My AMI 0-3 diploma course experience – Nimma Alamza Egun

A Background Story

In April 2016, I had the privilege of attending the first 0-3 Assistant Teacher Course (now called the Orientation Course) at the AMI Study Centre in Hampstead, London, under the guidance of Heidi Philippat. This training experience sparked my resolve to pursue the 0-3 Diploma Course. As one of the pioneers, we were offered a chance to join with the registration fee waived, but I still couldn’t afford the tuition. I applied for a grant, which I received, but the remaining balance remained out of reach.

When the Foundation of Montessori Educators Nigeria was established as an umbrella for AMI-trained adults in Nigeria, I joined without hesitation. With the creation of the Montessori Study Centre (MSC) in Nigeria, I began advocating for a 0-3 Diploma Course, believing it would be more affordable and accessible if conducted locally. While waiting for this opportunity, I took another step forward by attending the 3-6 Assistant Teacher Course at MSC in 2018 under the guidance of Nia Seales.

You can imagine my excitement when I was contacted by the Administrator to express my interest in a 0-3 Diploma Course to be held in Nigeria, and to indicate whether I would consider a mixed module of online and onsite learning. This was the best news I had received after years of longing to advance my Montessori training.

What was my response? A resounding “Yes!”—and so began the journey.

My Experience

Online: The course began online with Vibhuti Jain from India as our trainer. She had a one-on-one chat with each student, and I was thrilled to be offered a place. My first impression of her was that she was strict and required our full attention, and I knew this would be a demanding course. It was also my first online course that lasted longer than a week—four hours of lectures each day, from Monday to Friday, for eight weeks, followed by two to three weeks of material-making.

It was a tough, grueling, but ultimately rewarding experience. Balancing the course with my regular 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. job and preparations for my daughter’s wedding in November 2023 was no small feat.  I was determined to finish my lecture notes, submit them to the Album Reader, and complete my album before the wedding so that I could begin my observations and practice teaching. It was a tall dream. While I managed to complete the lecture notes and submit my work, I could only finish 40 of the required 50 hours of observation for the 0-2 months age group, leaving 10 hours pending, along with 200 hours for the other age groups. And then, lo it was time for the onsite module.

Onsite: With 210 hours of observations still pending, I arrived at MSC Lagos, Nigeria, feeling somewhat confident. I had three albums ready and thought the others would not be too difficult to complete—until we started the classes. Module 2 was even more intense than Module 1 but also far more rewarding. The Montessori theories we learned in Module 1 began to take shape in Module 2 as we practiced presentations to children and understood their intended purposes.

Meeting our trainer and fellow students in person was the highlight of the course. Our classes were filled with humor and camaraderie, even as we were inundated with new information and deliverables. Despite the doubts, I realized that human capacity and resilience are unparalleled. I mean, the human beings capacity and elasticity cannot be rivalled by any other creature. I not only coped but excelled, finishing every album required for the course, though my observations remain pending. Thankfully, AMI allows students one year to complete all outstanding requirements to receive their Diploma.

If you are considering a course at MSC, I highly recommend arranging your accommodation well in advance. I stayed just two houses away from the centre, which made it incredibly convenient, especially with easy access to shopping centres and supermarkets.

In total, although I found the course demanding, it has been the most rewarding experience in my academic journey thus far. I decided that I will channel my calling as a teacher towards guiding young women and mothers on the importance of adopting Montessori principles to create the right environment for their children. I also developed a love for material-making and sourcing appropriate materials for children from birth to three years. 

Most importantly, I learned the value of being mindful of my own state—physically, mentally, psychologically, socially, and academically—so that I can serve as a role model and be truly present with the children entrusted to my care. As a guide, I, Nimma Alamza Egun, am the most important link between the child and developmentally appropriate materials, including language, grace, and courtesy.

This journey has transformed me into a passionate advocate for AMI and the Montessori Study Centre (MSC) in Lagos, Nigeria. I have grown not just in knowledge and skills, but in my commitment to the Montessori philosophy and its application in everyday life. I look forward to continuing this journey and inspiring others along the way. Montessori has shown me that education is not just about acquiring knowledge, but about nurturing the whole person—and that begins with each of us.