Primary (3-6 yrs)

The Montessori Early Childhood program offered by EMTA provides a comprehensive preparation for adult learners who have the desire to work with young children ages 2 ½ – 6 years implementing the Montessori philosophy and materials in a classroom with mixed age groupings.  During these ages, children are ready to broaden their experiences beyond their homes.  They benefit from peer collaboration in an intricately prepared environment that provides robust opportunities for freedom to explore a wide assortment of interesting materials.  

Program Cycle

Type of Contact	Hours
Online Learning Contact Hours	135
Online Academic Seminar Hours	30
In-Residence Contact Hours	200
Practicum Attendance  Hours	540
Documented Observation Hours	20
Total	925

The Montessori Early Childhood course takes 18 months to complete and begins with Online Learning approximately once a week from January-May.  Following this is an in-residence five-week summer Academic phase in July-August to be taught on the campus of Montessori Academy Eagle.  The adult learner then enters their nine-month student teaching Practicum phase from September-May under the supervision of a qualified Supervising Teacher or as a self-directed practicum.  Online Learning resumes approximately once a week until the end of the Practicum year and graduation in May.  Required Academic Online seminars are required throughout the program and will occur approximately once a month on Saturdays from 9am-12pm MST.  Graduation date TBD.

Prospective adult learners will receive an orientation prior to the start of the course cycle to develop an understanding of the policies, procedures, and requirements of the EMTA program as designated in the Adult Learner Handbook.  Adult learners are given time to evaluate the commitment and time that the program will require and are provided opportunities to ask questions prior to signing the agreement for enrollment.

Online Learning

Online learning will be delivered through Schoology and Zoom. Kahoot! will be used in some courses to enhance the learning and inspire collaboration and discussions. Online classes will be held:

• Tuesdays, 6 PM – 9 PM MST 
• Saturdays, 9 AM – 12 PM MST

In-Residence Orientation

Before beginning the in-residence academic phase, the new cohort of adult learners will meet with the faculty of EMTA.  Adult learners will familiarize themselves with the faculty, the school site, and with each other.  The agenda will go over the following:

• Cohort introduction
• Review the in-residence schedule and courses.
• Distribute and discuss course syllabi for in-residence courses
• Orientation to the school site (tour the campus)

In-Residence Learning

Eagle Montessori Teaching Academy utilizes the campus of Montessori Academy Eagle (1400 Park Lane, Eagle Idaho) as its main site.  In-residence learning is required to be attended in person with no online options available.  The school has a large multipurpose room used for Lectures and provides many fully prepared Montessori classrooms for adult learners to receive presentations and practice using the materials.  A full kitchen including a refrigerator, microwave, and stove are available for adult learner’s use.  Within 5 miles of the site, there are gas stations, coffee shops, grocery stores, and many restaurants.  

In-residence sessions are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM MST, with a one-hour lunch break.  The schedule of the day alternates between lectures, presentation of materials, practice with materials, video aids, adult learner role-playing, and adult learner presentations.

Academic & Practicum Expectations

This program is intensive and adult learners should expect to attend class online once a week (every day during the In-Residence phase) and have homework on the evenings and weekends throughout the program.  Instructors will record the progress of each adult learner by allocating points for assignments as described in the syllabi for each course component.  In addition to prompt feedback on individual assignments, adult learners will be notified by the end of the In-Residence phase if they are not making satisfactory progress overall.  

• Academic Online Seminars are required throughout the program.
• Attendance and participation is expected of adult learners in all courses and seminars.  
• Written assignments and papers are expected in all courses.
• Practical assessments will be given during the academic online seminars.  

Courses Offered 

The following courses are offered as part of the EMTA program: