The whole child approach to teaching

The Montessori approach of educating children is a teaching model that I am enthusiastic about.

Each day, Montessori teachers bring together the development of each child intellectually, physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually into the curriculum. Children thrive in this learning environment, and it is heart-warming to watch eager learners blossom.

That is one of the reasons I am excited to share the news that this summer Montessori Country School in Poway will become the new location of the Montessori Center for Teacher Education, San Diego, for adults who want to be certified as a Montessori teacher. This program is known for its academic rigor, thoroughness, and authentic approach to Montessori education.

For more than 45 years, the Montessori Center for Teacher Education, San Diego, has been educating Montessori teachers for Early Childhood, Elementary I, Elementary I – II and, most recently, Elementary II. This tradition of excellence will continue under new ownership and at a new location.

I am honored the Montessori Country School in Poway was selected to continue this valued and respected program in the San Diego regional area. Adela Corrales, Director of Country Montessori School, will lead the program and center, which opens in June 2022.

Ms. Corrales’ enthusiasm for the Montessori teaching model is contagious. She brings years of classroom experience as a Montessori teacher as well as an administrator. Like many of the educators I have met, Ms. Corrales was drawn to the Montessori principles of teaching after observing the high degree of student engagement and teacher interaction first-hand.

Become a Montessori teacher

Montessori teachers come from a variety of different backgrounds and experiences. To become certified in the Montessori method, teachers study a rigorous curriculum of child development and Montessori philosophy as well as specific uses of the Montessori classroom materials. Teachers receive their Montessori teaching credential from a Montessori Accredited Center of Teaching Education, MACTE, organization such as American Montessori Society, AMS, or American Montessori Internationale, AMI.

AMS Montessori credentialing requires a 9-month practicum and a series of written and oral exams. A Montessori-credentialed teacher is trained to recognize a child’s readiness according to age, ability, and interest in a specific lesson and is prepared to guide individual progress.

The credentials are essential to teacher success. At Country Montessori School, our lead classroom teachers are Montessori credentialed for the programs they teach. Some of our teachers and Classroom Assistants are in-training and completing their practicum under the guidance of an experienced teacher. All elementary teachers must have a minimum college education of a bachelor’s degree.

Montessori Center for Teacher Education, San Diego, will provide teacher training for Early Childhood (ages 2.5-6) Elementary I (ages 6-9), Elementary 2 (ages 9-12) for the San Diego area and beyond. The first sessions are slated to launch in the Summer of 2022. All adult learners who have completed the academic phase of their credential will remain currently enrolled and will complete their credentials under the leadership of Ms. Corrales. Because of the change in ownership and location, classes will not be offered in 2021.

Check out the program’s new courses detailed at the updated website found at www.montessoricenterforteachereducation.org

Country Montessori School, located at 12642 Monte Vista Road, Poway, CA, 92064, serves children ages 2.6 to 11 years in its Early Childhood (Preschool and Kindergarten), Lower Elementary, and Upper Elementary programs. The school can be reached at (858) 673-1756. For more information, visit www.countrymontessori.org.