult personality" is not… read more

The Danger of Eye Contact - by Lee Havis In the technology of scientific education, “eye contact” like other techniques, only works as intended when applied within the bounds and regulatory control of specific protocols, such as well-being of the total environment, and least amount of adult involvement.      So, the danger of eye contact… read more

Tangible Changes at Circle of Friends - by Michelle Landry On August 2nd and 3rd of this year, my husband and co-Director Roy, myself, and our lead teacher Alison, attended the Danbury workshop, led by Lee Havis IMS. What began as a professional workshop among teachers has blossomed into tangible changes that affect the way the children… read more

IMS Workshop in Danbury, CT - The latest IMS workshop “Creating the ‘True Natural’ Reality” was held in Danbury, CT on the weekend of August 2-3, 2025. IMS sponsored this workshop as part of its long-standing mission and work of creating Dr. Montessori’s vision of a “true natural” reality of perfect, peace, order, and harmony in… read more

Technology Book for South Sudan - On May 14, 2025, Mary Hadfield, sister-in-law of Chris Morgan (CT, South Sudan) met with Lee Havis in the offices of IMS in Silver Spring, MD to discuss the CT project that Chris is pursuing in South Sudan. Although currently a long-term US resident, Mary is still very interested to… read more

Character Teaching in Uganda - From left to right: Mr. Ivan Kimpanga Mukibi (Academic Registrar at the Luigi Guissani Institute of Higher Education). Caroline Mbabazi Mpyisi( Cherry Tree Foundation). Honourable Dr Joyce Moriku Kaducu State Minister for Primary Education. Ms. Robina Biteyi National Coordinator White Ribbon Alliance. In November, 2023, the “Character Teaching” (CT) project… read more

Character Teaching in Kenya - by Lee Havis    In April, 2023, the Character Teaching (CT) project was recently revived in Kenya after it was first initiated there in 2007. This new beginning was sparked by the inclusion of Everline Oiye as a new member of the CT consultation board in that country. In Kenya, Everline… read more