Every year, the American Montessori Society (AMS) awards teacher education scholarships to current and aspiring Montessori teachers in support of their professional growth. Those eligible to apply for scholarships are individuals who have been accepted, are in the process of being accepted, or are already enrolled in an AMS-affiliated teacher education program at the Infant & Toddler, Early Childhood, Elementary (I, I – II, II), or Secondary (I, I – II) credential level.

The application period for the 2024–2025 academic year will close at 11:59 pm (ET) on Friday, April 19, 2024. Visit the Montessori Teacher Education Scholarships page to access the online application form and learn more.

AMS recently met with Eliza Heerboth and Emily Hunter, two of scholarship recipients in the 2023–2024 academic year, to learn more about the impact that their scholarships made in their lives and careers.

Eliza Heerboth, Early Childhood Teacher

Please describe your degrees and certifications.

I have bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work. I am currently wrapping up my practicum year and assignments at Hope Montessori Educational Institute (HMEI) in Lake St. Louis, MO in the Elementary Childhood cohort.

What motivated you to apply to the AMS Scholarship Fund?

I was motivated to apply to the AMS Scholarship Fund as a potential option to help with funds for the summer. Life still happens while in the training, so knowing that the scholarship is an option was a motivating factor in attending the training, but also knowing that it is possible financially.

Why was the scholarship important to you? How did you use the funds?

The scholarship was important to me, because I was able to apply the funds to the tuition at Hope Montessori Education Institute. Being out of the classroom for the duration of the training was difficult, but the scholarship was able to add some cushion and allowed me to pursue the training in one summer.

What goals were you able to meet with this opportunity? What did you gain from the scholarship in the short-term, and how did it impact your long-term career development?

With this opportunity, I was able to gain so much knowledge to further my career as a Montessori teacher at Kirkwood Children’s House. I was not only able to advance my education and career, but I will be able to touch the lives of the children in our class now and for years to come.

Why are AMS Scholarship Funds important?

The AMS Scholarship Funds are important, because they are able to provide the opportunity to attend the training to someone that might not be able to otherwise.

Emily Hunter, Intern Assistant Preschool Teacher

Please describe your degrees and certifications.

I am an intern assistant preschool teacher in a classroom working with a master Montessori teacher and being mentored by her. I do not have my degree yet. I have graduated high school, and have 21 ECE units with a college. I plan on going back and working towards receiving my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood education once I’m finished with my AMS training!

What motivated you to apply to the AMS Scholarship Fund?

What motivated me to apply to the AMS Scholarship Fund was that I was interested in getting my AMS Montessori credential for a long time. I am also getting married this year so funds were a little tight. My director let me know that AMS was offering scholarships, and the deadline to turn in applications was the NEXT day. I was so determined to achieve my goal!

It only took me three hours to put together all my references and needed information to submit my application.

I was motivated by my boss to reach out and just try, and I pushed myself to reach for my dreams. I am so glad I did.

Why was the scholarship important to you? How did you use the funds?

I used the funds for a scholarship to the Montessori Teacher Academy in Dana Point, CA. It was a partial scholarship, and it was so helpful. My scholarship paid for my first part of the training, including a philosophy course, and four of the cultural subject workshops such as geography, art, peace, and zoology.

This scholarship was important to me, because it helped me get that extra push I needed to chase after my dream of getting my Preschool AMS credentials. It is important to me that I was able to get help so I can better help my own students.

What goals were you able to meet with this opportunity? What did you gain from the scholarship in the short-term, and how did it impact your long-term career development?

With the scholarship, I was able to get myself enrolled in the program and start before it was too late and had to wait a whole year until the next session opened up. Long-term, this scholarship has helped me not only get my foot in the door, but to also welcome me into my new life as a Montessori educator. It has helped me gain so much knowledge that I can use with my students, and create in me a new hope for the future.

Why are AMS Scholarship Funds important?

AMS Scholarship Funds are important, because there are many, MANY passionate teachers out there that want to go through their training to become a better educator but who just can’t because of the economy and their personal locations. I live in California, where everything is so expensive.

Without this scholarship I don’t know how long it would have been before I could get enrolled and start learning. This scholarship is important to show teachers that they have help, and that someone out there believes in them and the teacher they can be.

You can support AMS Teacher Education Scholarships through the Living Legacy Scholarship Fund. Your donation helps create pathways for current and future Montessori teachers to realize their dream of helping shape the Montessori classrooms of tomorrow.

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The opinions expressed in Montessori Life are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of AMS.