Course Goals
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of Montessori education.
- Getting into the intricacies of school administration across various areas, with an emphasis on working with school culture and diverse communities.
- Developing an understanding of how to collaborate with parents to maintain their support, understanding the mindset of school staff and strategies to achieve further development and identifying the main objectives of the school administration to ensure that the school functions effectively.
- Learn about strategies for working with school staff, including leaders, assistants and other staff, to ensure the school runs smoothly – how to support staff, how to approach new teachers and assistants during the early stages of their careers and how to collaborate with the experienced staff in an efficient way.
- Learn from experienced AMI trainers – Sue Pritzker and Eder Cuevas and together with colleagues from around the world, participating in lively discussions and sharing your experiences with others, gaining new perspectives.
- Receive worldwide recognised international certificate from Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).
Introduction to the course
A comprehensive administrator’s training designed to support and deepen your understanding of school leadership within a Montessori context. The course is suitable for school administrators and leaders.
- A fully online course
- 48 hours
- Guidance of AMI trainers Sue Pritzker & Eder Cuevas
- Certificate awarded by Association Montessori Internationale (AMI)
- International students

Schedule
Who is the course suitable for?
- Montessori administrators wanting to deepen their knowledge and skills
- Montessori leaders (school founders and principals)
- Aspiring school leaders
- Anyone interested in administration of Montessori schools

During the first days of the course, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the core principles of Montessori education. The course then delves deeper into the intricacies of school administration across various areas, with a focus on working with school culture and different communities. The course covers key topics such as how to cooperate with parents to maintain their support, understanding the mindset of school staff and strategies for achieving further development, and identifying the main goals of school administration to ensure the school functions effectively.
In addition, the course provides concrete strategies for working with school staff, including guides, assistants, and other personnel, to ensure smooth operations of the school. Students will learn how to support employees, how to approach new teachers and assistants during the early stages of their careers, and how to collaborate with experienced staff in an effective manner. The course also places an emphasis on strategic guidance of the school from a leadership position, keeping the “Big Picture” and long-term development in mind, while maintaining the high quality of education and the professional lives of staff.
Throughout the course, students will have access to a variety of materials and tools that they can take away and use in their practice, such as a strategic plan for their school. They will have the opportunity to learn from experienced AMI trainers, Sue Pritzker and Eder Cuevas, study alongside colleagues from around the world, engage in lively discussions, and share their experiences with others, as well as gain new perspectives themselves.
All successful course graduates will receive a worldwide recognized international certificate from the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).
Course Content
Core pedagogical principles
Prepared Adult, Planes of Development, Prepared Environment, Freedom & Discipline
How to build a healthy school community
Community Involvment and Education, Communication, Evolving Montessori School. Removing Obstacles to School Growth
Strategies to support children, staff, parents and board
Supporting Staff through different means, Implementing the Curriculum, Working with Teachers
Strategic Planning
Sustainability, improvement and growth; Visionary Leadership; Quality Assurance evaluation and implementation
Trainers
Sue Pritzker & Eder Cuevas
Sue Pritzker had been the Head of School at Childpeace Montessori School in Portland, Oregon for 30 years and had been a teacher and administrator for over 40 years. Sue is also past President of the MAA (Montessori Administrators Association), presenter for NAMTA, AMI USA, Primary Consultant for AMI USA and founding member of the Montessori Leaders Collaborative.
Eder Cuevas is the Executive Director of Montessori México (Affiliated society to AMI) and development director in Montessori de Chihuahua working with staff and parents with 20 years of Montessori experience.
Eder holds AMI training for elementary in Bergamo, Italy and AMI-NAMTA Orientation in Ohio, USA. He works as the staff for AMI-NAMTA Montessori Orientations to Adolescent Studies from 2014 to 2020. AMI Auxiliary trainer for the Administrators certificate course, Montessori Sports consultant and international advisor on Montessori education.

Format

Live sessions on Zoom
in form of LECTURES with occasional discussions and work in small groups. Taking notes is highly recommended.
Schoology platform
is used for all communication assignment submission. It is very user-friendly and helps us stay structured.
Technical support
is available before, during and after the course.

- The whole course is given in English.
- It is also being simultaneously interpreted into Bulgarian, Czech & Hebrew.
- All course work including written assignments can be done in English, Bulgarian, Czech, Slovak & Hebrew.
- It is a prerequisite to have at least a B2 level (verbal and written) command of one of the languages.
AMI Certificate
Association Montessori International (AMI) is a worldwide leading authority on Montessori education. Maria Montessori founded the association herself to further her work and AMI certified courses are hence known for their high quality and integrity with Montessori’s work. They are respected and acknowledged worldwide and some schools accept teachers only with AMI certified education. Institute Montessori Bulgaria is the only organisation which offers AMI certified training in Bulgaria.
Participants who successfully complete the requirements for certification will earn the worldwide recognised AMI Montessori Administrators Certificate.

Assignments
Submission of all assignments given by trainers (Strategic Plan, Journey Map and potentially some others).
Observation
3 hours of observation to be done in any Montessori environment within 12 weeks after the course ends.
Reports and Notes
Submission of observation notes and observation report.
Attendance
Minimum of 90% live attendance.
Overall satisfactory participation in the course
As evaluated by the trainers.
You have 12 weeks to submit all the assignments.
If students do not finish their requirements for certification on time before the course finishes, they have 12 weeks to submit their missing work.
Individual members and subscribed organisations of Montessori Society Bulgaria receive a 5% discount on the fee for participating in the course. See more about MSB Membership and Subscription opportunities.
For registration and contact:
If you would like to register in the upcoming AMI course or have any other questions, please contact us!
Online registration: here
e-mail: office@imontessori.bg
phone: +359 878 832 823
The course will be conducted in English with simultaneous translation in Bulgarian language.
The course is run by Association Montessori Internationalе (AMI) and is co-hosted by Montessori Institute Prague and Montessori Society Bulgaria.