MPS debuts classrooms that will produce more Montessori teachers
Photo by: MPS
New credentialing classrooms that will produce more Montessori teachers for Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) are ready for applicants. MPS held a ribbon cutting and open house on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at the classrooms in Grant Gordon Learning Center, 921 W. Meinecke Ave.
The school’s third floor has been transformed to feel like home, with plants, art, and homey furniture, as Montessori classrooms typically are. It’s also outfitted with the equipment used in the Montessori education method’s hands-on instruction and learning.
Speakers at the ribbon cutting — including MPS Superintendent Dr. Keith P. Posley, MPS Chief Academic Officer Jennifer Mims-Howell, MPS Senior Director of Talent Management Michael Harris, Milwaukee Board of School Directors member Aisha Carr, and MPS Montessori Coordinator Abigail Rausch — noted that MPS first offered Montessori classes 50 years ago. The district today has the largest cluster of public Montessori schools in the nation and continues to invest in its Montessori program with the credentialing of new teachers.
MPS is recruiting applicants now for the session beginning in January. Potential applicants wishing more information may contact MPS Montessori Coordinator Abigail Rausch at rauschav@ milwaukee.k12.wi.us.
The credentialing courses, which will be held evenings and weekends, are designed to accommodate working adults. The classrooms at Grant Gordon will be used to credential 20 teachers for grades 1-6. Teachers for grades 7-12 will be credentialed at Craig Montessori School.
The rooms at Grant Gordon are the only such credentialing classrooms in Wisconsin that are affiliated with Association Montessori Internationale.
The Montessori method of teaching was founded in Italy more than 100 years ago. It was based on observations of how children naturally learn, through hands-on exploration and by asking questions.
