Academic Program 2023-2024 Report

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

2023-2024

Let’’ s Be Intentional

TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION

1

ACADEMY INFORMS

2

COLLECTIVE WORK 2023-24 RESULTS MAIN INITIATIVES PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

7

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2024-25

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Let’ s be intentional. That is the invitation we have embraced. Every academic year, we use a word that guides us and moves us in our task as an Academic Program. From the beginning of the year, the word intentionality resonated in our hearts, and we are carrying it as our banner.

Undoubtedly, this 2024-25 academic year began with intention, with a sense of purpose, and collective unity. Also, with an excessive love for the task, for the Montessori public school, and for serving our country.

My celebrations are always for you: the adult learners, interns, and Faculty of INE; I see and value your commitment.

Annabel Martínez Rivera Academic Program Director

ACADEMY| ANNUAL REPORT

The Academic Program (PA) aims to train guides,

assistants,

and

directors

in

Montessori philosophy and methodology to serve the children and youth of Puerto Rico.

INE offers courses for Montessori Guide Certification

at

all

Infants/Toddlers,

education Children’s

Orientation for Admitted Students to 2024 Courses

levels: House,

Elementary I, Elementary II, Secondary I, and School Administration. It also offers the Assistant Course and the Introduction to Montessori Philosophy Course for support

Infants and Toddlers Course

staff in Montessori public schools.

INE is the only academic organization in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS) and accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) to offer these courses and certifications.

Children’s House course ACADEMY| ANNUAL REPORT

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ACADEMY INFORMS

Main Initiatives and Achievements Regarding 2023-2024 Goals 2023-24 Practicum: The 6 Montessori training courses accompanied the practicum of 68 teachers in Montessori educational centers and public Montessori schools. These teachers received at least 3 virtual visits during the year. Throughout the year, they also received support visits.

2023-24 Certifications: As a conclusion to their Practicum phase, 66 teachers received their AMS certifications.

Assistant Course: During the 2023-24 academic year, 3 Montessori assistant courses were offered. These courses were held both in-person and virtually, distributed as follows: 1 in-person section and 2 virtual sections. These courses included 67 Montessori curriculum implementation assistants who received their certification.

2024 Admissions Interview Committees

2024 Admissions: The Academic Program admits 77 adult learners to the Montessori Guide Training course. By level, the admissions were: 10 Infants and Toddlers, 13 Children’ s House, 27 Elementary I, and 28 to the Secondary level.

Thus, the Academic Program will serve a total of 85 participants during the summer of 2024, including the adult learners from Elementary II and Secondary who continue their academic phase.

Assistant Course Orientation ACADEMY | ANNUAL REPORT

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2023-2024 ACHIEVEMENTS Increase of Knowledge An analysis of the academic evaluation results provided by the facilitators of the certification program for the year 2023-2024 showed that: 93% of the participants submitted the activities related to the course evaluation on time.

93% demonstrate mastery of aspects related to Montessori philosophy.

89% of the participants have passed the assigned tasks in areas of philosophy and curricular content (Language, Mathematics, Cultural Studies, and Science).

93% demonstrate mastery of aspects related to Montessori methodology and curriculum implementation.

95% of the internship participants completed it successfully, meeting the established requirements.

91% of adult learners demonstrate active participation in the topics discussed, with specific questions about the content. Participants can answer specific questions posed by facilitators related to the topic of discussion.

97% of the participants indicate that they have received and learned the necessary knowledge in aspects related to Montessori philosophy.

97% indicate that the knowledge acquired as part of the Montessori methodology allows them to perform well in a school setting.

Adult Learners express satisfaction in the following aspects: 94% are satisfied with the work of the course moderators and facilitators.

94% are satisfied with the distributed materials.

96% are satisfied with the selected course.

98% indicate that taking the course was a good decision.

94% would recommend the course to others.

ACADEMY | ANNUAL REPORTL

Adult Learners express motivation in the following aspects: 94% plan to continue in the certification process.

