AMI 12-18
Diploma Course
A full academic and experiential course designed to prepare adults to work with adolescents in a variety of settings and contexts.
The course includes:
A study of general Montessori theory
Foundational studies of children ages 0-12, with a focus on key points of interest and materials that inform our work with adolescents
Montessori principles and practices for adolescents ages 12-18
Frameworks for study and work experiences
An examination of culturally-responsive education and Montessori for Adolescents through the Anti-Bias, Anti-Racist lens
Essential experiences in social organization, production and exchange activities for adolescents, self-expression, and residential and community life
Work on the land
Seminar discussions on Montessori texts
Assignments: Written and visual expressions of Montessori principles applied to adolescence
Community living experience (required)
Dates are as follows:
First module:
This takes place online from February 8 to June 24, 2025, meeting for two hours twice a month to study the foundational principles of Montessori theory and practice.
Second module:
The first summer takes place on site in Huntsburg, Ohio late June through July 2025 for 4.5 weeks, during which a study of the development of adolescents and Montessori principles and practices for adolescents takes place, accompanied by key experiences of living, working and studying in community, and framing the work for adolescent communities.
***A three-week residential and community life experience on-site is a required component of the course during the first summer (during the first three weeks on site).
Third module:
Work during the 2025-26 academic year includes:
110 hours (approximately 3 weeks) of observation of children and adolescents 0-6, 6-12, and 12-18.
3 weeks of embedded, side-by-side work (teaching practice) with adolescents
Independent literature review on topics related to adolescent development
Fourth module:
The second summer session takes place again on site in Huntsburg, Ohio for 5.5 weeks, and serves to analyze and digest observations and experience, share research, refine theory, consolidate learning and perspective, and generate additional frameworks for study and work with adolescents. Written and oral exams are given.
The Training at IMTI, based at the Hershey Montessori School Campus, was a valuable experience for me as a student. The trainer, Laurie, and her team were approachable and shared innumerable experiences from their work with adolescents that inspired and gave me the needed confidence to set up the Adolescent program for the students of our learning space, Kriyasthala in Bengaluru, India. The community living and the exchange within the cohort was an equally enriching experience that has impacted me both personally and professionally. The AMI 12-18 training is truly transformative and provides a robust framework to work with the adolescents.
Kavya Chandrasekhar 12-18 Diploma Course 2022 Bangalore, India
AMI trained (0-18 years)
Founder and Montessori Guide
TMS and Kriyasthala
I have found the IMTI Adolescent program a life changing course! The experiences of our lecturers and resource persons are top notch; and the summer residential program has offered me the opportunity to meet Montessori practitioners from all over the world. The online and on-site programs have enriched my knowledge of Montessori philosophy, theory and practice, expanded my network, and strengthened my conviction in the fact that all adolescent teachers need a Montessori Adolescent Program put together by IMTI.
I am so very grateful for this opportunity, and joyful for the prospect of impacting on humanity, what l have learnt on this course.
Oladunni Omotola Okupe-Emu
Nigeria
On-site training location:
Hershey Montessori School’s Huntsburg campus was one of the first farm environments in the world to be designed specifically to make Maria Montessori’s vision for adolescents come alive. For 24 years it has been the home of Hershey’s adolescent community of boarding and day students, middle school and upper school. With domestic animals, organic gardens, a residential “Farmhouse,” maple sugarbush, ponds, a greenhouse, 98 wooded acres, a program barn with woodshop, ceramics, and candle-making, and exquisitely designed Montessori classrooms, it is the perfect location to be immersed in “a school of experience in the elements of social life.” Huntsburg is 45 miles east of Cleveland, Ohio, a re-invigorated center for the arts, industry, music, theater, and sports.