AMI programme for the training of future AMI Teacher Trainers

Background

The AMI Training Group is responsible for programme content and academic guidance, as well as the selection and continuous assessment of AMI Trainers during their training.

This programme is an invigorating experience that provides participants with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the ideas and principles of Maria Montessori and ultimately pass the knowledge on to future generations of Montessori teachers.

Training Formats

Option A: Full-time training on three academic-year courses, two of which are taken under the guidance of the same Director of Training and the third is taken with a different Director of Training.

Option B: Full-time training on a combination of academic-year, summer courses and/or modular for a total of three courses, two of which are taken under the guidance of the same Director of Training and the third is taken with a different Director of Training. Training may be followed primarily on summer or modular courses and with obligatory participation in at least one academic-year course.

Option C: (Seminar format):  A series of 10 day seminars held over a period of 3 years combined with two courses that must be under the guidance of the same Director of Training. The seminars are equivalent, for the purpose of the Training of Trainers’ Programme, to attendance on one full training course (Part 3, usually with a different Director of Training).

The Training of Trainers Programme at the Assistants to Infancy (0-3) level is followed either on summer and/or modular courses since, at the present time, the majority of Assistants to Infancy courses are given in those formats.

Training Programme Locations

Options A & B: The Training Group assigns the trainer-in-training to an experienced Director of Training at an AMI Training Centre running a course for the relevant age level.

Option C (Seminar format): The series of seminars are led by experienced AMI Trainers. For the practical aspects of the programme, the trainer-in training is assigned to an AMI Training Centre for two courses for the relevant age level. Please email trainingoftrainers@montessori-ami.org for the locations of upcoming seminars.

The Programme

The Training of Trainers Programme is composed of four parts.

Part 1 and Part 2 occur at the same training centre. Part 3 is either at a different training centre or the applicant follows the seminar format. Part 4 will depend on where a diploma course is available to sit on.

These parts are detailed below:

Part 1 is a probationary period, during which the trainer-in-training audits all lectures, delivers some lectures alongside the Director of Training, submits written assignments to a satisfactory standard, and experiences the day-to-day aspects of a course.

Part 2 is an extension and consolidation of the work started during Part 1; the trainer-in-training finishes written assignments, completes the Trainer’s Album, and lectures independently to the students.

Upon successful completion of Part 2, the trainer-in-training is granted Auxiliary Trainer status and must deliver 2 Assistants Course programmes before continuing to Part 3.

Part 3 allows the trainer-in-training to take on more responsibility for areas of training already covered. Lecturing skills are strengthened, knowledge is extended in regard to administrative responsibilities of running courses as a trainer, and the trainer-in-training is required to submit one research literature review papers. This part is done at a different training centre under a different Director of Training, unless one follows the seminar format.

Part 4 the auxiliary trainer is now granted Associate Trainer and is expected to fulfil the following requirements to become a full AMI Trainer:

  1. Work on a minimum of one Diploma Course at the age level in partnership with a Supervising Trainer
  2. Organise and conduct all aspects of Diploma Course Administration, including all required communication with AMI, under the direction of a Supervising Trainer
  3. Complete a written rationale, including philosophical background, for the design of an AMI course and describing the benefits of various aspects of student engagement 
  4. Become conversant with all aspects of Training Centre administration, including but not limited to: contractual relationship with AMI; responsibilities as an AMI Affiliated Training Centre; legal organisation and incorporation; licensing and certifications; financial organisation and budgeting; staff and student policies; promotion, recruitment, and enrolment of Diploma Courses; strategic planning; programme development 
  5. Continue to receive positive assessments from the Supervising Trainer regarding all pedagogical aspects of Course participation
  6. Receive positive assessments from the Supervising Trainer regarding all administrative aspects of Programme participation

Successful completion of ALL parts of the programme grants AMI Trainer status.

Requirements for Acceptance for Training

Assistants to Infancy (0-3) level training:

  • AMI Assistants to Infancy (0-3) diploma
  • AMI Primary/Casa dei Bambini/Children’s House (3-6) diploma (applicants who are not in possession of an AMI Primary diploma are required to attend an AMI Foundation Course, carry out observations in Primary classrooms, and submit certain written assignments)
  • A minimum of five years teaching experience after obtaining your AMI 0-3 Diploma, at least two of which are consecutive, in an infant/toddler community where the Montessori principles and practice are fully implemented
  • A bachelor’s degree or equivalent
  • AMI membership
  • A classroom observation visit by someone appointed by the Training Group or, in countries with AMI recognised schools, a report from a classroom observation visit made within the past 5 years

Primary/Casa dei Bambini/Children’s House (3-6) level training:

  • AMI Primary (3-6) diploma
  • A minimum of five years teaching experience after obtaining your AMI 3-6 Diploma, at least three of which are consecutive, directing a class of 3-6-year-old children where the Montessori principles and practice are fully implemented
  • A bachelor’s degree or equivalent
  • AMI membership
  • A classroom observation visit by someone appointed by the Training Group or, in countries with AMI recognised schools, a report from a classroom observation visit made within the past 5 years

Elementary (6-12) level training:

  • AMI Elementary (6-12) diploma
  • AMI Primary (3-6) diploma
  • A minimum of five years teaching experience at the elementary level after obtaining your AMI 6-12 Diploma, comprised of work in both lower (6-9 - 2 years minimum) and upper (9-12 - 2 years minimum) or in a 6-12 environment directing a class of children where the Montessori principles and practice are fully implemented. Three of those five years must be consecutive (in one class) at one or other level.
  • A bachelor’s degree or equivalent
  • AMI membership
  • A classroom observation visit by someone appointed by the Training Group or, in countries with AMI recognised schools, a report from a classroom observation visit made within the past 5 years

Interviews

Two interviews arranged for and conducted by the Training Group or their designate.

Fees

An application fee of €225 is standard for all applicants.  

There is a tuition fee for Option 3 (seminar format); to be announced when plans for such a format are realised.

The trainer-in-training is not reimbursed by the training centre. However, a stipend may be paid to a trainer-in-training at the discretion of and financial possibilities available to the training centre.

Expenses

While at a training centre, the trainer-in-training is responsible for costs incurred for travel, accommodation, meals, day-to-day living expenses, books, and study materials.

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance may be available to the trainer-in-training from the Mario Montessori 75 Fund in the form of an interest-free loan. The MM75 Fund is a nonprofit foundation created by the friends and colleagues of Maria Montessori’s son, Mario, to support the professional training of AMI Montessori teacher trainers.

Through MM75, upon achieving AMI trainer status, 50% of the loan becomes a grant. 

For further information on the MM75 Fund please refer to the website. An application form is available on request by emailing: office@mm75.org

Continued Support by AMI

AMI offers many opportunities to trainers to continue deepening their knowledge and understanding through ongoing guidance, study conferences, and trainers’ meetings.

Get Started

To begin, prospective candidates are invited to submit their curriculum vitae/resumé to the AMI Training Group by e-mail to: trainingoftrainers@montessori-ami.org

If you do not receive a response within two weeks we kindly request that you email us again.