You may have heard us talk about our teachers being “Montessori certified”, but have you ever wondered what that means and how someone becomes Montessori certified? I know I certainly did when I first started in the office, especially as I’ve watched Ms Donnette on her journey toward certification. (Ms Donnette completed her training in the winter of 2022. We are so proud of her accomplishments!)
The first thing to know is that it is not something that happens overnight—or even in a few weeks or months. From classwork to internships, the training programs can take several years to complete. Some programs also require a four-year-degree, while others offer options for those without a degree.
There are different certifications that a teacher can obtain, depending on the ages of children they’d like to work with: Infant and Toddler (birth through 3 years); Early Childhood (2.5 through 6); and Elementary I (6-9) and Elementary I-II (6-12 or 9-12). Teachers must first submit an application to their desired program. This includes writing an essay on why they want to become a Montessori teacher and providing transcripts and professional letters of recommendation. After this, they will be invited to an interview. If all goes well, they’ll be accepted to the program.
Programs begin with classes and coursework to learn the Montessori Method and have in-person experience with the materials. Student-teachers will also work on creating their own teacher manuals. Classes include reading texts and journal articles, writing reports, and completing a yearlong project and a yearlong observation of a child.
Because the Montessori Method is something you learn by doing, the next phase is an internship. MACTE (the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education) requires an internship with a minimum of 400 hours, with at least 120 hours of student teaching. This is done under a mentor in the class, and trainers from the program will also come occasionally to do observations and provide feedback.
After the internship and all coursework is a complete, the teacher must pass a final exam before receiving their certification. And then it’s time for the very best part: Being in their own classroom!
If you have any questions on the certification process, please don't hesitate to ask!
