The Montessori Institute of Atlanta

The Montessori Institute
of Atlanta

Montessori Teacher Professional Development

Telephone: 404-325-7264
FAX: 866-812-4714 (toll free)
Postal address: 1970 Cliff Valley Way, Suite 250; Atlanta, GA 30329
Electronic mail: info@montessori-mia.org

Special Services for Teachers and Schools

Audits

AMI PRIMARY GRADUATES are invited to hear lectures and see demonstrations on the AMI training course. It is a different experience to return to training after working with children. Many graduates from various AMI courses have seen this experience as a refresher for their work. Consider joining the students for a day, a week, or a section of an area (i.e. a theory lecture; Bells; Reading Analysis). Fee is $50 per day (or $30 per lecture). All AMI Primary graduates are offered a one day visit, or first day of a series, free per year.

Copy of AMI Diploma required for registration. Call or email for specific calendar.

AMI-accredited school PRINCIPALS and CURRICULUM COORDINATORS / DIRECTORS OF EDUCATION are invited to hear theory lectures on the AMI training course. This is an opportunity to experience some of the key topics that are the basis of Dr. Montessori's philosophy. Each day of being a guest is $65; special tuition reduction if attending all 16 lectures (scheduled throughout the year). Advance registration is required. Lectures start in early September and include topics such as:

Human Tendencies, Four Planes of Development, Absorbent Mind, Sensitive Periods, Prepared Adult, Prepared Environment, Freedom and Discipline, Deviations and Normalization, Introductions to each of the areas of Practical Life, Sensorial, Language and Mathematics, and more.

Implementation Program for AMI and AMI-Aspiring Schools
Academic Year

PURPOSE
To assist the staff in offering quality Montessori programming to the children and their families, this project is designed to give support through ongoing meetings, phone calls, class visits, observations, modeling of techniques, and the use of recordkeeping. Research shows that the induction years are the hardest, with recommendation that practitioners are offered goal-setting strategies, affirmations and encouragement, mentorship, and spiritual and philosophical renewal. It should be noted that a strong Montessori program has as its foundation the Primary environments; these 3 years are most vital for the intellectual, physical and emotional well-being, where work habits are established, self-esteem and personality formed, and the seeds sown for social responsibility.

DESIGN
August: Preparing the Environments
Visits will be made to each Casa environment to give ideas and feedback on how the environment might support the child’s need for concentration, movement, independence, logical sequence, beauty and order. Phase-in activities with new children, communication with parents, working with the Assistant, and first week of orienting children to the physical and psychological space will be reviewed, as warranted. Goals for on-going material-making may also be prioritized.

End of September / Early October: Classroom Observations
The consultant will travel between the Primary environments, observing the work cycle, and the process of normalization. She will look for signs that indicate the growth of the whole group in regard to cohesion, respect, responsibility, inclusion, cooperation and civility. Individual challenges will be unique to each setting, which should be noted prior to the consultant’s arrival. Upon occasion, side-by-side observations may occur, along with the Guide observing while the Consultant demonstrates methods of extending interest, encouraging engagement and repetition, protecting lessons, promoting constructive use of the materials, and offering peaceful resolutions to conflict.
Individual meetings will occur to offer opportunities for candid dialogue. Cluster sessions (with all Primary Guides) may also be appropriate based on common themes.

October: Parent Talk
Topic will be decided after two days of observation in the school, with suggestions from the staff and parents. Ideas include classic and recurring themes of independence, rewards and punishments, indirect preparations, explosions in learning, the three year cycle, the intangible environment, Montessori “homework,” language development, mistakes and their role in the process of learning.

December: Classroom Observations
The consultant will travel between the Primary environments, observing the work cycle, and the process of normalization. She will look for signs that indicate the growth of the whole group in regard to cohesion, respect, responsibility, inclusion, cooperation and civility. Individual challenges will be unique to each setting, which should be noted prior to the consultant’s arrival. Upon occasion, side-by-side observations may occur, along with the Guide observing while the Consultant demonstrates methods of extending interest, encouraging engagement and repetition, protecting lessons, promoting constructive use of the materials, and offering peaceful resolutions to conflict.
Individual meetings will occur to offer opportunities for candid dialogue. Cluster sessions (with all Primary Guides) may also be appropriate based on common themes.

March: Classroom Observations
As with the fall visits, problems and challenges identified by the staff will be addressed. Observations, conferences, and a cluster meeting (determined as needed) will take place as described.

Date to be set: April or May: Classroom Observations
Seeing all that has blossomed due to the cultivation of self-discipline will be the goal. Self-assessment will be encouraged. Summer planning for rejuvenation and pedagogical / philosophical review will aid the upcoming new school year.

June: Summary Report
Directions for the future will be addressed. The Consultant hopes to provide long-range plans to encompass what the school might envision over the next years as it evolves and expands. Possibilities include the staffing, professional development and retreats, ages and populations served, the physical plant, and parent programs.

Joen Bettmann, Director of Training
Connie Black, Course Assistant & Training of Trainers Program
Montessori Institute of Atlanta

Design will be customized per school. Limited availability; call to discuss options and fees for your program.

Last modified: April 18, 2008