Internship

In addition to the academic program, all students are required to complete a minimum of 640 hours of classroom work under the supervision of a certified Montessori teacher in an approved school. It is the student’s responsibility to find an internship site approved by MCMS and affiliated with AMS unless a request showing sufficient cause for an exception is made to and granted by AMS. Applicants are asked to provide internship information on their application. A list of names of participating schools and potential internship sites is available from MCMS upon request. It is suggested that the student has an intern site selected before the summer academic phase begins. The internship may not preclude the academic phase of the program. The student must work with children 21/2 to 6 years of age and must not assume full responsibility for the class. The internship is based on four hours daily, five days a week for a full academic year. Waivers for a self-directed internship must be approved by the Program Director and the Vice President for Professional Development of the American Montessori Society.

Students will be observed and evaluated three times annually by an MCMS staff member or a consultant approved by the MCMS. Students serving a self-directed internship will be observed six times during the academic year. Students will be graded on their ability to integrate Montessori theory and methodology, child development principles, observation, instructional and classroom management techniques, and preparation of environment. If an intern receives an unsatisfactory evaluation, one or more additional observations will be scheduled by the field supervisor to review progress. Every effort will be made by MCMS to provide the additional support that may be needed. If another site is suggested, it will be the responsibility of the intern to make those arrangements.