Lee Lawley, Canada:  I appreciate Trudy and John’s unrelenting stand for thorough and quality work. Their passion for the classical Montessori method is inspiring and I am grateful for their patience. The exercises were challenging and enlightening. The feedback and follow-ups created a reference library for me to use.  I am grateful for UMA’s vision for world unity within the Montessori community. I’m sure that is exactly what Maria Montessori would want. Their leadership is encouraging and was my guide throughout this course. The openness and love in the organization creates a spiritual experience that I will always remember. UMA is an invaluable resource for guidance, solutions, and Montessori wisdom. The day I decide to open my own school, I know I can call on John and Trudy for consultation support and guidance.  Most of all I feel over the last two years I have become part of the UMA family and although it is distant, it is a part of me and my family.  I will miss our weekly emails.

Tammy Sears, Kentucky:  I have learned more in this course than at I learned with my four-year degree in Social Work at the University of KY. It has been especially helpful for me to look at my earlier experiences in my childhood. As a former geriatric social worker, I found this certification to be very challenging to complete while working at Danville Montessori along with my family responsibilities.  This was a big career change for me at my age, but I felt like I needed to be challenged and I certainly have been.  I feel like I have earned a doctorate degree and so does my husband for listening to me over the last year!

Stephanie Ronge, Washington:  I have learned to take much more consideration for a child’s feelings and thoughts, and I recognize the importance of their proper development.  By proper development I mean that they have had freedom of choice, have learned to focus, self-discipline, and have learned to enjoy gaining knowledge of the world they live in.  I have learned to see the child’s side of situations and think about how they might be experiencing a particular situation.  I believe that I also am better able to help resolve conflicts based on this awareness.  I am able to see other sides of adult conflict also.  Adults too, desire freedoms of choice  - and in many ways behave not unlike children when those rights are violated.  I am better able to observe the source of those conflicts.  I also understand now that the child makes the man. This was a new concept for me at the beginning of the course, but it of such importance because it determines the path our culture will take in the future.  It is in childhood that we can either encourage the development of future benevolent men and women or the development of angry, deviated souls.  And because of this, we can either create a future world of peace or a world of war.  It is up to us who know the value of early childhood development, to set an example  - to show love and compassion so that others may, hopefully, wish to do the same.

Martina Donovalova, Slovakia:. There are many illumined individuals who love to work with children, but still very few of them have the training or right understanding. Slovakia is really a virgin territory in this regard. I think there is an URGENT need for spreading the Montessori knowledge in our part of the world. The sooner it will start at good quality the better. Things are opening up after the communism fell, and more and more educated people are starting to influence the society. I felt that UMA tutors’ approach was very consistent, i.e. until a subject was explored and understood fully, they would not let you go. I appreciated this firmness, because I tend to be an impatient student. Also we built a relationship of trust where I could be very open about my weaknesses without being judged. This was very important to me, to be able to explore my inner life without threats. At the same time I did not even expect so much constructive encouragement and basically understanding for my pains. I gained confidence and love for myself. Also I liked that I could afford to ask questions, explore the subjects, clarify matters and there was always open door for this. I cannot really decide which part of the course was most significant, because each played an important role. The whole sequence is well thought out and developed. It leads you from inner transformation and reflection to outer expressions in application of what has been learned. I think I appreciated this wholeness of the course most. I would like to thank you from the depth of my heart for your company and support on this difficult journey. You made it pleasant and joyous despite so many challenges. You assisted me to progress on my journey to perfection, to human fulfillment. I will always appreciate that you enabled me to make this important progress in my life.  I think you are blessed to work with people who are highly motivated and deserve to do it. I wish you all the best in your future undertakings to spread the knowledge of one of the greatest scientists of the last century.

Selamawit Degafu, Canada: Learning about Dr. Montessori and her philosophy has had a tremendous impact on my life and my outlook about life.   It has been a long journey from that day I meet a Montessori teacher at a birthday part and she told me what she did and explained a bit about the Montessori method.  My conversation with the woman lasted only a few minutes but my life was to change forever.  As Dr. Montessori taught, the future of humanity and world peace depends on the education of the child.   I now realize that children have an inner need for purposeful work and that it is through the process of work they reach normalization. I also understand that as teachers, we have a great responsibility and privilege to work with young children.   Going through the inner preparation, I believe is an important process for a teacher to do.  Some of those exercises were very soul searching and I doubt that I would have done that if it weren’t for this course. Trudy and John, you were wonderful.  Thank you so much with all your support and understanding. It is a privilege for me to have worked with you.  You were very kind, understanding, and very supportive through out this course. You provided me with really good insights and helped me to think beyond what is obvious.  You are excellent Montessorians and I am proud to say that I am UMA certified. 

