Montessori Teacher Career Guide and Counseling

Question: What is the normal pay for a Montessori teacher in Ireland? Im just studing to be a Montessori teacher at the moment and wondering what pay should i expect? I am also looking for a job in the Cavan area.

Answer: Hi there! First of all, thank you for supporting the Montessori community. My son is a Montessori student, and we are also temporarily moving to Ireland in about a year. Perhaps you will end up being one of his teachers =) That said, I do not know the exact salary of a Montessori teacher. I believe it is higher than if you worked in a state school, as Montessori schools are private. I would suggest asking one of your teachers, and/or contacting other Montessori teachers in the Cavan area to ask them for advice. Good luck with your studies and your future career as a Montessori teacher!

Question: I am wondering if any Montessori teachers can offer ideas for teacher made activities for my language shelves? I am a first year Montessori teacher (pre -k). I have a lot of the Montessori language materials available in my classroom, but I am finding that I need a lot of supplemental activities for the children. If anyone has any ideas, suggestions, things you've done in your own classrooms, I would appreciate it. Thanks

Answer: I spy and little object boxes set aside for the individual sounds are always a popular supplement to the Language shelf. We have a "wheel", the children refer to it as a "sun" but same idea really. A cardboard/poster board circle laminated with pictures (6-8) around the edges corresponding to the sounds. Our school has the letters divided up into colour coded groupings so you would have an orange wheel with pictures corresponding to the letters: t,s,b,n,c,a. Child uses clothes pegs in same colour with a letter on each of them. Child then looks at picture, identifies sound it starts with and puts corresponding peg on the wheel. It's a great reinforcement for the ones that know many sounds but still need more work but it also allows the teacher to see just how well the child can do the one-to-one correspondance. Another favourite activity - What doesn't belong. Just a laminated sheet with 6 pictures on it. In the middle is the letter that you are focusing on. 4 of the 6 pictures start with the letter you want and the other 2 "don't belong". Child would then cover up, (I have used "poker" chips as a "cover up"), the pictures that don't belong. Your control of error is that there are only 2 chips per page. Hope this makes sense and gives you some ideas.

Question: need help to make my profile as a Montessori Teacher 3-6 years to introduce myself to the parents.? Hi everybody. I am a Montessori Teacher 3-6 years age group. I want to make my profile to introduce myself to parents in the coming parents meeting for the new academic year. Can anybody help me and give suggestions how to make it. If you do not have an idea of Montessori system no problem you can write for a Traditional school (preschool/Kindergarten) 3-6 years teachers profile no problem. Thanks in advance for all.

Answer: I would start by choosing a few key pedagogic ideas from Montessori and describe how you would or have implemented in the past. That way, they are more comfortable knowing that you understand Montessori (the method is very misunderstood by many) and what to expect from you and your implementation within the classroom environment.

Question: In the Tampa Bay area, How much would a Montessori teacher aide get paid? I have a degree in Special ed, teacher certification and in the process of getting Montessori certified. I would like to know a salary range so i can start making a budget....PLEASE HELP ! :)

Answer: not more that $10 an hr. sadly

Question: Does anybody have information about being a Montessori teacher? I have checked out the official website and a bunch of schools in my area, but I wanted to hear some personal experiences. How was the Montessori training course? Do you feel like you earn a competetive salary? Do you enjoy your job? How do you deal with students who do not adapt to the Montessori style (i.e. are not self-motivating)? Do most teachers stick around for a long time or is there a high turn-over? Any other info you can offer would be terrific!