92% plan to continue within the established timeframe.

92% indicate they have no doubts about the material discussed and that they had opportunities to clarify doubts or questions.

98% are motivated to implement what they learned in the course.

98% are motivated to continue studying in the course.

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SHADOW AND COACHING PROGRAM SUPPORT HOURS

900

149 SUPPORT VISITS

Infants Toddlers Children’ s House Elementary I Elementary II

155

PRACTICUM VISITS

ACADEMY | ANNUAL REPORT

Secondary School principal Assistant

Distribution of visits by level

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COLLECTIVE WORK

Secondary level reaccreditation: We received the in-person visit from MACTE as part of the secondary level reaccreditation process. We thank SU Pasto School in Aibonito for hosting us at their school, the adult learners, interns, and graduates of INE for participating in the interviews involved in this process. Also, thanks to the Secondary faculty and Fabideas for receiving us.

Elementary I Course

In April 2024, we received the great news from MACTE about the approval of the accreditation of the Secondary I course until 2030.

Secondary Course

Infants and Toddlers Reaccreditation: We completed the self-study for the reaccreditation of the Infants and Toddlers level with MACTE and AMS. This process led us to review and reconsider objectives, purposes, and methodology for adult learners in future courses. Awaiting visit.

INE’s Faculty Meeting ACADEMY | ANNUAL REPORT

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MAIN INITIATIVES “Shadows: Our facilitator team is growing! This summer, 9 new facilitators apprentices joined with the aim of expanding the faculty at each academic level. To each and every one of them, THANK YOU for the commitment, dedication, and enthusiasm with which they have started this new journey.

Lectura Fest: Information booth

Curricular Strengthening: During this year, academic calendars, syllabi, and study topics were reviewed.

Topics related to children's rights were integrated into the training courses, as well as themes of antiracism, inclusion, and cultural diversity.

Curriculum Development in Secondary: The 2023 cohort of the Secondary I level completed the Curriculum Development component. This component prepared and supported them in designing the curriculum to meet the needs of adolescents. The community now moves on to its Internship phase.

2023 School Administration Course

Conferences at UPR: Under the academic collaboration agreement between the UPRRP Faculty of Education and the Academic Program, we offered the conference "History of Montessori Public Schools-EPM." During the conference, we shared the timeline of the public Montessori project and celebrated the achievements in school transformation in the communities.

FAR - Virtual preschool initiative ACADEMY | ANNUAL REPORT

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT During the 2023-2024 year, 14 professional development workshops were held, serving 277 guides and assistants.

Topic Breakdown:

Elementary I Course

Sentence Analysis Workshop

Workshop: Music in Montessori Environments ACADEMY | ANNUAL REPORT

Discussion Forum on Philosophy in Children’ s House Workshop on Building Materials for Elementary The Conquest of Language in Children’ s House* Conserving the Environment through Montessori Education (2 sessions)* Workshop on Building Grammar Boxes for Elementary Workshop on Sentence Analysis for Elementary (2 sessions) Mathematics in Children’ s House* Workshop on Potty Training for Infants, Toddlers, and their Assistants* Mathematics Workshop for Elementary Workshop on Observation for Infants/Toddlers, Children’ s House, and their Assistants* Discipline in Infants and Toddlers with their Assistants* Cosmic Education and Montessori Education* *Virtual courses.

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LOOKING AHEAD TO 2024-2025 We are preparing for a very promising 2024-25 academic year. We are excited about the work plans for this upcoming academic year. We are confident it will be a year of fulfilled tasks and dreams. Among the short, medium, and long-term plans are: Include 12 hours of ABAR in the academic calendars Introduction to Secondary Course Instructional Design: Language and Mathematics Design, editing, and review of INE model albums Review of Assessment Instruments against MACTE competencies Review of the Supervised Practice Process Design of Facilitator Academy Strengthen coaching and mentoring processes Self-study (internal) School Administration Course Design Montessori Convention 2025

ACADEMY | ANNUAL REPORT

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