Montessori Organizations and Teacher Training Courses
NORTH AMERICA


All of the Montessori organizations and training centers in the USA have been invited to become members of The International Montessori Index, placing the details of services, cost, and certification on this site to help prospective teachers make the best decision. Below are those who have accepted the invitation.

Future Teachers: Be sure to check with local school where you want to teach to see what teacher certification they require, and then study the details of training courses carefully.

Organization Heads and Teacher Trainers: To join, please see the links at the bottom of the page.


Member organizations that do not train teachers

NAMTA, North American Montessori Teachers' Association
13693 Butternut Road, Burton, Ohio 44021
Phone: (440) 834-4011; Fax: (440) 834-4016
Web Site: www.montessori-namta.org; E-mail: staff@montessori-namta.org
Services: NAMTA organizes Montessori conferences in North America, maintains a directory of members and schools, and publishes The Namta Journal. NAMTA sells Montessori videos, slide shows, and publications.
Membership: membership is open to any individual interested in Montessori. The membership fee is $50 a year within the USA, $60 outside the USA.
NAMTA Montessori education conferences are open to all teachers and parents, AMI and non-AMI.
Founded:
1970
Executive Director:
David Kahn, founder and executive director of Montessori High School at University Circle and is executive director of the North American Montessori Teachers Association. He is also program director for The AMI Montessori Orientation to Adolescent Studies. David was the founding program director of Hershey Montessori School’s Adolescent Community on the farm. He has 17 years of Montessori teaching experience.
Affiliation: (Association Montessori Internationale, The Netherlands) AMI
Legal Status: educational, not-for-profit membership organization

(12/12)


Member organizations that offer teacher-training Courses

AMI/USA, Association Montessori International/USA
410 Alexander Street, Rochester, NY 14607
Phone: (585) 461-5920; Toll free: (800) 872-2643   Fax: (585) 461-0075
Web Site: www.amiusa.org; email: montessori@amiusa.org
Services: Provide information about AMI teacher training choices in the United States; organize conferences, including the annual refresher course and Public School Montessori Forum; AMI school consultation and recognition programs; publish a newsletter 3 times a year, a supplement featuring parent-focused articles, and booklets, videos, and brochures.
Membership: individual membership $50; annual school fees vary based on size of school and level of recognition.
Founded: 1929;
Executive Director: Virginia McHugh Goodwin (AMI certified 3-6)
Affiliation: (Association Montessori Internationale, the Netherlands) AMI
Legal Status: non-profit corporation
Level of Training: assistants to infancy (0-3 years), primary (3-6 years), elementary (6-12 years)
Admission Requirements: bachelors degree (with some exceptions); AMI primary diploma or AMI Foundation Course (5/6 weeks) required for elementary level courses.
Tuition:
$7500-$9800 ($17,400 if M.Ed included) additional fees range from $500-$1,500; Foundation Course (for elementary trainees not holding an AMI primary diploma): $1,800-$2,000; scholarship assistance is available.
Certification: AMI diploma at the level of the course (assistants to infancy, primary, or elementary). Many centers offer a masters degree option.
Course Details: Academic year and summer training formats. Academic-year courses run nine to ten months–typically from September to May; summer training courses span two to four summers with interim work (classroom observation, seminars, student teaching). Coursework: 30-40 hours/week under direct supervision of professors, 12-30 hours/week estimated work at home; 210-250 hours of observation and/or practice teaching depending on the age level. Requirements to earn diploma: 90% attendance, two/three 3-hour written exams, practical (oral) exams, reference folders (albums), supervised practicals in classroom.
Starting Date: Varies based on center; contact center directly.

