About Fountainhead Montessori Academy of Education
Authentic, Hands-On, Accredited
OUR HISTORY
The Fountainhead Montessori Adult Education (FMAE) program was conceived by Sarah Zimmerman, who, after over 20 years of experience with Montessori, saw the need for an accessible, affordable training course. FMAE has been in continuous operation since 1986.
Sarah, the founder of the nonprofit Fountainhead Montessori School in Northern California, wants to be able to reach out to those who are interested in Montessori training and/or a credential, but who have neither the time nor finances required to partake in a full-time course, which is why FMAE allows students to take one or two classes per quarter while working.
Sarah Zimmerman is now an Instructor Emeritus at FMAE.
ABOUT MONTESSORI
Montessori teaching differs from traditional teaching because it's student-centered. Montessori teachers act as guides and consultants to students through one-on-one engagement and hands-on materials instead of predetermined drills and rote practices. Guides know when to intervene and when to step aside by observing student needs. This is a type of classroom management that requires a high level of skill to master. The many hours of learning and practice come together, however, for the benefit of the children and teachers in a Montessori classroom.
At FMAE the learning environment is set up and prepared for adult learners to get a hands-on experience. Unlike most other schools, FMAE provides training rooms with all the authentic Montessori materials to practice, as well as classrooms for the teachers to explore and see.
AMS CERTIFICATE DESCRIPTION
Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) is the international standard setting and accrediting body for Montessori educator preparation. MACTE has been recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education since 1995. FMAE is accredited by the MACTE and is affiliated by the American Montessori Society (AMS). AMS is MACTE recognized. AMS offers teacher credentials in different age groups like primary training is for ages 2.5-6.
All AMS Montessori training programs include over 300 instruction hours of the academic phase; this includes child development, Montessori teaching philosophy, presentations, hands on practice with Montessori materials, and group discussions. Albums will be created and rational papers will be written for each subject. After the academic phase, there is a supervised yearlong practicum phase with over 540 hours of a real classroom setting with hands on teaching weeks, presentation practice, setting up prepared environments, and class management. Trainees will demonstrate not only understanding of Montessori methods, but also the ability to create Montessori materials, participate in classroom observations, and follow the child to give guidance, and promote the love of learning.
PRESCHOOL TEACHER QUALIFICATION
The State of California (any many others) require anyone working in a licensed preschool center to hold 12 Early Childhood Education college units. The required courses are: Child Development, Child, Family, and Community, and other 6 units in any curriculum subject you choose. We are proud to offer fully qualified Early Childhood Education courses, and Montessori Early Childhood Teacher Credential. We are proud to offer a Montessori Associates Certificate that qualifies you to teacher in a licensed center in California. You are required to take Child Development, Child, Family & Community but you may pick two other courses (Montessori philosophy required) to complete the required 12 units.
WHY FOUNTAINHEAD MONTESSORI ADULT EDUCATION
FACULTY
Muthumathy began her career as an Engineer but soon realized that teaching was her true calling. Mathy received her Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from India and her Montessori Primary Credential from Fountainhead Montessori Adult Education. She currently teaches kindergarten at Blackhawk Montessori School. Her teaching inspiration comes from the thoughtfully designed materials in the Montessori Classroom. She understands the materials have a motive and a learning goal. These materials stimulate children and assist them in becoming independent and responsible. She is eager to share her passion for using materials effectively with adult learners, helping them appreciate their importance. In turn, this guidance will help future teachers to educate children in a Montessori classroom.
Usha has always had a passion for teaching and a deep love for young children. Growing up with the Montessori approach, she understood early on the value of self-directed learning. Thirty-five years ago, with a Master's degree in Literature, she chose to pursue Montessori education and completed her A.M.I. diploma in Atlanta. Since then, she has been teaching in primary Montessori classrooms. For the past ten years, since moving to California, Usha has been working as a Montessori teacher trainer and field consultant. She strongly agrees with Maria Montessori's words: "The adult works to perfect the environment, but the child works to perfect himself."
Carolyn Lucento is a long time Montessorian, a grandmother, and admirer of wild flowers, music and art of all kinds. She created the Magical Movement Company in 1992 as a way to enrich the learning experiences of people through Music, Dance, Drama, The Arts and Nature.
Amy Griffis received her Bachelors of Science with a focus on Computer Science from Indiana University. She received her AMS Early Childhood Credential from FMAE in 2009 and went on to become a head teacher in a Primary classroom. She currently is the Science Specialist for the Primary classrooms.
