To expand the Montessori Message and support generations of teachers who wish to free young minds and apply a holistic approach to learning, The Montessori Institute for Teacher Education, founded in 1998, took on the great privilege of being the foundation for adult learners in the tri-state area. In May 2011, The Montessori Academy of Delaware, as well as the Montessori Institute for Teacher Education, changed ownership and became part of International Montessori Schools (IMSchools). The president and director is Raife Cebeci. Raife is an AMS Early Childhood credentialed teacher and holds an MS degree in Education. Since 1998, she has been establishing schools, based upon the Montessori Philosophy.
Raife Cebeci is the Founder/Head of Schools, International Montessori Schools, which has five locations, located in Paoli, Malvern, Royersford and West Chester, PA and Wilmington, DE. Raife has been working to establish Montessori schools, as well as a teacher education program, in Istanbul, Turkey, since 2012. In 2019, International Montessori Schools received their license from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PA-DOE) to expand its adult learner program as an additional site at the IMSchools West Chester campus. In accordance with PA-DOE regulations, we established a new entity named The Montessori Institute of Teacher Education (MITE-PA). In response to Covid-19, to secure the continuity of the Institute, we decided it would be in the program’s best interest to relocate the U.S. main site entirely to the IMSchools West Chester campus. This campus is located on a property owned by the owners of the International Montessori Schools.
Over the years we have helped certify nearly 100 adult learners to become Montessori Teachers. These individuals now reside around the country, making Montessori magic happen in the lives of so many young children.
MITE is fully accredited through the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) and is affiliated by the American Montessori Society (AMS).