Montessori Assistant Training

Becoming a Montessori assistant can be a great way to help educate children.

As Montessori school programs become more popular in the United States, the demand for Montessori assistants has risen drastically. These assistants work within the framework of Montessori education, which focuses on allowing children to direct their educations through independent work, to aid teachers supervising classrooms of children in various age ranges. For people who love working with children, but do not have the time or desire to become a certified Montessori teacher, becoming a Montessori assistant can be an excellent alternative.

Montessori Assistant Careers

Montessori assistants work to help the main teacher run the classroom more efficiently. Because Montessori education is centered around the teacher working with small groups of children, many students may be working on their own, relatively unsupervised, while the teacher is occupied with a group. Therefore, a Montessori assistant has the responsibility of helping to keep the classroom running smoothly. He may also help by keeping the classroom neat and supplies stocked, as well as assisting the teacher with administrative tasks like filling out progress reports.

Training

Montessori assistants must learn about the Montessori philosophy and about the practical aspects of assisting in a Montessori course. Thus, their training usually consists of lectures on the history and ideas behind the Montessori method as well as some in-class observation or training and hands-on experience with the Montessori materials, which are specialized. Training usually covers the five main areas of Montessori instruction, which include Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics and Cultural.

Duration

Montessori assistant training varies in duration, but usually lasts several months, or the academic equivalent of one term. Trainees may be able to attend classes part-time while holding down a full-time job, depending on the program. The short duration of these programs make them an attractive option for candidates who do not have the time or the means to pursue full-length Montessori teacher training, but nevertheless wish to have a career in a Montessori classroom.

Tuition

Tuition for Montessori assistant training programs varies by the number of hours the program offers, as well as the nature of the course. Many Montessori assistant training programs start at just several hundred dollars. Candidates should verify the kind of credentials offered by the school; Montessori assistant diplomas, for example, may aid the student in future job searches.

Career Potential

Schools across the country need Montessori assistants in their classrooms, especially as they try to keep staff-to-student ratios positive. Candidates can often find some job placement assistance through their training programs. Alternatively, they may contact individual schools themselves, or look online at various Montessori organizations around the country, which sometimes offer job listings services.

References

• Canadian Montessori Educational Institute
• Maria Montessori Institute