Montessori Foundational Studies
A Montessori classroom functions in a beautifully designed manner. This seminar series explains what it takes to orchestrate a vibrant Montessori classroom so that it provides children with the knowledge and skills they need to confidently accomplish anything. You will discover how a Montessori classroom functions, how the methodology was developed, and how each aspect of the classroom works together in harmony.
Register for the CourseMontessori Foundational Studies
A Montessori classroom functions in a beautifully designed manner. This seminar series explains what it takes to orchestrate a vibrant Montessori classroom so that it provides children with the knowledge and skills they need to confidently accomplish anything. You will discover how a Montessori classroom functions, how the methodology was developed, and how each aspect of the classroom works together in harmony.
Register for the Course
COURSE OVERVIEW
This course blends intensive seminars and discussions about how the Montessori classroom works, with deep-dives into specific Montessori lessons and how they integrate with the whole curriculum. Discover how each facet of the child is developed through careful preparation of the learning environment and of the teacher. You'll engage in live online classes, perform pre- and post-class assignments, build a foundational set of lessons in our album study and practice your lesson planning and observation skills. For the self-study time, you should put aside about 5 hours weekly to complete the assignments.
This course is the first component of the Nido & Toddler and Children's House Teacher Certification Program. By signing up for this course only, you are NOT automatically enrolled into the teacher certification program. To enroll in the full certification program, please learn more and apply HERE.
If you take the course and decide you'd like to apply for the certification training, you must submit a full certification application within 30 days from completing the seminar course. The $995 cost will be deducted from your certification tuition.
Target Audiences
- Certified Montessori teacher who would like a refresher
- Administrators who want a solid foundation of the age range and the specific needs
- Assistant Guides who would like to deepen their knowledge without the commitment of a lead guide certification
- Homeschooling parents who would like to adopt the Montessori approach
Topics Covered
The course consists of 20 days of seminars covering more than 40 topics. Please see a list of example topics covered below.
- Intro to Normalization
- History of Montessori
- Classroom Goals and Basic Methodology
- Montessori Theory Seminars
- The Prepared Environment
- Observation Methodology and Workshop
- The Art of Presentation and Analysis of Movement
- Intro to the Curriculum
- Child Development Milestones
- Toilet Learning
- Weaning and Mealtime
- Flow of the Day and Managing Transitions
- Classroom Leadership
- Lesson Planning Best Practices and Workshop
Cost
The cost is $995. As part of the course, you will get 6-month free subscription to access all the digital Albums for the program level you sign up for. After 6 months, you can choose to keep your subscription for $20/month or $200/year. The Album consists of 200+ lessons (0-3 years old) and 600+ lessons (3-6 years old) with written instructions and/or video presentations.
2025 Schedule
Please review the 2025 Schedule to see the upcoming cohort before submitting your registration form.
2025 Schedule
Please review the 2025 Schedule to see the upcoming cohort before submitting your registration form.
“After completing the course, I no longer feel like an outsider when it comes to Montessori. I now understand how beautifully all the areas of the Montessori environment are interconnected to each other and how every set of materials serves the purpose of helping the child to reach his future goals. We have the responsibility to observe and recognize each child's need and guide them to develop their inner skills by providing the right activity at the right time.”
“After completing the course, I no longer feel like an outsider when it comes to Montessori. I now understand how beautifully all the areas of the Montessori environment are interconnected to each other and how every set of materials serves the purpose of helping the child to reach his future goals. We have the responsibility to observe and recognize each child's need and guide them to develop their inner skills by providing the right activity at the right time.”
Subhalaxmi Pratihari
Prepared Montessorian Graduate 2020
Have further questions?
- Submit a question in the contact form at the bottom of the page
- Email us at hello@preparedmontessorian.com
Have further questions?
- Submit a question in the contact form at the bottom of the page
- Email us at hello@preparedmontessorian.com
Your Instructors
Mariana Serralde
Mariana Serralde is our Senior Trainer. Mariana has been a Montessori educator for more than 20 years, working as a Children’s House Guide, Head of School, Montessori Mentor and currently as a Senior Montessori Trainer. She holds an AMI Primary Diploma from the Montessori Institute of San Diego, a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education with a specialization in Second Language Learning. Her passion for Montessori and diverse experience across the world brings about an empathetic approach to spreading Montessori pedagogy. Mariana has worked and supported several teachers and schools throughout her journey, including bilingual Montessori environments at all levels and collaborating in the development of a dual-language Montessori model for one of the first public dual-language Montessori schools.
Mariana Serralde
Mariana Serralde is our Senior Trainer. Mariana has been a Montessori educator for more than 20 years, working as a Children’s House Guide, Head of School, Montessori Mentor and currently as a Senior Montessori Trainer. She holds an AMI Primary Diploma from the Montessori Institute of San Diego, a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education with a specialization in Second Language Learning. Her passion for Montessori and diverse experience across the world brings about an empathetic approach to spreading Montessori pedagogy. Mariana has worked and supported several teachers and schools throughout her journey, including bilingual Montessori environments at all levels and collaborating in the development of a dual-language Montessori model for one of the first public dual-language Montessori schools.
Ana Amiguet
Ana Amiguet is our Senior Trainer. Ana was a Montessori child and credits her love of learning to her experiences in a Children's House classroom. This background spurred her to complete her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Brown University, a Masters in Montessori Education from Loyola College in Maryland, and then an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) diploma from the Montessori Institute of San Diego. Ana has worked as a Lead Guide in Children's Houses and has also held various Montessori administrative roles. Her favorite role by far is her current one on the Prepared Montessorian team, helping to train and support Guides bring this amazing teaching methodology to children.
