Montessori Teacher Education For Secondary I & II

Secondary I/II : Ages 12-18

Montessori Concepts

Preparation Of The Teacher

California Montessori Teacher Education Program is a Montessori credential program in northern California. Our 2023 cohort began June 2023. Our 2025 cohort begins June 2025 and continues through June 2026. The program is a hybrid mix that integrates onsite and online courses. Our online courses are self-paced. Monthly classes, Zoom sessions and check-ins help to support your journey.

Training includes an overview of Montessori education from toddler through elementary. The overview is an essential part of the Montessori training methodology. As you begin your Montessori training you will see the Montessori method and philosophy at work from the very start; building strength, resilience, confidence and self-directed learning in students.

The instruction at CAMTEP secondary I/II program replicates and supports an adolescent schedule and experience. As an adult learner you will participate in daily community meetings, lessons, individual work and group work just like a typical day of an adolescent in a Montessori school. You will participate in a day of team building, service learning and a micro class run business as well as an overnight intersession trip. The purpose of training in this way is to provide adult learners a first hand experience from the perspective of the adolescent and in turn bring their experience to their classroom.

The mission of California Montessori Teacher Education Program (CAMTEP) is to provide a training course to educators interested in seeking a greater understanding of the Montessori philosophy, the method of teaching in a Montessori environment and pursuing an American Montessori Society (AMS) Secondary I and II Credential.

Course components

  • Overview

  • Montessori Philosophy

  • Adolescent Psychology

  • Classroom Leadership

  • Curriculum Design and Development

  • Communication and Partnerships With Families

  • Year-long project

Schedule

Summer (2025)

The early Childhood and Elementary overview are AMS prerequisites

  • Option 1: You have the necessary Elementary credential from a MACTE accredited program; you are exempt.

  • Option 2: Take Early Childhood and Elementary Overview.

In Residence

Summer 2025

  • June 16 - July 3, 2025 Monday - Friday (+ 2 Saturdays) 9:00am - 6:00pm (no class June 19)

Fall 2025

Seminar 1

  • October 11 - 13, 2025: Overnight intersession 2 nights 3 days. Lodging Provided

Spring 2026

Seminar 2

  • February 20, 21, 22, 2026: 9:00am - 6:00pm

Summer 2026

  • June 13-20, 2026: 9:00am - 6:00pm (no class June 19)

Distance Education

Synchronous - Zoom: Monthly Zoom meetings

Asynchronous- Canvas: Self-paced

  • Adolescent Psychology: Begins September (self-paced)

  • Philosophy Course: Begins January (self-paced)

  • Classroom Leadership: Begins January (self-paced)

  • Curriculum Design & Development: Begins February (self-paced)

  • Communication & Partnerships: Begins March (self-paced)

Practicum

The practicum phase happens during the school year following the academic phase of the previous summer. Every adult learner must find and secure their own practicum site. The site must meet the criteria of the practicum agreement. AMS requires only one practicum for a 6 through 12 credential. This can be in either a 6 through 9 or 9 through 12 environment.

  • At a Montessori school that meets AMS and CAMTEP standards

  • 9 Months with a minimum of 6 hours a day 5 days a week

  • Guidance by a supervising teacher and field consultant and mentor if self-directed

Total Costs $12,000

Location Information

Onsite and online secondary I/II

Onsite classes are located at (unless otherwise noted)

Hayward Twin Oaks Secondary Campus

951 Palisade Street

Hayward CA, 94542

Photo courtesy / copyright ©AMS