Schedule
Our next available Early Childhood (3-6 Diploma) courses will start July, 2023 and September, 2023! We’re excited that not only will we continue to offer the course in a blended-online format, but we are also offering the option to choose to attend lectures during the day or the evening.
Primary Daytime Course
Course begins September 5, 2023 with Graduation set for August 2, 2024!
Tues & Thurs via Zoom
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Arizona time (please note Arizona time never changes)
Students will be required to attend in person sessions in Mesa:
September 18 – 27, 2023 (9 days including Saturday Sep 23 9a-5p)
January 22 – 30, 2024 (8 days including Saturday Jan 27 9a-5p)
April 2 – 10, 2024 (8 days including Saturday Apr 6 9a-5p)
July 15 – August 2, 2024 (M-F, 3 weeks, 9a-5p)
Click Here to view the full/detailed schedule! (Updated 7/17/23)
Primary Evening Course
Course begins July 11, 2023 with Graduation set for June 29, 2024!
Tues-Wed-Thurs via Zoom
4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Arizona time (please note Arizona time never changes)
Students will be required to attend in person sessions in Mesa:
July 17 – 28, 2023 (10 days 9a-5p)
October 5 – 13, 2023 (9 days including Saturday Oct 7 9a-5p)
March 7 – 15, 2024 (9 days including Saturday Mar 9 9a-5p)
June 3 – 29, 2024 (M-F, 4 weeks 9a-5p)
Click here to view the full/detailed schedule!
A Day in the Life of a SIMS Student
The course will be delivered in a blended distance learning format. This will include online live group sessions via Zoom*; hands-on practice with materials either at the SIMS training center or at a school in the students vicinity; online distance learning modules; observation of children in public settings and Montessori settings. Three times during the year, students are required to attend in person classes in Phoenix. See the above schedule for more information.
Online Schedule:
Students are expected to attend online Zoom sessions during scheduled lecture weeks. Each course has a different schedule:
DAYTIME – 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Arizona time – Tuesday & Thursday.
EVENING – 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Arizona time – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.
(Please note Arizona time never changes)
Online lectures are presented at the SIMS training center in Mesa, Arizona. Students are welcome to attend these lectures in person, but can be accessed via Zoom from wherever you are in the world.
Hands-on Practice with Materials:
An important aspect of Montessori teacher preparation is to become well acquainted with the specially designed Montessori materials that are used in classrooms. The opportunity for hands-on practice with the exercises is a critical part of the teacher preparation experience. For learners residing in the Phoenix area, the SIMS training center is available during hours convenient to trainee’s individual schedules. For those learners residing outside Phoenix, SIMS staff will work with them to establish arrangements with schools in their vicinity to have access to practice with Montessori materials.
CURRICULUM
So How Does It Work?
Your training will prepare you to lead a Montessori Primary classroom, called a “Children’s House.” The course includes 850 hours of rigorous teacher preparation. Upon completion of 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:
- Child development and psychology
- The philosophy of the Montessori approach
- The Exercises of Practical Life and the child’s acquisition of skills which lead to functional independence
- Sensorial development
- The development of spoken and written language
- Strategies for classroom management
- Geography, history, art, biology & music
- Mathematics
How You’ll Learn
Coursework includes:
- Lectures on Montessori philosophy and pedagogy
- Demonstrations of the use of scientifically-designed and practical life 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 2½ to 6 using the Montessori pedagogy
- An internationally-recognized and highly in-demand credential
- The confidence and expertise you need to successfully direct your own classroom
For students enrolled in our evening Early Childhood (3-6 Diploma) 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.
Philosophy of Indigenous Education Course
SIMS is proud to work with the Keres Children’s Learning Center (KCLC) to and the Indigenous Montessori Institute to transform education. Through their Philosophy of Indigenous Education program you will:
- Explore the Montessori educational method through the lens of an Indigenous worldview
- Explore Indigenous knowledge systems, intergenerational learning, language immersion practices, culturally sustaining pedagogies and more.
- Participate in Anti-Bias/Anti-Racist training
For a full schedule and pricing, click here to visit the IMI website.
The Indigenous Montessori Institute has an incredible full-tuition scholarship opportunity available to members of Native American tribes in the United States. Qualified students enrolled in the Montessori training and the Philosophy of Indigenous Education will be considered for this scholarship. For further information, please contact Eileen Mitchell at povi@kclcmontessori.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my AMI diploma be accepted in other countries?
Is a bachelor’s degree required to enroll in the training?
Can you guarantee a job placement upon completion of the course?
Are there scholarships available?
Is there such a thing as a Master’s degree in Montessori?
What is the average income of an AMI-trained Montessori teacher?
What is the typical career path of a Montessori teacher?