Sponsoring a Candidate for Montessori Training

Some Montessori schools sponsor the training of candidates they feel are particularly qualified to become Montessori teachers. Such schools generally select a candidate who:

• meets all admission requirements for the training center selected (educational background, GPA, language skills, etc.);
• has demonstrated a talent for working with children;
• can demonstrate the ability to make and keep a commitment, either through a past relationship with the school (as an assistant, parent, or staff member, for instance) or through the candidate's work/school history; and
• can show some connection to the community in which the school is located, through friends, relatives, etc.

• The candidate receives support in the form of a loan for Montessori training in return for a multi-year commitment to stay with the sponsoring school, usually two to three years.
• Usually, the loan covers tuition and fees, and the candidate must pay living expenses during the training period.
• In some cases, the school may forgive a portion of the loan with each year of subsequent service rendered by the candidate. In others, the candidate pays back the loan by deducting a pro-rated amount from each paycheck over the term of the contract.
• In the event of termination, the candidate is usually required to pay back the balance of the loan with interest calculated from the date of loan disbursement.