Entrance Requirements
‍
At present, we are accepting candidates based on their employment status with City Garden Montessori School.
‍
1) If a candidate is currently employed by City Garden Montessori School, they must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited higher education institution. Lead and Assistant Guides are encouraged to apply.

2) If a candidate is not currently employed by City Garden Montessori School, they must hold a state issued elementary teaching license and have a bachelor's degree from an accredited higher education institution. We encourage members of the community to consider applying for the Teacher Education Program. This program serves as a path toward a full time teaching position for those whom traditional certification models are not accessible.

Application Checklist
‍
To track and monitor the complimentary paperwork each application must submit, please click the button below to download the access the Application Checklist.

Interview & Acceptance
‍
When the Institute's Application Process has been completed, your documents will be reviewed by the Enrollment Committee. During this process, you will be invited to an interview with a member of the Institute Staff to get to know you as a candidate in the program either in person or via zoom. Notification of acceptance into the program is made by email. Following acceptance, you will receive a packet of documents requiring your review and submission back to the Institute. Please return prior to the deadline stated in the documents to ensure your smooth enrollment into the program.

Course Logistics

Can I take the course remotely?
‍
• The Institute offers a hybrid program requiring in person coursework at the Institute across 2 consecutive summers. Distance learning occurs during the academic school year and prerequisite courses are offered fully on-line.
‍
What types of learning activities occur during the course?
‍
• There are a variety of learning opportunities including hands-on presentations, observations, group projects, journaling, interactive / socratic discussions, seminars, and action research to name a few.
‍
Are curriculum albums provided?
‍
• Yes, as part of your tuition you are licensing access to digital methods albums and their accompanying materials resources. These are customized by each adult learner as part of your course work. The Albums are currently licensed through METTC at this time. These albums are under copyright and cannot be shared. You will sign a document to this effect.
‍
Do I need a laptop?
‍
• Yes, you need access to a computer to complete assignments. We have a small number of Chromebooks that can be checked out as needed. You will complete a lending document if you need to borrow a Chromebook for the duration of your Summer Intensive.
• We use CANVAS as our online learner management system. All course content is accessed through CANVAS and all assignments are submitted on CANVAS.

Paying for the Course

• Employees of City Garden Montessori School are offered a Sponsorship Agreement to cover the costs of the training program.

• Many districts offer tuition reimbursement or other forms of fund allocation for professional development. Depending upon what an applicant's district provides, employees of other school districts may seek tuition reimbursement through their district or through a contract of service with the Institute.

• Additionally, candidates may apply for scholarships through the American Montessori Society (AMS). These scholarships may be accessed once the City Garden Montessori Institute receives its initial accreditation by MACTE.

Workshops

Check back with us to register for upcoming workshops.

Montessori Resources

• The Absorbent Mind. Maria Montessori - Essentially the holy grail for Montessori philosophy. Allow Maria to refresh your memory of how crucial the first 6 years of life are in a child’s development. Of how they soak everything in effortlessly and what a pivotal role the teacher plays in preparing the environment.
‍
• The Tao of Montessori: Reflections on Compassionate Teaching - Catherine McTamaney. Each verse leaves you with something to ruminate on. It will remind you why your job is so essential and to be intentional each day.
‍
• Positive Discipline: The Classic Guide to Helping Children Develop Self-Discipline, Responsibility, Cooperation, and Problem-Solving Skills - Jane Nelsen Ed.D. Have days where you are pulling out your hair getting children to listen and follow directions? Jane Nelsen reflects on her doubts when disciplining her children: she was either so lenient she ended up not liking her own children, or so strict she didn’t like herself. This book offers guidance on how to be kind and firm at the same time.
‍
• How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk - Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. A practical guide to rephrasing what you say in order to teach the behavior you want to see. A quick, easy read complete with cartoons.

• Cosmic Education

ABAR Resources

• "Deculturalization and the Struggle for Equality, 8th Edition" (Joel Spring)
‍
• "The Anti-bias Curriculum" (L. Derman-Sparks)
‍
• "Anti-bias Education for Young Children & Ourselves" (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards)

• "This Book is Anti-Racist" (Tiffany Jewell)

• "Can We Talk About Race?" (Dr. Beverly D. Tatum)

• "Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?" (Dr. Beverly D. Tatum)
‍
• "Perspectives/Social Justice Education" (Teaching Tolerance)
‍
• "Honoring the Light of the Child" (Sonnie McFarland)

• "The Opportunity Gap Framework" (Dr. Gloria Ladson Billings)

• "How To Be An Antiracist" (Ibram X. Kendi)
‍
• "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness" (Michelle Alexander)
‍
• "Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion" (Gregory Boyle)
‍
• "Other People’s Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom" (Lisa Delpit)
‍
• "Pedagogy of the Oppressed" (Paolo Freire)