School Resources in Silverado, CA

ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCES

Academic Phase – The general requirement for the number of hours in the academic phase is 350 hours.

The teacher training program is intense and therefore, students are required to attend all scheduled classes. Punctuality is important. Any student arriving 15 minutes late will be considered tardy. Habitual tardiness (three (3) unexcused tardies per component course) will be grounds for dismissal. Attendance is recorded at every session.

Absences for reasons other than illness or bereavement will not be excused. The daily demonstration of the Montessori equipment is unique and requires the presence of the student teacher to assimilate the information.

In the event of an excused absence (a total of 12 (twelve) clock hours is the maximum allowed), a student will be expected to secure all class notes from the other students, and will be held responsible for assigned papers when due, regardless of absences. In addition, the student must make arrangements with the instructor to see the presentations during practice sessions if presentations have been missed.

Practicum Phase – No part of the student teaching practicum may precede the student’s entry into academic coursework, student teaching must be preceded by sufficient and appropriate coursework to prepare the student for a successful experience. A student may identify a practicum site then must seek M.T.T.I. approval of the practicum site and the supervising teacher. In addition, the student must have approval from the training site administrator and a letter stating that the student is sufficiently prepared to benefit from practice teaching experience and is ready to enter the practicum phase. The requirement for the practicum phase is 540 hours. Practice teaching is a mandatory component of the course. Students are required to practice teach under supervision, for one academic year (nine months). Attendance shall be recorded on a daily basis by the student on the practicum log sheet provided to the student at orientation.

Entry into the practicum phase is not guaranteed. It is based on readiness and a recommendation by the training site administrator.

Practice / Lab

Ten hours practice with the materials for each component (Exercises of Practical Life, Sensorial, Math, Language) is required and must be recorded. In addition, twenty hours of observation time must be recorded and 15 Observation Reports completed.

Purpose

The purpose of this committee is to arbitrate significant complaints or grievances by students, faculty or practicum consultants. This committee will decide on a course of action in response to a grievance, which shall be binding on all parties involved.

Composition

The Montessori Teacher Training Institute Problem Solving Committee is composed of the following persons, who shall remain members of the committee until the end of the course training cycle:

• Director of the Program.
• One faculty member of each course, appointed by the Program Director.
• One student enrolled in each course, elected by the students.
• One other faculty member as a stand-by member.

Areas of Grievances

The Problem Solving Committee shall consider grievances against the program and against its management and faculty in the following areas:

• Incomplete or seriously deficient training.
• The program’s failure to meet M.T.T.I. requirements during the practicum.
• The program’s failure to meet financial obligations to anyone due those obligations.

Grievances Procedures

• A person initiating a complaint must first consult with the person against whom the complaint is being brought and attempt to work out satisfactory solution. The program director must give final approval to any solutions worked out in this manner, which involve a change in course requirements (assignments and attendance requirements).
• If a complaint is not resolved to everyone’s satisfaction by this initial contact, the problem can then be brought before the Problem Solving Committee of M.T.T.I.. In the event of a hearing, the committee shall hear from both sides of the dispute and shall first attempt to arbitrate a satisfactory solution between them. If this fails, the Problem Solving Committee shall decide, by majority vote, upon a course of action, which shall be binding on all parties.

Appeal Procedure

Individuals who feel that they still have legitimate grievances after all the above procedures have been exhausted, may bring that grievance before the Problem Solving Committee of the I.A.P.M., The International Association of Progressive Montessori, 1092 Baden Ave. Grover Bch. CA.93433. The decision of this committee shall be considered binding on all parties.

Stand-By Member

In order to keep the committee voting as objectively as possible, the designated stand-by member of the committee shall replace either staff member on the committee against whom a grievance is brought. The stand-by member shall not otherwise have a place or vote on the committee.

In the event that the elected student representative to the Problem Solving Committee is bringing a grievance to the committee, the place of that student in the voting shall be taken by the student who has received the second-highest number of votes in the student election for the committee representative.

Stipulation

No solution can be arrived at which is in conflict with M.T.T.I. requirements for Certification Diploma, training courses, practicum sites, or published course work requirements.

No solution can be arrived at which is in conflict with I.A.P.M. affiliation requirements.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

The student shall notify the school office of any change of address at any time during the school year. Since the Institute maintains a placement file, it is requested that address changes be kept current.