(12/12)

AMS, The American Montessori Society
116 E. 16th St., New York, NY 10003
Phone:
(212) 35801250; Fax: (212) 358-1256
Web Site:
www.amshq.org; email: ams@amshq.org
Services:
training teachers, sponsoring an annual conference, webinars and heads of school retreat; publications include a variety of pamphlets, a newsletter and a quarterly publication Montessori Life
Membership:
annual school membership $447-$3972; individual membership $72 USA, $53-$83 outside USA; teacher education programs $465 per course level per site; additional fees apply.
Founded
:
1960
Executive Director:
Richard A. Ungerer
Affiliation:
(American Montessori Society) AMS
Legal Status:
non-profit corporation
Level of Training:
Age 0-18, administrator
Admission Requirements: 
high school diploma or its equivalent for 0-3 and 2.5-6 (Associate credential); BS or BA degree for others (Full credential); administrator level may have additional requirements.
Tuition:
$2800-$9700; additional fees range from $500-$1500. If partnered with a college/university additional fees may apply.
Certification:
AMS Montessori Credentials for all levels of teacher education. See web site for information. Non-US credentials are also awarded for each level.
Course Details:
There are several formats, from summer-intensive courses to year-round week-end courses. Starting dates depend on individual courses, for both free-standing and college/university programs. Onsite contact hours: 215-500; observations: 15-45 hours; student teaching: 540-1080 hours for full academic year; homework: 2-3 hours for each contact hour. Requirements to earn credential: successful completion of all AMS and teacher education program requirements including financial obligations. Requirements include attendance at academic component, practicum, observations, written assessments, performance assessments, research project, and portfolio.
Starting Date:
Depends on course. For courses offered outside the USA see the AMS Web site.
(12/13)


AMI Member Teacher-training Courses (Association Montessori Internationale)

The Montessori Institute
700 Knox Ct., Denver, Colorado 80204, USA
Contact: phone: (303) 832-6781; Fax (303) 765-5279
Website: www.tmidenver.com; E-mail: tmiami@mac.com
Director of Training: Judi Orion (AMI certified 0-3, 3-6 teacher, AMI certified 0-3 Assistants to Infancy teacher trainer, AMI certified 3-6 teacher trainer, adjunct faculty member at Loyola University, and Chair of the AMI Training Group) Contact TMI for information on courses in other countries led by Judi Orion.
Founded: 1982
Organization: educational, not-for-profit, affiliated with Loyola University in Maryland
Montessori Affiliation: (Association Montessori Internationale, The Netherlands) AMI
Level of Training: Age 0-3 (The 3-6 course is currently on sabbatical.)
Course Format: 0-3, Assistant to Infancy Course Details:
During 2 summers: 19 weeks on campus, curriculum albums created entirely by students; this work is read and feed-back given weekly by experienced teachers trained in reading students work; 20-25 hours of work weekly outside of class; 20 hours of direct supervised observation of children at the training center to learn how to observe the child in his natural environment during the interim year; interim year assignments are given at a personal exit conference at the end of the first summer
During interim year at home
: 250 hours of observation of children in their natural environment, monthly developmental summaries plus the observation journal of babies being observed are sent in to TMI and feedback is given on ways to improve observation or summarizing skills, reading and writing assignments plus 20 hours of students teaching including an observation by staff member or A to I consultant,

Admission Requirements: BS or BA degree or higher, or director approval. There is sometimes a waiting list so apply early.
Tuition: $8930 (US) or $8970 (non-US), including application fee, tuition, exam fee,and AMI membership; The M. Ed. degree tuition at Loyola is not included.
Certification: AMI 0-3 or 3-6 diploma (The 3-6 course is currently on sabbatical.). 27 hours of a 36-hour M. Ed. degree at Loyola University of Maryland available.

