Welcome to Montessori Teacher Education Center USA Online
The Montessori Method of education was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori (1870 – 1953) at the turn of the twentieth century in Italy. Dr. Montessori’s educational model is based on her keen observation of the child. This observation of the child resulted in the development of her theory of the child's nature upon which her educational practices are based: The Montessori Method.
Our Mission Statement
The mission of the MTEC USA - Online is to provide elementary courses for Adult Learners that lead to employment as a teacher and in a Montessori educational setting at the appropriate level.
Montessori Teacher Education Center USA On-Line believes that Montessori pedagogy is a way of life, a way of living. Adult Learners participating in this course will be forever changed, forever seeing life and its processes in a totally new way. Every person has within a desire and inner urging for full expression. Within this urging for excellence is the need that the larger society has for a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive community. Each person’s urgings in a society are aided by others, and redefined by others, and circumscribed by others. This process makes for the harmonious working together of peoples.
We offer 2 levels of training
Elementary I
The Montessori Elementary I Teacher Credential Course is comprised of 408 academic hours in-residence, and a minimum of 1080 practicum hours which, when successfully completed, enables the Adult Learner to be awarded the American Montessori Society Elementary Level I Teacher Credential.
The knowledge gained in the core course components, the foundation course components, and other course components are applied and deepened through the experience of the nine-month practicum at the Elementary Level I. The Adult Learner support of the child’s learning and development in a caring manner.
Elementary II
The Montessori Elementary Level II Teacher Credential Course is comprised of 212 academic hours in-residence, and an optional 1080 practicum/student teaching hours over a nine-month practicum teaching. The American Montessori Society Elementary Level II Teacher Credential is awarded to the graduate.
The sequence of seven (7) course-components comprises the academic knowledge and rationale regarding the philosophy and curriculum.
Some additional information
Our faculty bring strong academic degrees and Montessori credentials. They also contribute years of practical experience to enrich and deepen your understanding of Montessori, children, and their interaction in the classroom.
Here are some of our instructors:
- Linda Aaquist, Level Coordinator & Instructor
- Frida Azari, Instructor
- Brigitte Frost, Instructor
- Ann Gavey, Instructor
"Classroom Leadership" is one of the course components in the curriculum for both the Elementary Level I Teacher Credential Course (EI.09) and the Elementary Level II Teacher Credential Course (EII.09).
Purpose: Through "Child Development" and "Classroom Leadership" courses, Adult Learners develop the rationale for why and how the Montessori curriculum is implemented. This suggests that the focus of "Classroom Leadership" is on the practical application and understanding of Montessori pedagogy within the classroom setting.
The faculty at MTEC USA On-Line also contribute to enriching and deepening an adult learner's understanding of Montessori, children, and their interface in the classroom, drawing on their strong academic degrees, Montessori credentials, and years of practical experience. The overall mission of MTEC USA On-Line is to provide Montessori elementary courses that lead to employment as a Lead Teacher/Guide in a Montessori educational setting, empowering the adult learner to build a better world through Montessori philosophy and education in an equitable, anti-biased, and culturally responsive manner. The training, including "Classroom Leadership," is designed to prepare teachers to effectively manage and guide children within the Montessori classroom environment.
At the Montessori Teacher Education Center USA On-Line (MTEC USA On-Line), we are dedicated to advancing the legacy of Montessori’s philosophy and pedagogy with an eye to the future. Our fundamental mission is to provide Montessori elementary courses that lead to employment as a Lead Teacher/Guide in a Montessori educational setting at the elementary level.
We are committed to empowering the adult learner to build a better world through Montessori philosophy and education in an equitable, anti-biased, and culturally responsive manner. This aligns with our belief that Montessori pedagogy is more than just a method; it is a way of life, a way of living, which we anticipate will profoundly change Adult Learners' perspectives.
Our foundation rests on the educational model developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, based on her keen observation of the child and resulting theory of the child's nature. We strive to cultivate a growing and developing quality of Montessori Lead Teachers/Guides. This objective is met by providing quality teacher preparation courses that meet the high teacher credential requirements of the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the Montessori Accreditation Commission on Teacher Credentialing (MACTE) in their delineated competencies.
We believe in fostering an environment where development can be explored, demonstrated, and implemented, aiming to improve ways of assisting children in their learning. Our philosophy emphasizes the societal need for a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive community, where harmonious working together is achieved through aiding and redefining each person’s inner urgings.
