FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS           ARTICLES           ANNOUNCEMENTS AND INFORMATION           LODGING INFO

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS          

WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER MONTESSORI TRAINING?

Countless children in schools are floundering and becoming discouraged. They need what you and Montessori self-learning environments can supply.

 

HOW CAN I BECOME A MONTESSORI TEACHER?

Enroll in the Montessori training program at MMTTC for teaching the Early Childhood, Elementary I and Elementary II age child. You will continue to "learn by doing" during the academic year(s) of implementation.

 

IS A COLLEGE DEGREE REQUIRED TO ENROLL IN A TRAINING PROGRAM AT MMTTC?

The answer depends on the program you are considering enrolling in - please see below. 

Infant and Toddler

  • A Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college/university or its equivalent (in any area of study) for a Full AMS Infant and Toddler credential

OR:

  • High School diploma or GED for an Associate Infant and Toddler credential.  Note: Please check the requirements for a lead teacher with your individual state.

Early Childhood

  • A Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college/university or its equivalent (in any area of study) for a Full AMS Early Childhood credential

OR:

  • A High School Diploma plus one year of college credits (in any area of study) to be eligible to receive an Associate Early Childhood credential

Elementary I and Elementary-II

  • Four Year College Degree (in any area of study)

 

MY PROGRAM REQUIRES A COLLEGE DEGREE, DOES MY DEGREE FROM OUTSIDE THE U.S. MEET THIS REQUIREMENT?

Some MMTTC programs require a Bachelor's Degree.  If the program you are selecting requires a Bachelor's Degree and you received your degree from an institution outside of the United States, it will in many cases be acceptable.  In order to determine if your college degree is equivalent to at least a Bachelor's Degree in the U.S., you must have your credits evaluated. Please visit the following website for a list of AMS approved organizations that evaluate transcripts: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES®)  Once you select a company to use, you will ask them to evaluate your transcript and send the results directly to MMTTC.  One of the companies that our Adult Learners have used in the past is World Education Services. 

 

WHAT IS THE BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENT?

Criminal background checks must be completed before the end of the summer phase of the program. It generally requires three days to two weeks to obtain the results of a fingerprint check.  Candidates cannot begin an internship without a "passed" background check.  It is the candidate’s responsibility to contact the appropriate agency or company and to pay all fees connected with this procedure.  If you already are, or will be sponsored by a school that is licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, that school should be able to send you to Biometric Impressions at no charge to you.  Please check with your sponsor at your school.  If you reside or are working in another state, please check with that state for details.

NOTE: If you work for a school and already have a current Background Check on file with that school, you can have the Head of School send a letter (on school letterhead) to MMTTC confirming this.

A candidate may not be placed in any school if the background check determines that he or she has been convicted of criminal behavior that, by law, automatically prohibits him or her from entering an internship and, therefore being ineligible for completing the requirements for AMS Montessori certification.

What type of Background Check do you need?

The background check to request is a National Fingerprint Based Background Check.

Where to go for a Background Check

Illinois: Biometric Impressions is a company that performs background checks for DCFS licensed schools. Contact them toll free at 630-532-5922.  Additionally, you may contact any company in Illinois that is approved by the state.   Here is a link to the Illinois information page.

Other nearby states:

Indiana: Here is a link to the Indiana information page.

Minnesota: Here is a link to the Minnesota information page.

Wisconsin: Here is a link to the Wisconsin information page.

Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center accepts criminal background check reports from Biometric Impressions and other accredited sources when supplied directly from that agency to MMTTC.  If you are unsure whether an agency report is acceptable, please contact MMTTC.

 

WHAT ABOUT FINANCIAL AID OR SCHOLARSHIPS?

While MMTTC does not offer financial aid, we do support the AMS Scholarship Program. Click here for more information and a to get a copy of the scholarship application.

 

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER THE SUMMER PHASE OF TRAINING?

An experienced Montessori consultant will visit you during your practicum phase. You will have detailed albums for ready reference and personal use. The Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center is always available as a resource.

 

WHAT ABOUT THE STAFF?

A highly competent staff of Montessori teachers holding Montessori credentials and currently working with all Montessori Infant and Toddler, Early Childhood, Elementary I and Elementary II components, will share their expertise through lectures and demonstrations.

 

WHERE IS THE TRAINING CENTER LOCATED?

Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center is conveniently located in the northern suburbs of Chicago.  Our programs are hosted by our partner, North Shore Montessori Schools at their campuses in Riverwoods, IL and Deerfield, IL. 

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I DON’T LIVE IN THE CHICAGO AREA. WHERE CAN I STAY DURING TRAINING SESSIONS?

Please click on the "LODGING INFO" tab at the top of this page.

 

I AM AN MMTTC GRADUATE, HOW CAN GET A REPLACEMENT AMS CREDENTIAL CERTIFICATE?

If you misplaced your AMS Credential Certificate, or if you have updated your name, you can request a new certificate from AMS by clicking here.

 

I AM AN MMTTC GRADUATE AND RECEIVED AN AMS ASSOCIATE CREDENTIAL, CAN I UPGRADE IT TO A FULL CREDENTIAL?

For graduates who did not have at least a Bachelor's Degree when they completed their Infant and Toddler, or Early Childhood program and received and AMS Associate Credential, and then subsequently completed their Bachelor's Degree can request an upgraded AMS Full Credential by clicking here.

