What is Montessori?
The Montessori method of education is profoundly different from traditional methods. Montessori is designed to unlock the potential in each child, so that they can grow cognitively, emotionally, socially, physically, and psychologically. Children need a learning environment that enables them to progress in their own way and in their own time and the Modern Montessori method provides that freedom learn, whilst instilling a life-long love of learning. Read more about the Montessori method of education here.
Becoming a Montessori Teacher
If you are passionate about children and believe in their infinite potential, The College of Modern Montessori is right for you. Teaching children between the ages of three and six is not about cookie baking and play dough. The College of Modern Montessori will equip you with the skills to teach children to add, subtract, multiply, and divide; to identify a noun, verb, adjective, and adverb; to recognize continents and countries, to mention but a few. Irrespective of your location and time constraints, there is a course specifically designed to suit your needs. Please consult the breakdown of course offerings below for further information.
The History of The College of Modern Montessori and its Footprint in South Africa
The College of Modern Montessori was founded in 1981, in London, United Kingdom, and initially offered only correspondence courses to students all over the world. The head office subsequently moved to Johannesburg, South Africa, where it was clear the country’s provision of early childhood education was distinctly lacking and that an increased Montessori presence’ would positively impact South Africa’s education system. The concept of learning the Montessori method was met with such overwhelming enthusiasm that the full-time, part-time and online hybrid early childhood Montessori teacher training courses were developed in order to accommodate students with different time constraints. Read more about our history and the birth of Modern Montessori.
Quality Assurance and Accreditation
In 1995, our part-time and full-time Montessori teacher education programs were awarded international accreditation from the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE), which is an autonomous, international, non-profit making accreditation agency for Montessori teacher education programs. The MACTE Commission is based in the United States and is the premier, internationally recognized, standard-setting and accrediting body for Montessori teacher education their accreditation is testimony to an institution’s unwavering commitment to the provision of high caliber, superior quality Montessori education. The College of Modern Montessori has held uninterrupted full accreditation status since 1995.
In the South African context, since 2003, we have been accredited by the ETDP SETA, which is a quality assurance wing of SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority).
Breakdown of The College of Modern Montessori Teacher Training Courses
- Full-Time Course: This course is conducted at our head office in Linbro Park, Sandton. Students are required to attend lectures three times a week (Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays) from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm during private school term time. On Wednesdays and Fridays(from term 2), students undertake to teach practice experience at a Montessori school from 8.00 am to 1.00 pm. The course duration is one year. As we have a school on the same premises as the lecturing facilities, we often have mothers/fathers attend the full-time classes, whilst their child(ren) attend the school. For more visit our full time Montessori Courses.
- Part Time Course: This course is conducted from our head office in Linbro Park, Sandton, and Hillcrest in KZN . Students are required to attend lectures every Saturday during private school term time from 8.00am to 3.00pm. In addition, students are required to undertake 280 hours of teaching practice experience at a Montessori school. The teaching practice can be completed over a minimum of one year and a maximum of two. The course duration is one year (lectures). Visit our part-time Montessori courses.
- Online Course: This course is delivered with a combination of webinar and video on Monday and Thursday evenings between 17:30 and 20:30. Students wanting to study from the convenience of their home, are still able to complete a course enjoying both national and international accreditation. Kindly note, that students wanting to study this course are required to attend four weeks of practicum in November at our head office in Linbro Park, Sandton followed immediately thereafter by exams, and are also required to complete 280 hours of teaching practice at a Montessori School in their area. Visit our online Montessori courses options.
- Distance Learning Course: This course is a correspondence course in hard copy (not online). Upon enrolling, the student is given the course material, which is comprised of three textbooks and eight study guides. Students are allocated a tutor whom they may contact via email and they are required to submit an assignment (via email) at the end of each study guide/section. There are no final exams – a certificate is awarded based on the successful completion of all eight assignments. Students are given a maximum of three years to complete but most students finish within one year. Upon completion, students receive a certificate that is issued from Modern Montessori directly. Visit our distance learning Montessori Courses.
For more details on our various course offerings and how you can become a Montessori teacher, we encourage you to contact us for more information on 011-608-1584 or modmont@global.co.za. Register for a course today or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news and information!
Start your Montessori Teaching Journey
Visit our website for all the information you need on our courses or teacher training courses. We are happy to be in contact with you so don’t hesitate to give us a call (contact details specified above). This blog gave a brief breakdown of the courses we offer, our history, and details about the making of a Montessori teacher – be part of the family too!
