Montessori Training Centre of BC

A Place of Education for adults on the nature of childhood

AMI Elementary Montessori Teacher Training

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2026-2027 COURSE!

“The secret of good teaching is to regard the child’s intelligence as a fertile field in which seeds may be sown, to grow under the heat of flaming imagination. Our aim, therefore, is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to enforce him to memorize, but so to tough his imagination, as to enthuse him to his inmost core.”
(To Educate the Human Potential, pg.11)

Diploma granted: AMI Elementary (6 – 12) Diploma

The Montessori elementary program prepares students to work with 6-12 year olds (1st to 6th grade) using Dr. Maria Montessori’s methods and theory. Adult learners will engage in a concentrated course that blends online and in-person learning. There will be live, in-person lecture seminars, discussion, practical training with Montessori materials, observation, and practice teaching – as well as synchronous and asynchronous online work. The course also provides integrated preparatory and foundations work to support children transitioning into the Montessori elementary program.

The Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia (MTCBC) works in affiliation with the Association Montessori Internationale. The courses offered must meet rigorous standards, in both content and teaching staff. The Diploma awarded by the MTCBC is in great demand by Montessori Schools both nationally and internationally. Individuals must enquire what local requirements set out by government regulatory bodies must also be met when applying for teaching positions.

Note: This course is not eligible for the Post-Graduate Work Permit Program.

AMI Elementary Director of Training: Terrence (Terry) Millie

Terry believes that together, we do more than educate; we nurture

human potential. He works to inspire others to explore their lived

experiences, sparking reflection and learning. Terry holds AMI

Montessori 3-6 and 6-12 diplomas and a Masters of Education from

Vancouver Island University with a designation in Montessori

Leadership.

Terry has classroom experience in the Young Child’s Community,

Children’s House, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Adolescent environments. Through his work, he is also committed to a personal journey of lifelong learning. He is an AMI Trainer at the Elementary level, examiner, speaker, and presenter who has served on the board of the Canadian Association of Montessori Teachers.

His goal is to use our collective experience and knowledge to tell the story of the 6-to-12-year-old child and to highlight the Montessori approach as an “aid to life.”

Program Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in any field, OR minimum 60% completion of a Bachelor’s degree at time of application, with 100% completion by end of the AMI Teacher Training Course.

Maintain a minimum 90% attendance at all online and in-person sessions
Supervised practice requirements
Observation and practicum requirements
Material making assignments
Written assignments
Complete and correct Reference Albums
Passing grades on written and oral examinations

CERTIFICATION AWARDED: AMI 6-12 ELEMENTARY DIPLOMA (internationally recognized)

Policies

Requirements for Elementary Certification

The Montessori Elementary Diploma is granted upon satisfactory completion of the course requirements:

90% attendance at lectures and supervised practice
observation and practicum requirements (90 hrs. observation, 120hrs. practicum)
material making assignments
written assignments
9 reference albums and resource manuals
passing grades on written examinations
passing grades in oral examinations conducted by Examiners of the AMI

Contact

Email the Registrar: admissions@mtcbc-ami.org

Phone: 604-261-0864

Location

Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia 1410 Nanton Ave., Vancouver, B.C.

Schedule

Entire Course: October 3, 2026 to December 3, 2027

Seminar Sessions: online, on designated Saturdays, 900 am – 1200 pm Pacific time

Onsite Sessions in Vancouver, B.C.: 830 am to 430 pm Pacific Time at the MTCBC

Mondays to Fridays including selected Saturdays

-February 15 – March 5, 2027

-July 26 to August 25, 2027

-November 8 to December 3, 2027

Written exams: Oct 25,(Paper A), Oct 27 (Paper B1), Oct 29, (Paper B2)

Oral Exams Nov 29-Dec 3, 2027

Graduation: December 4, 2027

Montessori Observation and Practice Teaching: scheduled during the academic year.

These dates may be subject to change if necessary. Any change will be announced in advance.

Between the onsite sessions:

Between the onsite sessions, students participate in webinars, complete, and submit electronic assignments, arrange for observations of children and successfully complete practicum requirements in an Elementary environment directed by a Guide who holds an AMI Elementary Diploma.

*MTCBC reserves the right to modify the schedule if required.

* This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training.