CERTIFICATION

Diploma- A Montessori Teacher’s Diploma at the Early Childhood 2 ½ – 6 level shall be awarded by the International Association of Progressive Montessori to students who successfully complete both phases and other course requirements of the Montessori Teacher Training Institute.
Certification- For students who attend and complete the academic phase only, a certificate of attendance shall be awarded by the Montessori Teacher Training Institute. This gives students two academic years following the completion date to fulfill the practicum phase and other requirements and gain an I.A.P.M. Diploma.

DIPLOMA

A Montessori Teacher’s Diploma will be awarded (for the ages 2 ½ – 6 years) by the International Association of Progressive Montessori to students who successfully complete both phases and other course requirements of the Montessori Teacher Training Course. This includes the following:

Student must meet all admission requirements.

Student must meet the attendance requirement.

Student must meet all financial obligations.

The student must submit five assigned term papers covering topics unique to the Montessori theory, philosophy and methodology. A written quiz must be completed at the end of each curriculum area.

Curriculum Manuals- Development and maintenance of the curriculum manuals is required by the student. At the completion of each curriculum area, the student submits the manual for evaluation. The faculty evaluate the manuals, using the Manual Evaluation Form (Appendix E).

Original Lesson- The student writes and presents an original lesson, which becomes a permanent part of the student’s file. Possible topics are discussed during class session. The original lesson is due by the assigned date. It is presented to the other students and evaluated by the Instructor.

Practice Sessions- During the practice sessions, the student presents materials in each curriculum area: Motor Development Through the Exercises of Practical Life; Sensorial; Language; and Math. A faculty member shall evaluate the presentations using the Curriculum Evaluation Form (Appendix D).

Observation Reports- The student is responsible to schedule the required observations. The student shall submit 15 observation reports due before the end of the internship year (Appendix H).

Final Exams:
Written Exam- Five written papers are required, one in each of the curriculum areas. The first and second written papers are in Practical Life and Sensorial (Appendix G). The third and fourth written papers are in Language and Math (Appendix H). The fifth paper is on Philosophy/Theory (Appendix G).
Oral and Practical Exam- The student prepares a 15 minute presentation from each of the four major curriculum areas. This presentation must be “classical” as presented by the instructor. This will be followed by an oral examination (Appendix F).

10. Student Made Materials- The student is required to make the following and submit for approval:

11. Practicum- The student must fulfill the practicum requirements and submit 540 hour log.
For students who attend and complete the academic phase only, a certificate of attendance shall be awarded by the Montessori Teacher Training Institute. This gives students two academic years following the completion date to fulfill the practicum phase and other requirements and gain an I.A.P.M. Diploma.

DRESS CODE

Students are expected to maintain a professional demeanor throughout the course, including a dress code befitting the teaching profession without reference to extreme styles or body adornment. The professional image which a student projects reflect his or her total attitude toward the teaching profession and toward the children he/she professes to serve.

DIPLOMA

Quizzes and Term Papers- Students shall be given written quizzes at the end of each curriculum area. These quizzes shall include questions regarding the Montessori lessons and materials, as well as questions about Montessori theory and philosophy. Students are required to submit five assigned term papers on specific subjects during the course and may not sit for the final oral and written exams until all assigned term papers have been submitted. The quizzes and term papers will carry marks, which contribute to 50% of the total grade.
A written exam and an oral practical exam (working with the Montessori didactic materials) will be given at the end of the course. This final exam will be based on the student’s knowledge of Montessori materials, Montessori theory and philosophy. Students failing any part of these required exams shall be allowed one re-test which shall be given within one month following the original exam. The final examination marks contribute to 50% of the total grade.
Manuals and other student made materials are graded as an accepted/rejected basis. Rejected materials and manuals may be represented after correction.
Practicum student teaching is graded on a pass/fail basis.
Students must receive a passing grade in all elements of the course in order to be awarded the Diploma

FACULTY COURSE EVALUATION

Student shall be requested to complete an evaluation form on each faculty member at the completion of his or her curriculum area and of the course at its completion.

GRADING SYSTEM

Letter grades of A, B, and C will be assigned for all work, both written and performance. A rating of “I” for incomplete work must be cleared within a six-week period following notification, or the rating is changed to “Unsatisfactory.” A grade of C is not considered acceptable and work receiving a grade of C must be redone or represented.
Letter grades of A, B, and C will also apply to both the entrance exam and the final exams.
An acceptable grade is based on passing 80% of all written and oral examinations in a satisfactory manner. Students failing any test with the exception of the entrance exam will be given the opportunity to re-take the test within a one-month period.

