Caspari Montessori Institute
PO Box 657
Livingston, MT 59047
Tel: (406) 222-2209 or
Tel: (406) 223-0088
Fax: (406) 222-6477
email: casparimontessori@gmail.com

Internship

Internship Description

During the internship year, you will practice the application of the Montessori principles and procedures with individual children and groups under the supervision of an experienced Montessori teacher in a CMI affiliated school and make visits to observe other Montessori environments. Outside of the classroom teaching hours, you will be practicing with the Montessori materials, preparing your curriculum manuals, making materials, planning lessons, and working on various written assignments.

In addition to giving lessons to individual children, you will fully engage in the school experience including large and small group lessons, story telling, art, music and movement. You will take turns greeting and dismissing children, joining them for lunch and on the playground, taking field trips, hikes, and helping with special activities and presentations. You will participate in the preparation of the environment, staff meetings and parent/teacher conferences, as directed by your supervising teacher.

Periodically you will come together with the other area interns and a CMI field supervisor for an advanced curriculum workshop for the purpose of gaining a deeper focus on materials and methods, refining technique, and discussing your observations and questions relating to your classroom experiences.

You will learn from the Montessori teacher in your classroom and from your CMI instructors and field supervisors, but you will learn the most by taking the time to reflect on your own observations and experiences.

Certification Requirements Summary

  1. Successful completion of the Caspari Montessori Institute Teacher Education Course within four years upon application to the Internship Program.
  2. A nine-month supervised internship at a Caspari Montessori Institute affiliated school.
  3. Demonstration of ability to present Montessori lessons to individual children and groups.
  4. Demonstration of classroom management skills.
  5. Participation in advanced intern workshops and supervised practice sessions.
  6. Completion of manuals of Montessori's four avenues of learning and an activity book.
  7. Completion of observation papers.
  8. Completion of material-making requirements.
  9. Completion of an abstract of Montessori's The Absorbent Mind.
  10. Successful completion of an oral/practical examination using Montessori didactic materials.

Pan American Montessori Society Teaching Certificate

The international teaching credential you earn through this program is conferred by the Pan American Montessori Society. It will give you the right to represent yourself as a PAMS/CMI Montessori-trained teacher at the early childhood level. Since requirements vary among states and nations, research the statutes in your area before seeking employment or opening a new program. Other requirements may apply. Undergraduate college credits are available for an additional fee through the University of Montana-Western. Caspari Montessori Institute is fully accredited for its early childhood program by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE).

Internship Admission

Application for an internship is made to Caspari Montessori Institute. Applicants must have successfully completed the CMI academic course within four years or be currently enrolled and have successfully completed at least 80 hours of the course before an application can be approved for an internship placement. Upon approval, the internship site is sought that is mutually agreeable to the intern, the CMI approved intern site school, and the CMI intern supervisor. An internship cannot be guaranteed in advance.

Internship Syllabus

Course Title Montessori Practicum and Advanced Intern Workshops
Course Hours 480 hours of direct teaching and observing of children
60 hours of advanced instruction
Instructors Anita Wolberd, Master Teacher, CMI Co-founder and President
Victoria Brailsford, Director of Education, Great Beginnings Montessori
Location Montessori schools affiliated with CMI
Content Practicum
  1. A nine-month internship in a CMI affiliated Montessori school in which the student gains gradual, personal and practical experience as a Montessori teacher.
  2. Independent practice with Montessori materials.
  3. Preparation of the four curriculum manuals and an activity manual.
  4. Observation reports of other educational environments.
  5. Material making requirements, including an original lesson.
  6. An abstract of The Absorbent Mind.

Advanced Workshops

  1. Principles and curriculum review at the advanced level.
  2. Supervised practice with the Montessori didactic materials to increase accuracy and technique refinement.
  3. Problem-solving discussions regarding practice teaching experience.
  4. Review of progress regarding internship requirements.
Certification Upon the completion of all the requirements of the Academic Course, Practicum, Advanced Workshops and the successful completion of the oral/practical examination, an international Montessori Teaching Certificate is conferred by The Pan American Montessori Society.
Objectives From Practicum, students will be able to:
  1. Prepare and maintain a beautiful educational environment that is developmentally appropriate.
  2. Serve as a dynamic link between the prepared environment and each child.
  3. Demonstrate how to present Montessori apparatus to children.
  4. Demonstrate abilities to set up original activities and materials according to Montessori principles (control of error, isolation of difficulty, etc.)
  5. Demonstrate how to plan and implement group activities.
  6. Provide opportunities for choice, problem solving, decision making, and responsibility for learning on the part of the children.
  7. Function as part of a team with administration and staff of the school.
  8. Demonstrate improvement in communication skills with the children, parents, other teachers, and administration.
  9. Evaluate objectives, children's individual growth, learning, and programs; prepare professional reports.
  10. Experience the joy of becoming a Montessori teacher.

From Advanced Workshops, student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a deepening understanding of Montessori principles and mastery in the use of Montessori materials.
  2. Articulate with clarity and accuracy the purposes, prerequisites, appropriate age, and points of interest of each material in the four curriculum manuals.
  3. Analyze and interpret child observations.
  4. Problem solve with peers concerning observations and experiences.
  5. Demonstrate growing competency as a Montessori teacher.
Evaluation Practicum:
  • Monthly self-evaluation
  • Quarterly supervising teacher progress report
  • Three site visit reports by the intern supervisor
  • Review of teacher-made materials, manuals, written reports and submissions
  • Final oral/practical exam

Advanced Workshops:

  • Four review quizzes
  • Feedback from instructor and peers regarding lesson knowledge and presentations
  • A qualifying oral/practical exam