I am a new teacher who is planning to start her teaching career next fall. I am having a hard time deciding if the time and money is worth investing in Montessori training. I strongly believe in creating a student directed and respectful classroom. I want to stay away from a discipline system which revolves around rewards and punishments. I want to teach for understanding not just rote memorization or abstract concepts. I believe that for real learning to take place the student has to construct the learning and that it has to be personal to them. I don't believe in mindless drill and practice or worksheets. I want to have a sucessful first year as a new teacher and I am looking for the best school for me.
I am worried that my teaching philosophy and goals will be hard to incorporate into a traditional public school. I feel like I will be "going against the grain" since most schools seem to be set up as the antithesis of my ideal teaching situation.
I am not that familiar with Montessori teaching, but I have skimmed a few books and have been lurking on this board for a while. I also had a school visit with a charter Montessori school in my area. I was very impressed! They mentioned a 9-12 year old position opening next fall and said that they were interested in seeing how I fit with their school.
The trouble is that, as I understand it, I would need both 6-9 and 9-12 training. They accept AMS and the local montessori program would end up costing about $15,000 for both certifications. It would also span about two full years during which time I believe I would be hired as an assistant or co-teacher. The pay would comparison would be anywhere from $8-$15 hourly as an assistant compared to $18 as a directress or a new teacher at a traditional public school. I would aslo have to pay for my DS to attend the Montessori preschool. I think I might get a 50% discount as an employee.
I am wondering if it is worth the time and money. The whole reason that I am going to work after being a SAHM for the last 2 years is the need for more money. So it seems conterproductive to spend more money and time to teach Montessori when I could very easily start right away at a traditional public school.
Please help!!! I don't know what to do.
Dawn
I am worried that my teaching philosophy and goals will be hard to incorporate into a traditional public school. I feel like I will be "going against the grain" since most schools seem to be set up as the antithesis of my ideal teaching situation.
I am not that familiar with Montessori teaching, but I have skimmed a few books and have been lurking on this board for a while. I also had a school visit with a charter Montessori school in my area. I was very impressed! They mentioned a 9-12 year old position opening next fall and said that they were interested in seeing how I fit with their school.
The trouble is that, as I understand it, I would need both 6-9 and 9-12 training. They accept AMS and the local montessori program would end up costing about $15,000 for both certifications. It would also span about two full years during which time I believe I would be hired as an assistant or co-teacher. The pay would comparison would be anywhere from $8-$15 hourly as an assistant compared to $18 as a directress or a new teacher at a traditional public school. I would aslo have to pay for my DS to attend the Montessori preschool. I think I might get a 50% discount as an employee.
I am wondering if it is worth the time and money. The whole reason that I am going to work after being a SAHM for the last 2 years is the need for more money. So it seems conterproductive to spend more money and time to teach Montessori when I could very easily start right away at a traditional public school.
Please help!!! I don't know what to do.
Dawn
