Testimonials

I highly recommend this Training Center. The trainers undergo a rigorous training to become trainers themselves and then give us our own training to prepare us for real life situations. One thing I found fantastic with this preparation was that I was supplied with a very robust foundation so that I know HOW to work within this world.

I was also given enough information so that if there was flexibility to design my own activities, based on the specific need of a particular child, I will be able to do it. This training with Naoko is exactly what I needed and what I received. I am very grateful for this program and I would recommend it to anyone.

— Meagan H.

Attending the Primary Montessori academic course at WMI is one of the most wise decisions I have ever made. Starting from September 2022 to May 2023, I learned so much with the Montessori Primary Course. It is a warm and welcoming community, I love all the people I met there. I would definitely recommend the course to my friends who are curious or wanted to learn more about Montessori.

— Siliang L.

I graduated from WMI with my AMI Primary Diploma in 2008.  The authentic, high-fidelity training has been vital in my development as a Montessori guide, Montessori parent, and Montessori school founder and head of school.  The current and former trainers at WMI continue to inspire my work and the work of my faculty in addition to providing mentorship to all of us.  In addition to my work leading a school, I have been honored to serve on the WMI Board of Directors since 2018 as both the President of the Board of Directors (2018-2023) and a Board Member at large.  I fully support WMI’s mission of providing AMI Montessori teacher training to adults in order to further the reach of Montessori so that ALL children can have access to the liberating, powerful, respectful, and research-supported approach to development.

— Kavitha M.

Jennifer’s support was instrumental for me as a new guide. Each time she came to observe, she had incredibly helpful feedback and was eager to share her advice as we brainstormed challenges together. She helped me to focus my priorities and to notice what was going well in my environment despite how overwhelmed I felt, which empowered me to keep going and re-inspired my motivation. Jennifer is both direct and encouraging, which was exactly what I needed. I would advise any guide regardless of experience level to seek Jennifer’s insightful mentorship.

— Erika H.

I truly appreciate Jennifer Shields! All her hard work, her being direct, no nonsense, her attention to minute details, and being very picky – her training left a positive impact on me. I learned and grew in many ways. She helped bring out the best in me, made me feel ready to support and guide the children in the Casa. As soon as I graduated, I felt immediate confidence. As I reflect when I was in the Institute, now things are making sense and falling into the right place. Many challenging moments that I can pull off because her coaching was very practical and applicable. I am very grateful for Jennifer, and I will always look up to her. I hope she continues to impart her gift to guide future Guides and help them prepare themselves. Jennifer’s techniques, approaches and strategies are the BEST! I wish that she can train many, many, many, more Guides around the world!

— Felma L.

From start to finish, my recent WMI primary training met and exceeded my every expectation! While unsure at first about the hybrid model, it quickly became apparent that Naoko is – and would remain throughout the process and beyond graduation – incredibly attentive and heroically accommodating to the whole cohort, tending to all of our diverse needs with unwavering humility and patience. Granted, the entire WMI staff was warm and welcoming, efficient and dependable, but Naoko in particular exemplified a devoted Montessori practitioner – giving us space when needed, supporting us when we struggled, and challenging us to be the prepared adults the children we serve will need.

WMI training thoroughly versed me in Montessori theory and abundantly prepared me to offer excellent presentations, but more importantly it invited me, after many years already in this work, to enter even more deeply into the spiritual transformation necessary to be truly present to children. I strive each day to observe, assess, and adjust so as to live up to the title of AMI Montessori guide and the ideals presented by the experts in their field at WMI.

— Jenny L.

The knowledge, skills, and experience shared by the WMI trainers and staff continue to influence and inspire me. This 0-3 training has transformed how I see and do things, especially with the understanding of how critical and sensitive the 0-3 year period is in a child’s life. I have changed in the process. I have slowed down, become more aware of my thoughts, reduced assumptions and judgements about the child in front of me, and now give greater consideration to the environment (which includes myself and others). I feel like I am a better human being as I work with children.

— Jennifer M.

I feel that the knowledge as well as human society and conversation that were an inextricable part of this orientation course helped me find optimism and helped me deeply understand how much our work is a mission that carries with it great hope for a better world.

— Moriya M.

My Orientation Course experience has been positive and enriching towards embracing the educational program of Maria Montessori. Naoko is an awesome instructor and her ability to share, respect, and facilitate online instruction are worthy of acknowledgment.

— Sean L.