Starting Date: June each year
(12/12)

The Montessori Institute Northwest (MINW)
4506 SE Belmont, Portland OR 97215, USA
Phone: (503)963.8992; Fax: (503)963.8994
Web Site: www.montessori-nw.org; E-mail: info@montessori-nw.org
Directors of Training: Patricia Wallner: AMI certified 0-3 teacher trainer, AMI certified 0-3 teacher, adjunct faculty at Loyola University Maryland and Marylhurst University; Ginni Sackett: AMI certified 3-6 teacher trainer, AMI certified 3-6 teacher, adjunct faculty at Loyola University Maryland and Marylhurst University; Sarah Werner Andrews: AMI Certified 3-6 teacher trainer, AMI certified 3-6 teacher, AMI certified 6-12 teacher, adjunct faculty at Loyola University Maryland and Marylhurst University; Elise Huneke-Stone: AMI Certified 6-12 teacher trainer, AMI certified 3-6 teacher, AMI certified 6-12 teacher, adjunct faculty at Loyola University Maryland
Founded: 1979
Organization: a non-profit(501c3) organization, MINW is licensed by the Oregon Department of Education as a private career school. And is accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) and is affiliated with Loyola University Maryland and Marylhurst University.
Affiliation: Association Montessori Internationale, AMI, The Netherlands
Level of Training:0-3, 3-6, 6-12
Course Format: Academic year format at Primary and Elementary Levels, Multiple summer format at the Assistants to Infancy and Primary levels; Both formats are full time on campus most work done on campus directly with the trainers; some work at home
Admission Requirements: B.S. or B.A. degree in any field - Exceptions are considered on an individual basis.
Tuition: Please see our website for detailed information on tuition and admissions. $8800 for Primary training; $8400 for Assistants to Infancy training (masters program tuition not included)
Certification: AMI 0-3 Assistants to Infancy Diploma; AMI 3-6 Primary Diploma; AMI 6-12 Diploma; Graduate credit available through Loyola University Maryland; Undergraduate credit available through Marylhurst University
Course Details: As each level of training will vary slightly in structure please see our website for detailed descriptions. The following are the approximate figures for all certified AMI primary courses.  9-10 months full time on campus, 30-40 hours a week under direct supervision of professors, 15 hours a week estimated work at home per week; 210 - 250 hours of observation and/or practice teaching depending on which course, 0-3 or 3-6. Requirements to earn diploma: 90% attendance, two 3-hour written exams, practical (oral) exams, reference folders (albums), supervised practicals in classroom.
Starting Dates: Both Primary and Elementary Courses begin in an academic year format each fall; Assistant to Infancy Course begins again summer 2014 with a two year cycle and Primary summer will begin again in 2015 with a three year cycle   Primary Course begins every fall, and summer; Assistant to Infancy Course begins every other summer, the present course began the summer of 2010.

(12/13)

The Montessori Training Center of Minnesota (MTCM)
1611 Ames Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55106
Phone:(651) 298-1120; FAX (651) 298-0039
Website: www.mtcm.org ; E-mail: mtcm@mtcm.org
Director of Training: Primary, three to six course: Molly O'Shaughnessy (AMI certified 3-6 teacher trainer); Elementary, six to twelve course: Alison Awes (AMI certified 3-6, 6-12 teacher trainer)
Founded: 1973
Organization: non-profit
Affiliation: (Association Montessori Internationale, The Netherlands) AMI
Level of Training: Age 3-6, 6-12
Course Format: most work done on campus directly with the trainers; some work at home
Admission Requirements: bachelor's degree or higher preferred; English language proficiency
Tuition: $9,700; 2012 (3-6); $9985; 2013 (6-12)
Certification: AMI primary (3-6) diploma; AMI elementary (6-12) diploma
Course Details: The following are the approximate figures for this and other certified AMI courses.  90% attendance for 9-10 months full time on campus, 30-40 hours a week under direct supervision of staff, 20 hours a week estimated work at home per week, papers, material making, reference folders (albums), classroom observations and supervised practicals in an AMI Montessori classroom of children.
Requirements to earn diploma: 90% attendance, two 3-hour written exams, practical (oral) exams, reference folders (albums), supervised practicals in classroom.  
Starting Dates: September, 2013 academic primary (3-6) course; June, 2013 three-summer elementary (6-12) course

