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Early Childhood Certification Program - 
Seacoast Schedule at a Glance 2025-2026

​The Seacoast Early Childhood course is a Hybrid educational learning experience that consists of a minimum of 308 contact hours of instruction in Montessori Theory, Pedagogy, and Curricula and includes field supervision of teachers during a 540-hour practicum.

Using an online learning management system, adult learners will receive blended learning instruction in person, online, and asynchronously by a team of AMS-recognized Montessori-certified educators who have successfully acted as lecturers at more than one Seacoast location and have classroom and administrative experience at the Early Childhood level.

Summer Phase
  • June 9-13, 2025 Online
  • June 16-28, 2025 In Residence
  • June 22-26, 2026 In Residence
Seminar Phase
  • November 6-9, 2025 In Residence
  • March 26-29, 2026 In Residence
Webinar Phase
  • First Tuesday of each month Online
Asynchronous Work
  • Ongoing Online
Dates are subject to change.

Residence Location: 
May River Montessori
60 Calhoun Street #7014
Bluffton, South Carolina
29910


In Residence Time:
  • 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Monthly Webinar Time:
  • 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
In Residence LAB – Time in which adult learners will conduct the practice of material, compile albums, and review coursework in a supervised setting.
+Please note – All webinars and asynchronous work listed will require the adult learner to engage with materials, readings, videos, and/or discussion posts outside of scheduled meeting times (asynchronously).





Natasha McKenzie, Director and Faculty 

Natasha is a teacher educator and school consultant. She has been a classroom teacher and administrator for Early Childhood and Elementary I. Natasha is a core faculty member for Northeast Montessori Institute as well as for the Seacoast Early Childhood Program. Natasha is active in AMS teacher education in the USA and Asia. 



LaDene' Conroy, Instructor

LaDene' is past Principal of Mary Ford Elementary in North Charleston SC and  Montessori and Reading Specialist and Consultant for Charleston County School District. She holds the AMS Administrators Credential and is a frequent presenter of professional development workshops and teacher education sessions. 

​Kathleen Gasbarro, Instructor
 

Kathy is Head of Woodside Academy in Millis MA. Kathy’s teaching experience ranges from infant and toddler through Middle School. She holds AMS Certification for Early Childhood and Elementary I.
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​Cathy Constantine, Instructor 

Cathy has been a Montessori educator for more than thirty years. She holds AMS certification from 3-12 and has been a classroom teacher and administrator during that time in New England and North Carolina.  




Early Childhood 308 Course Components hours total



Educational Philosophy
  • Historical background on Dr. Maria Montessori
  • Fundamental concepts of Montessori philosophy
  • The role of the Montessori Teacher
Child Development 
  • Current research in child development from birth to 6
  • Seacoast mentors support course participants 
Practical Life Curriculum
  • The vital role of practical activity in self construction 
  • Material presentations and supervised hands-on practice sessions
  • Cooking, Nutrition, and Food Preparation
Sensorial Curriculum
  • How the young child’s senses support formation of the child’s intelligence
  • Rationales for the use of traditional Sensorial Materials
  • Material presentations and supervised hands-on practice sessions
Math Curriculum
  • Historical background on the origin of math
  • Development of the child’s “mathematical mind”
  • Material presentations and supervised hands-on practice sessions
Language Curriculum
  • Building children’s oral and auditory skills through literature, poetry, songs, fingerplays, and movement
  • Introduction to the Montessori materials for pre-reading and pre-writing
Classroom Leadership
  • Responsive Clasroom Environmental Design
  • Freedom and liberty for the young child
  • Orienting new children into the class
  • Goals and  methods of observation and recordkeeping
Cultural Studies
  • Peace Education
  • The child and the natural world
  • Music, Movement and Art
  • Geography and History

















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  • Home
    • Early Childhood
    • Elementary I-II Course Components
    • Elementary Program Information
    • M.Ed TIES