Santa Monica Montessori Institute
Quick Facts About the TEP
- Full Affiliate Course Level(s): Early Childhood
AMS Credentials Offered
- Associate Early Childhood
- Early Childhood
About AMS-Affiliated Programs
AMS-affiliated teacher education programs provide comprehensive courses of study that prepare adult learners to be highly qualified Montessori educators. While each TEP is unique, with its own academic schedule and tuition, all are rigorously designed based on AMS standards, with the goal of ensuring that you will receive the necessary education for entry into practice at your chosen level. Fully affiliated course levels have received or maintained AMS affiliation by meeting all AMS standards and requirements. Those at the Applicant Affiliate level have been reviewed and accepted by the Teacher Education Action Commission (TEAC), and are awaiting approval by the AMS Board of Directors, which grants full affiliation.
About the TEP
In 1960, a significant milestone in American education took root on the sunny shores of California when the Santa Monica Montessori Institute opened its doors, becoming the first recognized Montessori teacher education program in the United States. Under the watchful eye of Dr. Claude Claremont, a direct disciple of Dr. Maria Montessori herself, the institute set out to shape the future of early childhood education in America.
From its inception, the institute was accredited by the Association Montessori Internationale and attained a unique authorization from the U.S. Department of Justice to welcome international students. This global perspective helped establish Santa Monica Montessori Institute as a beacon for aspiring educators worldwide, earning recognition from both the State of California's Department of Education and the City of Santa Monica.
Following Dr. Claremont's passing, the institute evolved while maintaining its core principles, transitioning to becoming an Independent Charter Member of the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education. Its influence extended far beyond California's borders, as the institute played a pivotal role in standardizing Montessori teacher training across North America. The program's academic rigor earned it special recognition from Loyola University, which accepts transfer credit toward a Master's Degree in education.
Perhaps most remarkably, the institute's influence reached across the Pacific when South Korea sought its expertise to establish its first Montessori teacher training program. The institute's training directors traveled to Seoul to share their decades of experience, spreading the Montessori Method to new shores.
After seven decades of service, the Santa Monica Montessori Institute became more than just a training center – it became a "standard bearer" in American Montessori education. Its comprehensive curriculum, including unique offerings in school administration, prepared countless educators who went on to teach and lead schools across every state, creating a lasting legacy in Montessori education.
The Institute is now an AMS Accredited Institute.