(12/13)

The Montessori Training Center of British Columbia
#200-8555 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC V60 3J9 Canada
Phone:(604) 261-0864; FAX (604) 261-2805
Website: www3.telus.net/Montessori/; E-mail: montessoritraining@telus.net
Director of Training: Primary: Eduardo Cuevas (AMI certified 3-6 teacher trainer); 0-3 Assistants to Infancy: Maria Teresa (Chacha) Vidales (AMI certified 0-3 teacher trainer)
Founded: 1982
Organization: non-profit; Registered Charitable Organization; Provincial Government Accreditation
Affiliation: (Association Montessori Internationale, The Netherlands) AMI
Level of Training: Ages: 0-3, 3-6
Course Format: most work done on campus directly with the trainers; some work at home
Admission Requirements: Preference given to bachelor's degree or higher; Exceptions considered on an individual basis
Tuition: Primary (3-6) CDN$11,800; Assistant to Infancy (0-3) CDN$8700
Certification: AMI primary (3-6) diploma; AMI A to I (0-3) diploma
Course Details: The following are the approximate figures for this and other certified AMI courses.  5-10 months full time on campus, 30-35 hours a week under direct supervision of staff, 25 hours a week estimated work at home per week, papers, material making, reference folders (albums), classroom observations and supervised practicums in an AMI Montessori classroom of children.
Requirements to earn diploma: 90% attendance, two 3-hour written exams, practical (oral) exams, reference folders (albums), supervised practicums in classroom.  
Starting Dates:
Primary (3-6): Academic year beginning September every year. September-June.
Assistants to Infancy: Two summers: June 24-August 23, 2012 and June 23-August 29, 2014

(2/13)

The Montessori Training Center of St. Louis (MTC)
14000 Ladue Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017; mailing address: 8176 Lebanon Road, Troy, IL 62294
Phone: (618) 667-4736
Website: www.ami.edu/mtcstl; E-mail MTCofSTL@aol.com
Director of Training: Annette M. Haines Ed.D (AMI certified 3-6 teacher trainer)
Founded: 1972
Organization: non-profit
Affiliation: (Association Montessori Internationale, The Netherlands) AMI
Level of Training: Age 3-6
Course Format: 18 weeks on campus over three summers plus two midwinter weekend seminars, most work done on campus directly with the trainer; some work at home
Admission Requirements: bachelor's degree or higher; English language proficiency
Tuition: $7,540
Certification: AMI primary (3-6) diploma
Course Details: 30 hours a week minimum under direct supervision of staff, 10 hours a week minimum work outside of class. There are papers, material making, reference folders (albums), 90 hours of classroom observations and 80 hours student teaching in an AMI Montessori classroom of children.
Requirements to earn diploma: 90% attendance, two 3-hour written exams, practical (oral) exams, completed albums, supervised observation and student teaching  
Starting Dates: The next 3-summer course begins on July 9, 2012
(12/12)

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Other member teacher-training courses

All Montessori training centers with a permanent, established, center are invited to become members.

Distance Learning

Due to many complaints about the quality of education gained in this method, by people who have taken distance learning courses, and the administrators who have hired teachers trained in this method, we can no longer recommend this kind of training. Time and money might be better spend reading books, researching on the internet, concentration on learning to observe children in a variety of situations, and meeting their needs.


NOTE: INTERNATIONAL COURSES: Montessori organizations in one country often offer conferences, workshops, and teacher training courses in other countries. Be sure to check all of the continent links on this site for information.


BECOME A MEMBER - LISTING INFORMATION
All Montessori organizations and teacher training centers are welcome to become members of The International Montessori Index. 
Click here for an application for a Montessori Teacher Training center: TC application
Click here for a Montessori organization membership ORG application.
Click here for a Montessori training center AND Montessori organization that trains teachers, membership ORG TC application.


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