MACTE Accredited Online Certification Training Programs

How to Become a Montessori Educator

Details for Each Training Program

We offer 4 MACTE Accredited Certification Paths:

  • Early Childhood (EC)
  • Lower Elementary (EL I)
  • Upper Elementary (EL I-II)
  • School Leadership (SL)

To enroll in a course email: Registrar@MontessoriLive.org 

Annual Course Schedule
Residencies

https://montessorilive.org/tuition/

Practicum

Our Early Childhood Montessori Certification Program (EC) is accredited by MACTE and intended for adults working with students ages 3 to 6.

Enrollment Requirements

To be considered as a fully trained Montessori educator for ages 3 to 6 years, a participant must complete the following:

  • The Online Component
  • The Face-to-Face Component, which includes one Residency consisting of in-residence training and
  • The Practicum Component, which includes an online course andteaching internship at an approved school in the participant’s local area.

To enroll in the Montessori Live MACTE Early Childhood certification program, an applicant must:

  • Complete an online application
  • Submit supporting documentation
  • Meet all admission requirements
  • Submit any college-level transcripts or proof of a high school degree
  • Provide evidence of the ability to practice in a Montessori environment for children aged 3- 6 through employment in a Montessori school or a volunteer agreement.

 

Early Childhood Courses

The Early Childhood Program consists of the following nine courses:

 

Online Component: (suggested order/prerequisites)

Foundational Courses (8 weeks each)

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

Curriculum Courses (7 weeks each)

  • Correct Expression, Handwriting, Whole Language (LNCE)
  • Phonics, Spelling, and Punctuation (LNPH)
  • Numeration and the Decimal System (MTNU)
  • Operations with Whole Numbers (+ *) (MTOP) (prerequisite MTNU)
  • Early Childhood Math (- /) (MTEC) (prerequisite MTNU)

 

Practicum Component: (location approval required, online and locally)

Practicum (year-long course with teaching component)

  • Practicum (online course) (Sept – Jun) (PRED) (min prerequisite FDN, OBS, RESS-EC)
  • Internship with a Teaching Component – (Sept-Jun at your location) in a 3-6 age environment includes 800-1,000 hours of teaching experience for full-time employees. MACTE requires a minimum of 400 clock hours, including 120 hours in the classroom actively practicing with children.

Face-to-Face Component

In-Person Residency (80 clock hours)

  • Summer Residency (10-day) (RESS-EC) (Auburn, Alabama)

Most Successful Curriculum Course Sequences

Language Courses

  1. LNCE
  2. LNPH

Mathematics Courses

  1. MTNU
  2. MTOP
  3. MTEC

The remaining Montessori Live curriculum courses can be taken in any order. Montessori Live Courses will be offered on a rotating basis throughout the year. Not all courses are offered simultaneously.  You can expect to spend 7-10 hours per week per course. After each class, Montessori Live awards a Professional Development Completion Certificate, provided you meet the minimum course standards. Montessori Live awards an MACTE diploma to adult learners in Early Childhood who complete all 9 required courses.

Important Information

  • To be fully trained as a Montessori educator for children ages 3 to 6, one must complete the Early Childhood training program, comprising 9 courses.
  • Montessori Live Courses are offered throughout the year.  Not all courses are offered simultaneously; refer to the annual schedule.
  • Curriculum course components include forum postings, video lectures, live chats, assignments, reading materials, practice lessons, lesson summaries, and observations.
  • You can expect to spend 5 to 10 hours a week per course, depending on your experience level.
  • Courses are individually priced—enrollment requires payment (Link to Tuition Costs).
  • Early Childhood Math (MTEC) (prerequisite MTNU)
  • Montessori Live Courses will be offered on a rotating basis throughout the year.
  • The Face-to-Face Residency for the Early Childhood Program is offered in July in Auburn, Alabama.
  • MACTE-accredited Montessori Live certification requires 80 clock hours of in-person training and the teaching practicum.
  • Observed Presentation assignments are best completed with a supervising educator unless self-directed.
  • Textbook and manual requirements vary per course.