Answer: I have to say that I believe in Montessori education 100% when it is done correctly. I say correctly because some people do not understand Montessori education, usually because they haven’t been trained or they only took part of the training, and therefore can’t implement the method completely. Yet when one is completely trained at a reputable training center the results are amazing. To begin with, there are many different training programs. You will have to look into the different programs and find the one that matches your personality and work situation the best. The two main ones are AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) and AMS (American Montessori Society), but there are others. AMI training is usually considered to stay true to Maria’s original beliefs and materials, most AMI schools will not accept non AMI trained individuals to be head teachers, but nothing is written in stone, some do. AMS trainings are considered to be more “progressive� using materials that Maria and Mario didn’t invent. Like I said, you will have to evaluate your own personality and teaching situation to see which training would be best for you. Yet, my main suggestion is that you do not take a mail order or on-line course since they usually focus on material presentations and most people who take these courses have a hard time setting up and running a classroom. As far as salary goes, not that I believe that anyone should be in education for the money, but in general private Montessori pays less. When I was directing a private Montessori schools I made less than aides do at my public school. People who own private schools talk about how paying their teachers less means that they get people who are dedicated to the teaching profession, but as a single woman, I needed a paycheck that I could live off of. At the moment I work in a PUBLIC MONTESSORI and make a very good salary. I am VERY happy with the money I make as well as the benefits I receive such as health and dental insurance and paid sick days. I LOVE TEACHING IN A MONTESSORI CLASSROOM!!!! In fact I could/would never teach in a traditional classroom ever again. I love working with children of different ages. I love being able to identify my students abilities, interests and learning styles and being able to teach to their needs instead of to a scripted program. I love being able to take all that is happening in the world around them and all of their interests and relating it to education so that they see learning not as something that they are forced to do, but something that they want to do. As far as a child not being self motivated or needing added “structure� (How I hate that term! My classroom has more “structure� than most traditional classrooms, it is just not overtly obvious.), Montessori education helps to make children self motivated, independent learners. If they are naturally that way, great, but if they are not, it doesn’t mean that Montessori is not for them, it just means that that is something they will learn in a good Montessori environment. Montessori teachers work with the needs of their students. They will find activities that spark the imagination of a “non-motivated child� or will set up a internalized structure that will help the child focus.

Question: Where can I find a certified Montessori Teacher seeking a position in the South Suburbs of Chicago? I know of a position open with Ivy League Montessori in Moken, IL and they are in need of a Teacher before this year begins, which is in a couple weeks. The last Teacher just quit. Is there anyone out there looking or know of a good free site to use, let me know.

Answer: Is that the one in Molcina or New Lenox? There's an Ivy Leage Montessori school listed on the AMS web site from Molcina and one from New Lenox. The reason I ask is because the type of Montessori school it is may limit your choices of where you can get teachers. If it is that AMS school, I would start with AMS. http://www.amshq.org/member_employmentOp… There's a free service to post job openings online. You can also try NAMTA: http://www.montessori-namta.org/NAMTA/NA… That takes a little time, though. It seems like you need something quickly. There are 3 AMS Training courses in Illinois. I'm not sure which ones are near Chicago, but contacting them would be a good idea: MECA-SETON Infant and Toddler (2013), Early Childhood (2013), Administrator (2013) 5728 Virginia Avenue Clarendon Hills, IL 60514 630-654-0151 Fax: 630-654-0182 E-mail: Meca1Seton@aol.com Web Site: MontessoriECA.org Directors: Celma Pinho Perry, Anna Perry Credits Offered: 15 Undergraduate, 12 Graduate Source of credits: Concordia University, Elgin Community College Starting Dates: Spring and Summer MIDWEST MONTESSORI TEACHER TRAINING CENTER Early Childhood (2012), Elementary I (2012), Elementary I-II (2012), Secondary I (2009) 926 Noyes Street Evanston, IL 60201 847-276-0405 or 847-276-0404: Fax: 847-680-4621 E-mail: wmkunert@sbcglobal.net Web Site: www.mmttc.com Directors: Michael and Louise Kunert Credits Offered: Graduate Source of Credits: Plymouth State University MONTESSORI HEARTLAND TEACHER EDUCATION CENTER Infant/Toddler, Early Childhood (2010) 2100 48th Street Moline, IL 61265 309-764-7047 FAX 309-764-9925 Directors: Rene Detloff and Don Czerwinskyj E-mail: detloffr@villamontessori.org You can join the Montessori_Online yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Montessori… They might have a teacher or two that is looking for a job. Try teachers.net: http://www.teachers.net/mentors There's a Montessori board on there. It's not heavily populated, so you might not have any luck, but it's worth a try. I hope that helps! Good luck. Matt

Question: Becoming a Montessori teacher in a public schools? Dear public Montessori school teachers who may be out there: Right now I have applied & have been accepted to a state university for grad school where you can earn your M. Ed., & an AMI training center where you can earn your M. Ed. I am totally torn. I would prefer to learn about Montessori exclusively, but am scared to death that upon graduation, I will make no more than 30,000. I am a single woman in her upper 20s, and that is not going to pay back my loans and pay the bills after I attend grad school for a whole year full time...the one possibility I am thinking is that I could go through the AMI training and then work in a public school Montessori for several years. BUT, how hard is it to land a job at a public school Montessori? I imagine that there arent a ton of those positions open. I also wonder how much harder it will be to get state certification to work at a public school. If anyone has any advice to help me gain some clarity and make a final decision, I'd be so grateful.