Deborah Montejano, New Jersey:  The support and insight provided by John and Trudy were invaluable.  I have taken online courses in the past and consider this one to provide the most personal feeling.  I greatly appreciated that. While I thought the readings were excellent and support fantastic, I think the most significant portion of the program was making personal correlations between aspects of the Montessori methodology with our own early childhood experiences.  These imperative and very personal points of references keep the importance of this vital period of a child a the forefront of my thoughts when thinking about child education.  Especially when dealing with our own imperfections, having this information so present in our minds allows us to think twice and make better decisions in educating our children.  I personally had a bit of a struggle in some areas due to my strict upbringing and training as a traditional school educator.  I found John and Trudy to be most understanding and helpful in directing me back to specific textual information so that I could understand where I was mistaken.  Learning can sometimes become frustrating when you are so anxious to get it and do not. I very much appreciated their professional and sensitive manner in guiding my learning of the Montessori methodology. The field of education is not new for me, what is new for me however, is the eye opening new focus I have on child education.  The pre and post observations I made at Montessori schools helped me to realize that understanding and whole-heartedly believing in the Montessori system is what is required to make the program a success.  Successfully completing this training program has helped me to undergo this transformation and has prepared me to feel ready to work with properly trained teachers and take part in the hands on experience of the Montessori prepared environment. I would like to thank John and Trudy for giving me the opportunity to learn and understand more about the person I am.  During the final assignment especially, I felt as though I was going through psychological counseling.  It opened up my eyes to quite a bit about myself.  The knowledge I have learned throughout this training has especially made an impact on my views of education for the absolute best.  For the improved lives of my own children and the lives of those I will influence in the future, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Jessica Krom, Georgia:  The training I received through my Montessori Course has influenced every aspect of my life. It has made me a more confident teacher, as well as a more patient and better mother.   Creating the lessons and giving the demonstrations was the most significant part of the course for me. These aspects really allowed me to realize the importance of the prepared environment and the carefully designed materials. It was also the first time in the course that I got to see the Montessori Method in action. It was as if I had an explosion of understanding and said to myself, “Wow! This really works.” I also believe the UMA final to be of high importance. I was pleasantly impressed to learn how much I knew about the Montessori Method and how naturally I could answer questions related to the material. Although I enjoyed the material presentations the most, I feel that the final was the most important part of the course in terms of helping me feel prepared as a Montessorian.  I feel that the staff at UMA exceeded my expectations for course work support. I was not expecting to receive college-level support from an Internet correspondence course. The feedback I received on my assignments was thorough and informative. Although we had never met in person, I feel a personal bond with the staff at UMA.

Valeria Fuentes, Texas:  I have definitely learned a lot about myself, of life, and of children. It seems that I am much more able to recognize and understand children as individuals with true feelings, emotions and needs. I also become more saddened by circumstances that are so clear to me, situations that are unhealthy for children and I understand why. I suppose to put it in a nutshell, I can see clearly now. I developed the sense of clarity. Because of this clarity, I am now equipped with the knowledge to act in a more positive way and always remember to be sensitive to the child’s needs and respect the child as a person. Understanding the child and his needs has definitely become a strength for me. I believe I am in on a secret that most of the world isn’t in on. I have insight into the child’s psyche and a better understanding of his world, overall. I have had such a pleasant learning experience with John and Trudy as my teachers and always felt comfortable asking questions and accepting constructive criticism from them. I don’t know what I would’ve done without such caring, helping, and considerate individuals as teachers. UMA has definitely gone beyond the mile. I could never express my feelings of gratitude enough… The staff of UMA has definitely provided so much support. I have had many personal trials within these past two years, including a miscarriage, my mother’s diagnosis of cancer, and my own diagnosis of cancer. Life is so unpredictable and through the trials of it all, UMA was so supportive and considerate in granting me the help to continue on with my studies. UMA bent over backwards for me on a quite personal level, and for that…I will undoubtedly be forever grateful. I could never thank you enough – for your help, your consideration in my true time of need, and for supporting me in fulfilling an important personal endeavor of mine. I hope to keep in contact with UMA on a professional and personal level and perhaps meet others that are also on their journey of guiding the children of this world. UMA is a wonderful family to be a part of!

Mark Germain, Japan: Throughout the course, I became increasingly aware of the importance of the preparation of the adult. I would now be very reluctant to hire staff that is not Montessori-trained, or certified through a course whose curriculum didn’t include inner preparation. However well-meaning (and misguided) a person can be, I now see proper training as essential. The children deserve at least that much - 0 to 6 being the foundation year of a lifetime. It is time people realize how primordial a good “teacher” is to the development of children (and the larger society). UMA exceeded all my expectations. With so many diploma mills on the web, and with most prestigious institutions who offer distance learning, yet providing little to no contact with a mentor, I was surprised at your very high level of commitment. Trudy, you have been a tower of strength! Even though we have never met (not yet, I know I have found a valuable friend. I’ll never forget all the assistance you willingly supplied when I decided to open my school. Also, I appreciate the fact that you left no stone unturned, which you did with empathy yet forcing me to take a good hard look in the mirror.) I’ll ever be thankful. I’ve grown quite confident that I am an effective Montessori teacher. Why? Quite simply, and that’s all that really matters: a normalized class! It’s truly beautiful.

Angela McClure, Georgia: The Montessori training has totally restructured my life and beliefs in teaching. Distance learning is wonderful for people like me (public school teacher) and this program has taught me more about the development of a child than what I learned while obtaining my ECE and Master's degrees... The support I have received at UMA has been phenomenal.

