Mission

To prepare Montessori teachers and leaders through high-quality training and services that uphold the pedagogical principles of Dr. Maria Montessori.

Vision

To lead and collaborate globally in advancing equitable, accessible, and sustainable Montessori education—preparing educators who earn AMI credentials and contribute to human development across all stages of life.

Core Values

• Expect Excellence
• Demand Equity
• Act with Courage
• Embrace Collaboration

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Statement

CREC MTCNE strives to understand and confront the symptoms and causes of racism and prejudice—ranging from biases to aggressions to discriminatory policies, practices, and traditions—that harm people from systemically marginalized groups or that benefit privileged groups. CREC  MTCNE staff and students acknowledge and respect people of all identifiers, such as race, socioeconomic status, gender identity and expression, education, age, ability, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, language, nationality, religion, and veteran status.

Foundations of Montessori Education

Montessori education is a research-based, child-centered approach to learning developed by Dr. Maria Montessori over more than a century ago. Rooted in scientific observation, the Montessori philosophy recognizes each child as capable, curious, and intrinsically motivated to learn. Through hands-on materials, purposeful activity, and individualized instruction within a carefully prepared environment, children develop academically while also strengthening independence, concentration, confidence, and social responsibility.

The Montessori method is practiced in schools worldwide and is distinguished by mixed-age classrooms, uninterrupted work cycles, and teachers trained to guide rather than direct learning. In authentic AMI Montessori classrooms, children learn through meaningful choice and exploration, allowing them to build intellectual understanding while developing strong executive functioning and self-regulation skills.

More than an educational model, Montessori is a philosophy of human development and peace education—one that views education as a pathway to social harmony, justice, and environmental stewardship.

Tenets of Montessori Pedagogy

Montessori pedagogy is guided by enduring principles that inform all aspects of teaching, classroom design, and community culture:

Values Nature

Montessori education nurtures a deep respect for the natural world. Children engage directly with nature through outdoor learning, real-world observation, and hands-on materials that foster environmental awareness and responsibility. This nature-centered approach strengthens curiosity while reinforcing stewardship of the Earth.

Builds Resilience

By encouraging independent problem-solving, sustained focus, and productive struggle, Montessori classrooms build emotional strength and adaptability. Children learn to persist through challenges, develop self-confidence, and cultivate intrinsic motivation—key skills for lifelong learning.

Seeks and Teaches Justice and Equity

Montessori education promotes equity and inclusion by recognizing the dignity and potential of every child. Prepared environments are intentionally designed to support diverse learning styles and developmental needs, ensuring that all children have equitable access to high-quality education. Social responsibility and fairness are integrated into daily learning experiences.

Promotes Peace

Peace education stands at the heart of the Montessori philosophy. Through global studies, collaborative learning, classroom community practices, and conflict-resolution skills, children cultivate empathy and cross-cultural understanding. Montessori classrooms intentionally prepare children to become thoughtful, peaceful global citizens.

Fosters Empathy

Mixed-age classrooms naturally support mentorship, cooperation, and compassion. Children learn to care for one another, recognize differences, solve problems collaboratively, and build emotional intelligence—developing empathy as both a social skill and a way of being.

Montessori Education for the Whole Child

Montessori supports academic achievement alongside social, emotional, and ethical development. The goal is not simply school readiness, but preparation for life: nurturing capable thinkers, compassionate leaders, and engaged citizens who contribute to peaceful, just communities.

At MTCNE, we prepare Montessori educators to uphold these principles through authentic AMI Montessori teacher training, professional development, and university partnerships—ensuring that every classroom we support reflects the highest standards of Montessori practice and child-centered education.

Dr. Maria Montessori founded the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) in 1929 to protect the integrity and completeness of her work and to guide its continued development and application in the interests of children throughout the world. AMI’s objectives are to maintain, propagate and further the ideas and principles of Dr. Montessori for the full development of the human being.

AMI Teacher Training Courses reflect these objectives by providing comprehensive and authentic Montessori pedagogy. The Montessori Training Center Northeast (MTCNE) is an AMI training center. AMI Teacher Trainers are master teachers with many years of classroom experience and have completed an intensive, internationally recognized “training of trainers” program to qualify as AMI Directors of Training.

Learn more about AMI here.