Our Elementary I Montessori Certification Program (ELI) is accredited by MACTE and intended for adults working with students ages 6 to 9. 

Enrollment Requirements

To be considered as a fully trained Montessori educator for ages 6 to 9 years, a participant must complete the following:

Online Self-Paced Component:

  • Two foundation courses
  • Eight curriculum courses (cultural, language, math)

Online Self-Paced Residency Component:

  • Lessons for EC in sensorial, practical life, music, and PE (20 hours online self-paced)

Face-to-Face Residency Component:

  • Elementary Residency for ages 6-9 (80 hours, 10 days)

Practicum Component:

  • Online course (Sept to June) (at your location)
  • Teaching internship with children ages 6-9 at a school in the participant’s local area (approval required)

To enroll in the Montessori Live MACTE Early Childhood certification program, an applicant must:

  • Complete an online application
  • Submit supporting documentation
  • Meet all admission requirements
  • Submit bachelor-level transcripts
  • Provide evidence of the ability to practice in a Montessori environment for children aged 6-9 through employment in a Montessori school or a volunteer agreement.

Lower Elementary Courses

The Lower Elementary Program consists of the following courses:

 

Online Component: (suggested order/prerequisites)

Foundational Courses (8 weeks each)

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

Curriculum Courses (7 weeks each)

  • Correct Expression, Handwriting, Whole Language (LNCE)
  • Phonics, Spelling, and Punctuation (LNPH)
  • Numeration and the Decimal System (MTNU)
  • Operations with Whole Numbers (+ *) (MTOP)
  • Advanced Operations with Whole Numbers (- /) (MTAO)
  • Introduction to Geometry (MTGM)
  • Big Picture of the Universe (CBPU)
  • Earth and Human Studies (CEHS)

 

Face-to-Face Component

Residency (80 hours in-residence, 20 hours virtual)

  • Summer Residency (10-day) (RESS-EL) (Birmingham, Alabama / McCordsville, Indiana)
  • Virtual Lessons in Practical Life and Sensorial (PRSE)

 

 

Practicum Component: (location approval required, online and locally)

Practicum (year-long course with teaching component)

  • Practicum (online course) (Sept – Jun) (PRED) (min prerequisite FDN, OBS, RESS-EL)
  • Internship with a Teaching Component – (Sept-Jun at your location) in a 6-9 age environment includes 800-1,000 hours of teaching experience for full-time employees. MACTE requires a minimum of 400 clock hours, including 120 hours in the classroom actively practicing with children.

Most Successful Curriculum Course Sequences

Language Courses

  1. LNCE
  2. LNPH

Mathematics Courses

  1. MTNU
  2. MTOP
  3. MTAO

The remaining Montessori Live curriculum courses can be taken in any order. Montessori Live Courses will be offered on a rotating basis throughout the year. Not all courses are offered simultaneously.  You can expect to spend 7-10 hours per week per course. After each class, Montessori Live awards a Professional Development Completion Certificate, provided you meet the minimum course standards. Montessori Live awards an MACTE diploma to adult learners in Lower Elementary who complete all required courses.

Important Information

  • To be fully trained as a Montessori educator for children ages 6 to 9, one must complete the Lower Elementary training program, comprising 12 courses.
  • Montessori Live Courses are offered throughout the year.  Not all courses are offered simultaneously; refer to the annual schedule.
  • Curriculum course components include forum postings, video lectures, live chats, assignments, reading materials, practice lessons, lesson summaries, and observations.
  • You can expect to spend 5 to 10 hours a week per course, depending on your experience level.
  • Courses are individually priced—enrollment requires payment (Link to Tuition Costs).
  • Montessori Live Courses will be offered on a rotating basis throughout the year.
  • The Face-to-Face Residency for the Elementary Program is offered in July in Birmingham, Alabama, and/or McCordsville, Indiana.
  • MACTE-accredited Montessori Live certification requires 80 clock hours of in-person training and the teaching practicum.
  • Observed Presentation assignments are best completed with a supervising educator unless self-directed.
  • Textbook and manual requirements vary per course.

