Montessori Pedagogical Partnership: Montessori AMI Bachelors Program Insights

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 9:50 am Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Educating and Empowering Montessori Teachers (Table 9)

Abstract

Montessori educator preparation has taken place for over a century outside of higher education and degree programs. While graduate level programs have emerged over the last half century, it is only in the few decades that Montessori education has entered the undergraduate space. Establishing undergraduate programs that yield AMI trained Montessori teachers is one strategy to close the teacher shortage gap. This paper explicates one such pedagogical partnership and reflects upon the success of said partnership. Through survey, interview, and focus group data, the authors share the experiences and feedback of matriculated and non-matriculated students. Recommendations for partnership/program improvement are delineated including considerations for future programming.

Authors

• Erin M. Kenney, Hartwick College

• Joshua A. Russell, University of Hartford

• Courtney Reim, University of Hartford

• Paige M. Bray, University of Hartford