Best Online Montessori Training Programs for Teachers

Some of the best and most popular online Montessori teacher training programs are the following:

  1. North American Montessori Center
  2. International Online Montessori Training Institute
  3. The Center for Guided Montessori Studies
  4. Montessori Live
  5. Prepared Montessorian Institute
  6. Authentic Institute of Montessori (aim)

(1) North American Montessori Center

The North American Montessori Center is actually one of the most popular centers for learning through the Montessori education method and covers most of the globe (not just North America as its name suggests).

(2) International Online Montessori Training Institute

Similar to the North American Montessori Center described above, the International Online Montessori Training Institute reaches every corner of the earth and is a more affordable option for budding Montessori educators.

(3) Center for Guided Montessori Studies

The Center for Guided Montessori Studies offers online teacher training for every age from infants to secondary school. Each program offers a Full Certificate or an Associate Certificate option.

(4) Montessori Live

Montessori Live is both an online and in-person instructional method for adults wanting to become certified to teach Montessori educational methods.

(5) Prepared Montessorian Institute

The Prepared Montessorian Institute offers online teacher training for all ages of students from 0-18 years old. Their program is certified through MACTE, the Montessori Accreditation Council of Teacher Education.

(6) Authentic Institute of Montessori (aim)

AIM offers innovative and comprehensive Montessori certification. There are several program options at varying price points, some are MACTE certified.  

How Expensive are the Best Online Montessori Training Programs for Teachers?

(1) North American Montessori Center expenses

Any North American Montessori Center program costs somewhere between $2,000 – $4,000 US dollars. You can save one hundred dollars off your tuition cost by paying for it all upfront instead of monthly or in increments.

The North American Montessori Center also provides financial aid opportunities for prospective teachers wanting to teach with the Montessori Method who cannot afford the entire program or material shipping costs.

(2) International Online Montessori Training Institute expenses

The International Online Montessori Training Institute is normally around $2,000, however, they often have promotional deals on their website that bring the cost down by fifty percent, making this program much more realistic for many people (just under $1,000 US Dollars instead, including shipping).

Additionally, like listed above for the North American Montessori Center, the International Online Montessori Training Institute offers a one hundred dollar discount if you pay the entire program fee upfront.

(3) Center for Guided Montessori Studies expenses

The cost of enrollment in the Center for Guided Montessori Studies program ranges from $5,200 to $9,350 depending upon the program selected.

(4) Montessori Live expenses

The cost of enrollment in the Montessori Live teacher training program is dependent on the type of certification that you are looking at achieving.

Tuition and class fee totals range from a low of just over $4,000 (Montessori Elementary II certification- you must already have an Elementary I credential) to a high of almost $10,000 (Elementary I & Elementary II certification).

(5) Prepared Montessorian Institute expenses

Tuition for the Prepared Montessorian Institute costs between $5,000 and $7,500 depending on your chosen program. Tuition assistance and scholarships are available with this program.

(6) Authentic Institute of Montessori (aim)

The cost of Montessori certification courses from AIM vary from $1,950 to $7,950. Payment plans are available.

Check out our other articles to learn more about becoming a Montessori teacher and how much Montessori teachers make.

Is the Montessori Method Worth While?

The commonly asked question, “is the Montessori method worth it?”, is yet another question that depends on who you are talking to. If someone genuinely puts the effort necessary into the Montessori Education Approach, the Montessori method can exceed the effectiveness of any other traditional education program.

It also depends on what you are aiming for as an educator. Those who will be most successful with the Montessori Method are those whose interests align with Montessori outcomes. Let’s take a look below.

What are the main benefits of Montessori for students?

  • Students show increased levels of cooperation and concentration on school related tasks
  • Students feel valued as individuals and unique for their different strengths
  • Students become fluent in collaboration and learn compassion for their peers
  • Students become more curious and inquisitive learners, wanting to discover truth themselves
  • Students are inspired to become more creative and use their own ideas to fail and try again

What are the main benefits of Montessori for teachers?

  • Teachers become more inclusive, non judgmental, and understanding of extenuating circumstances
  • Teachers cultivate a greater love for learning and teaching due to Montessori‘s personalized nature
  • Teachers are allowed more freedom in the classroom, and use creativity to inspire their students

What is the Main Purpose of Montessori Education?

The main purpose of Montessori education is for students to become independent thinkers and self-driven learners, qualities that will assist them throughout the rest of their life. [Source]

This purpose is different from that of traditional schools because most public schooling focuses on preparing students to succeed in college, and succeed in the workplace. Montessori is much more personal and goal-oriented.

Main Principles of the Montessori Method

The Montessori education approach is based on these main principles:

  • It is self paced and individual
  • It is hands on and experimental
  • It is collaboration and creativity based

Montessori learning is largely self-paced, or what they call self-directed learning. The purpose of self-directed learning comes from the idea that everyone learns at a different pace, and through different mediums. [Source] Having each child learn according to their needs and wants allows greater growth and development.

You may have heard of the well-known Psychologist and Humanist, Howard Gardner, who created a model for the 9 different types of intelligences, known as Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Howard Gardner asserted that there are 9 types of intelligence that a person can be prevalent in. They are:

  1. Spatial Intelligence, or being able to visualize objects and places in 3 dimensions
  2. Intrapersonal Intelligence, or being able to understand and interpret your own motivations and emotions
  3. Interpersonal Intelligence, or being able to understand and interpret the motivations and emotions of those around you
  1. Naturalistic Intelligence, or the ability to interpret and understand the natural world around you
  2. Linguistic Intelligence, or being good with words and having the ability to eloquently express your thoughts and feelings
  3. Bodily (Kinesthetic) Intelligence, or the ability to coordinate your mind and body as one
  1. Existential Intelligence, or being in touch and intrigued with what the purpose of life is
  2. Musical Intelligence, or the ability to discern notes, techniques, styles, and understand the nature of musical compositions
  3. Logical (Mathematical) Intelligence, or being able to quantify and justify numerical and logical evidence to prove something
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The idea behind Montessori education aligns with the concept of Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences; every learner has their own strengths. [Source]

Different skill sets do not set some students above others, but instead, students should be taught to use their unique abilities to enhance their educational experience and learn how to be self-sufficient students.

Where Does the Montessori Approach Come From?

Who started the Montessori approach?

The first Montessori Method-centered school was founded over one hundred years ago.

Beginning in 1906, Maria Montessori began what would later become a worldwide movement. Maria was an educator, physician, and scientist who was asked to create a childcare center for deprived and undereducated children.

Many doubted the students’ abilities to learn, due to their underprivileged backgrounds, which only made Maria more determined to make the center successful.

In January of 1907, Maria Montessori opened the first center, called the Children’s House. After the opening, the story becomes quite simple; the Children’s House was undoubtedly successful, news of the success spread, and by October of the same year, Maria was opening a second Children’s House. [Source]

The Montessori Method became world-renowned as Maria Montessori published books, conducted research, and traveled to America. And the rest is history.


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