Elementary Course: MACTE-accredited course EL I - II(Ages 6-12), includes both Lower & Upper Elementary levels

Montessori Institute for Teacher Education

Application (PDF)

Montessori Institute for Teacher Education at Spring Valley offers an excellent Elementary Teacher Education course starting in September. The course covers the whole Elementary Curriculum including both Lower and Upper Elementary levels. This course is rigorous and takes one Academic year to complete. All Montessori Academy teachers have gone through our courses, as have a large percentage of Montessori teachers in Washington state.

Our MACTE-accredited Elementary I-II course covers the entire Elementary Curriculum for ages 6 -12, both Lower and Upper Elementary levels.

Both of our Teacher Education courses are MACTE-Accredited. MACTE stands for: Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education. MACTE is the ONLY Montessori Accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Montessori Course II: Elementary (ages 6 - 12)
Next course starts:
September 2023 through June 2024
- Meets Saturdays 8:30am - 5:00pm for Fall, Winter, and Spring terms
- Meets every day for 2 weeks, at the end of June, 8:30am - 5:00pm during Summer Term


See Also:
Overview of (MITESV)

Program Objective

The purpose of the course is to acquaint teachers with the materials, techniques and philosophy that comprise the Advanced Montessori Method. The course will teach the use of special materials, supply ideas and skills needed for elementary school teaching and demonstrate techniques for building a Montessori curriculum. The course directs itself to the teaching of children from 6 through 12 years of age, though the skills and philosophy may be applied to older age levels as well.

The Montessori Institute for Teacher Education at Spring Valley is accredited by the
MACTE (Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education)
.

MACTE is the ONLY Montessori Accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

For full list of Credentials, see: Montessori Institute for Teacher Education Overview

Schedule & Location

Classes will be held Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. September - June and two weeks Summer Extension in June at the Montessori Institute for Teacher Education at Spring Valley Campus, where Montessori Academy for Toddlers - 8th grade is located.

- Meets Saturdays, 8:30am - 5:00pm Fall, Winter, and Spring Terms.
- Meets every day, 8:30am - 5:00pm during Summer Term.

Practicum/Internship

Practicum of 6 hrs/day for one school year or minimum total of 1,000 hrs may start after the summer reading assignments, but may not precede the Elementary course.

Founder

Madeleine J. Justus was the founder of:

  • Montessori Academy at Spring Valley
  • Montessori Institute for Teacher Education at Spring Valley

She was a graduate of the University of Cluj, Romania. She studied the Montessori Method in Romania, Vienna, London, and attended lectures by Dr. Montessori. Starting in 1951 she taught teachers, lectured and conducted classes in the Montessori Method of Education until her passing in 2016.

Instructors

Gulsevin Kayihan is a graduate of the University of Bosphorus. She has both the ECE and the Elementary Montessori I-II diplomas with over 40 years of experience. She is the Academic Director at the Montessori Academy at Spring Valley and has been with the Montessori Institute for Teacher Education at Spring Valley since 1984.

Laura Possinger is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University. She has both ECE and Elementary I-II diplomas. She has been with the Elementary program since 2009.

Sylvie Giral-K is a graduate of the University of Aix-Marseille with a Ph.D. in Geology. She has both the ECE and Elementary I-II diplomas. She has been with the Teacher Ed. Program since 2008.

Elizabeth Lowry is a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College. She has both ECE and Elementary I-II diplomas. She has been with the program since 2018.

'

Kaori Fujita is a graduate from Reiatku University and has both ECE and EL I-II diplomas. She has been with the program since 2015.

The Program Includes the Following:


1. Intro to techniques, philosophy & psychology of the Advanced Montessori Method with:

A. The development and characteristics of the child from 6 to 12.

B. The preparation and function of the environment.

C. The role of the teacher and management of the classroom routine.

D. The psychology of discipline.

E. Age appropriate curriculum preparation.

F. Philosophers and educators in relation to the method.

2. Demonstration on the extended development and use of the Montessori materials including:

A. The advanced Math materials, Geometry, and Algebra.

B. The advanced Language and Grammar materials.

C. The advanced Geography, Pre-History, History and Timelines.

D. The development of Physical Sciences: Geology, Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy, transportation.

E. The introduction of Life Sciences: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plants, Animals, and Anatomy.

F. The introduction to Ecology, Environmental Sciences and research.

3. Supervised individual practice in the proper use of materials.

4. Classes to familiarize students with the in-depth development & materials of Astronomy, Physical & Earth Sciences, Geology, Botany, Zoology, Biology, History, Economic Geography, Ecology.

