Thank you for your interest in the Riverbend Montessori Teacher Training Fellowship Program. This two-year program trains and supports aspiring Montessori educators, creates a pipeline of prepared educators for Montessori schools, and promotes careers in Montessori education by removing equity barriers like housing and high cost of living in Metrowest Boston. The fellowship provides Montessori certification through partnerships with accredited training centers, mentorship from experienced Riverbend faculty, and invaluable classroom experience.
Partner Training Centers
Fellows complete intensive training over two summers at partner training centers with costs covered by Riverbend. Their Montessori training practicums are completed during two academic school years at Riverbend, preparing Fellows to become lead Montessori teachers.
Application Timeline & Fellowship Cycle
Application
Year One
Year Two
Eligibility
Personal Statement Short Answers
In the application, you’ll be asked to address each of the five prompts below, using the questions as guides, in no more than 250 words each. Your responses should demonstrate your writing ability, self-reflection skills, and genuine commitment to DEIJ and Montessori education. Be authentic and specific in your responses.
- Your path into education (your origin story)
- What first drew you to working with children/learning communities?
- What 1–2 experiences (coursework, classroom work, mentoring, coaching, community work, etc.) most shaped your desire to become an educator?
- Why Montessori—what you understand today (and what you’re still learning)
- In your own words, what distinguishes Montessori from more traditional school models (e.g., how learning happens, the role of the teacher, assessment, classroom culture)?
- What aspects of Montessori most resonate with you—and why?
- Where do you see room to grow in your understanding or practice of Montessori principles?
- Equity & belonging in practice
- What does an equitable learning environment look and feel like to you?
- How would you use your Montessori training to better serve learners from a range of identities, backgrounds, and learning needs?
- Share one example of how you have supported inclusion, access, or belonging (in a classroom or elsewhere).
- Professional goals & fit for this fellowship
- What are your 3–5 year goals in education (role, age group, setting, skills you want to build)?
- Why is this fellowship the right next step for you at this point in your journey?
- What specific supports/opportunities within the program (e.g., mentorship, housing, training, practicum experience) will help you reach those goals?
- Your contribution to Riverbend (during and after the fellowship)
- What strengths, perspectives, or lived experiences would you bring to the Riverbend community?
- How do you hope to contribute to students, colleagues, and the broader school community while you are here?
- How do you hope to stay connected to (or represent) Riverbend beyond the fellowship?
For questions or additional information, visit the main Fellowship page or contact the Fellowship Coordinator at coordinator@riverbend.org. For information about other career opportunities at Riverbend, visit our Employment page.