How to become a montessori teacher after CPA?

Hi Aditi,

How exciting that you want to embark on this journey! I do not know how much you know about Dr. Montessori or her method, but if you have not done a lot of reading, I suggest the following books before you decide to do this:

1. Montessori Madness!, by Trevor Eissler (This is a good book by a Montessori parent explaining his passion for the method)

2. Dr. Montessori's Own Handbook, by Dr. Maria Montessori (This is a window into a lot of the works that Dr. Montessori created and the observations that led to their creation)

3. Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius, by Angeline Stoll Lillard (shows the more current child development and brain research that backs up what Dr Montessori observed well before her time)

There are three other essential books (among others) that you should read, but I didn't list them because if and when you do take the training, they will already be on your book list. They are:

The Absorbent Mind

The Discovery of the Child

The Secret of Childhood (one of my favorites)

All by Dr. Montessori.

Anyway, I also recommend visiting some Montessori schools. They should be accredited by or affiliated with The American Montessori Society (AMS), The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), or the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) to see what you think. Then visit the AMS or AMI websites to see what training centers are in your area. Now, not all levels of training will be available in your area. Luckily, where I live in Maryland, they offer Infant and Toddler (0-3), Early Childhood (3-6), Elementary I (6-9, and Elementary II (9-12). You may have to travel a bit to get the age level of training that you want, or the type of training that you want (read up on AMI and AMS training as they are a bit different). I assure you though, that you do not have to travel to Italy. There are training centers all over the world.

The training center should work with you to find a great internship placement and mentor to set you on the path for success to become a great teacher. I am an AMS-trained teacher, and as far as I know, AMI-training does not require an internship, but it is an option. I recommend it if you do not have any teaching experience at all, or no experience at least as a Montessori assistant. There are many great teachers who just jumped right in and were successful.

I wish you luck. You are in for an incredible journey, and the friends you make in training will be friends for life. :-)

P.S.- You do not need a degree in education to be a Montessori teacher unless you teach in a public Montessori, and even then, you may just have to complete additional coursework as long as you have a four-year degree. As far as salary goes, it really depends on where you live and what level you teach. Most Montessori schools are private, and private schools tend to be much lower-paying than public schools, but if you teach a higher level, such as upper-elementary or even middle school or high school (there are modified adolescent programs for Montessori called erdkinder), you may be paid more. The lowest tends to be infant/toddler, but also, your level of education and training will impact your pay as well.

First you get an early education certificate by going to college and fulfilling state requirements. Then, maybe you need to attend an institute in Italy. You might need to start such a school.