LIBRARY

The Montessori Teacher Training Institute has a good collection of texts, which include books on Dr. Montessori as well as her own publications. There are journals, psychology books on Child Development and books by other educators.

Library resources are available at the Montessori Teacher Training Institute in Silverado Canyon, in an environment conducive to their use, and at time periods allowing adequate accessibility for students and staff.

Other books and materials are available to be checked out from the Huntington Beach and Silverado Canyon local public libraries, both of which are in close proximity to the training facilities.

There are also other teacher resources available to the students at the Montessori Teacher Training Institute. The Montessori Teacher Training Institute has available for its use, equipment for the development of materials such as; paper cutters, photocopier, laminating machine and a computer system with a printer. In addition, the Montessori Teacher Training Institute has available video equipment: videocassette camera, videocassette recorder/player; a television; and audiocassette recorder/player available for use when needed.

All available library materials are pertinent to the course of study. All supporting materials facilitate the design and development of the required materials that teachers need to carry out the job that they are being prepared for.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Montessori Teacher Training Institute does not provide medical benefits to students. However, in the case of medical emergencies, students will be referred to Saddleback Memorial Hospital. 24451 Health Center Dr., Laguna Hills, CA 92650. The telephone number is 949-837-4500.

PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE

Request from Montessori schools for Montessori teachers are kept on file at the Institute and are fully accessible to the student and graduates. No guarantee for placement is being made, however. Interview techniques will be discussed as part of the course. Letters of recommendation may be requested.

RECOMMENDED READINGS AND TEXTS

There are three books written by Dr. Maria Montessori, and one book written by E.M. Standing, that are used throughout the course. It is recommended that, if possible, the student read these books prior to the beginning of the summer course. The cost of these books is included in your tuition.

STUDENT CONFERENCES

Evaluation conferences will be held with the student throughout the school year with reference to his or her progress. Special conferences may be requested when necessary.

SCHOOL RECORDS

Students are advised and cautioned that state law requires this educational institution to maintain school and student records for a minimum of a five-year period. Student records are kept at the I.A.P.M. office.

Transcripts, grades and attendance records will be available to the student upon request by writing to the
Director, M.T.T.I., 19900 El Toro Road, Silverado Canyon, CA 9267.

The course guarantees confidentiality and access to records in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

STUDENT CODE OF ETHICS

Students of the Montessori Teacher Training Institute are expected to conduct themselves professionally and personally in a manner that demonstrates a respect for themselves, their fellow students, the instructors, and the course of study they have committed themselves to follow.
To fulfill this obligation a student is expected to:

• Attend all classes and be prompt.
• Honor commitments to meet course requirements.
• Take independent action in the pursuit of learning.
• Seek timely consultation and help when needed in matters related to the work.
• Seek clarification when needed, at the appropriate time.
• Meet all financial obligations.
• Dress in an appropriate way whether in class or in the classroom during practicum.
• Use honest, open communication with instructors, other students and the administration.

SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION

The school reserves the right to expel a student at any time for behavior or attitude deemed unprofessional in the opinion of the institute’s administration or the Program Director. Students may be asked to discontinue their course of study for medical, psychological, academic or other cogent reasons without recourse.

Absences, tardiness, failure to turn in work, and inadequate quality of work will elicit verbal and/or written warnings from the Program Director. If after appropriate warnings, the student shows no improvement, we reserve the right to expel the student. In the event the student is expelled, the standard refund policy shall be applicable according to the school term, which the student is in at the time of expulsion.

TRANSFER

Due to the unique nature of this course and its instruction, intensity, and the importance of continuity, no credit towards completion can be considered or granted for previous experience or training, unless this experience has been successfully completed from a course affiliated to I.A.P.M.

TRANSCRIPT

Upon completion of course work, an Official Transcript will be issued to students by the Montessori Teacher Training Institute based on the following:

WITHDRAWAL BY STUDENT

Withdrawal for personal reasons is allowed after discussion between the student and the site administrator. A student may take a leave of absence for up to two years. On returning to the course a student may repeat the classes for purposes of a refresher and continue with the new material until completion.
In the case of a student who completes the academic phase, only this student has two years in which to enter the practicum phase and complete the course.