Summer and Fall 2022 and Forecast for 2023: All about the Training

 METTC had very successful summer intensive sessions for multiple cohorts of adult learners. And in September, we began a unique "crash course" for Montessori Elementary Assistants. In this issue, we'll report on these programs and give you a forecast of the offerings to come in 2023.

Becoming a Certified Montessori Educator takes a huge commitment in time, money and dedicated effort. During Covid, out of necessity, METTC adopted a hybrid approach using technology until we could safely return to our signature method of in-person, immersive training on-site in Lexington MA. These sessions take place over an extended period away from family and in many cases, away from home. This reality begs the question:

What drives individuals to choose this type of training over other less demanding formats?

Why they do it!

We posed this question to several of the adult learners attending the Fall Seminar over the weekend of November 4-6, 2022 at Lexington Montessori School. Here are some of the responses: 

Kayla Anthony

traveled from Phoenix in the summer of 2022 to begin the 9-12 Standalone training program and was back for the fall seminar. She achieved a better understanding and facility with the classroom materials due to the direct practice and coaching she got from the faculty. Especially important for her are the relationships she has formed with the other members of her cohort. Kayla praised the benefits of sharing concerns and solutions with colleagues she knows and know her. This kind of collegial relationship would not have been possible without face-to-face contact.

Stephanie Nichols

credits the staff of METTC with taking affirmative steps to encourage community building among the members of each learning cohort. The atmosphere of collaboration and openness produces a highly supportive group dynamic that continues when she returned to the classroom.

Each of the members of this group credited the faculty with welcoming expanded questioning and exploration. And they all emphasized the importance of the personal connection formed within the cohorts, one of mutual support and friendship that continues even after the training is over. These bonds are maintained and strengthened by sharing experiences and solutions made possible through a shared vocabulary and experiences.

METTC Montessori Assistant "Crash Course" very successful:

Spring Class Registration Open

The first full session of this specially focused course for Montessori Assistants was held during October of this year. It was well received. In fact, it was fully subscribed. In addition to presentation of essential information, the course encouraged discussion among attendees using suggestions such as these:

 

The feedback from the participants has been highly positive. Examples of the responses:

“So happy about this class tonight!!!! I needed to hear all of this”
“Please offer more during the year!!!”
“Agreed, this has been so helpful and inspiring!”

METTC returns to in-person training

Summer of 2021 marked the return of live training at METTC, suspended because of the COVID lockdown. It was a very fulfilling and exhilarating experience for staff and adult learners alike to be interacting face-to-face. Personal safety and health precautions were a major concern. Everyone attending had been vaccinated and observed CDC guidelines. There were no cases of infection.

There were three cohorts, some of whom began last year on Zoom. They met for the first time this summer away from the online world and developed into a vibrant community. The schedules were full and challenging, but as the feedback shows, well worth the effort.

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Virtual Summer Training Success, Plans for Fall Seminar

Like everyone this year, the METTC staff had to adapt to the reality of COVID-19 restrictions. For us, this meant that normal in-person training could not take place this summer. Faced with this constraint, we reimagined and reconfigured our courses to an online format that retained the quality and sense of community that has always been our primary focus. We were confident that we could provide high-fidelity Montessori Elementary training even under these conditions. The online program ran from June 22 to August 7. Based on feedback from the participants, this year’s training was well received and gained high marks from the adult learners who attended.

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