Navigating the AMS Teacher Education Program Requirements

The Montessori method, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, is a child-centered approach to education that fosters independence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. At the heart of any effective Montessori classroom is a well-trained teacher who embodies the principles of the Montessori philosophy. Achieving Montessori teacher certification is more than just obtaining a credential; it’s a personal and professional growth journey. This certification ensures educators have the necessary skills and knowledge to create an environment where children can thrive. The American Montessori Society (AMS) plays a crucial role in setting standards for Montessori teacher education and providing credentials to qualified educators. This article delves into the requirements and opportunities associated with AMS teacher education programs, including initial credentialing and continuing professional development.

Initial AMS Credentialing

Earning an AMS credential signifies that you’ve successfully completed a rigorous program of study at an AMS-affiliated teacher education program (TEP). Graduates of AMS-affiliated programs receive an AMS credential, a valuable qualification that opens global job opportunities. AMS has teacher preparation programs for teachers of infants through adolescents, and administrators. While each AMS-affiliated TEP is unique-with its own academic schedule and tuition-all are rigorously designed based on AMS standards, with the goal of ensuring that you will receive an education of consistent high quality, for entry into practice at your chosen level. AMS programs offer authentic, research-based, professional preparation for Montessori teachers at every level.

Types of Credentials

AMS offers various credentials based on the age group the teacher is trained to work with:

Infant & Toddler (ages birth through 3)
Early Childhood (ages 2.5 through 6)
Elementary
Adolescent

A candidate with a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university will be granted a Montessori Infant & Toddler Teacher Credential or a Montessori Early Childhood Teacher Credential. The candidate for the Montessori Elementary Teacher Credential must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a United States accredited university. An associate credential for Infant & Toddler and Early Childhood levels is awarded to those who have completed high school but do not hold a bachelor’s degree. A candidate without a bachelor’s degree will be eligible to receive an American Montessori Society (AMS) Associate Infant & Toddler Teacher Credential or an American Montessori Society Associate Early Childhood Teacher Credential.

Finding the Right Program

Ready to start? Explore the directory of AMS-affiliated Teacher Education Programs (TEPs) to find the right fit for you. No matter which developmental stage you are most drawn toward, infancy through adolescence, AMS has you covered!

Read also: Impact of Teacher Shouting

General Requirements

Earning an AMS credential typically takes 1-2 years, involving in-person or blended coursework, including discussions, hands-on activities, and a yearlong practicum.

Here's a general overview of the admission requirements:

Application: Fill out the application and pay the application fee.
Transcripts: Submit official high school/college transcripts. College/university documented in the form of an official original college/university transcript, or its equivalent, as determined by a recognized credential evaluation service. If you have a foreign transcript, it will need to be evaluated and certified by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
Letters of Recommendation: Submit three letters of recommendation.
Resume: Submit a resume of experience.
Interview: Candidates will be asked to interview via telephone or internet video conferencing technology prior to acceptance. Candidates who are not able to use video conferencing technology or do not have access to computer technology may not be accepted to this program.
Tuition Agreement: Once the candidate has been accepted into the program, they will receive a general and level appropriate handbook which contains The Tuition Agreement.

Program Specifics

Several institutions offer AMS-affiliated programs. For example, the AMS/MACTE certified training is offered through the University Montessori Lab School in collaboration with UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education. Students register through UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education, which provides students with the academic credits to document their studies. Course fees are paid to the UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education with additional fees paid to the University Montessori Lab School and accrediting agencies. Fees paid to the lab school include the cost of course materials, field consultation visitations, and AMS/MACTE credentialing.

For the early childhood program: The total fee paid to UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education is $1,900. The fee paid to the lab school ranges from $3,425 to $3,800 based upon the practicum site location.

For the infant & toddler program: The total fee paid to UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education is $1,475. The fee paid to the lab school ranges from $3,425 to $3,800 based upon the practicum site location.

There is a REQUIRED orientation for both the early childhood and infant & toddler program. At the orientation, you will be required to provide documentation that you have met all of the prerequisites:

The name of the your Practicum/Internship site including the address, phone, and director’s name, director’s contact information, supervising teacher contact information and Montessori diploma, number of children and age range of the children in the class being used for practicum. An official hard copy College Transcript (non-electronic) reflecting completion of the courses in Child Development and Child, Family, Community (which is the minimum coursework requirement to work in a school for your practicum) OR a certified copy of your high school diploma.

Montessorita’s Teacher Education Program

At Montessorita, our Teacher Education Program provides a comprehensive and in-depth curriculum designed to prepare educators for the unique demands of a Montessori classroom. We delve into the life and contributions of Dr. Maria Montessori, exploring her revolutionary approach to education. Understanding child development is crucial for effective teaching. We equip future teachers with the skills to create and maintain an optimal learning environment. The practicum component is not just a part but a transformative phase of Montessorita’s Teacher Education Program. It provides students the invaluable opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in a real Montessori classroom. During the practicum, students are expected to work a minimum of 540 hours in a Montessori school. This immersive experience helps students develop essential teaching skills and gain confidence in their ability to manage a classroom. Supervising teachers and field supervisors play a vital role in the practicum component. They provide mentorship, support, and constructive feedback to help students refine their teaching practices.

