AMI School Leadership Certificate

Date: 17 - 26 June 2026 | Delivery Method : Onsite at IMC
Registration form: open soon

Course Overview

The AMI Montessori School Leadership Certificate (formerly known as the AMI Administrator Certificate course) is a comprehensive professional development program designed to deepen the understanding of school leadership within an authentic Montessori context. This intensive course explores the intersection of Montessori pedagogy and effective organizational management. Participants will move beyond simple administrative tasks to explore how a leader can sustain the school’s mission while navigating modern educational challenges.

Who is this for?

This course is designed for individuals currently in or aspiring to leadership roles, including:

School Heads and Administrators: Both new and experienced principals, directors, or founders.
Administrative Staff: Business managers, bursars, and deputies looking to align their work with Montessori principles.
Aspiring Leaders: Montessori-trained guides or educators preparing to transition into leadership or center management.
Board Members: Individuals seeking to understand the "big picture" of a healthy school community.

What you will learn

The curriculum is divided into core pedagogical foundations and practical leadership applications:

Core Pedagogical Principles: Understanding the Four Planes of Development, the Prepared Environment, and the concept of Freedom and Discipline.
Visionary Leadership: Developing a unified school vision, strategic planning, and understanding the "Spiritual Preparation of the Adult".
Community Building: Strategies for effective communication for cohesion, community education, and involving parents.
Operations and Growth: Implementing the curriculum, removing obstacles to school growth, and quality assurance through AMI standards.

Course Format and Requirements

The program consists of 60 total hours delivered through a full-time, intensive onsite format from June 17th to June 26th, 2026 (excluding Sunday, June 21st).

45 hours of interactive leactures, guided group work, and engaging group discussions. Participants must maintain at least 90% attendance in these sessions to qualify for certification.
10-15 hours dedicated to independent study, comprising guided reading assignments, daily reflections, and the preparation of major assignments.
Practical Work: Completion of observation assignment and the submission of a major asignment on Strategic Planning exercise.

Certification

Upon successful completion of all course modules, and required observation hours, participants are awarded the AMI Montessori School Leadership Certificate. This certificate is issued by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), the organization founded by Maria Montessori in 1929. It is internationally recognized as a mark of high-quality, authentic leadership training.

Enrollment Details

Course Dates: 17-26 June 2026. No classes on 21 June 2026.
Daily Schedule: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Prerequisites: Open to all, no prior Montessori experience is required.
AMI Leadership Trainers: Karen Bennetts & Christine Harrison
Tuition: Get 70 USD discount for Early Bird Registration by 17 Mei 2026.

Discounted Fee: 980 USD (Indonesian) | 1080 USD (Overseas - Asia) | 1180 USD (Overseas - Western)

Full Fee: 1050 USD (Indonesian) | 1150 USD (Overseas - Asia) | 1250 USD (Overseas - Western)

+10% GST will be applied to the course fee.

Required Reading: Includes core texts by Maria Montessori, such as The Absorbent Mind and The Child in the Family.

Course Fee:

Get 70 USD discount for Early Bird Registration by 17 Mei 2026.

Discounted Fee: 980 USD (Indonesian) | 1080 USD (Foreigner - Asia) | 1180 USD (Foreign - Western)

Full Fee: 1050 USD (Indonesian) | 1150 USD (Foreigner - Asia) | 1250 USD (Foreign - Western)

+ 10% GST will be applied to the course fee.

AMI Leadership Trainer Profiles:

Karen Bennets

Karen has been involved in the Montessori education sector for over three decades. She has been a Montessori teacher, principal, board director, consultant, researcher and parent. Karen holds the AMI 3-6 and 6-12 Diplomas and the AMI Orientation to Adolescent Studies. She has a PhD in Montessori Leadership from Monash University in Melbourne and is currently working on publishing material from her thesis. Karen is a qualified Company Director with over 20 years of governance experience and is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia. She has worked for government, large corporates and SMEs and is currently a board director at Sydney Montessori Training Centre and Mansfield District Hospital. In 2016, she was granted a State Fellowship Award from the Australian Council of Educational Leaders for her contribution to the education sector.

Christine Harrison

Christine Harrison is the AMI Ambassador, South East Asia and former AMI Board member. Christine has been involved in Montessori education since 1985 and was Head of School at Canberra Montessori School, one of the largest Montessori schools in Australia, for over 20 years. As well as educational leadership, Christine has a background in mediation, mentoring, conflict management and adult education with an emphasis on empowering individuals and building good communication skills. She was the founding President of Montessori Australia and a senior consultant working with Montessori schools and childcare centres.

Christine co-developed the AMI Administrators Certificate Course and is an AMI Certified Trainer for this course which she has given in several cities in China, in Thailand, USA, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Mexico and France. She has presented at Montessori conferences in Europe, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, China and the USA and is committed to her work with Montessori in underserved communities around the world.