Course Director: Pamela W. Trumble

Montgomery Montessori Institute (MMI) was founded in 1994 for individuals interested in becoming certified, early childhood, Montessori educators. Located on the campus of The Franklin Schools, MMI provides the unique opportunity for students to learn, hands-on, and to observe Montessori classrooms in action.

The knowledge. The experience. The Montessori teacher education course for you! Montgomery Montessori Institute (MMI) has established a carefully designed early childhood teacher education program in response to the critical community and nationwide need for qualified and inspiring early childhood educators.

Anchored in the teaching philosophy and teaching methodology formulated by Dr. Maria Montessori, the MMI program focuses on the developmental needs of the child within a context of freedom and structure. MMI's two-phased program consists of an Academic Phase which begins in early June and continues for eight consecutive weeks through early August with classes held from 8:00am - 5:00pm and Practicum Phase which incorporates student-teaching from September to June. The student-teaching phase provides an excellent internship opportunity in the classroom of an approved supervising teacher. MMI prides itself on its fine student-teacher ratio and history of very successful graduates.

Montgomery Montessori Institute's two-phased program consists of Academic and Practicum Phases:

The Academic Phase consists of a concentrated eight week summer session. During the Academic Phase students learn through a combination of lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and observation of active classroom experiences. The curriculum gives the student extensive background knowledge in all the areas necessary to successfully manage an early childhood classroom. Course work during this phase covers the areas of Montessori philosophy, child development, observation and research techniques, language, math, sensorial activities, practical life, social studies/geography, physical and life science, art, music, movement, and classroom management and administration.

Students enter the Practicum Phase of the program once they have satisfactorily completed the Academic Phase. During this 612 hour phase, students work under the direction of a qualified AMS or AMI certified teacher at an approved internship site for a minimum of 540 hours. The additional Practicum hours consist of seminars held at MMI and research-based independent study. Throughout this Practicum Phase, a Practicum Coordinator, working in conjunction with MMI will serve as an advisor, classroom observer, and liaison between the student and the Cooperating Teacher. Students who currently hold a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree and have completed at least one year of teaching and/or assisting in a Montessori early childhood classroom, may apply to the Course director to participate in a self-directed internship. Practicum sites are available locally and throughout the nation.

Entrance: Applicants wishing to enroll in Montgomery Montessori Institute should complete the following steps:

1. Complete the application and return it along with the $150.00 application fee.

2. Provide two official copies of college transcripts for each college or university attended.

3. Provide three letters of recommendation.

4. Provide a completed Pre-Employment Medical Report for Staff In Child Care Centers.

5. Provide evidence of a State of Maryland fingerprint background check.

6. Complete a successful interview with an MMI representative.

Upon receipt of all the above required items, students will receive written notice regarding admission to Montgomery Montessori Institute. All students will be required to sign the MMI Enrollment Agreement to formalize admission.

Students wishing to transfer credit from another Montessori early childhood education program must present evidence that the training program is a MACTE accredited institute. Students may apply to MMI to complete the equivalent of either the Academic Phase and/or the Practicum Phase. Tuition will be based on the portion of the program to be completed at MMI. Transfer credits from any other similar early childhood education program may total no more than one third of the total 312 academic hours. All transfer students must meet with the Course Director to establish an educational plan suitable to both the Course Director of MMI and to AMS.

A student is eligible for graduation when the following criteria have been met:

1. All financial obligations to MMI must be fully accounted for.

2. Completion of both the Academic Phase and the Practicum Phase for a total of 924 hours.

3. A 90% attendance rate for all classroom and seminar hours.

4. All documentation and student/teacher and Practicum co-ordinator forms must be completed.

5. All assignments and albums must be submitted and approved.

6. Satisfactory completion of written and oral evaluations for both the Academic and the Practicum Phases.

Degreed: Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree in arts or sciences and are over the age of 18 are eligible to apply for admission to Montgomery Montessori Institute. It is necessary to provide the Institute with two official college transcripts to verify that this requirement has been satisfied. A prerequisite for certification by the American Montessori Society and the Montgomery Montessori Institute is a bachelor's degree. Students completing MMI's Early Childhood Education Program will be eligible to be recommended to the American Montessori Society for the Early Childhood credential.

Non-Degreed: Applicants who do not hold a bachelor's degree but have earned college or university credit hours must submit two official transcripts from each college or university attended for MMI to process the application. Such students completing MMI's Early Childhood Education Program will be eligible to be recommended to the American Montessori Society for the Associate Early Childhood Education Credential. The Associate Credential will not, however, satisfy most state teaching requirements. Students who are awarded the Associate Credential are encouraged to complete their undergraduate studies. In Maryland, Montessori teachers must hold a minimum of either a bachelor's degree or the equivalent 120 hours of undergraduate work.

