Who was the very first American trained as a Montessori directress?

The first American trained as a Montessori directress was not Anne Sullivan; it was actually Dr. Elizabeth Harris. She was one of the first Americans to study and implement Montessori principles in the United States, having completed her training in Rome with Maria Montessori.

Understanding this context is crucial as it illustrates the path of Montessori education's introduction to America and highlights the contributions of early practitioners like Dr. Harris. While Anne Sullivan is renowned for her work with Helen Keller and significant in educational history, her connection to Montessori is not direct.

Maria Montessori, though pivotal in the development of the Montessori method, was Italian and not American. Jane Addams, a prominent social reformer, is known for her work in social justice and education but did not specifically train as a Montessori directress. Thus, the historical significance of Dr. Harris allows for a deeper appreciation of how Montessori education spread to the United States.