Westmont Montessori Teacher Training Program

The aim of Westmont Montessori’s Teacher Training Program (WMTTP), in association with The Montessori Partnership, is to train Early Childhood Montessori teachers by offering flexible and personalized training that is of high quality and remains true to the principles and ethos laid down by Dr Maria Montessori herself.

  We believe that the task of Westmont Montessori’s program is to ensure that each of our students fully understands and can implement the Montessori philosophy, which will equip them to manage a successful and stimulating Montessori class.

To this end we provide our students with the opportunities and resources they need to gain the understanding, knowledge, and practical experience to pursue a career as a Montessori teacher, while facilitating as far as possible a flexible and personalized study program.

Our students learn the skills needed to help children develop into independent individuals with strong self-esteem. Our course explores Montessori’s thinking within the context of contemporary understanding of working with the relevant age group, and theoretical study is consolidated by directed observations of children and practical experience.

The philosophical principles underpinning the Montessori approach are carefully outlined to the students, with their study enhanced by weekly written and reading assignments which require them to review instructional material, read Montessori’s and other influential educationalists texts and ultimately undertake individual research in order to be able to complete six 2000 – 3000 word essays.

All the Montessori materials are carefully demonstrated to the students, and there is plenty of opportunity for supervised practice. Students are expected to practise on their own as well, so that they will be confident and proficient at presenting the Montessori learning materials to the children with whom they will be working.

During the course students create five subject manuals which give written and photographic details of all materials presented. There is a strong focus on teaching techniques of observation, so that students are well equipped to make the most of the observational visits they carry out, and so that they benefit from their teaching practicum placement.

All students undertake 400+ hours of teaching practice; accredited schools are preferred locations to ensure that the student has experience of working in a top quality Montessori setting with exemplary practice.

Our students learn the skills needed to help children develop into independent individuals with strong self-esteem. Our course explores Montessori’s thinking within the context of contemporary understanding of working with the relevant age group, and theoretical study is consolidated by directed observations of children and practical experience.

The philosophical principles underpinning the Montessori approach are carefully outlined to the students, with their study enhanced by weekly written and reading assignments which require them to review instructional material, read Montessori’s and other influential educationalists texts and ultimately undertake individual research in order to be able to complete six 2000 – 3000 word essays.

All the Montessori materials are carefully demonstrated to the students, and there is plenty of opportunity for supervised practice. Students are expected to practise on their own as well, so that they will be confident and proficient at presenting the Montessori learning materials to the children with whom they will be working.

During the course students create five subject manuals which give written and photographic details of all materials presented. There is a strong focus on teaching techniques of observation, so that students are well equipped to make the most of the observational visits they carry out, and so that they benefit from their teaching practicum placement.

All students undertake 400+ hours of teaching practice; accredited schools are preferred locations to ensure that the student has experience of working in a top quality Montessori setting with exemplary practice.