Montessori Training Certification

Montessori training may require a lot of out-of-class reading.

Getting certified as a Montessori teacher can benefit an educator's career, not only by qualifying her for different positions, but also by providing a new approach to teaching on a more individualized and personalized level. Montessori training may differ greatly from what a K-12 educator has experienced in the past, but receiving the Montessori training certification can pay off in numerous ways.

Choosing a Program

Different organizations across the United States and around the world offer Montessori certification. The programs range in requirements from several hundred hours of class observation and student teaching to studying at home for a distance learning course. Because requirements for teacher certifications differ drastically from state to state, candidates should look into the local rules before they apply to programs. Candidates can research the wide variety of programs around the world on various websites, such as the Montessori Index or the American Montessori Society.

Specializations

Montessori teacher trainees normally focus their studies around one age group of children and are thus certified to teach this age group. These age groups usually include 0 to 3 years old, 2 to 6 years old, 6 to 9 years old, 9 to 12 years old, 12 to 15 years old, and 15 to 18 years old, though the candidate's studies may involve a combination of several groups (for example, 6 to 9 and 9 to 12 years old).

Admissions Requirements

Candidates applying for Montessori certification programs usually need to have a bachelor's degree, though certain programs are willing to accept candidates without this degree under extraordinary circumstances. Candidates should check with the programs to which they wish to apply.

Certification Requirements

Montessori teacher training changes from program to program, but for the most part combines courses, homework, observing classrooms, and teaching practice. The last two elements (classroom observation and student teaching) vary the most by institution and may range from 100 required hours to over 1,000. In general, candidates will receive their certification within one year of beginning their studies, but this depends on the framework set forth by the institution. Recently, programs have begun to offer more options for non-traditional students, including summer study, weekend courses, and long-distance learning.

Post-Certification Employment

Once the candidate has earned his Montessori certification and verified that he is in compliance with the local standards for teaching certification, he can begin searching for teaching positions at Montessori schools. Though programs can offer networking opportunities, online listings can also help teachers find positions, including the American Montessori Society.

References

• American Montessori Society: Montessori Information and Events
• The International Montessori Index: Montessori Organizations and Teacher Training Courses, North America