Montessori Teachers Chatboard

MET Do not quit! Take one or two days and get yourself together by relaxing or doing something that you enjoy to break the school mode temporarily. It is very important that you finish what you have started. You are young. You tend to wander and need an immediate full-fillment but good things come when one achieves accreidation. You must be patience. I...See More

Oct 27, 2009

maureen CR: I can understand the feeling of being "burned out" by being in typical school environments. I wonder if it is the college you are attending? Some are not quite the independent learning set up one expects at your age with tons of required not too interesting classes. My first degree was in art and design and I did not take any education classes ...See MoreCR: I can understand the feeling of being "burned out" by being in typical school environments. I wonder if it is the college you are attending? Some are not quite the independent learning set up one expects at your age with tons of required not too interesting classes. My first degree was in art and design and I did not take any education classes as I had no interest in ever being a teacher. However, I did not like many of my core classes that were required for a liberal arts degree. My favorite classes were my electives that I chose. I did not find Montessori until I was in my early 30's and I realized then that all of my previous life experiences including my first degree and work experiences, no matter how seemingly unrelated they were to what I was going into, all seemed to fall together and it pointed exactly to what I was meant to do Montessori. Up to then, I just had not found my passion. Unfortuneately, it sounds more like you are going to the familiar to escape what you are feeling as "dead end". I am a firm believer that everything one does in life has a purpose, even though it doesn't make sense at that time.

I think I would hold off from going into Montessori. You might find out that you miss some really great opportunities of working in public Montessori schools down the road because you lacked your college degree. Your degree should be the stepping stone to Montessori. When I used to teach classroom management at our local training center, I saw a huge gap in student performance from the women who had college degrees and those going into Montessori training with little or no college experience. Maturity played a part in that, but the added life experience for those degreed teachers in training were such a plus.

My suggestion is to continue your degree, perhaps change majors. I would either get a part time assistant position in an authentic Montessori school during the school year(half days) or maybe as an assistant for a summer program in a good Montessori school. I would hold off on the on line training. If you find a great school who is a good match for you, the possibility of that school paying for all or most of your training would be so much better.

There also are universities and colleges that offer Master's degrees in Montessori.

Hang in there. It always seems "dead end" sometime in school, and perhaps you just have not found the choices of classes that can excite you. Good luck. maureen

Oct 28, 2009

Starting a Montessori School

by Jay

Oct 28, 2009

HI, I am coming up with a proposal for a Montessori school in India. Being a beginner in this field I expect help on hiring teachers, syllabus formulation, teaching technique and what so ever is required. I would be glad if you could assist me in this. Thanks, Jay

Suneha Pednekar On 10/28/09, Jay wrote: > HI, I am coming up with a proposal for a Montessori school > in India. Being a beginner in this field I expect help on > hiring teachers, syllabus formulation, teaching technique > and what so ever is required. I would be glad if you could > assist me in this. > Thanks, Jay

Hi Jay,

This ...See More

Oct 28, 2009

Mary A great resource for starting a school is the NAMTA'S Whole School Handbook. see montessori-namta.or

Oct 29, 2009

Starting toddler program at existing school

by Kath

Oct 28, 2009

Hi

I am a 6-12 AMI trained teacher. Just had a baby and would like to work part-time. Looking into starting a toddler program at our school currently 3yr-8th grade. What are the essentials? Start up costs? We have the space available so just wondering what materials are most needed. Any advice would be much appreciated! Kath

Kath On 10/28/09, Kath wrote: > Hi > > I am a 6-12 AMI trained teacher. Just had a baby and would > like to work part-time. Looking into starting a toddler > program at our school currently 3yr-8th grade. What are > the essentials? Start up costs? We have the space > available so just wondering what materials are most > needed. A...See More

Nov 2, 2009

LT On 11/02/09, Kath wrote: > On 10/28/09, Kath wrote: >> Hi >> >> I am a 6-12 AMI trained teacher. Just had a baby and would >> like to work part-time. Looking into starting a toddler >> program at our school currently 3yr-8th grade. What are >> the essentials? Start up costs? We have the space >> availabl...See More

Jan 21, 2010

Hey all. New to montessori and glad I found this chatboard. Seems like someone writes back at least every few days... I just started working for a montessori school a few weeks ago, working with the toddlers.. I've worked in many settings with children , a low income preschool, a christian school, a chain daycare, and most recently a nanny... but n...See More

New to montessori

by M

Oct 29, 2009

Mary Read one of Dr. Montessori's books such as "The Discovery of the Child" or "The Absorbent Mind" or "The Secret to Childhood". If this is truly the career path you want, you will want the training that can give you all the tools you need to be successful in finding a job and running a class. There are some wonderful training programs in beautiful ci...See More

Oct 29, 2009

Matt I think the biggest thing is a huge difference. We do not try to get the children to learn to work in our environment. We're trying to make the environment work for the children.