Our Elementary I-II Montessori Certification Program (ELI-II) is accredited by MACTE and intended for adults working with students ages 6 to 12. 

Enrollment Requirements

To be considered as a fully trained Montessori educator for ages 6 to 12 years, a participant must complete the following:

Online Self-Paced Component:

  • Two foundation courses
  • Eleven curriculum courses (cultural, language, math)

Online Self-Paced Residency Component:

  • Lessons for EC in sensorial, practical life, music, and PE (20 hours online self-paced)
  • Advanced lessons in math, culture, history, and language (51 hours online self-paced)

Face-to-Face Residency Component:

  • Elementary Residency for ages 6-12 (120 hours, 15 days)

Practicum Component:

  • Online course (Sept to June) (at your location)
  • Teaching internship with children ages 6-9 or 9-12 at a school in the participant’s local area (approval required)

To enroll in the Montessori Live MACTE Early Childhood certification program, an applicant must:

  • Complete an online application
  • Submit supporting documentation
  • Meet all admission requirements
  • Submit bachelor-level transcripts
  • Provide evidence of the ability to practice in a Montessori environment for children aged 6-12 through employment in a Montessori school or a volunteer agreement.

Elementary Courses

The Elementary I-II Program consists of the following courses:

 

Online Component: (suggested order/prerequisites)

Foundational Courses (8 weeks each)

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

Curriculum Courses (7 weeks each)

  • Correct Expression, Handwriting, Whole Language (LNCE)
  • Phonics, Spelling, and Punctuation (LNPH)
  • Grammar and Writing (LNGR)
  • Numeration and the Decimal System (MTNU)
  • Operations with Whole Numbers (+ *) (MTOP)
  • Advanced Operations with Whole Numbers (- /) (MTAO)
  • Introduction to Geometry (MTGM)
  • Decimals and Fractions (MTFR)
  • Introduction to Algebra (MTAL)
  • Big Picture of the Universe (CBPU)
  • Earth and Human Studies (CEHS)

 

Face-to-Face Component

Residency (80 hours in-residence, 20 hours, 51 hours virtual)

  • Summer Residency (10-day) (RESS-EL) (Birmingham, Alabama / McCordsville, Indiana)
  • Virtual Lessons in Practical Life and Sensorial (PRSE)
  • Virtual Lessons in History, Cultural, Math, and Language (RESS-V)

 

Practicum Component: (location approval required, online and locally)

Practicum (year-long course with teaching component)

  • Practicum (online course) (Sept – Jun) (PRED) (min prerequisite FDN, OBS, RESS-EL)
  • Internship with a Teaching Component – (Sept-Jun at your location) in a 6-9 age environment includes 800-1,000 hours of teaching experience for full-time employees. MACTE requires a minimum of 400 clock hours, including 120 hours in the classroom actively practicing with children.

Most Successful Curriculum Course Sequences

Language Courses

  1. LNCE
  2. LNPH

Mathematics Courses

  1. MTNU
  2. MTOP
  3. MTAO

The remaining Montessori Live curriculum courses can be taken in any order. Montessori Live Courses will be offered on a rotating basis throughout the year. Not all courses are offered simultaneously.  You can expect to spend 7-10 hours per week per course. After each class, Montessori Live awards a Professional Development Completion Certificate, provided you meet the minimum course standards. Montessori Live awards an MACTE diploma to adult learners in Lower Elementary who complete all required courses.

Important Information

  • To be fully trained as a Montessori educator for children ages 6 to 12, one must complete the entire Elementary I-II training program.
  • Montessori Live Courses are offered throughout the year.  Not all courses are offered simultaneously; refer to the annual schedule.
  • Curriculum course components include forum postings, video lectures, live chats, assignments, reading materials, practice lessons, lesson summaries, and observations.
  • You can expect to spend 5 to 10 hours a week per course, depending on your experience level.
  • Courses are individually priced—enrollment requires payment (Link to Tuition Costs).
  • Montessori Live Courses will be offered on a rotating basis throughout the year.
  • The Face-to-Face Residency for the Elementary Program is offered in July in Birmingham, Alabama, and/or McCordsville, Indiana.
  • MACTE-accredited Montessori Live certification requires 120 clock hours of in-person training and the teaching practicum.
  • Observed Presentation assignments are best completed with a supervising educator unless self-directed.
  • Textbook and manual requirements vary per course.

