The Montessori educational philosophy is that the educational method must support and address the nature of the child. This is done through detailed observation of the child. A child is a dynamic, curious person and comes to know the world through the senses. They acquire knowledge through physically manipulating their environment. This allows the child to construct mental images and lays the foundation for later abstractions. The teacher observes the children to determine their interests and needs, and then prepares the environment to meet the observed needs.
Shelton offers Montessori teacher education courses in Early Childhood and Elementary Level I, and Elementary Level II and Elementary I-II. The American Montessori Society (AMS) offers a credential to those who meet the admission requirements and successfully complete the requirements of the course. These courses are accredited by MACTE (Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education) SMT is also offering the AMS Administrator Credential and the Montessori Inclusion Endorsement.
These courses provide a dynamic introduction to Montessori through lectures, demonstration, classroom observations, small group projects, creation of personalized manuals and personal research. Experienced, dedicated mentors in select Montessori settings guide a 9-month practicum. Students take oral and written examinations and complete research projects.
Shelton also offers training to help Montessorians understand the specific needs of children at risk for learning differences and provide specific strategies for matching the Montessori educational method to those needs. This course is titled Montessori Applied to Children At-Risk or MACAR and is offered at beginning and advanced levels, and in several locations.
Applicants should be passionate about teaching, creative in their outlook and determined in their focus. Students must attend all lectures, demonstrations and practice sessions.
Director of Shelton Montessori Training: Gulzar Babool, MA, AMS EI-II, NAMTA WSMC
Montessori Associate, Candace Collier
Instructors in the program are: Joyce Pickering, Gulzar Babool, Mary Shockley, Julie Limkeman, Donna Gonzalez, Peggy Krug, Joni Harris, Cathy Luby, Christine Davis, G-g Shryer, Rachel Nordgren, Adrienne Thacker, Kathleen Goree, Connie Laufersky, Pam Dunbar, Susan Dendinger, Andrea Glenister, Regina Swerts, Amy Cushner.
Shelton Montessori Training holds accredited status for its Elementary I teacher education certification course from the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) though the year 2024.
Shelton Montessori Training holds Full Affiliate status for its Early Childhood, Elementary I, Elementary II, Elementary I-II, Administrator and MIE teacher certification course with the American teacher certification course with the American Montessori Society (AMS) through the year 2024.