If something doesn't work, change it. If a child is not productive, observe and make changes to see how those work.

As an assistant, you may be stuck c...See More

Nov 23, 2009

Science (Cultural) fair(?)

by CS

Nov 7, 2009

Hello everyone!

Have any of you put together a cultural showcase (fair) for your 5+ year olds? I would love to hear some ideas!

Thank you!

How did Dr.Montessori do at her time?

by a daycare teacher

Nov 18, 2009

In most Montessori schools a day usually ends at 3:00pm(including extended day) and then if children need to stay longer in the school, other toys are out for the children to play with.

I guess this is a pretty typical schedule for schools with long operating hours. I believe Dr. Montessori¡¯s first children¡¯s house was a kind of day...See More

Mary There is a very detailed schedule in"The Montessori Method" (written by Dr. Montessori). Look for page 119, Chapter VII "Exercises of Practical Life - Proposed winter schedule of hours in the Children's Houses" Opening at 9:00 and closing at 4:00. I have been working in All-Day Children's House for 12+ years. Don't forget that Music, art, drama, da...See More

Nov 18, 2009

a daycare teacher On 11/18/09, Mary wrote: > There is a very detailed schedule in"The Montessori Method" > (written by Dr. Montessori). Look for page 119, Chapter VII > "Exercises of Practical Life - Proposed winter schedule of > hours in the Children's Houses" Opening at 9:00 and closing > at 4:00. I have been working in All-Day Children's House for ...See More

Nov 20, 2009

Matching / nomenclature cards

by CM

Nov 30, 2009

I want to create some matching/nomenclature cards for new classroom. If you could let me know of any useful website from which I can download the material or if anyone can share some materials you have in the classroom that would be great.

What kind of paper (cardstock/ poster board) you use to prepare the material. Thanks a lot.....

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primary I purchased a table top laminator from SAMS Club for about eighty or ninety dollars...the page sized pouches cost about 20.00 for, I think, 100...perhaps more. It is the best investment ever for making materials that hold up and look great!!

On 12/02/09, Zoe wrote: > Hi CM, Check out montessori print shop.com or montessori for > ever...See More

Dec 5, 2009

primary also....with the laminator you can use even plain copy paper and it is fine for the laminate makes the work sturdy...I often cut down construction paper to paper size and use it. the printer will handle it just fine and it looks good some things I print on white paper and then mount on construction; many times color coding for personal convience ...See More

Dec 5, 2009

Non-religious approach to XMas

by CS

Dec 8, 2009

Hello everyone,

Do most of you related the upcoming hols/celebration to your children in non-religious terms? How do you handle questions about the significance of XMas, Santa, gift- giving ,etc and come up with appropriate "neutral" activities to include those kids that don't celebration XMas.

I personally don't celebrate XMas as...See More

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ts I don't understand why this is depressing. Life outside of the US (& some in US too) often are of different religions & beliefs as am I. And "country" cannot be equated to "the world". They are completely different things.

To be fair to those of diff religions, all children should be introduced to festives in a manner comfortable t...See More

Jan 13, 2010

Don't celebrate either I don't know why it would be depressing either. Teaching religion is not my job. It should be the parents.

On 1/13/10, ts wrote:

> I don't understand why this is depressing. Life outside of the > US (& some in US too) often are of different religions & beliefs > as am I. And "country" cannot be equated to "the wo...See More

Jan 13, 2010

Good day. I am hoping someone could help me with this. I am interested in doing a distance Montessori course. I don't have any experience, at all, and I want to know from people who can offer advice, if doing it this way (actually it's the only way I can do it)is at all "beneficial". For example, does distance courses have any accrediations? Obviou...See More

courses

by natasha

Dec 24, 2009

I have been following this board for quite some time and I see that there are many out there who offer sound advice. So, I thought I would try to get some advice from all of you.

Before I get into my question, let me provide a little background so you know where I am coming from. When I was 18 - 19 I worked as a Teacher's Assistant at a m...See More

Advice Needed

by Cheryl

Dec 30, 2009

an option... I am a certified Montessori teacher (6-9 and 9-12) in a public school setting. Our school district provides the training while we are employed...it is contracted in from a major university--instructor flies in on weekends, took about two years to complete the program--very intense and a lot of hard work. We were able to elect to add a few courses a...See MoreI am a certified Montessori teacher (6-9 and 9-12) in a public school setting. Our school district provides the training while we are employed...it is contracted in from a major university--instructor flies in on weekends, took about two years to complete the program--very intense and a lot of hard work. We were able to elect to add a few courses at our own expense and get an advanced degree as well. Perhaps you could find something like that...where you could work/train at the same time. The "deal" is that our teachers have to teach three years within our school system after the completion of the training.