The Montessori Live School Leadership Diploma program is accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) and is designed for adults who lead Montessori schools.

Enrollment Requirements    

This program leads to an accredited diploma for Montessori school leadership. This option is for school leaders with little or no prior Montessori training and is not intended to meet the requirements for Montessori teacher training. The School Leader diploma 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 diploma with the MACTE seal upon completion of the program.   

To be considered as a fully trained Montessori Administrator for private or public Montessori school leadership, a participant must complete the following:

Online Self-Paced Component:

  • Two virtual courses (9 weeks)
  • Two virtual courses (15 weeks)

Face-to-Face Component:

  • Administrator residency (40 hours, 5 days)

Practicum Component:

  • Working internship in an administrative role (700 hours, at your location)

To enroll in the Montessori Live MACTE Administrator diploma program, an applicant must:

  • Complete an online application
  • Submit supporting documentation
  • Meet all admission requirements
  • Submit bachelor-level transcripts
  • Provide evidence of the ability to work as an administrator in a Montessori school.

Administrator Courses 

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

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

Curriculum Courses (15 weeks, self-paced, virtual)

  • Survey of Montessori Curriculum (SMCU)
  • Practical Applications for Administrators (PRAA)

 

Residency (40 hours, face-to-face)

 

  • Summer Residency (5-day) (RESADM) (Birmingham, Alabama)

 

Practicum (700 hours, administrator internship)

  • Working at your location in an administrator role

You can expect to spend 5-7 hours per week per course. After each class, Montessori Live awards a Professional Development Completion Certificate, provided you meet the minimum course standards. Montessori Live awards an MACTE diploma to adult learners who complete all required courses.

Important Information

  • To be fully trained as a Montessori administrator for public or private Montessori schools, one must complete the entire School Leadership training program.
  • Montessori Live Courses will be offered on a rotating basis throughout the year.
  • Course components include forum reflections, synchronous and asynchronous chats, video lectures, assignments, a leadership action project, and assigned readings.
  • You can expect to spend 5 to 7 hours a week per course
  • Courses are individually priced—enrollment requires payment
  • The face-to-face residency in Birmingham, Alabama.
  • One supervised field visit required

Curriculum and Foundational Assignments – Explanation

Video Lectures – (approximately two hours per topic)

Adult learners are required to review all the lecture and presentation videos for that topic. The viewing sequence should be from top to bottom within each topic’s resource menu. Adult learner progress is tracked electronically for administrative purposes. After seeing the videos, respond to the questions posted in the forum.  Forums close after two topics and will not reopen. All practice assignments must be conducted based solely on a adult learner’s review of the course videos as well as the supplied lesson plans. Once opened, the videos will remain available to adult learners while actively enrolled in the course.

Asynchronous Discussion Forums – (approximately one hour per topic)

Provides opportunities for adult learners to reflect on the content presented and learn from one another. The instructor does not provide comments during this portion; instead, they comment privately. The forums are designed to encourage members of a cohort to engage in reflective practice together. Questions are based on both philosophy and the practical applications of the content. Participation in discussion forums is required. All work must be original and not copied from other resources without proper citation.

Asynchronous Chats – (approximately one hour per topic)

The course instructor prerecords a lecture for each topic.  Adult learners are required to view the lecture and submit a summary of each lecture.

Synchronous Chats – (approximately one hour per topic)

In the practicum course, adult learners will meet regularly online together with the course instructor.  There are ten chats scheduled throughout the practicum year. 

Observed Lesson Presentations– (average one observation per curriculum course)

Most online curriculum courses require that all adult learners complete an observed lesson presentation.  This assignment assists adult learners in practicing with materials presented during the online component and provides a verification of practice as well as an opportunity to engage in reflective practice. Supervising educators or course instructors can include comments in person, by viewing a lesson video recording, or via a video chat program. The adult learner must be observed by the supervising educator indicated in the adult learner’s enrollment paperwork or by the course instructor. 

