A Career in Montessori Education

The Nature of a Montessori Teaching Career In the classroom, the Montessori-trained teacher prepares an environment that allows the child to explore information from the world. Montessori materials provide opportunity for independent work of the child's own choice and pace. The teacher, the link between the child and the prepared environment, observes each child and presents appropriate materials with precision. The teacher's role is multi-faceted: a material maker, interior designer, parent educator, and community advocate. Montessori education appeals to persons who: want to make a contribution towards a better society want to make a difference with their life's energies want to help children self-construct their minds and personalities possess a zest for life, good health, and high energy levels seek a lifetime of learning are emotionally independent Montessori schools range from small, one-classroom, private schools at the preschool level to large, building-wide public school programs for children from preschool through grade eight.

Contents The Nature of a Montessori Teaching Career Job Levels and Training Job Availability Expected Earnings Rewards for Montessori Educators Teacher Training

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Job Levels and Training

There are three basic levels of Montessori training: infant/toddler (birth to age 3), primary (ages 3 to 6), and elementary (ages 6 to 12). Middle school (ages 12 to 15) positions are generally filled by Montessori elementary-trained teachers with academic strengths in several subject areas. Montessori also integrates specially-abled or challenged children.

Classroom teaching positions usually conform to the training levels above, although the elementary level is generally divided into two age groupings: 6-9 and 9-12.

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Job Availability

How many career areas do you know where the demand for qualified individuals exceeds the supply? Right now, there are more positions for trained Montessori teachers than people to fill them. Approximately 5,000 private and nearly 200 public Montessori schools operate in North America, including approximately 100 middle school programs. A significant number of school positions are available in Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. Each year approximately 200 jobs in the United States remain unfilled. Some schools are willing to sponsor a candidate to take Montessori training in exchange for a promise to teach at the school for a certain number of years.

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Expected Earnings

In the United States, a private-school elementary Montessori teacher with a bachelor's degree would expect a starting salary for a full-day, nine-month year of $25,000 to $30,000. Primary (preschool) teachers with no previous experience usually start at $21,000-$24,000. Teachers eligible for public-school Montessori teaching (usually requiring state teacher certification in addition to the Montessori diploma) would expect a salary beginning at $29,000-$31,000. Salaries vary from region to region and depend on the background of the teacher.

Opportunities for advancement include promotion to head teacher (a classroom teacher who functions as curriculum director), educational consulting, and teacher training. A person choosing a career as a Montessori administrator, principal, or headmaster would expect to earn from $45,000 in a school of under 200 children to as high as $80,000-$100,000 in a larger school.

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Rewards for Montessori Educators

Montessori education is a challenging career with high rewards. The pleasant classroom environment generates constant discovery in all fields of knowledge for both the children and the teacher. Teachers grow in self-understanding as they help children develop in harmony with life. Most of all, teachers experience the fulfillment that comes from working for a better world through tomorrow's adults.

Continuing education is an important part of Montessori teaching. Workshops and conferences are held locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Montessorians believe deeply in the value of their work. They know that they are making a contribution to society. They are serious and dedicated to offering a quality education. Interesting colleagues are easy to find because the field of Montessori education attracts committed and sensitive persons.

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Teacher Training

Montessori teacher training courses are offered throughout the world by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Course options range from full-time, nine-month courses to courses that can be completed in three consecutive summers. Course levels are infant-toddler (Assistants to Infancy), preschool (Primary), and Elementary. AMI courses qualify for graduate credit toward a master's degree in education at selected colleges and universities.

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