LEVEL I FORMATION COURSE
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Certificate Course
Dates
Monthly Format 2023-2024
Fridays 12.30 pm - 4.30 pm and Saturdays 8.30 am - 4.30 pm
November 3 & 4, 2023
December 1 & 2, 2023
January 12 & 13, 2024
February 2 & 3, 2024
February 17, 2024
March 1 & 2, 2024
March 16, 2024
April 12 &13, 2024
May 3 & 4, 2024
May 31 & June 1, 2024
June 2, 2024 - 12:30-4:30 (Possible make up day.)
For Working with 3-6 year old Children
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is based on the method begun by Dr. Maria Montessori and further developed by Scripture and Hebrew scholar Dr. Sofia Cavalletti and Montessori teacher Gianna Gobbi. In Catechesis of the Good Shepherd adults are given the opportunity to embrace a method of catechesis (or religious education) that will deepen one’s relationship with God.
Led by two experienced AMI Montessori directresses, this course provides formation for catechists working with children 3 to 6 years of age and all who are interested in the spiritual development of the young child are welcome. The course will address:
Montessori Foundations: Including Montessori’s insight into the human person, observation and normalization, practical life and the young child, the four planes of development, education to wonder, the absorbent mind and sensitive periods and the development of the will.
the developmental and religious nature and needs of the 3-6 year old child
those aspects of God and the Kingdom of God that most greatly strike the child’s sense of wonder and enjoyment of God
all presentations that are essential to working in an Atrium with 3-6 year old children
first steps in material making.
The course will also include prayer, scriptural and liturgical background to the themes and materials of the program, and their use with the children throughout the cycle of the liturgical year.
Certification from the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd will be awarded after the completion of Level I, Part II, observation in an Atrium, and approved course work.
Participants will collaborate in writing album pages and at the conclusion of the course will have a completed working album.
Location
Renaissance Montessori School
12625 Fitzwater Dr
Nokesville, VA 20181
Formation Leaders
Mrs. Cecilia Drabbant
Cecilia Drabbant holds an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) diploma in Assistant to Infancy (0-3), as well as AMI certificate in Montessori Core Principles. She also holds a degree in Architecture from Universitas Katolik Parahyangan, Bandung, Indonesia, and completed Emmanuel School of Mission in Rome, Italy. Since being introduced to the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in 2012, she has received CGS certification in Levels I, II, III, and CGS Infant-Toddler Seminal certification. Additionally, she is recognized as CGS USA Level 1 Formation Leader.
Mrs. Jennifer Ashton
Mrs. Jennifer Ashton enjoys living each day as a Primary Directress in the Children’s House. Her passion for Montessori began with her own children’s Montessori education and discovery of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in 2005. She continues to be formed by the principles of Maria Montessori through the Association Montessori International (AMI) and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She is AMI certified at the Primary (3-6) Level and CGS USA certified in all levels of Catechesis from birth to age 12 as well as a CGS Level I Formation Leader. She loves sharing these principles with parents and living them with children to collaboratively strengthen relationships between God and the child.