Ana Amiguet
Ana Amiguet is our Senior Trainer. Ana was a Montessori child and credits her love of learning to her experiences in a Children's House classroom. This background spurred her to complete her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Brown University, a Masters in Montessori Education from Loyola College in Maryland, and then an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) diploma from the Montessori Institute of San Diego. Ana has worked as a Lead Guide in Children's Houses and has also held various Montessori administrative roles. Her favorite role by far is her current one on the Prepared Montessorian team, helping to train and support Guides bring this amazing teaching methodology to children.
Monique Shen
Monique Shen is our Nido and Toddler Trainer. After earning her BA in Psychology from Stony Brook University, Monique continued to pursue her interests in developmental psychology and found that her true passion was in early childhood education. She graduated with her AMI Montessori Diploma for the 0 to 3 age group from The Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, and is currently pursuing a dual master's in Early Childhood and Special Education. Monique has opened and led toddler communities, and has also worked as part of the training team in international Montessori training courses in Mexico City for Nido and Toddler guides seeking Montessori certification.
Monique Shen
Monique Shen is our Nido and Toddler Trainer. After earning her BA in Psychology from Stony Brook University, Monique continued to pursue her interests in developmental psychology and found that her true passion was in early childhood education. She graduated with her AMI Montessori Diploma for the 0 to 3 age group from The Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, and is currently pursuing a dual master's in Early Childhood and Special Education. Monique has opened and led toddler communities, and has also worked as part of the training team in international Montessori training courses in Mexico City for Nido and Toddler guides seeking Montessori certification.
Emily Daggett
As a child, Emily attended Montessori programs in Portland, OR through middle school. She credits her education with fostering a love of learning that continues to serve her today. After earning a bachelor's degree in English Literature from Occidental College, Emily traveled the world and found her way back to her roots. She received her Montessori 3-6 and 6-12 certification from the Association Montessori Internationale, as well as an M.Ed. from Loyola University. She is currently working on completing her 0-3 training. Emily has worked with children ages 18 months to 12 years in Montessori settings and most recently served as Communication Manager at Montessori Northwest training center. She hopes to use her background as a Montessori child turned educator to advocate for high quality education for all children.
Emily Daggett
As a child, Emily attended Montessori programs in Portland, OR through middle school. She credits her education with fostering a love of learning that continues to serve her today. After earning a bachelor's degree in English Literature from Occidental College, Emily traveled the world and found her way back to her roots. She received her Montessori 3-6 and 6-12 certification from the Association Montessori Internationale, as well as an M.Ed. from Loyola University. She is currently working on completing her 0-3 training. Emily has worked with children ages 18 months to 12 years in Montessori settings and most recently served as Communication Manager at Montessori Northwest training center. She hopes to use her background as a Montessori child turned educator to advocate for high quality education for all children.
Meggan Burak
Meggan Burak is our Montessori Mentor. After studying Journalism at the University of Wyoming, Meggan moved to Minnesota which is where she began her Montessori training. She received her Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Primary Diploma from the Montessori Center of Minnesota. Over her twenty-plus years as a Montessori educator, Meggan has worn many hats. She has opened a Montessori school, worked in Nido and Toddler environments, and has been a Children’s House Guide, Head of School, and Administrator. Her passion has always been to help guide others along their Montessori paths. Meggan is delighted to be a Montessori Mentor with the Prepared Montessorian Institute supporting new guides and guides in training as they set off on their Montessori journeys.
Meggan Burak
Meggan Burak is our Montessori Mentor. After studying Journalism at the University of Wyoming, Meggan moved to Minnesota which is where she began her Montessori training. She received her Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Primary Diploma from the Montessori Center of Minnesota. Over her twenty-plus years as a Montessori educator, Meggan has worn many hats. She has opened a Montessori school, worked in Nido and Toddler environments, and has been a Children’s House Guide, Head of School, and Administrator. Her passion has always been to help guide others along their Montessori paths. Meggan is delighted to be a Montessori Mentor with the Prepared Montessorian Institute supporting new guides and guides in training as they set off on their Montessori journeys.
Laura Kalama
Laura is our Nido and Toddler Trainer. Over the past 15 years, Laura has been actively involved in early childhood education. She studied education with an emphasis on music at Bridgewater College, Virginia, then moved to California to work with infant and toddler families. She received her Montessori training from the Prepared Montessorian and served as a Lead Nido Guide before joining our team.
Laura Kalama
Laura is our Nido and Toddler Trainer. Over the past 15 years, Laura has been actively involved in early childhood education. She studied education with an emphasis on music at Bridgewater College, Virginia, then moved to California to work with infant and toddler families. She received her Montessori training from the Prepared Montessorian and served as a Lead Nido Guide before joining our team.
EXPLORE A REWARDING, IMPACTFUL CAREER IN EDUCATION
EXPLORE A REWARDING, IMPACTFUL CAREER IN EDUCATION
Take the first step to open up future possibilities, and become a fully certified Montessori teacher in under 15 months.
To help bring forth a Montessori future, we have combined unprecedented accessibility with deep rigor and high standards. Our programs provide a variety of flexible options that accommodate your goals and schedule, while ensuring you receive a quality educational experience.
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- Join a community of adult learners passionate about delivering Montessori education