How To Become a Montessori Teacher in 2025

Montessori education is a relatively new kind of teaching, only developed in the past 120 years. It focuses on hands-on learning, mixed-age classrooms, and student-led educational experiences.

Montessori teacher requirements are quite extensive, focusing on classroom management, professional development, and bringing Montessori pedagogy into a variety of learning environments. Montessori school teachers go beyond traditional learning to deliver high-quality instruction to their students while fostering their independence, creativity, and natural curiosity.

Keep reading to learn more about Montessori education and how to become a Montessori teacher in the United States.

What Is Montessori Education?

Montessori education is a hands-on approach to education, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in 1907. The foundation for the Montessori method is child-led learning and experiential education. Students are encouraged to work independently and explore their natural interests.

Many Montessori schools are designed for early childhood learning, but there are an increasing number across the United States that cater to older children as well. Montessori Secondary Programs are designed for middle and high school students.

Montessori education, regardless of the age level being taught, focuses on natural child development, experiential practices, and student-led learning.

How Montessori Schools Work

Montessori schools differ from regular private and public schools by being more child-focused and leaning less on standardized curriculum. Students are encouraged to explore their interests and engage in hands-on learning.

Mixed-age classrooms are typically a feature of Montessori schools. This could include combined infant & toddler rooms, mixed-age middle school classrooms, and more. Montessori schools focus on their students as unique learners with special interests and actively encourage them to follow their natural curiosities.

Montessori schools typically do not have letter or number grades. Instead, they approach progress with holistic practices such as observations, parent-teacher conferences, and monitoring a student's overall work.

Many, though not all, Montessori schools are open year-round, instilling in students that education is a constant and desirable experience. They also receive special credentials from organizations like the American Montessori Society (AMS) or the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Montessori teachers are also specially certified by these accrediting bodies.

How To Become a Certified Montessori Teacher

There are several steps to becoming a certified Montessori teacher as outlined by the AMS. Montessori teaching is a unique practice that takes additional steps to master.

1. Earn a Bachelor's Degree

The first step to becoming a certified Montessori teacher is earning a bachelor's degree. While any degree is viable, a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child development, or psychology may be the most helpful.

Your bachelor's degree must come from a regionally accredited institution, like those featured here on Learn.org.

Without a bachelor's degree, you can earn your associate credential through the AMS, but it does not afford the same training programs (and therefore jobs) as a bachelor's degree would.

2. Obtain Teacher Certification and Montessori Training

The next step is to obtain your teacher certification through Montessori teacher training. The AMS offers a variety of credentials, ranging from infant & toddler teaching to teaching high school students.

Earning an AMS credential can take one to two years and involves hands-on experiential learning, in-person or hybrid coursework, and a year-long practicum.

Mentorships are one of the key components of Montessori certification programs, allowing students to turn to experienced teachers for guidance. This allows the Montessori philosophy to be directly passed down, applying the principles of Montessori education to its future teachers.

The year-long practicum is the capstone experience of most Montessori credentials. This teaching experience takes place at a Montessori school and is guided by a lead teacher. Many successful graduates find employment at the school at which they complete their practicum.

3. Apply at Montessori Schools

Many newly certified Montessori teachers gain employment at the school at which they complete their practicum, though others seek a different program depending on the age range they teach and where they live.

There are over 5,000 Montessori schools in the United States, 500 of which are public. Public schools must adhere to state licensing requirements in addition to AMS guidelines and therefore have stricter higher practices than private Montessori schools.

Private Montessori schools may have more lenient employment requirements and can have more flexible curricula for students. However, both public and private Montessori schools follow the Montessori philosophy of student-led learning and experiential education.

What Is the American Montessori Society (AMS)?

The American Montessori Society (AMS) was founded in 1960 by Dr. Nancy McCormick Rambusch, who was recognized by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) as being the first to practice Montessori philosophy in her private school based in Connecticut.

Today, the AMS advocates for high-quality Montessori education around the world, with over 20,000 members. There are numerous global training centers for teachers accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE).

There are over 120 AMS-recognized Montessori public schools in the United States, and the goal of the AMS is to make Montessori classrooms more accessible through scholarships, grants, public funding, and private funding.

FAQs About Requirements for Montessori Teachers

The requirements for Montessori teachers can vary by school district and state. These are some of the most frequently asked questions about becoming a Montessori teacher:

How Many Years Does It Take To Become a Montessori Teacher?

Becoming licensed to be a Montessori teacher takes five to six years. Undergraduate degrees are typically completed in four years, though some accelerated degrees can be completed in two to three years.

Then, Montessori programs require their teachers to undergo a training program that can take one or two years.

What Is the Minimum Qualification for a Montessori Teacher?

The minimum qualification for a Montessori teacher is a bachelor's degree and a Montessori credential. If you do not have a bachelor's degree, you can become an associate Montessori teacher by completing a Montessori training course and earning your associate credential.

What Certifications Do You Need To Be a Montessori Teacher?

To become a Montessori teacher, you need a certification through the American Montessori Society (AMS). The AMS allows those with a bachelor's degree to pursue a one- to two-year training program that leads to their certification.

How Can I Become a Montessori Teacher With No Teaching Experience?

If you do not have teaching experience, you can still become a Montessori teacher by enrolling in a training course through the AMS. The capstone experience of AMS training courses is a year-long practicum that places prospective teachers in a classroom setting, allowing them to gain experience while under the guidance of a mentor.

Explore Teacher Education Programs

Montessori education is a valuable and unique approach to teaching, accessible to those with a bachelor's degree and a desire to become an educator. A master's degree in a field such as child development, education, or psychology could be a beneficial addition to your Montessori training.

Explore online master's degrees in valuable fields here on Learn.org, and consider reaching out to schools that pique your interest.