 

ARTICLES          

"THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER" by Daria L Ardelean

From MMTTC Co-Director Dr. W. Michael Kunert: Daria is a recent MMTTC Adult Learner and she submitted this essay as part of her required work.  As a reader of the essays that are turned in every year for me to give my blessing as to approve or try again, I believe that Daria's essay was superb and deserved to be read by others as well.  My thought was "Maria, no need to turn over, just smile, a good long smile for a job well done".  Click here to read Daria's essay.

MONTESSORI AND OTHER IDEAS FOR REFORMING EDUCATION

Log on to Diane Ravitch’s Blog to read several interesting articles including one from Marianne Giannis, MMTTC Elementary Faculty Member entitled: "Montessori Teacher To John King:  Montessori Is Not About Testing and The Common Core"

Diane Ravitch is a Research Professor of Education at New York University and a historian of Education.
John King was the U.S. Secretary of Education and the former Commissioner of Education for the State of New York.

 

THE REAL ESSENCE OF THE MONTESSORI METHOD

"The real essence of the Montessori Method is to help the natural process of human development, to create integrated personalities – that is, people who have a sense of responsibility, who know their limitations, who have a sense of duty toward themselves and society, and who having a clear vision, can make a positive contribution to solving social problems."  Dr. Mario Montessori – lecture November 1966.

"The essential factor in the Montessori outlook is that it is not the adult who creates the child; it is the child, who through his experiences, creates a human being." Dr. Mario Montessori – lecture November 1966.

 

From John Taylor Gatto, author of the book DUMBING US DOWN (1995):  "Whatever an education is, it should make you a unique individual, not a conformist; it should furnish you with an original spirit with which to tackle the big challenges; it should allow you to find values which will be your road map through life; it should make you spiritually rich, a person who loves whatever you are doing, wherever you are, whomever you are with; it should teach you what is important, how to live and how to die."

johntaylorgatto.com/index.htm – The Odysseus Group – Challenging the Myths of Modern Day Schooling

The Natural Child Project – www.naturalchild.org  This is a good web site and it has interesting articles.  Another article by John Taylor Gatto, entitled "Why Schools Don’t Educate" is found on this web site.  This article is the text of a speech by John Taylor Gatto accepting the New York City Teacher of the Year Award on January 31, 1990.

There is also an article by Jan Hunt entitled "What We Can Learn from Sandy Hook."

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND INFORMATION          

SUMMER 2025 TRAINING SESSIONS

Click here to request the PDF version of the MMTTC Academic Catalog.

Registration is now open for all programs beginning in Summer 2025: CLICK HERE TO APPLY

MMTTC INSTITUTE  SCHEDULE FOR ADULT LEARNERS WHO STARTED IN SUMMER 2024

Fall Institute: 

  • Infant and Toddler: Held on a Friday and Saturday in October 25, 26, 2024
  • Early Childhood, and Elementary I: Held on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday in October 17, 18, 19, 2024

Winter Institute:

  • Infant and Toddler: Held on a Friday and Saturday in February 6, 8, 2025
  • Early Childhood: Held on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday in February 6, 7, 8, 2025
  • Elementary-II: Held on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday in February 6, 7, 8, 2025

Spring Institute:

  • Infant and Toddler: Held on a Friday and Saturday in April 25, 26, 2025
  • Early Childhood: Held on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday in April 24, 25, 26, 2025
  • Elementary I and Elementary II (who do not yet have their Elementary I credential): Held on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday in April 24, 25, 26, 2025

Infant and Toddler, Early Childhood, Elementary I and Elementary II Institutes are held at one of the following:

Testing Week for returning Early Childhood adult learners is:  June 9-13, 2025
and will be held at Deerfield Montessori School, 760 North Avenue, Deerfield IL. 60015

Assessment and Review for returning Elementary I adult learners is: June 9-13 and June 16-20, 2025
and will be held at Riverwoods Montessori School, 3140 Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods IL. 60015

ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS MONTESSORI SCHOOLS (AIMS) CONFERENCE 2025

Registration is now open for the AIMS annual virtual conference to be held Feb 21-22, 2025. Click here to visit their website for more information.

AMS Scholarship Information 2025 

The AMS Teacher Education Scholarship application is available on the AMS Website (AMSHQ.ORG) for all aspiring Montessori teachers.   Click here for more information and to get a copy of the 2025 scholarship application.  Please share information regarding scholarship opportunities with your prospective and newly enrolled adult learners.  Applicants are considered on the basis of financial need, a compelling personal statement, 3 letters of recommendation, and official verification of acceptance into an AMS-affiliated program.

Complete applications must be received by the AMS office by May 1, 2025. If you or your adult learners have questions about the scholarship application process, please contact:

American Montessori Society
Attention: Sophia Zamudio
116 East 16th Street, FL 6
New York, NY 10003

Email: tes@amshq.org


LODGING INFO

Hotels where MMTTC has negotiated a discounted rate

MMTTC has negotiated a discounted rate with a few nearby hotels.  Homewood Suites has both 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom suites with fully equippted kitchens and living areas, a complimentary hot breakfast buffet and many more amenities.  La Quinta has rooms with either a king size or two queen size beds, includes a complimentary breakfast, is pet-friendly and also has several nice amenities.  Spring Hill Suites has rooms with either a king size bed or two queen size beds and include breakfast.  

All of the hotels are near both the Deerfield and Riverwoods campuses and are close to restaurants, etc.

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There are many area lodging choices, some of the area hotels where MMTTC Adult Learners have stayed include:

 

Please make your reservations as soon as possible since these hotels become quite busy during the summer.

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