There are Montessori schools in 154 countries, with more than 5,000 of these schools in the U.S. alone, and many of these schools are Catholic.
But there’s never been a central home for Catholic Montessori education. Until now.
The University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, just announced the opening of the Catholic Montessori Institute (CMI), the first and only global center dedicated to forming Catholic Montessori educators and providing a certification rooted in both the Montessori method and the Catholic intellectual tradition.
CMI has two main goals: to be a resource for existing Catholic Montessori educators (or “Montessorians”), and to train and form new Catholic Montessorians.
It builds on University of Mary’s existing offerings for Catholic Montessori educators, such as their degree program offering a Master of Education in Catholic Montessori.
Here is some of what CMI offers educators:
- Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) 0-3 and 3-6 diploma courses
- A pilgrimage to Italy exploring the life of Dr. Maria Montessori
- The National Catholic Montessori Conference in October
- A transformative Spiritual Retreat in June
- Completed prerequisites for the university’s Master of Education in Catholic Montessori program
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Formation Courses
CMI collaborates with the Servants of the Children of Light, the world’s only religious community with the apostolate of Catholic Montessori education. The order was involved in the spiritual formation and prayer behind the founding of the institute.
Nowhere like it in the world
CMI fills a long-standing void in education. It responds to the growing demand from educators, schools, and dioceses for a program that unites Montessori training with Catholic formation.
JoAnn Schulzetenberg, executive director of the CMI, told Aleteia:
There’s a huge excitement around it for many across the country. There is such a great need for this institute at this time in our history. I’m really excited about this chance to have a place for Catholic Montessorians to connect and for people to explore Montessori training and Catholic education. There isn’t another place in the world like it for Catholic Montessorians.
In her years of experience as a Montessori educator, Schulzetenberg has seen the effects of this educational method. “Catholic Montessori and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in general can transform an entire school and community.”
Yet she has seen a great need for mentorship and support:
Those people who are doing this work in the vineyard need resources and people to help, guide and inspire them. It will really help to have a place that brings everyone together and offers these resources. This network can support this work throughout the country and help schools grow.
Besides their current offerings, Schulzetenberg is looking ahead to eventually offering more opportunities for professional development, such as field consulting and perhaps a podcast. Certainly all those who appreciate Catholic Montessori education will look forward to watching the growth of the CMI in the years ahead.
