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
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 education levels: Infants/Toddlers, Children’s 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 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
Orientation for Admitted Students to 2024 Courses
Infants and Toddlers Course
Children’s House course
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: 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
2024 Admissions Interview Committees
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.
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
SHADOW AND COACHING PROGRAM
149 SUPPORT VISITS
155 PRACTICUM VISITS
SUPPORT HOURS
Infants
Toddlers
Children’s House
Elementary I
Elementary II
Secondary
School principal
Assistant
Distribution of visits by level
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
In April 2024, we received the great news from MACTE about the approval of the accreditation of the Secondary I course until 2030.
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
Elementary I Course
Secondary Course
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.
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.
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.
Lectura Fest: Information booth
2023 School Administration Course
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
I Course
Sentence Analysis Workshop
During the 2023-2024 year, 14 professional development workshops were held, serving 277 guides and assistants.
Topic Breakdown:
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.
Workshop: Music in Montessori Environments
Elementary
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