In addition to your daily practicum activities, the Yearlong Project and monthly self-assessment reports are crucial components of your learning journey. They are not just tasks but opportunities for you to reflect on your learning experiences, demonstrate your growth, and deepen your understanding of Montessori education.

Yearlong Project: Students undertake a comprehensive project that involves creating a detailed curriculum plan, developing classroom materials, and demonstrating their ability to implement Montessori methods effectively.
Self-Assessment Reports: Students submit monthly reports reflecting on their progress, challenges, and achievements during the practicum.

Montessorita offers ECE credits through our Montessori Teacher Education Program. Upon completing the program, you will receive certification that validates your training and readiness to teach in a Montessori environment. Our program holds accreditation from the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) and is affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS).

Choosing Montessorita for your Montessori teacher certification has numerous benefits that set our program apart. Our curriculum is robust and meticulously designed to ensure you gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Our faculty consists of experienced and dedicated educators who bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to their teaching. They are committed to your success and provide personalized guidance and support throughout your training. At Montessorita, hands-on learning and practical experience are integral to our program. You will engage in immersive, real-world practice under the supervision of seasoned Montessori educators. At Montessorita, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive learning environment and a vibrant community. Here, collaboration and mutual respect are not just words, but the foundation of our program.

The Value of an AMS Credential

Your AMS credential signals that you have the skills and experience necessary to work in a Montessori classroom or in a school administrator position. Montessori teachers bridge students with a world of knowledge, offering individualized guidance and fostering a nurturing, respectful environment. They create a rich classroom setting that promotes independence, citizenship, and accountability while guiding students toward rigorous learning and passionate inquiry.

Continuing Professional Development

An AMS credential opens doors to a fulfilling career in Montessori education. However, your learning doesn’t stop there. If your AMS credential was issued on or after July 1, 2013, you must complete 50 hours of continuing professional development (PD) every 5 years to keep it active. This requirement applies only to credentials issued from July 1, 2013, onward. If you are an instructor or director of an AMS-affiliated teacher education program, you must complete 30 hours of continuing professional development every 3 years, and capture this information in your teacher education program’s Annual Report.

Meeting the Requirements

Once you have completed your 50 hours of professional development, we require that you log your hours on our Professional Development Submission Form, which is accessible when you log into your AMS portal. AMS Members can track their professional development hours on their professional development hours submission form, which is accessible when you log into your AMS portal. You can save your progress. Think of the system as a digital file cabinet. You may log your hours after they occur.

Acceptable Professional Development Activities

Events that qualify for the AMS professional development requirement may be face-to-face or online, and may address any of the topics listed below. The event host must provide written verification attesting to your participation. Coursework completed at an accredited college or university counts toward your continuing professional development hours.

AMS Professional Development Opportunities

Take advantage of AMS professional development opportunities, including in-person events like The Montessori Event and symposia, as well as on-demand videos, online classes, and certificate programs. AMS members have access to free and discounted professional development via our an online professional development platform called AMS Learning that features both an on-demand video library, as well as opportunities to participate in live programs. There are also opportunities to earn professional development hours by attending in-person events such as The Montessori Event and Regional Symposia and Labposium, certificate programs, and more. We offer thought-provoking, Montessori-relevant professional development tailored to a comprehensive range of needs and interests.

Reactivating an Expired Credential

Fulfill the 50-hour professional development requirement and log the information using our professional development submission form, which is accessible when you log into your AMS portal. The link to the submission form is on the Professional Development Requirement page.

Additional Opportunities

The AMS Montessori Inclusion Endorsement is designed for the credentialed Montessori teacher who seeks knowledge and skills for fully integrating an inclusive classroom model that meets the needs of diverse learners. The endorsement incorporates the teacher and learner practices used in Montessori schools, while recognizing and honoring the needs of children with learning exceptionalities. The MIE course covers a Montessori approach to guiding children with a broad spectrum of learning variances. Educators will come away with the ability to support all types of thinkers; work with intervention specialists, therapists, and parents; and create individualized learning plans for children with learning differences.

The Certified AMS Teacher (CAT) Program was established by the AMS to recognize and support educators actively engaged in raising Earth science literacy. The CAT Program provides an incentive for continued professional growth for Earth science educators, ensuring that CATs remain up-to-date on new developments in Earth science and teaching standards. Active, in-service K-12 teachers and informal educators (i.e. museum docents, education center employees, aquarium tour guides, etc.) are eligible to become Certified AMS Teachers (CATs) through the AMS if they have completed two of the AMS Education Program’s Professional Development Courses. In-service K-12 teachers and informal educators who have not taken AMS Education Program’s Professional Development Courses are also eligible to apply if their principal occupation is K-12 education and they hold a degree in atmospheric or a related science. The AMS CAT designation certifies that an educator can competently and accurately communicate the valuable knowledge of atmospheric and related science to students. One of the purposes of the CAT program is to provide an incentive for continued professional growth and competency.

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