Saint Mary's College Of California

The Montessori Program

Montessori OverviewMaria Montessori was an Italian educator whose work spanned the first half of the twentieth century. Her principles of self-development and the education of the "whole child" continue to significantly influence general education today. The mission of the Montessori Program at Saint Mary’s College is to prepare caring and competent teachers to work with a diverse population of children in preschool and the elementary grades.

"When looking at different education programs in the Bay Area, I attended an informational session on the Montessori program at Saint Mary's College. It was clear after that meeting that the faculty had expertise, experience and passion. Another strong attraction as I was getting my teaching certificate was the option to continue on to the Master's in Montessori Early Childhood Education, which not many other programs can offer...The curriculum of the Montessori Early Childhood Program is very well-designed. It leads very logically from introducing the theory, to practical exercises in teaching, to the intern phase. The overall structure allowed me to work full-time while still progressing toward my degree. ...My education at Saint Mary's has led me directly into the professional path I was seeking. I'm teaching full-time..., and planning the next steps in my career."                                                        - Erin Hennigan, Graduate of the Kalmanovitz School  of Education Montessori Program and recent winner of the American Montessori Society's annual thesis and dissertation contest. Hennigan is a master teacher at Grand Lake Montessori School in Oakland.

The following degrees and certificates are offered in the Montessori Education Program:

 

Contact: Patricia Chambers                                         Phone: (925) 631-4036                                                     E-Mail: pchamber@stmarys-ca.edu           


Saint Mary's College of California
Saint Mary's College of California