Almost all across the world, there is a steady growth in the number of students enrolling at Montessori schools, thereby increasing the demand for certified Montessori teacher.

 

But before you jump into the bandwagon, you must first understand that Montessori is not just about teaching students to read or write, being a Montessori teacher means a philosophy of life!

 

All Montessori teachers come from a diverse cultural and family backgrounds. In most private or public schools, it is required for teachers to have at least a four-year-college degree to qualify them to become a teacher. Some countries required their teachers to have a teaching license or secure teaching credentials from accredited organizations.

 

That is not always the case to become a Montessori teacher. In fact, many Montessori teachers have studied another field or were in a different industry before joining the teaching profession. There are some states which do not require teachers of “preschool” children to have a college degree to become a teacher. It will help if you will check with a local Montessori schoold or the state department of education if you really want to become a teacher and inquire about their requirements.

 

A big number of Montessori teachers started out as parents with children studying at Montessori schools. Most often, the conviction of parents to re-enter professional life other then being a parent, is one of the driving force to enter the teaching industry. Sometimes, parents approach their children’s school to inquire for teaching opportunity, or in some cases, approached by the school and offered a teaching job at a Montessori school, provided that they undergo the strict Montessori teaching program.

 

Training for the Montessori teacher education programs are available in various colleges and universities across the U.S. and Canada. You can study the program in most parts of the world where the Montessori educational system is being taught.

 

Normally, a Montessori teaching program involves one year of study. But in other U.S. states, divide the courses into several summer classes, involving from one to several summers of rigourous study, afterwhich, a one-year practicum program as student teacher is required. Some courses run during the school year. Each model has its loyal advocates, and selection of one over the other is a matter of personality and preference.

 

Montessori teacher education programs are typically offered at the infant-toddler (birth to age 2), early childhood (ages 3-6), lower elementary (ages 6-9), upper elementary (ages 9-12), and secondary levels (ages 12-15 and ages 15-18))