5. Construction of:

A. Notebooks/Manuals to serve as future reference.

B. "Timelines: for teaching history, and Charts for classification of the 5 Kingdoms in biology.

6. Classes in Art, Handwork, and Music.

Entrance Requirements & Admission

Prospective students must visit the school and meet with academic director. Resume, transcripts, letter of interest, 2 letters of recommendation and the Registration Fee must be submitted with the Application.

1. One of the following:

  • Undergraduate Degree from fully-accredited college
  • WA State Teacher Certification*
  • Special permission from Montessori Institute instructor

2. Montessori Early Childhood Education Diploma recommended, but may be waived depending on experience.

Application (PDF)

Requirements for Diploma

Diplomas will be awarded upon completion of the following:

  1. Reports on selected readings.
  2. Presentable, well-prepared functional notebooks that will serve as future reference.
  3. Training resulting in dexterity in handling and comprehension of materials presented.
  4. Adequately prepared sample materials as indicated in the requirements.
  5. Individual research projects in Astronomy, Geology, Ecology, Physics/Chemistry, Five Kingdoms/Biology and History Timeline in the Montessori manner.
  6. Quarterly written and practical finals exams.
  7. Minimum 90% class attendance per term and participation; also, supervised practice and observation.
  8. Practicum and student teaching at an approved Montessori school 6 hours a day for one school year or minimum 1,000 hours total.

Leaves and Absences

Students are expected to attend all class sessions for the entire period scheduled. If a student is absent because of extenuating circumstances, it is the student's responsibility to arrange, with the instructor, to make up missed work or test. Absence from class for any reason does not excuse the student from completing all work assignments. A student who misses more than 10% of class time any term, will attend missed portions the next time the Elementary Program is offered (typically every other year).

Payment Schedule

2023 - 2024 Tuition

Note: This tuition covers all course fees. (There are no hidden or extra fees.)

Paid either as one lump sum, quarterly, or monthly.

  • $ 8,200 paid as one lump sum
    1 payment.
    Paid on or before the first day of class.

  • $ 2,800 paid quarterly
    3 payments.
    Paid on or before the first class of September, December, and March.

  • $ 850 paid monthly
    10 payments.
    Paid on or before the first class of each month: Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, June.

Registration Fee:  $200 before June 10 | $350 after June 10 (must accompany application)

Credit Card Fee: 4% fee on credit card transactions

It is understood that the installment payment plan (Quarterly or Monthly) is for the convenience of the student and that he or she is obligated to pay the full tuition even if he or she fails to complete the course except as stated in the Cancellation and Refund Policy. Inquire about different payment plans.

Financial Aid is not offered.

Advantages of an Academic Year Program

  • Learning progresses through a regular 10-month Academic Year (September -- end of June).
  • Students may do internship during the same or the following year.
  • Students have time to assimilate the information/knowledge presented weekly.
  • Students can immediately apply what they learn in the Course to their own classroom.
    (Studies show that immediate implementation of a new skill reinforces it.)
  • Students prepare materials that become teaching tools applicable in their classroom.
  • Summer break gives plenty of time for students to review and prepare more materials and be ready for the new school year.

Notes

* Washington State Certified teachers may take any of the Fall, Winter, or Spring Terms of the Course separately for Continuing Education credit requirements. In that case, the tuition for each term is $2,800.

Montessori Institute for Teacher Education at Spring Valley is nondiscriminatory in its admittance policy and welcomes students of any gender, race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities.

Employment Assistance - Montessori Institute for Teacher Education at Spring Valley receives many inquiries about teaching, teaching assistant, and internship positions. These notices are posted in the classroom. Recommendations about the training students are offered, but the Montessori Institute for Teacher Education does not guarantee employment or placement.

This School is licensed under Chapter 28C.10 RCW; inquiries or complaints regarding this or any other private vocational school may be made to the:

Washington Workforce Training and
Education Coordinating Board
128 - 10th Ave SW,
Olympia, WA 98504-3105
(360) 709-4600

and

MACTE
Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education
(434) 202-7793
www.MACTE.org.