How much can a starting teacher spend on rent?

Montessori teacher qualifications? ?

• Alright, I'm considering becoming a Montessori teacher, I love the methods and think it's a fantastic way for children to learn. However, is it really worth all the money I have to spend qualifying myself? I just talked to the Head of a local Montessori school today and she said I'd have to get a bachelors degree in Montessori teachings then a Masters degree AND a certification. Experienced Head teachers typically make 30,000 a year? Im assuming starting salary is much lower. Those are very expensive and high requirements to demand for that crumby salary. Am I missing something here? I'd make way more and spend way less on an Early childhood Ed degree for PA public schools. I've seen online Montessori certifications... Are they legit? Are they respected? Would having that online certification and a few years of teachers aid experience at a Montessori school qualify me enough to become a teacher? Any experiences, advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

• Answer:

  <<I just talked to the Head of a local Montessori school today and she said I'd have to get a bachelors degree in Montessori teachings then a Masters degree AND a certification.>> If you get a bachelors degree in Montessori, you'll also get your Montessori certification. Make sure you attend a college that offers either AMI or AMS Cerification. The Masters will be good in the long run, because then you could also get jobs as a teacher trainer, but you can set that as a long term goal. <<Experienced Head teachers typically make 30,000 a year? Im assuming starting salary is much lower. Those are very expensive and high requirements to demand for that crumby salary. Am I missing something here?>> Nope. You're realizing something. You're finally seeing how poorly teachers are paid. <<I'd make way more and spend way less on an Early childhood Ed degree for PA public schools.>> Look into whether they have Montessori in the public schools there. Same pay scale. <<I've seen online Montessori certifications... Are they legit? Are they respected? Would having that online certification and a few years of teachers aid experience at a Montessori school qualify me enough to become a teacher?>> The frame you put it in will be worth more than the paper itself.