International Degree: Applicants with international degrees must provide the Institute with two copies of degree verification from an approved organization.

Academic Phase

MECE-PL 401 Practical Life: Philosophy and rationale, ground rules and courtesy, control of movement, care of the person, care of the environment, and food and nutrition.

MECE-SEN 402 Sensorial: Philosophy and rationale. Use of the didactic materials aiding in the development and refinement of the senses.

MECE-PHIL 403 Montessori Philosophy and Theory: Overview of the historical perspective and philosophy specific to the method and how they relate to the child, teacher, materials, and environment.

MECE-OB/R 404 Observation & Research Methods in Montessori Education: Theories and field research techniques used in cultural anthropology and their usefulness in understanding early childhood development in a Montessori setting.

MECE-LANG 405 Language: Philosophy and rationale of language, receptive and expressive language experiences, visual and auditory perceptual experiences, vocabulary development and enrichment, use of basic materials - sandpaper letters, moveable alphabet, and metal insets, reading, penmanship, writing, and the function of words.

MECE-MA 406 Mathematics: Philosophy, rational and materials that aid in the development of mathematical concepts and skills: introduction to numeration, the decimal system, linear counting, memorization and fractions.

MECE-PLS 407 Physical and Life Science: Philosophy and rationale of the Montessori curriculum. Botany and zoology, earth elements, and physical science.

MECE-CD/P 408 Child Development/Psychology: Theories of development, stages of development, areas of development, and the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development of the young child. Current research in the field is reviewed.

MECE-AR 409 Art: Philosophy and rationale of art. Students are introduced to the basic skills to be presented, two dimensional work such as easel or table work, three dimensional work and art appreciation and history.

MECE-MU 410 Music: Philosophy and rationale, rhythmic skills, singing skills, instrumental skills, music appreciation and history.

MECE-MOV 411 Movement: Philosophy and rationale of movement and body awareness in the context of story-telling and dramatics.

MECE-SS 412 Social Studies: Philosophy and rationale of geography (land and water forms, globes, maps, flags, multicultural awareness) and of history (time, calendar, seasons, and personal history).

MECE-MA 413 Management and Administration: Classroom management: preparation of the environment, scheduling and curriculum planning, lesson strategies, evaluation of children, techniques for discipline and problem solving, parent/teacher involvement; options and strategies for collaboration and involvement, and methods of implementation of such strategies. Administrative functions of school operations familiarize the student with licensing requirements, start up procedures, legal structures of schools, budgeting and financial operations, and the role of consultation and accreditation.

MECE-OR 414 Orientation: Class and lab. Facility and program overview. Album and teacher created materials guidance.

Practicum Phase

MECE-PRAC 415 Student Teaching: The function of the Practicum Phase is to provide the student a supervised teaching-learning experience and a period of observation, internalization, and further study, to bring together the theory and practice of Montessori education. The minimum early childhood practicum is defined as lasting a full academic year, with the student working at the practicum site, in the classroom of an approved supervising teacher, for three hours a day, five days a week for nine consecutive months. No part of the Practicum Phase may precede the beginning of the Academic Phase of the course. The class should contain children in the 2 1/2-6 year age range and should be equipped with a full complement of Montessori didactic equipment. The student may not be asked to assume the full responsibility of the classroom without the presence of the supervising teacher or other qualified staff person.

MECE-PRAC 416 Independent Study: The student prepares an Independent Study which is ongoing during the Practicum Phase of the early childhood education program. The Independent Study includes guided readings, a year-long individual case study, and analysis of field data. The case study is a year-long observation of one child in one area of the Montessori classroom utilizing the techniques and theories presented to better understand the development of young children within the context of Montessori theory and practice. A formal research paper is due at the end of the course.

MECE-PRAC 417 Practicum Seminars: Students are required to participate in seminars as listed in the MMI calendar throughout the Practicum Phase including year long science presentations

Through collaboration between the University of Maryland College Park and Montgomery Montessori Institute (MMI) it is possible for qualified students to earn graduate credit toward the completion of a master's degree in Early Childhood Education. Graduate candidates enrolled in MMI may apply for admission to the Early Childhood Master's Program at the University of Maryland provided they meet all campus and department requirements. Eligible students may receive graduate credit for independent study linking the study of Montessori principles to the growth and development of young University of Maryland.