Montessori Training Center of St. Louis

Overview

The Montessori Training Center of St. Louis is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to providing training and resources based on the pedagogical principles of Dr. Maria Montessori. Founded in 1971 by Pearl Vanderwall at the request of Mario Montessori, Maria's son, the center has been recognized as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization since 1972. It is affiliated with the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), adhering to the internationally recognized standards for Montessori education.

History

Montessori education has a long history in St. Louis, dating back to 1913 when a small class was established in the home of McKittrick Jones. This early interest continued to grow, and in the 1960s, there was a renewed focus on the method in the United States. By 1964, Countryside Montessori, an AMI school, was founded on Ladue Road by Mrs. R.E. Felling. Pearl Vanderwall, who had trained with Dr. Montessori herself in 1944, was brought to St. Louis in 1967. She then founded the Montessori Training Center of St. Louis in 1971.

In 1991, after twenty years of training educators, Pearl Vanderwall retired, and Annette Haines took over as the Director of Training. Annette had begun her AMI Training of Trainers Programme in 1982 and had apprenticed under Vanderwall. During this transition, the center continued to expand its reach by holding training courses at various locations, including Villa di Maria Montessori School and Chesterfield Montessori School.

In recent years, the training center relocated to its current site in Grand Center in 2014. The move facilitated the opening of the Montessori Lab School at Grand Center, which serves children from ages 15 months to 12 years. The center continues to grow, with the addition of new facilities and expanded programs, such as training Assistants to Infancy and offering Elementary Lab School classes for children aged 6-12.

Programs and Services

The Montessori Training Center of St. Louis offers comprehensive training programs for educators based on the AMI standards. These programs are designed to empower adults with the tools and knowledge to apply Montessori methods in schools and communities. The center also operates a thriving school community through the Montessori Lab School at Grand Center, providing an authentic urban Montessori education to children across various age ranges.

The training center's mission is to enrich lives and strengthen communities by sharing the transformative potential of Montessori education. This approach emphasizes child-centered learning, where children engage in hands-on activities in a prepared environment, fostering independence and individualized development.

Mission and Impact

The organization's primary mission is to shape a more peaceful world through developmentally-based education. By adhering to Montessori principles, such as mixed-age classrooms, student choice of activities, and specially designed educational materials, the training center aims to equip educators and communities with the tools necessary for transformative change. It continues to attract students from around the world, promoting a global understanding and application of Montessori education.

Governance and Affiliations

As a recognized AMI affiliate, the Montessori Training Center of St. Louis adheres to the strict standards set by AMI for Montessori education. This affiliation ensures that the training and educational services provided maintain the authenticity and integrity of Dr. Montessori's method, contributing to a global network of institutions committed to Montessori principles.

Legacy and Future Directions

Today, the Montessori Training Center of St. Louis remains a leading institution for Montessori education and training in the United States. Its commitment to preserving the legacy of Dr. Maria Montessori while innovating and expanding its reach positions it as a critical resource for educators and families seeking to apply Montessori methods in diverse settings. The center's growth and continued international recognition underscore its role in shaping educational practices worldwide.