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The Orlando Montessori Teacher Education Institute is an Early Childhood (2 1/2 to 6) teacher certification program located in Ocoee, FL.  It is affiliated by the American Montessori Society (A.M.S.)* and accredited by M.A.C.T.E.**
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  • The Orlando Montessori Teacher Education Institute offers a unique year round program, which is designed to offer students a reasonable and manageable schedule, while providing them with continued support and feedback.  This approach not only provides the student with on-going instruction at a steady pace, it also allows for more extensive contact with internship schools and a strong support system among the staff and students.  The course is held at Innovation Montessori Ocoee, 1610 N. Lakewood Ave., Ocoee, FL  34761, which is a school built to serve children 3 years of age through high school.   We  hold the course face-to-face in the summer and during most seminars throughout the year.  Some sessions may be online during seminars for the 2024-2025 school year.    We are continually adding new ways to meet the adult learner's needs with a blended model.  We will conduct classes face-to-face or virtually depending on the school's and our health and safety standards at the time of instruction.
  • The program begins with a four and a half week summer phase, followed by eight weekend seminars and a June evaluation and completion session. The certification program can be completed in approximately twelve months, however, some students prefer the option of taking the course over two years or of completing the academic phase only.  Individualized plans to meet the student's needs, regarding internship and payments may be arranged with the director.                                    
  • Successful completion of the academic and internship program entitles the student to receipt of Montessori certification from the American Montessori Society, with a MACTE seal. 
Ann Burke Neubert   -  A Dedication

The Orlando Montessori Teacher Education Institute is dedicated to the life and work of Ann Burke Neubert. She founded the Northeast Montessori Institute in Boston, MA in 1984. The Orlando satellite program came into existence in 1988 and Ann directed both programs until her untimely death in Sept. 1990. Ann educated hundreds of teachers during her twenty-three years of dedication and service to the Montessori Method of teaching. These teachers, in turn, have taught thousands of children. Ann's life touched many people throughout the world, and her intelligence, humor, sincerity, and integrity were greatly admired. Her insight and inspiration will live on in the hearts and minds of us at OMTEI, as we dedicate ourselves to continuing to provide excellence in Montessori teacher education.

Sr. Anthonita Porta also played a very important roll in making it possible to develop this teacher education program in Orlando. She accepted the opportunity to start a new Montessori pre-school at St. James Cathedral School in downtown Orlando in 1988 and proved, beyond a doubt, that children from all backgrounds are drawn to and learn from the Montessori materials and method.  Her kind and gentle spirit was evident in all she did. Those who had her as a teacher or heard her speak will always remember the lessons she shared so beautifully.  
                    Mission of OMTEI

    The primary mission of the Orlando Montessori Teacher Education Institute is to provide highly motivated, caring individuals with the opportunity and resources that enable them to become successful, effective Montessori teachers.  Our faculty believes that, in the Montessori classroom, the teacher must respond to and provide for the "whole child."  Likewise, we strongly believe that, in the Montessori teacher education environment, the faculty must respond to and provide for the "whole adult."  We do so, not only by providing the academic course work required for further Montessori advancement, but also by attempting to address the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of our adult learners.  We provide an aesthetic and tranquil setting that offers the opportunity to engage in varied activities.  It is a positive, nurturing place to learn and to grow.  We value not only the high quality of the academic program, but also the sense of community that grows as the year progresses.         
      We truly hope that the Montessori program offered by the Institute nurtures not only the mind, but also the body and inner psyche, which make up the "wholeness" of each individual.

 
"The real preparation for education is the study of one's self.  The training of the teacher, who is to help life, is something far more than the learning of ideas.  It includes the training of character; it is the preparation of the spirit."
                                                                                             Dr. Maria Montessori
                                 

Director:  Helen DeVere 
Mailing Address:    P.O. Box 470637,  Celebration, FL  34747
Physical address:  1610 N. Lakewood Ave., Ocoee, FL 34761
tel (407) 873-3770     
email:  [email protected]

*American Montessori Society   (A.M.S.)
 211 E. 43rd St. 7th floor #262
 New York, NY 10017
 Phone:  (212) 358-1250
 Fax:  (212) 358-1256
 www.amshq.org
**Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher 
   Education   (M.A.C.T.E.)
   420 Park St.
   Charlottesville, VA 22902
   Phone: (434) 202-7793
   Fax: (888) 525-8838
   www.macte.org