Vicki Ferrara, Alabama: UMA exceeded my expectations. I feel that I developed a personal relationship with the staff, a common bond that will always be there... You pulled the rug out from under me when I needed it; you refused to let me slack off or turn in something that was not right. You didn't just take my tuition and tell me I was wonderful and here is my certificate. It was always obvious that the integrity of the program was foremost in your concerns."

Shanthi Vaidyanath, Vietnam: The staff at UMA has been most supportive with regular positive feedback and encouragement. This course provided me excellent information and thorough learning of Montessori philosophy and its application."

Marnie Hazlewood, Bahamas: It is amazing, in my five years of college, I never felt so excited and eager to study! The UMA program is very organized and very detailed. I was provided with stimulating and thought-provoking material and assignments. I was challenged more than I thought I would have been and I am very grateful for this because it has prepared me to take on the job that awaits me in the world of children.

Shirley Miller, Montana: This was a rewarding, insightful course. I believe I got much more than my money's worth. I received more than I expected in not only how I deal with children but also my own personal growth. It has been a wonderful experience. My view on how children learn has changed. I've realized that I don't have to be a "good" teacher but instead create a favorable environment for learning. I'm excited and motivated

Rebecca Wickens, Washington: Whenever I had a question you would immediately get back to me which I GREATLY appreciated. You would walk me through the steps until I understood. You didn't just give me the answers; you made sure it was comprehended. I am very excited to use the information in this course to start a new Montessori school. I have learned in abundance by taking this course. Not only has it prepared me for my future, it has also given me the chance to look at my own parenting skills…It helped me to see life through a child's eyes again. I have been able to use the course and implement some of the teachings in my own life. I have also really enjoyed learning and preparing the material presentations in all areas of the classroom. I highly recommend this program.

Emma Czipczer, Romania: My personal evaluator offered me the model of a Montessori teacher through humanity, the way to work with students, and the meticulous respect for Dr. Maria Montessori's creation. The staff deserves all the honors for their high level of professionalism. They are very special persons whom we rarely have a chance to meet in life, and I have had this honor. I know that this does not finish here, but continues through our relationship as a 'Montessori family.' I have nothing but many thanks.

Anne Schacht, Florida: We as adults and teachers have the power in our hands to teach and build a better world and future. This is one of the reasons it is necessary to have well-trained individuals in primary education. It is very important for teachers to have an inner preparation to interact with and teach children. I never before saw the children the way I see them today... I feel like I have a new window in front of me

Nadia Luccessi, Wisconsin: Thank you for everything. I have enjoyed this course and even feel that I got a better Montessori education through you than if I had gone to a lab school. Your assignments and essays that I had to write prepared me more that I feel a lecture would have. You truly made me learn and discover on my own. What better way to understand what Montessori is all about.

Taysia Mitton, Vermont: I was thoroughly impressed with the attention given to the spiritual work of the teacher. It was a large part of the training and I feel it was the most important. When it comes to teaching, there is not enough emphasis placed on the spiritual preparation that must be made. If there is to be significant growth an understanding between the adult and the child then work must be accomplished within the adult. Through observing myself and my own actions, I’ve been able to bring attention to areas within myself that need work in order for me to be a better teacher and person. It has given me a lot more confidence. I now eagerly look forward to teaching and especially to opening up my own school. I was uncomfortable writing about my childhood and worried about how my teachers would respond. Instead of getting the responses I feared (such as lack of encouragement to become a teacher because of my past experiences) I received a lot of positive encouragement. I really appreciate the fact that the feedback I received wasn’t “praise” but honest responses. This has assisted me in finding confidence within myself instead of looking to others for support. If I ever feel I need advice, have a question or any concerns with teaching or the philosophy, I am comforted to know I can always turn to UMA for support.

Sharon Gordon, Colorado: To my great surprise and delight, I found the United Montessori Association, a workable solution for even a busy mom/teacher like me. I could get my training while continuing to home school. Because of the personalized training and encouragement I have received from my evaluator, I was able to open my own Montessori school without feeling unprepared, even as I continued to finish the coursework.

Arlene Al-Harthy, Oman: I think that the staff of UMA was extremely helpful, not only with the course, but with any other questions I came up with. They were very professional as well as very friendly and approachable throughout the program. I could not have wished for a better tutor, and I am very grateful to my evaluator for all her support. The UMA course has given me a greater insight into the minds of children and how they are influenced by the environment and experiences. Being able to understand their needs has enabled me to be a better teacher and mother. After completing this course I could see how I have developed in to the person I am today. I am very glad that I took this course.

Sachia D’Sa , New York: I think you do an excellent job being a distance-learning program. I never thought I would have such a good foundation. I am going to be the head teacher in a new Montessori class. I am going to use all the knowledge that I have received about child development, sensitive periods, classroom organization and management, and observation as it relates to the class and the children. Yes, I have full confidence that I will be an asset to my school as a trained teacher. I have had a good grounding in Montessori theory that will help me carry on as a Montessorian.