What special training do Montessori teachers have?
As with the choice of a Montessori school for children, an adult must also exercise wisdom in choosing a teacher training course. Anyone can legally use the name "Montessori" in describing their teacher training organization. One must be sure the certification earned is recognized by the school where one desires to teach.
The two major organizations offering Montessori training in the United States are the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI, with a U.S. branch office called AMI-USA) and the American Montessori Society (AMS). In Canada, two major institutes are offering the Montessori training; the Canadian Montessori Teacher Education Institute (CMTEI) and Toronto Montessori Institute (TMI).
The courses offered by the Canadian Montessori Teacher Education Institute are certified and accredited by MACTE (Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education). The MACTE Commission is an autonomous, international, nonprofit postsecondary accrediting agency for Montessori teacher education programs.
The MACTE Commission is the premier, internationally recognized, standard-setting and accrediting body for Montessori teacher education. The MACTE Commission honors diversity and encourages collaboration among its constituents.
MACTE diploma holders have been thoroughly trained and examined in the theory and practice of the pedagogy of Dr. Maria Montessori.
"Our teachers thus penetrate the secret of childhood, and have a knowledge far superior to that of ordinary teacher who becomes acquainted only with the superficial facts of the children's lives."
- Maria Montessori