Since my early experiences with Montessori as a parent I knew I wanted to share it with others. I believe Montessori is the best approach for learning and teaching and should be offered to all children. The continuation and growth of Montessori education uniquely depend on the availability of properly prepared AMI trainers. I decided to align with my values and became a public-school elementary guide. I became motivated to become a Montessori Trainer due to my desire to support the longevity of Montessori. There is also an underrepresentation of teachers and trainers from my ethnic group and the growing public sector. After 13 years of teaching, I applied to the Training of Trainers (ToT) programme and was accepted!
I am in the last months of my first hybrid placement. I have had unexpected perks and pleasures from being in this programme. My guiding trainer has provided me with healthy doses of support and compassion while setting clear outcomes based on AMI guidelines. I expected this, but I was not prepared for the way she provided my training of trainers cohort with learning opportunities we were willing to take on within and outside of her training course. She has provided me with a tangible model for how to successfully run a course while building community and partnerships on all sides of the programme.
My support has not been limited to my training cohort. The examiners that I worked with for the first time last summer were patient with my learning curves and embraced me in my growth process. Another trainer allowed me to sit in on her orientation course because I wanted to see what it felt like to take a course in another language. The AMI Training Group answered my questions and helped me find solutions when I ran into roadblocks. Lastly, the new virtual AMI Introductory Course offered to trainers in training at all levels provided a holistic view of AMI as an organisation, which helped me identify how I can get involved during and after training. Since it was virtual, I connected with and learned from other Trainers and ToTs from around the world. I also received financial support through AMI’s MM25 fund. I have never before experienced this level of support and investment in my success from an organisation.
I must be honest and share that I have experienced challenges. They fall into three categories: challenges within the programme, myself, and my environment. A strength and weakness of the ToT programme is that it evolves as feedback and outcomes are received. While this is healthy, it also means there are growing pains. Major changes do not happen very often, but they do happen. I experienced two regarding paper requirements and my placement. Although this was frustrating to go through, it reinforced the importance of being flexible and proactive while maintaining clear communication with everyone involved. The guidance and support I received from AMI and my training of trainers’ cohort helped me trust the process and let things work out.
The challenges within my environment and within myself had similar themes. I could not do this programme without the support of my family and employer. Before starting the programme, they all said they understood my needs, but when their needs conflicted with mine, we had problems. In both situations, recognizing each other's needs while maintaining clear boundaries and communication was healthy and effective. I had to handle my internal challenges differently. Being in the trainer's seat is very different from being in the seat of the student. While I see my strengths, I also see my inadequacies, which is both humbling and liberating. I realized the ToT programme was only an opportunity to become a trainer. It was up to me to do the physical and spiritual work it required.
These challenges taught me to give in to the ToT training process. I stopped hiding from my fears and minimizing my successes. The challenges reinforced the importance of giving myself and others grace. They also reinforced that while the people in my life are invested in my success, it is my responsibility to communicate my needs while choosing to understand theirs.
Looking forward, I plan to provide courses soon after graduation. I want to train globally as well as here in the United States. Training courses will be one level of my participation. I will continue to support African and African American communities as well as participate in some of the special projects and committees that AMI offers.
During the closing of an Introductory Course session, we were challenged to think about legacy. Maybe you are not ready to think that big. But if you are looking for a way to support the longevity of Montessori as a viable option for children and families while developing a better version of yourself, I encourage you to pursue becoming a Montessori trainer. First, you have to apply. So, go to the AMI website and take the first step by getting information about the programme. If you need to, send an email, and when I see you at a Trainer’s Meeting or on a committee, make sure you say hello!
Yolanda Wheelington, AMI 6–12 Trainer in Training
