Please help me to fulfil my Montessori teaching dream!

My name is Ashleigh Millar and over my time in teacher training, volunteering and working I have found an deep resonating passion for the amazing education philosophy created by Maria Montessori. The Montessori philosophy, in a brief overview, is a child focused approach where the teacher is a guide for the children to use as they progress through their own educational journey.

This year I am graduating with my Bachelors degree in Primary education with a Montessori specialty. In reflecting on everything I have learnt I am now planning to take my teacher training further by completing a diploma in the Montessori philosophy. This would be an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) age 6-12yrs course to be attended in Bergamo, Italy.

To attend this course my partner and I would need to travel to Italy and live there for a year whilst I study. I am determined to make this happen and complete this course to use my knowledge to grow Montessori education in New Zealand. My goal is to gain my diploma and work towards running my own Montessori primary school in New Zealand, giving back to our community and children who all deserve the best possible education we can provide.

As this training is not offered here by a New Zealand education provider I am not eligible for any funding or loans to cover the costs of the course, materials and living costs. In knowing this I am fund raising money through this page and events I am organising, to cover some of the costs we will be faced with. I believe that in taking this next step in my career I will be able come back and positively contribute to education in New Zealand.

Any support and contributions towards my study would be immensely appreciated!