Professional Development Requirement for AMS Educators
We are all lifelong learners.
Your AMS credential signals that you’ve successfully completed a rigorous program of study at an AMS-affiliated teacher education program. You have the skills and experience necessary to work in a Montessori classroom or in a school administrator position. But your learning doesn’t stop there. Whether you have decades of experience in your field, or are just starting out, the AMS requirement for continuing professional development (CPD) helps ensure that you remain a competent and relevant practitioner and continue to bring new ideas and perspectives into your community of learners.
Credential Holders
If your AMS credential was issued on or after July 1, 2013, you must complete 50 hours of continuing professional development every 5 years for the credential to remain active. The first 5-year period begins with the date your credential was issued.
Once you have completed your 50 hours of PD, we require that you log your hours on our Professional Development Submission Form.
If you do not complete the hours within the 5-year period, your credential will become inactive and—until you meet the requirement—your AMS credential will be suspended.
This requirement was introduced decades after AMS started issuing credentials. In the interest of feasibility (of process oversight by AMS), the decision was made to have it apply only to those individuals credentialed on or after July 1, 2013, rather than to all credential holders. However, because continuing professional development is an investment in yourself as an educator committed to continued growth, we strongly urge you to follow the same protocol of acquiring 50 hours of continuing professional development every 5 years, regardless of when your credential was issued.
TEP Instructors and Directors
If you are an instructor or director of an AMS-affiliated teacher education program, you must complete 30 hours of continuing professional development every 3 years, and capture this information in your teacher education program’s Annual Report. You may apply these hours to the PD requirement for credential holders, above.
Did you know?
AMS offers CPD record of attendance certificates to individuals seeking education credits. If you are an organization that hosts qualifying professional development events, we encourage you to submit your event.
Have you completed your PD?
Qualifying Events
AMS Events
We encourage you to take advantage of AMS professional development events, which provide Montessori-specific learning and growth opportunities in a variety of formats to best meet your needs. From in-person events such as The Montessori Event and symposia, to on demand videos, online classes and certificate programs, and more, we offer thought-provoking and enjoyable PD tailored to a comprehensive range of needs and interests.
Other Events
Our view of professional development is wide and we encourage you to take advantage of the many opportunities for relevant learning offered by other organizations, schools, and groups as long as they adhere to the guidelines below.
Completed hours may be recorded in terms of contact hours, CPDs, continuing education units (CEUs) and/or credit hours:
- Each hour of professional development will be considered equivalent to 1 CPD hour, unless otherwise noted by the host organization.
- For coursework completed at an accredited college or university, 1 credit hour will be counted as 15 hours of continuing professional development.
- CEUs are counted as equivalent to CPDs, unless otherwise defined within an event’s documentation.
Attending The Montessori Event is an investment in professional development, but it's also so much more, as it allows time for making new connections and strengthening existing relationships. Well worth it!
Visit The Montessori EventGuidelines for Qualifying Events
Events that qualify for the AMS professional development requirement may be face-to-face or online, and may address any of the topics listed below. The event host must provide written verification attesting to your participation. Be sure to hold onto it; it is your proof of attendance.
Topics That Qualify
- Montessori education and philosophy/pedagogy (including coursework you’ve completed in pursuit of an additional Montessori credential at an AMS-affiliated or other MACTE-accredited teacher education program)
- Child development
- Classroom management
- Curriculum
- Education for peace and social justice
- Education policy/public policy
- Education research
- Health, safety, and nutrition (excluding CPR, first aid, or medication administration training; and exercise or yoga classes, unless they are directly related to teaching physical education/yoga to students)
- Leadership skills
- Service learning
- Special education and learning differences
- Technology training that will enhance your use of technology with students or refine your computer skills in ways that will improve your teaching
FAQs
If I don’t earn 50 hours of PD in the time required, will my credential expire?
Your credential will become inactive—not expired.
How do I reactivate my credential?
Fulfill the 50-hour professional development requirement and log the information using our PD Submission Form. Upon approval of your PD, we will reactive your credential.
When I log my hours, can I save my progress or must I complete them all in one sitting?
You can save your progress. Think of the system as a digital file cabinet. You may log your hours after they occur. Once you reach 50 hours, you can submit them for approval.
How do I know that my tracking form showing my PD hours has been received by AMS and approved?
- We will send you confirmation that we’ve received it. If you do not receive the confirmation, contact us. 2. We will send you a second email after we’ve reviewed your hours, either to notify you that they’ve been approved to request clarification or additional hours.
I completed course work for my credential before July 1, 2013, but I received notice that I need to complete the 50-hour requirement. Why?
The AMS PD requirement is based on the date the credential was issued, not when you completed your coursework. Please check your credential for the issue date.
Can AMS tell me how many hours I have earned?
We can tell you how many hours you have earned at The Montessori Event from 2018 – 2021. If you purchased a professional development event from AMS such as on demand videos, online classes, or certificate programs, we can also tell you the number of hours earned.
Contact us if you need this information. You must add it to the Submission Form yourself.
Do college credits count toward my PD requirement, and if so, how many CPD hours are they worth?
Coursework completed at an accredited college or university counts toward your CPD hours. One credit hour will be counted as 15 hours of continuing professional development.
Do the credit hours I acquire for my state teaching license count toward my CPD requirement?
Yes.
