[3] The organization was founded to maintain the integrity of her life's work and to ensure that it would be perpetuated after her death: "The AMI was to function not only as organizer of courses and overseer of teacher training, not only as a way of keeping the various worldwide Montessori schools and societies in touch with each other and disseminating information about the movement's ideas and activities, but also as a firm, controlling rights to the publication of Montessori's books and the manufacture and sale of the materials as well as recipient of training-course fees.
A trainee of Maria Montessori herself Stephenson first operated as Mario Montesori's personal representative in the United States.
As the movement grew, Montessori granted her request to set up a branch office of AMI in the United States.
The AMI recognition program was initiated in the United States to assist families in assessing whether schools are following Dr. Montessori’s principles and practices in their original integrity and completeness.
These standards ensure that children are provided the opportunity for full intellectual, social, and psychological growth and that the approach is consistent with what is presented in AMI training courses worldwide.
The annual refresher course and workshops cater to all AMI trained professionals, as well as classroom assistants, administrators, and, beginning in 2009, parents.
They represent an integrated body of materials, methodology, psychology, and philosophy that provides Montessori teachers with a common reference point.