Jing teaches Sensorial in Fountainhead Montessori Adult Education, with over eight years of classroom experience. Her journey in education began in Montessori schools, where she spent over five years immersed in the philosophy and practice of child-centered learning. She holds American Montessori Society (AMS) credentials for both Early Childhood (ages 3–6) and Lower Elementary (ages 6–9). Jing has her doctorate in Education, too. She aims to apply this advanced knowledge to foster children's academic growth, independence, and a love for learning—and to support teachers in doing the same for every child they guide.
Alex is currently a Primary Teacher at Valley Montessori School in Livermore, CA. Prior to working at VMS, Alex started her Montessori career as a Child Care Director for Fountainhead Montessori School in Danville, CA in 2015. Alex went through our FMAE Program and received her AMS Credential. Alex has 10 years of experience working with children and training teachers in a Montessori setting. She is proud to be a new member of our FMAE Instructors team. Alex also spearheaded the DEI Program at VMS as a DEI Coordinator for 3 consecutive years 2021-2025. Alex served in a AMS Accreditation Team in March 2025 for the California Montessori Project Charter Schools, 7 campuses in Sacramento CA. Alex is a VMS Consortium Speaker- "Creating Belonging in the Montessori Classroom: Educator Tips for Welcoming All Students into the Classroom Community". Alex is a life long learner and enjoys helping new Montessorians grow.
While attending the University of Davis, a dynamic professor introduced Ruth to Dr. Maria Montessori and her works in educating children in the slum of Italy. Inspired by Dr. Montessori, she began taking courses related to teaching. Her first experience in teaching children was at Green Gate Center for Exceptional Children in Woodland. Continuing her love for educating children, she taught a Kindergarten and a second grade class in Sacramento. When her daughter was born, she wanted Montessori education for her. She also wanted to continue to be an educator like Dr. Montessori. She attended the MSGG in San Francisco. The Director was the amazing Dr. Ursula Thrush. In class, Ruth was in awe, captivated by Dr. Montessori's philosophy/psychology, method, peace education, and self-correcting didactic materials. After completing all her classes, Ruth moved to Castro Valley in 1993, she did her internship with Dr. Rigs, working in a school and taking the AMS training at the MTEC. She joined Fountainhead Montessori School in 1997. Ms. Sarah Zimmerman was the founder of FMS and FMAE. Ms. Sarah is humorous, knowledgeable, creative, artistic, and a true Montessorian. With her inspiration, Ruth worked in FMS for more than 20 years in a Kindergarten class. Now, as FMAE Field Consultant, Ruth's aspiration is to inspire and guide new generation of teachers to be an authentic Montessori guide, skilled in observation, follow the child, spark his/her interest, and help the child to discover his/her full potential becoming a peaceful contributing citizen of the world.
Samar Shakalia began her career in education as an assistant teacher and later worked as an elementary English as a Second Language teacher. Inspired by her passion for guiding young children, she pursued her Montessori training and earned her Primary Montessori Credential from Fountainhead Montessori Adult Education. Samar has served in multiple roles throughout her career, including site director and primary teacher at Fountainhead Montessori School. She has extensive experience designing Montessori classroom environments, planning Montessori-based curriculum, and working with Montessori materials to support each child's unique learning journey. As a Field Supervisor, Samar is dedicated to mentoring and supporting new Montessori teachers. She is deeply passionate about Montessori philosophy and finds joy in helping teachers grow in their practice while ensuring that children experience the beauty of self-directed learning in carefully prepared environments.
Dr. Jiawei Liu is a transpersonal psychologist and educator with over 20 years of experience in drama and education. He earned his doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology from Sofia University and is currently Executive Vice President at Golden Gate College. At Fountainhead Montessori Adult Education, he serves as our Honorary Academic Advisor, contributing his research and methods to strengthen teacher training and curriculum, with a focus on child development, family psychology, and expressive arts in education.
AMS CREDENTIALS
American Montessori Society (AMS) is recognized worldwide as the leading accrediting organization for preparing skilled, highly qualified Montessori teachers. AMS offers teacher credentials in different age groups like primary training is for ages 2.5-6.
All AMS Montessori training programs include over 300 instruction hours of the academic phase; this includes child development, Montessori teaching philosophy, presentations, hands on practice with Montessori materials, and group discussions. Albums will be created and rational papers will be written for each subject. After the academic phase, there is a supervised yearlong practicum phase with over 540 hours of a real classroom setting with hands on teaching weeks, presentation practice, setting up prepared environments, and class management.
An AMS Montessori Early Childhood Credential is awarded to students with a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S college/university or its equivalent that completes the academic and practicum phases.
AMS requires that holders of AMS credentials issued on or after July 1, 2013, complete 50 hours of professional development every 5 years for the credential to remain active.