Montessori Teacher Training Programs
We designed our teacher education courses to deliver content in a way that adults learn best. Our programs are accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) and provide graduates with an American Montessori Society (AMS) credential at the Infant and Toddler, Early Childhood, Elementary I and Elementary II levels.
THE NATURE OF OUR PROGRAM
At PCTE, we are committed to creating a learning environment that is grounded in the values of diversity, inclusion, and equity. We believe that by thoughtfully integrating these principles into our content, experiences, activities, and assignments, we built a strong sense of belonging and community for all learners.
Our instructors provide well-structured course content, while presenting materials alongside rationale and practice opportunities. We also incorporate Socratic dialogue into our approach, encouraging critical thinking and nurturing intellectual flexibility while exploring the core principles of Montessori philosophy and methodology.
While the course demands significant work outside of class hours, with assignments due throughout the school year, we are dedicated to offering ongoing support and mentorship to guide you through every step of the process. We understand the challenges, but also know that the journey is transformative. Becoming a Montessori teacher is a gradual evolution, one that requires patience, trust, and dedication.
At the end of this journey, you will emerge not only with the knowledge and skills to guide young learners but with the foundation for a fulfilling, lifelong career as a Montessori educator.
Academic Phase
PCTE has adopted a hybrid training format, balancing onsite hands-on activities with online learning experiences, using the Google Classroom platform. We have found that the combination of online information and hands-on practical activities creates a strong understanding that is consistently reinforced over time. This schedule of a spiral education models our style of classroom teaching.
The hours listed for each Program are instructional hours. Each course has a variety of assignments to be done outside of the instructional hours and are due across the length of the program. It is important to keep current with all assignment due dates in order to schedule field visits and allow all coursework to be completed and graded before exams are given. Exams are given once a year at the culmination of the course, in June. Those who extend their practicum for any reason, are welcome to return the following June to participate in exams.
PCTE faculty offers support to the adult learner through technology training, tutorial videos, instructor check-in, field consultant visits and guidance, consultations with level coordinators, and mentor connect meetings.
Practicum
An important aspect of the training process includes a practicum (internship) from September to June. The purpose of the practicum (internship) is to provide the adult learner with a supervised learning/teaching experience and a period of observation, internalization of philosophy and subject matter, and further study, to bring together the theory and practice of Montessori education.
The Practicum is to be spent in the same environment with the same group of students, in order to observe individual and overall class needs, developmental patterns, and the dynamics of change within the class community over the span of a 9-month period. This 9 month period follows the school schedule of the Practicum site, beginning with the first day of school and continuing through, without interruption, to the last day of school. The environment must meet AMS requirements and be prepared with Montessori materials and activities.
While PCTE will support our Adult Learners in the process of finding a Practicum site, each Adult Learner will be responsible for securing a Practicum site.
