Training in the Montessori Educational Method
Since its conception, the Montessori Educational method has always been associated with teacher training as being a fundamental requirement without which it is not possible to approach the child and fulfil the role of the adult guide and model.
Founded in 1929 by Maria Montessori herself, the Association Montessori Internacionale is the only body in the world that regulates training for trainers of Montessori assistants or guides and their Pedagogical Committee revises the content and requirements for obtaining assistant qualifications. One of the fundamental requirements is a period of observation and practice in order to achieve the required qualification and personal transformation. However, in addition to training, the implementation of the Montessori Educational Method in a school is tied to a comprehensive approach that encompasses all the educational moments and the curricular and extracurricular areas consistent with this philosophy.
At Montessori Palau Girona, all the teachers in the Montessori classrooms have obtained these AMI qualifications allowing them to become assistants. In addition, the school regularly organises revision weeks delivered by AMI trainers and participates in Refresher Courses, also provided by the AMI itself. Similarly, the school participates in numerous conferences, symposia and workshops on education as speakers.
In Spain there are currently two courses recognised by the Association Montessori Internacionale: one in Santiago de Compostela, which gives access to the AMI 3-6 year old Diploma and the other at the University of Vic, which, in addition to giving access to 0-3 and 3-6 years AMI Diploma, offers the official European Master’s Degree in Montessori Education at 0 to 6 years. The school also forms part of the course’s coordination team. In the future, it is intended to open new training centres, not only for the Infant and Primary stages but also for the Secondary stage. Currently, three teachers on the staff are in the process of obtaining the trainer of trainers qualification with the possibility that Montessori Palau Girona will become a training centre for Primary and Secondary education in the future.
Similarly, the school offers various forms of Introductory courses to the Montessori Method in order to introduce the basic premises of the educational Method and make participants aware of the importance of the rigorous preparation and teacher training required to lead a project. These introductory courses are certified by the Spanish Montessori Association (AME) and are carried out in coordination with experts from various Montessori centres throughout Spain.
"From his scientific training, a teacher should acquire not only an ability but also an interest in observing natural phenomena. In our system he should be much more passive than active, and his passivity should be compounded of an anxious scientific curiosity and a respect for the phenomena which he wishes to observe. It is imperative that a teacher understand and appreciate his position as an observer."
Montessori, Maria. “Discipline and liberty”. The Discovery of the Child. The Montessori Series Vol. 2. Amsterdam: Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company, 2007. p. 51.
"As is well known, in our method a lesson is only an explanation of an exercise. By far the most important element is the work of the child himself in repeating it over and over again.”
Montessori, Maria. “Speech”. The Discovery of the Child. The Montessori Series Vol. 2. Amsterdam: Montessori-Pierson Publishing Company, 2007. p. 253.
"Indeed, with my methods, the teacher teaches little and observes much, and above all, it is her function to direct the psychic activity of the children and their physiological development. For this reason I have changed the name of teacher into that of directress."
Montessori, Maria. The Montessori Method p. 174, Chap 12
Visit the MIRTC website and discover the Montessori Pedagogy
- Information regarding the Master's Degree in Montessori Education (0-6 year-olds) at the Universitat de Vic
http://www.uvic.cat/estudi/Pedagogia-montessori-0-6-anys
