Elementary Training

Schedule

Course Schedule 2024-2025

Classes start online July 15, 2024. We’re excited to offer this course in a blended-online format to be completed within the 24-25 Academic Year. Students will be required to attend three in-person sessions in Mesa, AZ:

August 5 – 23, 2024
December 3 – 14, 2024
May 5 – 31, 2025 (includes oral exams and graduation)

Click here for a full schedule including online and in person sessions.

*Students enrolled in the Loyola University Maryland graduate program will participate in coursework from September 4^th – December 19^th, 2024, and January 3^rd through May 5^th, 2025.*

Gaby Lopez Bio — Click learn more about your Elementary Trainer, Gaby Lopez

Attending Course

A Day in the Life of a SIMS Elementary Student

The AMI 6-12 diploma course is an intensive full-time program. Students are expected to engage in self-guided distance learning activities and complete coursework in a timely manner, including: viewing pre-recorded videos, illustrating reference albums, making classroom materials, writing presentation summary cards, reports, reflections and other assignments.

In addition to our online learning modules, Elementary students are expected to attend on campus for four sessions through the year. On-site modules that allow for community building within a prepared environment, observation exercises and reflections, key presentations, and hands-on practice with Montessori materials

CURRICULUM

So How Does It Work?

Your training will prepare you to lead a Montessori Elementary classroom. The course includes 1300 hours of rigorous teacher preparation. Upon completion all requirements for the course, you’ll have a diploma from the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), which is the only internationally-recognized Montessori diploma, and the gold standard in Montessori teacher education.

What You’ll Learn

Areas of study include:

Montessori philosophy
Principles of child development, with a focus on the child aged 6-12
An interdisciplinary approach to the study of:
- geography (geology, chemistry, physics)
- biology (botany, zoology, ecology)
- history
- language
- mathematics (arithmetic, geometry, algebra)
- music
- art
Observation techniques
Social development of the elementary aged child
Incorporation of practical life activities in the elementary experience
Ways to support the growing independence of the child aged 6 – 12

How You’ll Learn

Coursework includes:

Lectures on Montessori philosophy and pedagogy
Demonstrations of the use of scientifically-designed Montessori materials
Extensive hands-on practice with the materials
3 weeks of classroom observation in Montessori schools
4 weeks of student teaching under the supervision of an AMI-certified teacher
Material making and classroom curriculum development
Based on coursework, you will write teaching reference books, referred to as “albums,”* which will serve you throughout your career. Compiling your albums deepens and solidifies your knowledge, preparing you for future work with children. Albums are a source of great pride for every Montessori Guide!

What You’ll Get

Upon completion, you’ll have:

An AMI Montessori diploma, certifying you to educate children aged 6 to 12 using the Montessori pedagogy
An internationally-recognized and highly in-demand credential
The confidence and expertise you need to successfully direct your own classroom

NOTE: SPANISH OPTION AVAILABLE!†
For students enrolled in our elementary course, our SIMS trainer is fluent in Spanish. Typically the course is delivered in English, but students can ask questions, complete course work (including albums), and complete written examinations in Spanish.

* A basic level of computer literacy is helpful in composing albums.

† Translation may be arranged if a large cohort of Spanish-speakers are registered for the course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my AMI diploma be accepted in other countries?

Yes! Your AMI diploma is the gold standard in Montessori education, and is the only internationally-recognized Montessori teacher training available. Schools around the world seek out and hire AMI-trained Montessori teachers.

Is a bachelor’s degree required to enroll in the training?

Yes. To lead an Elementary classroom, the guide does need to have completed a Bachelor’s degree. This is a requirement in most schools. However, a bachelor’s degree is not required for the Primary training.

Can you guarantee a job placement upon completion of the course?

A job placement is not guaranteed upon completion of the course, but all graduates of our previous courses have found a position in a Montessori in the September following their graduation. We arrange job fairs, schedule your observations and practice teaching at schools that may be a good fit (when possible), and receive job postings from schools all year long, which are shared with our students. Since AMI-trained Montessori teachers are in high demand, our students typically end up in jobs they love!

Are there scholarships available?

Yes! Several scholarships are available through SIMS, and others are available externally. We encourage you to apply for these, and to look into other scholarships as well. Follow this link to see more about the scholarships we are aware of.

Is there such a thing as a Master’s degree in Montessori?

Yes! SIMS partners with Loyola University Maryland to offer a joint AMI primary diploma and Master’s degree program. Students must have completed a bachelor’s degree before enrolling in this program. A student loan program that can support tuition at both SIMS and Loyola is available through Loyola. To find out more, attend one of our information sessions or follow this link.

What is the average income of an AMI-trained Montessori teacher?

Income varies by area, experience, school size, and education level. This AMI Salary inventory will give you insight into the variables that apply to you.

What is the typical career path of a Montessori teacher?

A career in Montessori can follow many different pathways. Whether you are a student just completing college, a teacher feeling disillusioned with traditional education, a mom who has been inspired by your child’s Montessori experience, an assistant in a Montessori classroom ready to make the leap, or someone who has just discovered Montessori and knows it’s for you, there is a place for you in this rapidly-growing field. Montessori teachers may start their own schools, take positions in public, private, or charter Montessori schools, start a day home or small school in their own home, or use their knowledge of Montessori to support them as counsellors, occupational therapists, or school administrators. Where you take your Montessori diploma is up to you!

Elementary Teacher Training Course