Montessori Education Center of Arizona Primary Training Course
in affiliation with the Association Montessori Internationale
The Montessori Approach | The Program | The AMI Diploma | Admission Enrollment | Tuition | Housing | The Teacher Training Staff | AMI | MECA
The Montessori Primary training course is offered by the Montessori Education Center of Arizona during the academic year from September to June. This one year course of study prepares the student for guiding children from 3 to 6 + years old according to Montessori principles. It leads to the internationally recognized Primary Diploma of the Association Montessori Internationale.
The Montessori approach aims to insure the natural development of the whole personality of the child, of his physical and emotional faculties, as well as his intellectual powers. The tasks available to the child in a Montessori class are graduated from the simple to the complex, and he is free to select his own work and proceed at his own pace. By learning in this way, the child gains the self-confidence so necessary in the creation of competence. The role of the adult in the classroom is to show the child the proper way to work with the materials. The child then teaches himself through his own activity, observation and discovery.
Each child is guided and directed in his work by a trained Montessori teacher who is always ready to support and encourage the child in his task of self-development. If you are interested in participating in this "education for a new world," you can train to become a certified Montessori teacher . . .
The established curriculum includes lecture periods on Montessori child psychology, educational theory and practice, supervised practical sessions with apparatus, observation and practice teaching in Montessori classes in the Phoenix area (under the supervision of the Course Director). Primary curriculum includes the exercises of practical life, materials of the education of the senses, sensorial foundations of geometry, algebra and arithmetic including fractions, language training, writing and reading, reading analysis and the fundamentals of grammar and syntax; as well as geography, history, biology, science, music and art as presented in the primary stage.
Classes are usually held in the evenings. The organizing committee reserves the right to change the program if circumstances warrant it.
The internationally recognized Diploma of the Association Montessori Internationale, is awarded by recognized training courses on five continents. These courses must meet rigorous standards both in content and teaching staff. The AMI Diploma is given essentially for academic achievement, its recipient is permitted then to conduct or establish Montessori classes, and only those classes taught by AMI Diploma holders are eligible for recognition by the AMI.
The AMI diploma does not entitle the holder to train teachers. It only authorizes the holder to apply the Montessori Method to the education of children up to age 6 + .
The Montessori Education Center of Arizona accepts both men and women. A bachelor's degree is required, exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Director of Training and the Course Committee.
The Applicants must provide transcripts of high school and college records, along with an application, two recent photographs, and a non-refundable $50 application fee. A personal interview is generally required. Students will not be accepted at mid-term, as the first semester is prerequisite to the second semester. Students are given progress conferences at midterm. Full attendance is expected throughout the year.
Applications will be received until enrollment has reached capacity, and thereafter a waiting list will be formed. Enrollment is limited, so you are encouraged to apply early.
The tuition for the school year is $4,400 of which $300 is a deposit due when the applicant is accepted. $1,900.00 is due on the first day of the academic year and the remaining $2,200.00 on or before the first day of the second semester.Other payment plans are available.
A student who withdraws or is asked to withdraw before January 1 is not expected to pay the second semester's tuition. Attendance after the first of January is considered as commitment to complete the second semester and fees are due and payable thereafter.
Books are included in the tuition. The student should expect no other expenses in connection with the course except whatever amount is spent at his own discretion on the making of albums and classroom materials. It is suggested that the student budget a minimum of $350 for this purpose.
Nimal Vaz, Course Director, has been associated with AMI training courses since 1960. She has worked in Phoenix since 1964 and was associated with the first Montessori school to be set up in Arizona. In 1972 she was instrumental in organizing a Montessori program for the child with developmental problems in one of Arizona's largest hospitals. She graduated from the University of Ceylon in 1963 and in 1965 received her Masters Degree in Special Education from Arizona State University. She has taught, written and lectured both nationally and internationally on Montessori Education and is an authorized Teacher Trainer for the Association Montessori Internationale. Mrs. Vaz also has the unique distinction of having received her primary and elementary education in Montessori Schools.
THE ASSOCIATION MONTESSORI INTERNATIONALE was established in 1929 by Dr. Maria Montessori. AMI is the recognized international authority on Montessori education and directs studies in affiliated teacher-training institutions on four continents. During its 56 year history, AMI has fostered the growth and development of Montessori educational practices through active work with member schools, teachers and educators. Yearly international study conferences of AMI have served as important milestones in the development of new practices and the exchange of insights which have grown out of the application of Montessori to widely differing lands and cultures.
The Montessori Education Center of Arizona was founded in 1980 by the late Dr. Lena Wickramaratne, a student of Dr. Maria Montessori and teacher trainer for the Association Montessori Internationale. It is one of 14 recognized centers in North America and Mexico.
The Montessori approach aims to insure the natural development of the whole personality of the child, of his physical and emotional faculties, as well as his intellectual powers. The tasks available to the child in a Montessori class are graduated from the simple to the complex, and he is free to select his own work and proceed at his own pace. By learning in this way, the child gains the self-confidence so necessary in the creation of competence. The role of the adult in the classroom is to show the child the proper way to work with the materials. The child then teaches himself through his own activity, observation and discovery.