On 12/30/09, Cheryl wrote: > I have been following this board for quite some time and I > see that there are many out there who offer sound advice. > So, I thought I would try to get some advice from all of > you. > > Before I get into my question, let me provide a little > background so you know where I am coming from. When I was > 18 - 19 I worked as a Teacher's Assistant at a montessori > school. It was the best job ever. I worked with a > wonderful lead teacher, she was a genius with the children > and I learned so much just by watching her. Being the > assistant I had to a lot of what some people might > call "grunt work". Ours was a Toddler community so it was > alot of changing diapers, potty training, and cleaning up > for me when I wasn't assisting with the work period. The > teacher I worked with saw a gift in me and thought I had > the makings to be a really great montessori teacher. I > worked there for about 2 years. Every day I would come home > exhausted, but at the same time, I knew I had accomplished > something. If only I could have fully realized this back > then. But, to be young is to be foolish and I decided to > leave the school and enter the corporate world. Everyone at > the school tried to discourage me from leaving, even > offered to pay for my teacher training, but I didn't listen. > > Now, I am 33 and a little wiser. I see now that I should > have stuck with it because that was really what I wanted to > do with my life all along. Here is my problem. I want to > get my certification through NCME here in Houston. It > comes highly recommended and is AMS, MACTE approved. > Trouble is, I absolutely have to work to support myself and > classes are held all day 6 days a week. How am I to do > this? Anyone else out there who was in a similar situation > and obtained their certification? I looked into the > distance education offered by NAMC, but I have heard so > many discouraging things about getting certified in this > manner. What do you suggest I do? > > Thanks for any advice you have.

Jan 1, 2010

CC Hi Cheryl,

If you want to work within a Montessori School, its is best to go with an accredited program that is AMI or MACTE. Have you ever heard of the Montessori training program called the center for guided studies? It is a distance education course that is MACTE accredited. I have heard many wonderful things about this program and it i...See MoreHi Cheryl,

If you want to work within a Montessori School, its is best to go with an accredited program that is AMI or MACTE. Have you ever heard of the Montessori training program called the center for guided studies? It is a distance education course that is MACTE accredited. I have heard many wonderful things about this program and it is offered by (or somehow affiliated with) Tim Seldin. He is a highly respected member of the Montessori community. Here is the link: [link removed]!!

I took my training about 4 years ago here in Ontario. I was lucky to find a program that offered training on Saturdays for the entire year while I could still work for family obligaions and complete my internship in blocks. I am like you... I waited until I was in my 30's to take my training and I love what I do :) Good luck to you!! I hope you find what you are looking for!

CC

On 12/30/09, Cheryl wrote: > I have been following this board for quite some time and I > see that there are many out there who offer sound advice. > So, I thought I would try to get some advice from all of > you. > > Before I get into my question, let me provide a little > background so you know where I am coming from. When I was > 18 - 19 I worked as a Teacher's Assistant at a montessori > school. It was the best job ever. I worked with a > wonderful lead teacher, she was a genius with the children > and I learned so much just by watching her. Being the > assistant I had to a lot of what some people might > call "grunt work". Ours was a Toddler community so it was > alot of changing diapers, potty training, and cleaning up > for me when I wasn't assisting with the work period. The > teacher I worked with saw a gift in me and thought I had > the makings to be a really great montessori teacher. I > worked there for about 2 years. Every day I would come home > exhausted, but at the same time, I knew I had accomplished > something. If only I could have fully realized this back > then. But, to be young is to be foolish and I decided to > leave the school and enter the corporate world. Everyone at > the school tried to discourage me from leaving, even > offered to pay for my teacher training, but I didn't listen. > > Now, I am 33 and a little wiser. I see now that I should > have stuck with it because that was really what I wanted to > do with my life all along. Here is my problem. I want to > get my certification through NCME here in Houston. It > comes highly recommended and is AMS, MACTE approved. > Trouble is, I absolutely have to work to support myself and > classes are held all day 6 days a week. How am I to do > this? Anyone else out there who was in a similar situation > and obtained their certification? I looked into the > distance education offered by NAMC, but I have heard so > many discouraging things about getting certified in this > manner. What do you suggest I do? > > Thanks for any advice you have.

Jan 4, 2010