Trainee Sponsorship: One Way to Find a Good Teacher

Sponsoring a Candidate for Montessori Training

Some Montessori schools sponsor the training of candidates they feel are particularly qualified to become Montessori teachers. Such schools generally select a candidate who:

• meets all admission requirements for the training center selected (educational background, GPA, language skills, etc.);
• has demonstrated a talent for working with children;
• can demonstrate the ability to make and keep a commitment, either through a past relationship with the school (as an assistant, parent, or staff member, for instance) or through the candidate's work/school history; and
• can show some connection to the community in which the school is located, through friends, relatives, etc.

Terms of the Agreement

The usual sponsorship agreement contains these components:

• The candidate receives support in the form of a loan for Montessori training in return for a multi-year commitment to stay with the sponsoring school, usually two to three years.
• Usually, the loan covers tuition and fees, and the candidate must pay living expenses during the training period.
• In some cases, the school may forgive a portion of the loan with each year of subsequent service rendered by the candidate. In others, the candidate pays back the loan by deducting a pro-rated amount from each paycheck over the term of the contract.
• In the event of termination, the candidate is usually required to pay back the balance of the loan with interest calculated from the date of loan disbursement. 
   

Locating Candidates to Sponsor

Schools sometimes find that their parents, paraprofessional classroom assistants, and even graduates make good candidates to sponsor for Montessori training. Another way to find candidates is to contact a local Montessori training center. Some schools advertise a willingness to sponsor a candidate, and other schools respond to an ad placed by a potential candidate.