VMA Advocacy Opens Door for Educators to Apply for $4000 Scholarship through 3 Montessori Training Centers
March 26, 2024 -- After months of hard work on behalf of the Montessori community, the Virginia Montessori Association successfully advocated for Montessori educators to be eligible to apply for a scholarship through one of three training centers in Virginia.
Early childhood and Infant & Toddler educators who would like to continue or start their Montessori studies may apply for a Virginia Child Care Provider Scholarship through April 15, 2024. If you are a Virginia resident, and applying at one of the following three MACTE-accredited Montessori training centers this spring, you can also apply for up to $4000 in tuition funds:
Thank you for the partnership and collaboration of MACTE and the three training centers throughout this process! More centers are in the works.
Early childhood and Infant & Toddler educators who would like to continue or start their Montessori studies may apply for a Virginia Child Care Provider Scholarship through April 15, 2024. If you are a Virginia resident, and applying at one of the following three MACTE-accredited Montessori training centers this spring, you can also apply for up to $4000 in tuition funds:
- Virginia Montessori Teacher Education Center
- Virginia Center for Montessori Studies
- Montessori Institute of McLean
Thank you for the partnership and collaboration of MACTE and the three training centers throughout this process! More centers are in the works.
Montessori Birth-5 Curriculum Approved by Virginia DoE
The Montessori Birth-Five curriculum as it appears in VDoE's list of approved curricula.
June 15, 2022 -- The Virginia Montessori Association (VMA) has succeeded in getting a thorough and authentic Montessori curriculum vetted and approved by the Virginia Department of Education for ages Birth through 5. What this means is that Montessori schools that receive public funds will now be able to select "Montessori Birth through Five Curriculum: Virginia Montessori Association" as their approved curriculum, to continue to access public funds and serve the most vulnerable members of their communities.
This effort was the culmination of months of hard work by VMA, in partnership with the Montessori Science Program at the University of VA, the Montessori Public Policy Initiative (MPPI) and Fulton Montessori School.
"We are so proud to have been a part of this process," Fulton Montessori School said. "It has been two years in the making and Montessori organizations like us who are VA Child Care Subsidy vendors are happy to have this curriculum choice."
For questions or to get involved in advocacy for Montessori, please contact Corey Borgman.
This effort was the culmination of months of hard work by VMA, in partnership with the Montessori Science Program at the University of VA, the Montessori Public Policy Initiative (MPPI) and Fulton Montessori School.
"We are so proud to have been a part of this process," Fulton Montessori School said. "It has been two years in the making and Montessori organizations like us who are VA Child Care Subsidy vendors are happy to have this curriculum choice."
For questions or to get involved in advocacy for Montessori, please contact Corey Borgman.
What we know....
Montessorians need to speak with one voice. In Virginia - advocacy efforts are funneled through the Virginia Montessori Association under the guidance of the Montessori Public Policy Initiative (the advocacy arm of AMI-USA and AMS). MPPI is the authority on Montessori Advocacy in the United States. They do a great job in presenting the basics in 'Montessori Advocacy 101'.
Virginia is a part of the 'big picture'
The National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector (NCMPS) is the keeper of the Montessori Census. This helps Montessori Schools on a National level to show that we are exist, where we are and how many of us there are. As a group we have a stronger voice.
What makes a school 'Montessori'? The leading training organizations got together to develop The Montessori Essentials, which allows us to present agreed upon criteria for a Montessori school to the world.
The Virginia Montessori Association cares about doing things right and in advocacy, so we serve as a resource to use and a platform on which to stand. All are welcome to join us in advocacy. Bring forth your skills, passions, cares and concerns. Let's move Montessori forward in Virginia.
Currently there are a number of issues that require attention in Virginia.
The oversight of Early Childhood is transferring from the Department of Social Services to the Department of Education. We would like to see a Montessori Representative involved in this work because we care about the development, health and safety of children.
In addition to this change, Virginia Quality, our version of Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) will be implemented in Virginia in the coming year(s). This is a nation wide initiative that was voluntary in Virginia and will soon be required for any school receiving public funds. The standards are here. It is important that we are a part of this movement and allow for Montessori to be seen as the quality program that it is. In Virginia, the CLASS is used as a determinant of the rating of the school or childcare center. Other states that have had QRIS imposed on them before now have had success with providing a crosswalk between Montessori and the elements of the scale used. This is a place we can start. Let's do our work, and be prepared to shine.
Teacher Licensure is an issue for us. If Montessori Teachers want to teach in Public Montessori Schools, their credentials are not recognized. They would have to do traditional teacher training as a part of their employment agreement. They also would have to write an exam to prove their worth. While we are at it, why are there so few Public Montessori Schools? Arlington is the only area that has them. How do we increase the number of Public Montessori schools and share the beauty of Montessori with more children?
Charter School Initiatives. Why is it so hard to start a Public Montessori Charter School in this state? What can we do to change this? Let's dig in and figure it out. Let's help each other.
Helpful Links
Montessorians need to speak with one voice. In Virginia - advocacy efforts are funneled through the Virginia Montessori Association under the guidance of the Montessori Public Policy Initiative (the advocacy arm of AMI-USA and AMS). MPPI is the authority on Montessori Advocacy in the United States. They do a great job in presenting the basics in 'Montessori Advocacy 101'.
Virginia is a part of the 'big picture'
The National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector (NCMPS) is the keeper of the Montessori Census. This helps Montessori Schools on a National level to show that we are exist, where we are and how many of us there are. As a group we have a stronger voice.
What makes a school 'Montessori'? The leading training organizations got together to develop The Montessori Essentials, which allows us to present agreed upon criteria for a Montessori school to the world.
The Virginia Montessori Association cares about doing things right and in advocacy, so we serve as a resource to use and a platform on which to stand. All are welcome to join us in advocacy. Bring forth your skills, passions, cares and concerns. Let's move Montessori forward in Virginia.
Currently there are a number of issues that require attention in Virginia.
The oversight of Early Childhood is transferring from the Department of Social Services to the Department of Education. We would like to see a Montessori Representative involved in this work because we care about the development, health and safety of children.
In addition to this change, Virginia Quality, our version of Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) will be implemented in Virginia in the coming year(s). This is a nation wide initiative that was voluntary in Virginia and will soon be required for any school receiving public funds. The standards are here. It is important that we are a part of this movement and allow for Montessori to be seen as the quality program that it is. In Virginia, the CLASS is used as a determinant of the rating of the school or childcare center. Other states that have had QRIS imposed on them before now have had success with providing a crosswalk between Montessori and the elements of the scale used. This is a place we can start. Let's do our work, and be prepared to shine.
Teacher Licensure is an issue for us. If Montessori Teachers want to teach in Public Montessori Schools, their credentials are not recognized. They would have to do traditional teacher training as a part of their employment agreement. They also would have to write an exam to prove their worth. While we are at it, why are there so few Public Montessori Schools? Arlington is the only area that has them. How do we increase the number of Public Montessori schools and share the beauty of Montessori with more children?
Charter School Initiatives. Why is it so hard to start a Public Montessori Charter School in this state? What can we do to change this? Let's dig in and figure it out. Let's help each other.
Helpful Links
