Secondary I/II

Montessori Teacher Courses for Secondary I/II: Ages 12 to 18

Houston Montessori Center's Secondary program was begun in 1992 by Dr. Betsy Coe and has been serving secondary adult learners ever since. Betsy, a longtime passionate advocate for Montessori adolescent programs, lead the HMC Secondary instruction until her passing in August, 2023. The Secondary faculty, who have worked with Betsy for many years, remain as instructors, each with many years of experience, both in the Montessori classroom with adolescents and as teacher educators. Ann Sutton is the Level Coordinator, instructor and field consultant.

The instruction at the HMC adult secondary program replicates the schedule and work the adolescents follow. As an adult learner you will facilitate and participate in daily community meetings, engage in the learning and lessons, manage your time and organization for individual work and small group work just like an adolescent experiences a typical day. This approach includes participating in a day of ROPES team building as well as a service learning project, establishing a mini class run business, and spending a few days during the February seminar at the Blackwood Educational Land Institute (https://blackwoodland.org/). Structuring the training in this way provides adult learners a first-hand, integral experience upon which to draw when they begin to implement the Montessori approach in their own classrooms. 

Our secondary adult learners come from all over the US, some come from countries in Europe, Asia, South and/or Central America. When you enter the secondary program, you become part of a cohort, people who you will be working with for the duration of the program. There also are intentional experiences to bridge connections with cohort groups before and after yours, expanding your network further. These networks create support systems for you as a teacher, providing valuable interactions and on-going opportunities for collaboration and encouragement among peers that last far beyond your time in the program. Should you ever seek a refresher after you receive your credential, you are always welcome to return to HMC free of charge.  

The Secondary program at HMC remains rich and dynamic: dynamic because it is constantly being refined based on current research, rich because over the years HMC shares effective, current curriculum with each new cohort, enabling adult learners to build upon vetted practices to create their own curriculum to best serve the needs of their students. We hope you will consider the long-standing reputation of HMC's Secondary program if you are interested in pursuing a Montessori Secondary credential.

We would love to have you join our HMC family!

For more information about the Secondary Courses contact Ann Sutton


Course components include:

  • Montessori Philosophy

  • Adolescent Psychology

  • Classroom Leadership

  • Curriculum Design and Implementation

  • Communication and Partnerships with Families

  • Year-long Project

Location Information:

Integrated Onsite and Online Secondary I/II Course

All onsite classes will be located at the primary Houston Montessori Center address unless otherwise noted:

School Of The Woods
1321 Wirt Rd.
Houston, TX 77055

For more information about the Secondary Courses contact Ann Sutton

 

Secondary

Summer One (2024) Schedule

Online, Distance Learning – Early Childhood and Elementary Overview Course – Asynchronous, online course, that begins April 1, 2024 (or after) upon acceptance to Houston Montessori Center (Exempt if you hold an Elementary credential from a MACTE accredited program)

June 20, 2024 – July 20, 2024 – In person instruction at Houston Montessori Center    & School of the Woods Middle School (Morning of June 20, 2024 at School of the Woods High School)

Mondays-Fridays – 8am-6pm

Saturdays – 8am-noon

Academic Year Schedule – During the Practicum

Seminar 1   November 6 – 12, 2024 – Virtual: Zoom mtgs; weekends not included

Seminar 2   February 24 – Mar 1, 2025 – In-person:  includes instruction at Houston Montessori Center, observing in School of the Woods Middle and High school, living the last 4 days at Blackwood Educational Land Institute where lodging is provided

Online, Distance Learning 

  • Regular Monthly Zoom Meetings + Zooms for Year Long Project: Regular monthly mtgs include Nonverbal Communication and Emotional Resilience

  • Philosophy Online Course (Asynchronous) - Fall

  • Secondary Topics Course (Asynchronous) – Spring

Summer Two (2025) Schedule

June 24, 2025 – July 1, 2025 – In person instruction at Houston Montessori Center & School of the Woods High School

Practicum

The practicum phase occurs during the school year. Each adult learner must secure their own practicum site that meets the criteria of the practicum agreement. AMS requires only one practicum for a 6 through 12 credential, which can be in either a 6 through 9 or a 9 through 12.

  • At a Montessori School that meets AMS and HMC standards

  • 9 months with a minimum of 6 hours a day 5 days a week

  • Guidance by a supervising teacher and field consultant or field consultant and mentor if self-directed 

  • Complete at least 60% of the academic phase before starting the practicum

Total Costs:  $ 9500

Includes the following:

  • Overview Course

  • $100 application fee

  • Academic classes

  • One year of on-line course fees

  • Books

  • AMS and MACTE fees

  • Student curriculum: license agreement to full curriculum of all subjects

  • ROPES course

  • 4–day lodging at Blackwood Land Laboratory

  • 2 field consultant visits (all expenses covered within 100 miles of Houston; transportation and lodging costs incurred if farther than 100 miles from Houston)

Various payment plans are available upon request


Total Costs:
$ 9500

Includes the following:

 
  • Overview Course

  • $100 application fee

  • Academic classes

  • Books

  • AMS and MACTE fees

  • Student curriculum: license agreement to full curriculum of all subjects

  • ROPES course

  • 4–day lodging at Blackwood Land Laboratory

  • 2 field consultant visits (within 100 miles of Houston)

  • Various payment plans are available upon request