Professional Development
We at the American Montessori Society believe that continuing professional growth is a necessary component of best practice in Montessori teacher development.
Professional Development Requirement
AMS requires that holders of AMS teacher credentials issued starting July 1, 2013, complete 50 hours of professional development every 5 years for the credential to remain active. The first 5-year period begins with the date of credential. If professional development hours are not completed within the 5-year period, the teacher’s credential will be considered inactive until the requirement is met.
The credential holder must keep a record of her professional development and be able to provide print or electronic verification of the event host, location, date, topic, presenter(s), and number of hours attended.
Guidelines
Professional development events do not need pre-approval by AMS to count towards the requirement, as long as they adhere to the guidelines below.
Event Host & Format
A professional development event may be hosted by a school; a teacher education program; or a regional, national, or international Montessori group or organization such as (but not limited to) those listed on the Local Groups and Montessori Organizations pages of our Web site, or AMS itself. Additionally, it may be hosted by a regionally accredited college/university; educational foundation/organization, institute, or association; or a national or regional accrediting organization.
It can also include coursework completed towards earning a credential (for an age level different from credentials already held) at an AMS-, AMI-, or MACTE-accredited teacher education program.
The event may be face-to-face event, a live Webinar, or a recording of a Webinar if written or electronic verification of participation is given.
Topics
The following event topics qualify for the professional development requirement:
Montessori education and philosophy/pedagogy
Curriculum
Classroom management
Child development
Health, safety, and nutrition (excluding CPR, first aid, and medication administration; exercise
Peace education
Service learning
Professionalism
Leadership skills
Social/emotional issues
Special education and learning differences
Education research
Public or education policy
Technology training that will enhance the teacher’s use of technology with students or refine the teacher’s computer skills in ways that will improve his teaching
Events that do not qualify: CPR, first aid, or medication administration training; exercise or yoga classes, unless they are related directly to teaching physical education to students; the reading of books, magazines, or journals; travel.
We will post more information about professional development requirements to this page as it becomes available.
The AMS Certificate of Continuing Professional Development validates that a specified number of professional development hours has been reached. These hours can be applied towards both the AMS professional development requirement and state requirements for continuing professional development hours.
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