Answer: Well, I am not a public Montessori teacher....at least not yet...but I thought I would give you some of my opinions anyway. I've been working in a private Montessori school for a few years now, and have been looking into the public Montessori school to get a job. First, as far as making no more than 30k, that really, really depends on the school you are working for. I know that the public district where I live, starting 'highly-qualified teachers' make more than that. So, depending on what area you are working in will give you more of an idea of what your salary will be. But also, deciding on whether you do Montessori or traditional doesn't change your salary if you are only looking in public schools. You will be earning the same amount in either setting if it is all under one school district. So if you are scared about the money, unfortunately I'll have to tell you that you have to get out of teaching all together. You really have to teach because you love it, not because of the salary. I went to undergrad for my teaching license and continued school to get my Master's and Montessori certification. And I know it will take me a little while to pay back my loans, but I am glad that I have made this choice. This is what I would do for free if I could. As far as landing a job in a public Montessori, again, I think it depends on the area. Where I am, the public school system is in need of trained Montessorians. They will hire any highly-qualified teacher and place that person in a Montessori class, without any Montessori background. So, having training is a huge plus. But, in other areas of the country it might be different. Often, the places that have an overload of Montessori teachers that are looking for jobs are cities that host training centers. If there is not a nearby training center, usually schools are desperately seeking trained teachers. Getting a teaching license can be a lot of work--lots of papers, observations, projects, lesson plans like crazy, and student teaching takes up at least an entire semester. A Montessori certification also is a lot of work, and having done both things, I know that the Montessori training was a lot more work. But, I also learned the Montessori information much better than the traditional. I don't need to refer to books and notes to remember my Montessori lessons, whereas traditional teaching, I would be researching lessons and ideas continually. I think the best thing to do (and this is what I've done) is to get both. Besides, to be a public school Montessori teacher, you will be teaching Kindergarteners, and you need to have a teaching license to do so. I don't know if ANY of that will help you, but if you have any other questions, please ask!

Question: How to go about becoming certified as a montessori teacher? I dont have a background in teaching but I understand that the certification program to teach montessori is fairly quick...just looking for more info

Answer: http://www.montessori.org/?defaultarticl… If that site doesn't work: http://www.montessori.org/ Then on the left bar scroll down to and click "Becoming a Montessori Teacher".

Question: Whats it like to be a Montessori school teacher? Whats the pay like? Do you enjoy your job? is it rewarding? any other details. i want to become a montessori school teacher after college, just interested in details. im also a montessori kid, i went there for pre k and a bit of kindergarten, id rather be a montessori teacher than a public school teacher ;)

Answer: I have been both. I have taught 3 year in both. I will give you pro and con. 1. Students are better behaved than Public. They are also smarter. That is also the downfall. Smart kids also get bored easier and therefore cause more devious trouble. Although the number of misbehaviors have gone down, the severity goes way up. 2. The Private school doesn't have a large Bureaucracy, Public does. You can get more accomplished at Private school. That is also a bad thing. A whole lot of incompetence gets through that really messes with a child's education. 3. You can talk about religion at a Private school. That is also its downfall. Don't make the mistake of assuming that all your children have the same beliefs. This is what lawsuits are made of. 4. You will receive low pay. In most areas, the Private school teachers make about 30% less than their Public school counterparts. In our area, it is 60%. 5. In private school, the children get better grades. There is a reason for this. Parents are paying for their child's education and don't like to see F's on the report card. Therefore, they aren't put on a report card (unless the school wants to get rid of the child). 6. Private school teachers don't have to have a license, or background check, or a clean criminal record. Public requires all of these. 7. Private school teachers have to negotiate their own contract. Ever done that? Public schools have unions that take care of that. 8. If a Private school teacher gets sued, they are fired. If a Public school teacher gets sued, it is illegal to fire them. You have to wait to see if they are found guilty of a crime. They still can't be fired if they have Tenure. 9. In Private schools, what the parents say goes. In Public schools, only the teachers care what a parent has to say... and some of them couldn't care less. In conclusion, it is a trade off. What do you want?

Question: As a montessori teacher how can you recognize that a child has the appropriate help? and applicable help to the time before he begins to read? Please explain this to me Please provide a detailed explanation if you can.

Answer: The materials in the Montessori classroom are sequential. All the pre-reading skills must happen before you can move into the reading skills. Through observation of the children, we can see how they learn and what they are learning. We can also see what they are prepared for.