What We Do
Advocacy
The number of Montessori schools are expanding in Texas. Texas has a strong base of over 55,000 Montessori students, over 300 Montessori schools, 10 accredited educator preparation programs and an untapped number of advocates. As waiting lists for Montessori schools grow there is a shortage of qualified teachers, systemic barriers to Montessori programs’ operations and until now no organized advocacy presence in the state of Texas.
Montessori Teacher Recognition Priorities
TRS:
Texas Rising Star schools have designated slots for qualifying families to receive tuition subsidies. More Montessori schools participating in TRS will expand access to high quality Montessori education.
TEA:
The Texas Education Agency does not have a formal pathway to recognize the pedagogical content and rigor of Montessori Educator Preparation Programs. The process for receiving a Texas state teaching certificate is separate and unrelated to the process for receiving a Montessori teaching credential. In Texas a public Montessori teacher must do both paths, extending the time it takes to have a qualified teacher leading a Montessori classroom. By creating a pathway to incorporate both the state and Montessori credential we can ensure that well prepared public Montessori teachers are teaching in the classroom sooner.
Childcare Licensing
Revise licensing regulations to allow accredited or verified Montessori programs to implement their pedagogy in full, while maintaining the quality and integrity of their pedagogical approach.
Statewide Advocacy Working Groups
Statewide working groups meet regularly to connect, collaborate, share best practices, and create strategy to support exemplary Montessori in Texas. All are welcome to encouraged to participate in one or more workgroups.
Montessori Teacher Credential Recognition
Texas Education Agency
Montessori Teacher Credential Recognition
Texas Rising Star
Childcare Licensing
Licensing regulations that allow verified Montessori programs to maintain the quality and integrity of their pedagogical approach.
Advocacy Mobilization Team
Support getting the word on and support “Calls to Action” when our community needs the take action on specific policies or regulations.
Public Montessori Work Group
This group brings new and existing barriers faced in the public sector to a shared workspace to 1) promote collaboration across the state and 2) share resources and best practices with colleagues.
Events
Spring Statewide Meeting
- March 25th & 27th
TEAM Collaboratives
- Third Thursday Monthly
Advocacy Core Team
- December 17th at 5:30 p.m.
Gather & Grow: Houston February 2025
- February 22, 2025