Maria Montessori School Gainesville, Florida Lisa Hoffman, a Florida native, is the Director of Education. She holds an AMI Primary diploma. Lisa has worked with some of the finest AMI teachers at Montessori schools in the Florida Keys, Massachusetts and Georgia. The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) was founded in 1929 by Dr. Maria Montessori to maintain the integrity of her life's work. To be eligible for certification, all teachers must have completed the rigorous AMI training course. Each classroom must be equipped with special materials and well maintained. Annual certification is contingent on periodic observations and consultations by the international organization (AMI).