Becoming a Montessori Leader: Leadership & Montessori Pedagogy

Professional Development Courses

Becoming a Montessori Leader: Leadership and Montessori Pedagogy

“The first duty of an educator is to stir up life, but leave it free to develop.” Dr. Maria Montessori

This is a 9-week online certificate course

Start Date: Monday, February 2nd, 2026 (Orientation)

End Date: Monday, April 13th, 2026

Lecture Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm (EST)

Virtual Lecture Nights (following a set schedule)

– Monday, February 23rd, 2026
– Monday. March 9th, 2026
– Monday, March 23rd, 2026
– Monday, April 13, 2026

Please note, these lectures are live and will not be recorded.

*Please note that all Professional Development courses are non-refundable and non-transferable for any reason whatsoever after payment has been received.

Course Overview

Welcome to Becoming a Montessori Leader: Leadership and Montessori Pedagogy, a new professional development course from Montessori Teachers College! Are you taking on a leadership role within your school? Feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility? Or are you just looking to refresh yourself on what it means to be a leader?

This course is meant to explore the meaning of leadership in a Montessori environment. Classes will focus on theory to help learners grasp the kind of leader they are, how to approach leadership, and what leadership looks like in the context of Montessori education systems. This program is perfect for both long-time leaders looking for new insights into leadership and for those who are have found themselves newly faced with the responsibilities of leadership and are looking for guidance. These core theories will provide the framework for building a nurturing and inspiring learning environment. Hone your team building and transformative leadership skills with us!

Lectures are given every second week, giving learners time to engage in readings, discussion, and self-directed learning. Learners are expected to engage proactively with their learning, engaging meaningfully with sources through peer and instructor feedback.

When you’ve completed this course, for a full experience, please consider enrolling in Becoming a Montessori Leader: Foundations of Administrative Practice. Foundations of Administrative Practice moves away from theory and delves into the practical considerations of leading a Montessori school. Leadership and Montessori Pedagogy is not a prerequisite for Foundations of Administrative Practice, and both courses confer separate certificates.

Features 4 Modules, including:

Montessori Foundations
Leadership Theory
Working with a Team: Interpersonal Conflict Resolution
Connecting with Stakeholders and the Community

About The Guide

This course is designed and led by Montessori professional Sarah Enright. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Masters of Education, a Montessori School Management Diploma, and Montessori diplomas for Early Childhood and Lower and Upper Elementary. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D in Education, and has worked with Montessori Teachers College as an educator of adult learners for years.

Sarah knew as a child that she was passionate about working with children. During her time at University, Sarah volunteered in a variety of schools and felt that mainstream education did not fit her. Sarah looked into alternative teaching methods and discovered Montessori pedagogy. When Sarah first observed in a classroom, she felt like she had found her home. As soon as Sarah graduated from university, she took her Montessori training for both the Early Childhood and Elementary levels. Sarah has had the privilege of teaching at all levels, as well as working in school administration and teacher education. Sarah loves working in teacher education as she enjoys watching adult learners ignite their spark for teaching.

Who is this course for?

This course is best for those who are:

Current Montessori leaders, or those who are soon to be leaders.
Unsure of how Montessori philosophy blends with leadership theory.
Unsure of the kind of leader they want to be/the strategies they wish to employ
Looking to build strong teams that follow and promote the school’s vision.
Eager to create coordinated, orderly working and learning environments.

What is the format of this course?

This certificate course is 100% online and consists of 10 online hours. Learners will log in once every two weeks for a two-hour virtual lecture.

What are the course fees?

Course Fees: $275.00

Please note that the course fees are non-refundable, non-transferrable and cannot be credited towards any other course.

What are the application requirements?

Applicants must:

be 18 years of age or older

possess a MACTE or AMI-accredited diploma and/or must be a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) working in a Montessori School