Most Montessori classrooms are staffed with a team of two, a “lead teacher” and a second adult with a title such as “assistant” or “paraprofessional”. To be successful, the assistant needs to both understand Montessori and be oriented to their role in your particular school.
This course introduces staff to Montessori fundamentals and the role of the classroom assistant. A school-based facilitator works with assistants throughout the course to explore topics and review clear school-wide expectations.
The course is self-paced and requires about 12 hours of work extended over 6-8 weeks.
Enrollment
This course requires a school-based facilitator, typically a coach or school leader, to work alongside participants and tailor the content to the particular school.
Before the course, the facilitator first completes a free 30-minute self-guided orientation.
Register for Facilitator Orientation • Read the Facilitator’s Guide
After completing the orientation, the school can buy seats in the course for $230 per person (not including the facilitator), or $1750/academic year for unlimited enrollment.
When your school is ready to buy seats, click the “Enroll” button above to make payment and follow the instructions in the Facilitator’s Orientation to add participants.
Course Reviews
“This course gave teachers and assistants a good basis for conversation and a way to approach topics with a common knowledge.” -Administrator
“The format was great— breaking the training into 4 parts, and the online module that could be done at your own pace worked very well for us.” -Administrator / Toddler Guide
“We loved the collaboration together at the end of the model, and the meetings every two weeks worked well for our group.” -School Leader
Course Outline
| Module | Topics | Activities | Deliverables |
| 1. Welcome to Montessori | -Montessori 101 -Orientation to the Montessori environment | -Video observation -Readings -Conference #1 | -Written reflection -Reflection meeting notes |
| 2. Hands, Eyes, Hearts: Orientation to the Role of the Assistant | -Role and responsibilities -Know/Do chart | -Scavenger hunt -Reading -Conference #2 | -Reflection meeting notes |
| 3. The Montessori School Community | -The role of the adult in Montessori environments -Implicit bias | -Conference #3 | -Written reflection -Reflection meeting notes |
| 4. Getting Started | -Reflective practice -Developing a personal action plan | -Conference #4 | -Personal action plan -Reflection meeting notes |
Participants who successfully complete the course will be eligible to request Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from Loyola University Maryland.
Paying by check: We accept payment via most credit cards. To request to pay by check, use this form. You will not be registered until your check has been received. Once your check has been received, we will enter your registration for the event and confirm via email. For questions about payment, contact payments@public-montessori.org.
Photos and Video: NCMPS may take photos or record video during this event. By participating in this event, you consent to your likeness being used for promotional purposes without compensation, and you release NCMPS from any liability related to this use. If you do not want your likeness used in this way, you may inform the event staff, and NCMPS will make its best effort to prevent such use.
Course Content
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Cheyenne is a Seminole and Chilean woman, advocate for Indigenous people and a former Miss Indian World. She has utilized her platform as an ambassador to advocate for environmental protections of the Florida Everglades, overturn adverse stereotypes and stigmatizations of mental health in tribal communities, encourage healing through identity and self love, and combat the negative, stereotypical narrative of Native and Indigenous people through education.
Cheyenne also provides motivational speaking presentations, empowerment workshops, pageantry coaching, cultural and historical consulting, hosts and emcees, and presents on topics such as culture as prevention, identity, human trafficking, domestic violence, and much more. She strives for authenticity and to live a healthy life physically, mentally and spiritually through her culture and teachings. 
