The Montessori Foundation

Next term starts February 11. 2013.

Already a teacher, or not ready yet to become one? On February 11th, The Montessori Foundation, in collaboration with CGMS is launching the next sessions of our popular professional development courses. These include classes for assistants as well as refreshers and extensions for experienced Montessori teachers. No matter where you are in your Montessori career, you will find these lively, interesting and helpful. Former students say that studying with other passionate Montessorians in our collaborative online system has been both rewarding and stimulating.

Whether you are a new Montessori assistant, an experienced teacher looking for refreshers, or if you would like a little extra help with subjects like special needs children, we have the course for you. Come join us February 11th for our next set of Professional Development classes.

New! Observation with the CORE method
(8 weeks) (more info)
Visual Arts and Music
(6 weeks) (more info)
Montessori Fundamentals
(10 weeks) (more info)
Best Practices in Math and Language
(8 weeks) (more info)
Working with children with special needs
(5 weeks) (more info)

To register for a course, please download our application file and email it to us. For questions about our professional development program, or to inquire about group discounts, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

All of our professional development courses are conducted online using our renowned e-learning system. Participants will work with a cohort of students and instructional guide. Each week there will be about 2 hours of videos to view, as well as questions for the cohort to discuss online. There will also be some simple assignments related to the course topics. Participants can expect to spend approximately 5 hours a week, longer if they choose to participate more in discussions. Participants will need to have high speed internet access in order to be able to watch the video lectures and presentations.

Adventure in the Arts

$310/person, 3 CEUs

This 6 week course has two separate components.

Visual Arts in the Montessori Early Childhood Environment

Children love art and a well planned art area can bring joy and enrichment to any classroom. This 4 week course will give participants the tools they need to design and prepare an art environment that that will promote creative expression and develop art appreciation. Through video lectures and demonstrations, as well as assignments that encourage hands-on experience, participants will learn the value of art education and how to present art activities from a variety of media and styles. Participants will learn how to present art units that expose children to artists and styles of art including the classical masters and cultural art. All participants will receive an Art Album filled with activities and resources to enhance art in their classrooms.

Making Music with Children through Song and The Montessori Bells

This fun 2 week course will bring music to life with videos of Frank Leto singing with children. Frank presents many songs and rhythm activities, and also provides video lectures with instructions for how to prepare and present a music curriculum for young children. Participants will also view videos by Kitty Bravo presenting step-by step instruction on the Montessori bells. From the first Sensorial lessons in matching the bells to playing and composing music, young children can master these activities and so can you! This course is designed for everyone. If you are a musician it will be a fun introduction to the Montessori approach to music, if you are not musically inclined, this will be a life saver and give you what you need to make music a vibrant part of your classroom.

Participants in the Adventure in the Arts program will receive a fabulous art album which they can download and print as well as a song book and a mini album containing the presentations for the Montessori bells. It will be a fun course with a wealth of activities to incorporate in the classroom. Those who complete the entire 6 weeks and all assignments will be awarded a CGMS Professional Development Certificate.

Montessori Fundamentals

Leadership and Overview of Montessori at the Early Childhood Level

$360/person, 5 CEUs

10 Week Course

This program is designed for Montessori assistants, volunteers, substitutes and support staff, plus it makes a reinvigorating refresher for an experienced certified teacher. Combining our extremely popular Classroom Leadership course with our new Early Childhood Overview course, the combined 10 week course includes:

• An introduction to Montessori philosophy and key concepts
• Qualities of the Prepared Environment
• How to start the school year
• Positive discipline
• Classroom roles
• An introduction to each Early Childhood curriculum area (Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, Cultural and Science) with video lectures about the purpose of the area, best practices, and many lesson videos

Course content includes: an introduction to Montessori key philosophical concepts, classroom roles and working in partnership with co-workers, designing and maintaining the prepared environment, establishing daily routines, lesson strategies, as well as techniques for positive discipline and problem solving in implementing effective classroom strategies. This course primarily focuses on 3-6 classrooms, but most of the topics relate to all age groups.

Best Practices in Math and Language

$345/person, 4 CEUs

8 Week Course

This course is the first in a series of online seminars designed to renew one's passion for the Montessori approach, while providing opportunities to review and revisit Montessori curriculum and best practices. This 8 week session will focus on the Math and Language areas for the 3-6 level. Using our online "prepared environment" participants will spend time weekly working independently and with other teachers to develop a deeper understanding of these areas and how to support the work of the child. Participants will receive a downloadable version the CGMS Language and Math albums as well as other resources. They will have an opportunity to view video lectures that will explore the sequence of the curriculum, the "why" behind our practices. Many of the lessons for the math and language areas will also be available for viewing on your computer. Our online discussion forums and weekly chats will provide participants with an opportunity to reflect on one's own practice as you probe the minds of other experienced Montessori Guides and work together to review the math and language areas and renew your commitment to your life's work.

Observation with the CORE method

$360/person, 4 CEUs

8 Week Course

Every Montessori teacher knows the value of observation, but the how and when of to putting it in practice is often a challenge. This six week online workshop is designed for experienced Montessori teachers who want to take their classroom observation practice to a new level. Participants will delve deeply into observation theory and techniques with a focus on observation as the foundation of the Montessori method. The course includes video lectures by Dr. Paul Epstein presenting his CORE observation process (Connect, Obtain, Reflect and Engage). Participants will also discussion classroom observation videos and observation assignments from their own classroom. The course will use Dr. Epstein's new book, An Observer's Notebook, for the course text. Participants may purchase the book from the Montessori Foundation at the CGMS student discount rate.

Special Needs

$270/person, 2.5 CEUs

5 Week course

Most of us have asked and been asked this question many times: Is Montessori for every child? In this 5 week course we will explore that topic while we look at practical ideas for how to adapt to, and meet the needs of children with challenges. The course will survey a variety of issues in special education including emotional and behavioral, academic, developmental, speech and language challenges, and children with multiple concerns. Video lectures and discussion forums will explore characteristics of children with learning differences with an emphasis on how to more effectively guide them to success. Topics also include school policies to address issues of children with special needs, communicating with parents, and working in partnership with specialists.

Participants will receive two manuals, one on Supporting Children with Special Needs in the Montessori Environment and another focusing on Movement and Motor Development. This manual is filled with activities to help active children with attention and motor challenges. Many of the ideas and movement activities presented in this course and the manual are also great for typically developing children and provide many opportunities to support the growth and development of the whole child. Participants who complete the entire 5 weeks and all assignments will be awarded a CGMS Professional Development Certificate.

Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for any further information.

941-729-9565 · 941-745-3111 (fax)