Montessori Teacher Training and Other Stuff

[Aeress]

I want to become an AMS teacher in the next few years but I am in such a bind. The closest program is about 1 hour away but the director of the program doesn't return calls and while she has answered my emails, she hasn't sent me any information and there is no website. I am a little apprehensive about using this program. The next program is anywhere from 3-4 hours or 4-6 hours away.
In the meantime, I am opening a small non-public that I would like to turn into a Montessori school.

I have several questions/concerns-
1) Would it be wise to take this certificate of study? It would not be in place of my AMS certification but as a beginning step. I want parents to know that I am in the process of becoming a teacher.
2)Give me an idea of how intensive the course work/student teaching is really like. Would I need to delay plans for opening the school, while I got my teaching certificate?
3)I need to have the school in place and running the next two years, which is an obtainable goal, but probably not compatible to getting the certification. (I want to have the school running before my oldest becomes middle school age)

Please share any thoughts...

[MattBronsil]

Originally Posted by Aeress

I have several questions/concerns-
1) Would it be wise to take this certificate of study? It would not be in place of my AMS certification but as a beginning step. I want parents to know that I am in the process of becoming a teacher.

They seem to be the only online course I would recommend if other optionsa re out. They offer MACTE certification, which is recognized. I would talk to them and find out more.

2)Give me an idea of how intensive the course work/student teaching is really like. Would I need to delay plans for opening the school, while I got my teaching certificate?

Depends. How important is it to fit eating and sleeping into your daily life? :-)

3)I need to have the school in place and running the next two years, which is an obtainable goal, but probably not compatible to getting the certification. (I want to have the school running before my oldest becomes middle school age)

Please share any thoughts...

Opening a school is a LOT of work. The certification is a lot of work. The site you posted is a training program run by the Montessori Foundation. They have a lot of experience helping start up schools. I would talk to them, tell them what you want to do, and they will have a clearer picture. I've just never started a school, so I have no clue what you're in for to be honest.