Montessori School Leadership

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP MACTE CERTIFICATION 

This option is for school leaders who have had little or no previous Montessori training and do not intend to complete the requirements for Montessori teacher training. Participation in this program requires registration fees, an in-person residency, a practicum experience, and supervised observations. Adult learners will receive a Montessori Live course completion certificate after each course and a final MACTE-accredited diploma upon completion of the program.

CERTIFICATE

Foundational Courses (9 weeks) (online, self-paced)

• Foundations of Montessori Philosophy (FDN)
• Observation and Classroom Management (OBS) 

Curriculum Course (14 weeks) (virtual)

• Survey of Montessori Curriculum (SMCU) (prerequisite FDN)
• Practical Applications for Administrators (PRAA) (prerequisites FDN, OBS, SMCU)

DIPLOMA (continued certificate)

Practicum for Administrators (PRADM) (at your location)(virtual)

• 700 clock hours at your location in an administrative role
• An in-person visit with a local mentor or course instructor (travel costs, daily rate, and per diem not included in tuition).  This visit should include a tour of the facilities and verification of site requirements.

Administrator Residency (RESADM) (in-person, 40 clock hours) 

• Location: Birmingham, Alabama
• Five days, 40 clock hours

Description of Courses

The Foundations of Montessori Philosophy course introduces participants to the philosophy and history of the Montessori movement.  Participants will read a biography of Maria Montessori’s life to learn more about her as a leader and a human being. FDN is offered multiple times during the year.

The Observation and Classroom Management course focuses on the art and science of observation.  The course also focuses on classroom management strategies for an individualized, multi-age, constructivist classroom environment.  It also focuses on the strengths and challenges of a team-teaching partnership model.

The Survey of Montessori Curriculum course takes 15 weeks to provide an overview of the Montessori curriculum and materials for ages 3 to 12.  Participants will learn about various aspects of the curriculum, such as practical life and sensorial, math operations, geometry, fractions, and algebra, as well as the language scope and sequence.  The Montessori cultural sequence will also be covered in detail.

The Practical Applications for Administrators course is designed as a practicum for our professional development program.  We will discuss administrative topics, including supporting faculty, parents, and students, and delve into what is necessary to be an effective leader.

The Practicum for Administrators extends the Practical Applications online course and adds 700 clock hours of supervised, in-person practicum experience.  Participants will be working in their local school environment as they continue the leadership project they began in the PRAA course.  PRADM runs during the academic school year and includes at least two virtual observations.  In addition, there is one required in-person observation in which the Montessori Live Practicum course instructor must visit the school site.  Travel costs, daily rate, and per diem are not included in the tuition.

The capstone for this program is the Residency for Administrators.  MACTE certification requires a 40-hour, in-person residency experience to be part of the diploma program.  RESADM topics include: leadership principles, personal and professional growth, equity, cultural responsiveness, ethics, faculty and staff support, policy implementation, community engagements, finances and fundraising, marketing and enrollment, educational law and governance, and strategic planning.  Participants will also be observing at local Montessori schools.

The Residency for Administrators covers the following standards: leadership principles, personal and professional growth, equity, inclusiveness, and cultural responsiveness, ethics, onboarding, management, and support of faculty and staff, Montessori philosophy and curriculum, implement and develop systems, policies, and procedures that support high faculty and staff, and community engagement, finances, fundraising, marketing, enrollment and retention, governance, straegic planning plus valuable interactions with fellow administrators.

It takes between 1 and 2 years to complete the program. Each online course consists of weekly chats, video lectures, forum reflection postings, assigned readings, and assignments. You can expect to spend 5-10 per week on each course. The enrollment process is streamlined and straightforward.

Enroll now in the School Leadership DIPLOMA Program.  Enrollment forms will be emailed upon receipt of the application.