The online portion of your practicum blends theoretical study with practical application. It includes:

• Interactive Learning: Video lectures, 10 Zoom chats with your instructor, and peer discussion forums on Montessori philosophy.

• Practical Projects: Designing an original, year-long unit study and compiling a student case study to master individualized instruction.

• Classroom Management: Practical training in Montessori-specific management, student observation, precise record-keeping, and peace education.

• Professional Growth: Focused discussions on school leadership, community relations, and following the child.

The second component of the practicum is a hands-on teaching internship consisting of required hours and field observations:

Required Teaching Hours:

• Early Childhood: Minimum 400 hours

• Elementary I: Minimum 400 hours

• Elementary I-II: Minimum 520 hours

Field Observations & Self-Directed Students: Interns will be observed by their Practicum Instructor, Supervising Educator, or Mentor.

⚠️ Self-Directed Students: If you are self-directed, you must arrange for your Practicum Instructor to visit your school site once. A $250 administrative fee applies, and students are responsible for all associated travel and per diem expenses.

Before Montessori Live grants official permission to begin your practicum, you must fulfill the following coursework and site requirements:

1. Coursework Requirements by Program

• Early Childhood: Successful completion of FDN, OBS, and RESS-EC.

• Elementary I & I-II: Successful completion of FDN, OBS, RESS-EL, and three curriculum courses.

2. Practicum Site Approval

• Student Responsibility: You are responsible for securing your own school employment or placement.

• Approval Process: Site approval forms are available in the Practicum Handbook and will be provided once you submit your notification of intent to enroll.

• Official Start: Once all coursework is completed and your site forms are approved, you will be formally cleared to begin your Practicum.

To be approved as an official training site, the intern’s school must meet the following criteria:

1. Student Age Range

The classroom must predominantly serve the age group corresponding to the intern’s certification level:

• Early Childhood: Ages 3–6
• Elementary I: Ages 6–9
• Elementary I-II: Ages 6–12 (A classroom of mainly 9–12 year-olds is optional)

2. Prepared Montessori Environment

The classroom must feature a complete, essential complement of Montessori materials appropriate to the age level served.

• Required material lists are available in the Montessori Research and Development albums (montessorird.com).

3. Student Supervision & Safety

• Standard Internships: The school must not assign the intern full responsibility for a class without a supervising teacher or other qualified staff member present.
• Self-Directed Internships: If the intern is self-directed, the training program or a local mentor will assume oversight and communication responsibilities.

4. School Administration & Compliance

The school administration must agree to:

• Contractual Clarity: Provide the intern with a clear job description or employment contract.
• Policies & Guidelines: Communicate all local administrative guidelines and maintain published non-discriminatory policies for staff and students.
• Release Time: Grant the intern the necessary release time to complete mandatory training observations.
• Program Cooperation: Actively support the intern’s practicum requirements and communicate with the Montessori Live training program as needed.

Ea

Please gather and submit the following items to verify your site compliance and officially launch your practicum:

1. Classroom Verification (Media)

• Photo Portfolio: A Word document containing embedded photos of your learning environment, verifying a full complement of Montessori materials in all curriculum areas.

• Video Tour & Narrative: A comprehensive video showing the entire classroom layout from every angle. Please narrate the video to explain the rationale behind your room design.

2. Agreements & Credentials (Documentation)

• Practicum Site Agreement: Signed and completed by your school.

  • Use the Supervised form if you have an on-site supervisor.

  • Use the Self-Directed form if you do not have a qualified Montessori educator on site.

• Mentor Credentials: A copy of your Supervising Educator or Mentor’s official Montessori teaching credential.

Annual Course Schedule

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