Lesson Plans – (average one lesson plan per curriculum course)

Assists adult learners to understand the components of a Montessori lesson plan, how to organize and present a lesson to a child, and how to analyze the movement between the adult and child.

Practice Summaries – (average one practice summary per curriculum course)

Assists adult learners in practicing with adult learners using the materials being presented through our video resources during each of the online curriculum components. This assignment provides a detailed narrative that serves as verification of materials practice throughout the program.  The assignment also provides an ongoing opportunity for reflective practice.

Making Materials

Provide opportunities for the adult learner to create materials and allow the instructor to see the quality of the materials being constructed, as well as to provide comments. Material making occurs throughout the program, both in the online component and the residency component, and counts toward a portion of the adult learner’s practicum requirement.

Reflective Essays

Provide opportunities for the adult learner to engage in reflective practice and demonstrate a deepening understanding of Montessori philosophy, classroom management, practical application, and the curriculum scope and sequence. Reflections are a daily part of the summer residencies as well.

 

Practicum Assignments – Explanation

Year-long Project

Part of the practicum is to create an extension of an area of interest for the adult learner’s learning environment based on the adult learner’s interest.

Case Study and Observation of an Adult Learner

Observation is a critical component of the Montessori method.  The case study provides an opportunity for adult learners to design an individualized program for themselves that spans most of the school year.

Classroom Observation Requirements 

Adult learners must observe their students throughout the program. These observations are written up in narrative form and discussed during the practicum chats.

Observing Other Montessori Schools

Adult learners are required to visit at least two other Montessori schools in their local area and write up a summary of each observation.  The comparison shows the many faces of Montessori and gives the adult learner a broader perspective.  In the School Leadership program, administrators are required to observe at two local Montessori schools and interview the head of school.

Reflecting on Peace Education 

Adult learners will be asked to reflect on activities relating to peace education throughout their practicum year.  Montessori’s peace education and lessons on grace and courtesy are reviewed during the Summer Residency as well as the practicum experience.

Regular contacts with the Practicum Instructor during the Practicum Experience 

The instructor for the practicum course maintains close communication with adult learners throughout the practicum year. Chats are scheduled throughout the practicum year to help adult learners navigate obstacles throughout their first year of teaching. The chats also provide a way for other adult learners going through the practicum to share their experiences and receive support.

Creating and Collecting Lesson Plans and Albums 

Adult learners must demonstrate that they have a complete scope and sequence of lesson plans for their level. This collection of lessons and support materials is organized to support the adult learner throughout their teaching career.

Supervised Practice during the Residency phase

Adult learners have opportunities to demonstrate materials and practice during the Summer Residency component. Opportunities to create materials and art extensions are available in the residencies.

Leadership Project for the School Leadership Diploma Program

Administrators must design and implement a leadership project that will be started in the PRAA Practical Course and completed during the PRADM practicum. Presentations will occur during the RESADM residency.

Textbooks are available for purchase at Montessori Research and Development at (www.montessorird.com).  Montessori Live provides additional resources upon enrollment in the courses.  Lesson plans, manuals, PowerPoint lectures, and sample assignments are available for free download.

Montessori Foundations of Philosophy (FDN)

Observation and Child Development (OBS)

Survey of Montessori Curriculum (SMCU)

Most are available as digital downloads from Amazon Kindle or Apple iBooks

Practical Applications for Administrators (PRAA)

Most are available as digital downloads from Amazon Kindle or Apple iBooks

Residency for Administrators (RESADM) Most are available as digital downloads from Amazon Kindle or Apple iBooks

 

 

“Montessori Live holds accredited status for its Early Childhood, Elementary I, Elementary I-II, Elementary II, and School Leader education programs from the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE).”  Visit MACTE’s website at http://www.macte.org/.

Montessori Live is a not-for-profit, independent educator training program incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida.

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