The Montessori Assistant Course
A self-paced online course to prepare adults for being assistants in a Montessori classroom.
Learn how to support the needs of children, work in a team, and contribute to a thriving learning community.
“We must give [the children] the means and encourage [them]. ‘Courage, my dear, courage! You are a new [human] that must adapt to this new world. Go on triumphantly. I am here to help you.’ This kind of encouragement is instinctive in those who love children. “ - Maria Montessori, 1946 London Lectures
The Montessori Assistant Course provides adults in service to children with the necessary foundation to be successful in Montessori classrooms.
Montessori classroom assistants play an important role in creating a successful school day. Assistants often have the opportunity to be involved with supporting the academic, social, and emotional needs of diverse groups of children, observing and providing helpful feedback, and working diligently to prepare the physical aspects of the classroom. Working in a team with the lead classroom teacher, classroom assistants are an invaluable component to their learning community.
This self paced course focuses on the needs of adults who find themselves in an assistant/paraprofessional role at their Montessori school. Both providing a framework of the Montessori approach and guidance of the practical aspects of the role, the Montessori Assistant Course thoroughly prepares adults, new and veteran, for their responsibilities working in their Montessori communities.
“In these times, more than ever before, our hope is that education will offer an aid to better the condition of the world. ” -Maria Montessori, 1946 Londom Lectures
This course will provide the crucial training needed for you to be an effective Montessori assistant, and for you to perform your role with purpose, understanding, and joy.
This self paced course is designed by Genevieve D’Cruz, a Montessori educator and administrator and the current Director of Community Initiatives and Content Development at PMAI.
Designed after hearing feedback from current and previous Montessori assistants, this course provides a comprehensive overview and meets the real and present needs of the Montessori assistant today.
“It is tremendously important that we should understand the spontaneous way in which the child develops himself. We are so anxious to help, to us it seems the burden of growth and development is so great that we must do all we can to make the pathway easy. And so our love may easily overreach itself and by providing too many urges, too many cautions and corrections.” - Maria Montessori
The Montessori Assistant Course encompasses a wide range of learning essentials, including:
Overview of the Montessori Approach: This course provides adults with an orientation of what/who Montessori is, key elements and terminology of this educational philosophy, and how it is applied in classrooms today.
Broad range of practical guidance: What are the day to day responsibilites of the assistant? What are the procedures and routines of the classroom? Resources and tools and also provided for assistants to immediately start using in their classrooms.
Confidence in working in Montessori settings: By the end of this course, participants will be able to engage in the shared experience of creating a Montessori experience for the school through appropriate re-engagement activities, positive phrasing, and learning how to observe the needs of each child.
The Montessori Assistants Course is for
Adults working in Montessori classrooms as assistants/paraprofessionals, or those thinking about becoming one
Substitute teachers or support staff who find themselves frequently in Montessori classrooms
Montessori parents who may be interested in volunteering in their child’s classroom
Administrators interested in understanding the role of the Montessori assistant
Anyone interested in supporting Montessori educators
What you can expect
The self paced online course will prepare new assistants, and also provide new ideas and refreshers for adults already working as assistants in Montessori classrooms. Come away with tools, checklists, resources that will enhance your ability to support a child- centered learning environment and work as a cohesive team with the lead teacher.
The Montessori Assistant Course:
Provides the resources and skills needed for assistants in a Montessori schools to confidently support their learning community.
Offers an overview of the Montessori approach, its history and present implementation, and key terminology.
Gives a clear orientation to the major elements of the classroom for Montessori assistants can support in their their preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this course for?
This course is primarily directed towards Montessori Assistants (which also includes paraprofessionals and student aides). The tools included can be used at all levels of Montessori, and there are specific tools for Primary and Elementary levels.
What does the course include?
The course includes an introduction to Montessori, and covers the Physical, Spiritual, and Social prepared environments. In addition to providing an overview, the course includes practical information that Assistants can implement in their classroom the very next day. It also describes the importance of Observation and Re-Engagement, and offers suggestions to diffuse and redirect disruptions in the classroom. Assistants will walk away with checklists for how to prepare the classroom, tools to help guide classroom team meetings, a glossary of important Montessori terms, and more.
I’m a lead teacher or school leader. Can I take this course?
Yes! It’s a great course to take alongside your staff. You can use the tools provided as a school. You can enroll either individually, or gain access if you choose to enroll your entire school.
How can I introduce this course to my school team?
There are options! You can invite Assistants to complete the course on their own, followed by a discussion or meeting. Or you could go through the course one module at a time, inviting Assistants to complete a different module each week before a meeting or touchpoint with them.
How do I know if my team is working on the course?
There are reflections embedded in the course; via a Google Form, each Assistant will be emailed their responses. You can invite Assistants to bring their responses to meetings or PDs, or even ask them to forward their responses to you.
How many hours does it take to complete the course?
About 10 hours. There are reflections embedded throughout the course; depending on how long you spend on the reflections, the course may be longer or shorter.
Is there a credential/certification for completing the course?
We have partnered with Loyola University of Maryland to provide a credential to anyone who has completed the course.
Which levels does this course include?
This course can be helpful for Assistants at all levels; the tools that are provided are specifically geared toward the Elementary and Primary levels.
Is there an easy way to enroll multiple staff members?
Yes! You can contact us and we can help enroll your entire school for 1 academic year for $1500. Then, as staff members join your team, we can enroll them manually and you do not have to worry about paying per person.
What are the payment options and how do I/we get started?
Payment can be completed on our website by clicking the registration button below for either individual or school options, or by purchase order/invoicing if completing a school order. If you are a school interested in paying by purchase order/invoice, please submit a request here.
What is the advantage of getting a whole school membership?
The whole school membership allows you to enroll an unlimited number of participants across the year. This covers unexpected things that happen during a school year, such as an assistant, leaving or the need for a long-term substitute in the classroom. You can also use the course to further inform specialist, interventionist, or special education, teachers, who might be working in the classroom.
Self paced, six modules, totaling 10 hours.
Module topics:
Introduction: Montessori - the Person, Philosophy, and Method,
The Prepared Physical Environment
The Prepared Spiritual/Social Environment
The Prepared Adult
Observation, Engagement, Lesson Protection
Conclusion and Supporting Classroom Goals
Cost: $150 (individual/year), $1500 (whole school/year)