Overview
Located on 10 wooded acres in West Nashville, Abintra Montessori School offers educational opportunities for children ages 3 through 15 years.

Founded by a small group of parents, Abintra opened Nashville's first Montessori elementary program to nine elementary students in 1981 as an independent, nonprofit, educational organization. Those parents envisioned a quality educational experience for their children through Dr. Maria Montessori's educational continuum: follow the child's lead, observe to know the child's needs, prepare the learning environment, support the child's effort, respect the child's individuality, and trust in the child's inner workings.

Over the last 26 years, Abintra has expanded its program to serve 150 students from preschool through ninth grade. Abintra continues to provide all children with a carefully prepared learning environment, a community of fellow learners, and a wide range of quality materials, including the advanced Montessori equipment.

The primary goal of Abintra's Montessori program is to help each child reach their full potential in all areas of life. Activities promote the development of social skills, emotional growth, and physical coordination as well as cognitive preparation for future intellectual academic endeavors. The holistic curriculum, under the direction of a specifically prepared teacher, allows the child to experience the joy of learning, the time to enjoy the process, and ensures the development of self esteem. It provides the experiences from which children create their knowledge. Read more about the Maria Montessori's method and the goals and benefits of a Montessori-based education.

Our faculty strives to meet each child at his/her own developmental levels - intellectually, physically, and socially. Integrated into our academic curriculum are the arts, Spanish, community service learning, and outdoor education.

Our multi-age groupings (see our classrooms) are designed to:

• Enhance socialization
  
• Allow children to teach and learn from each other
  
• Facilitate the guide's concentration on individual rather than grade norms
  
• Allow a consistent environment, community, and guide:student relationship over a 3-year period
  
• Provide community
  
• Permit the development of a family spirit in the classroom

Our multi-aged classrooms provide children with a carefully prepared learning environment and a wide range of quality materials.

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Mission and Vision
The mission of Abintra Montessori school is to assist in the development of the individual child and adolescent by providing a quality education based on Montessori principles and philosophy.

In our vision, Abintra develops confident, self-motivated learners who creatively meet the challenges of life.

Our mission and vision are accomplished through the collaborative efforts of a working Board of Trust with an Executive Director as its representative, faculty and staff, parents, volunteers, and the community at large.

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The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) through its Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (CASI) and the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA) have awarded accreditation to Abintra Montessori School. Read more....

Abintra Accreditations and Memberships

• Member of American Montessori Society (AMS)
• Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
  
• Approved and licensed by TN State Department of Education (TDOE)
• Member of TN Association of Independent Schools (TAIS)
  

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Faculty and Staff
The function of the teacher in a Montessori classroom differs considerably from that of the traditional teacher; therefore, at Abintra we use the term "guide."

Teaching teams guide students in nongraded, multi-age classrooms; all lead guides are Montessori-trained (and, where applicable, state-certified). At Abintra, independent activity constitutes about 80% of the work while guide-directed activity accounts for 20%. The reverse percentages are true in traditional classrooms.

Flexibility of classroom design and student placement based on individual and group needs is a hallmark of Abintra's dedication to maximizing each child's potential.

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Employment Opportunities

Abintra employs Montessori-certified teachers for lead guide positions; Montessori training is not required for assistant positions. Interested applicants should submit an employment application and resume.

Upper Elementary Guide (begins August 2008)

Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in education;
MACTE-accredited Montessori 9-12 credential (AMS preferred)

Benefits: Abintra offers an attractive benefits package and a competitive salary that is based on education and experience.

If interested, please submit employment application and resume to: Abintra Montessori School, Attn: Business Manager, 914 Davidson Dr., Nashville, TN 37205. All applications will be acknowledged upon receipt.

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Montessori Training Opportunities

Belmont University in Nashville launched its new Montessori Teacher Education Program in June, 2005. Students enrolled in the program will earn certification in Early Childhood Education (for ages 2 1/2-6) while also earning college credit that can be applied toward an undergraduate degree or a graduate degree (Master of Arts in Teaching). The Belmont University Montessori Teacher Education Program has applied for accreditation of its Early Childhood program through the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE). It has also applied for affiliation through the American Montessori Society (AMS).

This program is the first Montessori teacher preparation program of its kind in Tennessee and offers three major benefits:

• Montessori certification as well as university credit;
• Tennessee state teacher licensure for Pre K-3 as well as Montessori certification; and
• Available through Belmont's University College for non-traditional students as well as through the University's graduate program.

Abintra Montessori School is proud to be the private school training site for Belmont's Montessori Teacher Education Program. For more information on this program, contact Merrie King, Ed.D., at 615-460-6233 or kingm@mail.belmont.edu.

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All advertising disseminated and published by Abintra Montessori School is fair, truthful and nondeceptive. At no time does Abintra Montessori School or its staff knowingly disseminate false advertising.

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