.
FAQ

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What ages are represented by the terms Infant and Toddler, Early Childhood and Elementary?
Infant and Toddler represents children ages 0 through 3, Early Childhood represents children ages 2½ through 6 and Elementary represents children ages 6 through 12.

Do the student teachers have the opportunity to practice teach?
Full time students are required to successfully fulfill a minimum of 35 observation hours and a minimum of 265 practice teaching  hours for the Early Childhood or the Elementary age group in order to successfully complete their course.

Part time Early Childhood/Summer Elementary I & II students need to complete a minimum of 35 hours of classroom observation and 265 hours of practice teaching .

 

Infant Toddler students are required to successfully fulfill a minimum of 100 hours of observation and a minimum of 265 hours of practice teaching in order to successfully complete their course.

What are the requirements for entry into the course? (Information is available in application package)
For the Early Childhood and Elementary courses, preference is given to applicants who have a University Degree and experience with children in a teaching environment. For the Infant and Toddler course the pre-requisite is a college level diploma or high school level education.

How will my marks be broken down?
For each diploma programme students must achieve a passing grade in each of four areas, 25% Coursework, 25% Teaching Practice, 25% Written Exams and 25% Oral Exams. Coursework is made up of class attendance, participation, assignments and albums. The Teaching Practice placement is graded based on visitor assessments and a student project. Written examinations are given in both Theory and Methodology and an Oral examination is given for each subject area.

What job opportunities exist at the end of my Montessori course? Does TMI place students in jobs?
Past TMI graduates have found employment in Montessori schools both in Canada and internationally. Schools send their ads to TMI and these are posted on our web site. TMI provides no guarantee of employment.

What salary can I expect to be paid as a Montessori teacher?
Montessori schools are independently owned therefore there is no present salary scale or a common benefit package. To date the average starting salary is approximately $28,000 for both Early Childhood and Elementary teachers.

Can I receive Financial Aid?
Accepted students who wish to apply for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) can do so on-line at http://osap.gov.on.ca. If you are eligible for OSAP funding then you can use money received towards any full time course. Funds from OSAP are only available to part time students with a specific need. Please see the OSAP web site for more details.

A limited bursary is available based on financial disclosure for those who qualify,  Please contact the Registrar by phone (905) 889-6882 ext 242 or e-mail tmi@tmsschool.ca to learn more.

Are Montessori schools part of a school board and can I teach in the Ontario public/separate school system with my Montessori diploma?
No, Montessori schools run as independent schools. Our diploma qualifies you to teach in Montessori schools only. To teach in a public/separate school you must hold an Ontario Teachers Certificate. There are some public schools that have Montessori classrooms. Teachers in these schools should hold both Ministry certification and a Montessori diploma.

Do I need to have my international transcripts evaluated?
Yes, all international transcripts will need to be evaluated. World Education Services (http://www.wes.org) , University of Toronto and University of York all have evaluation services. Please contact them directly for fees and procedures.