Elementary Program

Montessori Teacher Education Program

Spring Valley Montessori Teacher Education Program offers an excellent Early Childhood teacher training class starting in September. This class is a rigorous year-long course. All Spring Valley teachers have gone through our program, as have a large percentage of Montessori teachers in Washington state.

Montessori Program II: Elementary (ages 6 - 12)
Offered every other year
September 2013 through June 2014
Saturdays 8:30am - 5:00pm

Teacher Training Application (PDF)

Program Objective

The purpose of the course is to acquaint teachers with the materials, techniques and philosophy that comprise the Advanced Montessori Method. The course will teach the use of special materials, supply ideas and skills needed for elementary school teaching and demonstrate techniques for building a Montessori curriculum. The course directs itself to the teaching of children from 6 through 12 years of age, though the skills and philosophy may be applied to older age levels as well.

The Spring Valley Montessori Teacher Education Program is accredited by the
MACTE (Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education).

MACTE is the ONLY Montessori Accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

For full list of Credentials, see: Teacher Training Overview

Schedule & Location

Classes will be held Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. September - June and
two weeks Summer Extension in June at Spring Valley Montessori School campus.

Practicum/Internship

Practicum of 6 hrs/day for one school year or minimum total of 1,000 hrs may start after the summer reading assignments, but may not precede the Elementary course.

Founder/Advisor

Madeleine J. Justus is the founder of Spring Valley Montessori School & Teacher
Education Program. She is a graduate of the University of Cluj, Romania. She studied the Montessori Method in Romania, Vienna, and London. She has trained teachers, lectured and conducted classes in the Montessori Method of Education since 1951.

Instructors

Gulsevin Kayihan is a graduate of the University of Bosphorus. She has both the ECE and the Elementary Montessori I-II diplomas with over 30 years of experience. She is the Academic Director at Spring Valley Montessori School and has been with the Montessori Teacher Education Program since 1984.

Laura Possinger is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University. She has both ECE and Elementary I-II diplomas. She has been with the Teacher Education Program since 2005.

Mary Lowry is a graduate of Cardinal Newman College. She has both the Montessori Early Childhood and Elementary I - II Certificates. She has over 30 years of experience.

Sylvie Giral-K is a graduate of the University of Aix-Marseille with a Ph.D. in Geology. She has been with the Teacher Ed. Program since 2008.

The Program Includes the Following:

1. Intro to techniques, philosophy & psychology of the Advanced Montessori Method with:

A. The development and characteristics of the child from 6 to 12.

B. The preparation and function of the environment.

C. The role of the teacher and management of the classroom routine.

D. The psychology of discipline.

E. Age appropriate curriculum preparation.

F. Philosophers and educators in relation to the method.

2. Demonstration on the extended development and use of the Montessori materials including:

A. The advanced Math materials, Geometry, and Algebra.

B. The advanced Language and Grammar materials.

C. The advanced Geography, Pre-History, History and Timelines.

D. The development of Physical Sciences: Geology, Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy, transportation.

E. The introduction of Life Sciences: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plants, Animals, and Anatomy.

F. The introduction to Ecology, Environmental Sciences and research.

3. Supervised individual practice in the proper use of materials.

4. Classes to familiarize students with the in-depth development & materials of Astronomy, Physical& Earth Sciences, Geology, Botany, Zoology, Biology, History, Economic Geography, Ecology.

5. Construction of:

A. Notebooks/Manuals to serve as future reference.

B. "Timelines: for teaching history, and Charts for classification of the 5 Kingdoms in biology.

6. Classes in Art, Handwork, and Music.

Entrance Requirements & Admission

Prospective students must visit the school and meet with academic director. Resume, transcripts, letter of interest, 2 letters of recommendation and the application fee must be submitted with the Application.

1. One of the following:

Undergraduate Degree from fully-accredited college
WA State Teacher Certification*
Special permission from Spring Valley instructor

2. Montessori Early Childhood Education Diploma recommended, but may be waived depending on experience.

Application (PDF)

Requirements for Diploma

Diplomas will be awarded upon completion of the following:

Reports on selected readings.
Presentable, well-prepared functional notebooks that will serve as future reference.
Training resulting in dexterity in handling and comprehension of materials presented.
Adequately prepared sample materials as indicated in the requirements.
Individual research projects in Astronomy, Geology, Ecology, Physics/Chemistry, Five Kingdoms/Biology and History Timeline in the Montessori manner.
Quarterly written and practical finals exams.
Minimum 90% class attendance and participation; also, supervised practice and observation.
Practicum and student teaching at an accredited Montessori school 6 hours a day for one school year or minimum 1,000 hours total.

Leaves and Absences

Students are expected to attend all class sessions for the entire period scheduled. If a student is absent because of extenuating circumstances, it is the student's responsibility to arrange, with the instructor, to make up missed work or test. Absence from class for any reason does not excuse the student from completing all work assignments. A student who misses more than 10% of class time will attend missed portion the next time the Elementary Program is offered (typically every other year).

Payment Schedule

Tuition: $5,500 for the entire course ($1,895 per quarter or $650 per month)

Registration Fee: $250 (must accompany application)

The tuition may be paid in three installments: September, December, and March to correspond with the academic sessions. It is understood that the installment payment plan is for the convenience of the student and that he or she is obligated to pay the full tuition even if he or she fails to complete the course except as stated in the Cancellation and Refund Policy. Inquire about different payment plans.

Financial Aid is not offered.

Notes

* Washington State Certified teachers may take any of the Fall, Winter, or Spring Terms of the Course separately for Continuing Education credit requirements. In that case, the tuition for each term is $1,880.

Spring Valley Montessori Teacher Education Program is nondiscriminatory in its admittance policy and welcomes students of
any race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities.

Employment Assistance - Spring Valley Montessori Teacher Education Program receives many inquiries about teaching, teaching assistant, and internship positions. These notices are posted in the classroom. Recommendations about the training students are offered, but Spring Valley Montessori Education Program does not guarantee employment or placement.

This School is licensed under Chapter 28C.10 RCW; inquiries or complaints regarding this or any other private vocational school may be made to the:

Washington Workforce Training and
Education Coordinating Board
128 - 10th Ave SW,
Olympia, WA 98504-3105
(360) 753-5673

and

MACTE
Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education
(434) 202-7793
www.MACTE.org.