With the original goal of creating a bilingual Montessori educational system, the owners of Duhovka sought out the expertise of experienced Montessorians, Dorothy Paul, and Judy Luman. In addition to curriculum and professional development, their mission was to share their experience with the European Montessori community.
The story of Duhovka Bilingual Montessori Schools began in 2008 with the opening of a small Montessori kindergarten. As the children grew, the enthusiasm for Montessori pedagogy continued and caught the attention of many other parents. In 2010, interest in welcoming more children prompted the opening of another branch of the preschool by the romantic view of the Vltava River. In 2014, we also added a Montessori program for children aged 1.5 to 3 years to the two branches of the preschool.
This was followed by the opening of the Duhovka Primary School in 2010 and Middle School in 2019.
In 2010, the Montessori education system Duhovka was completed with the opening of an eight-year high school. In 2019, our high school became one of the IB schools that provide its students with the globally recognised IB Diploma.
Responding to the needs of our preschool and schools, plus the interest of teachers from private and state schools across Europe led us to the next logical step, which was to open a Montessori training center for future Montessori teachers. Duhovka Institute offered its first teacher training and professional development events to meet the needs of the community in 2011.
Developing our program with the American Montessori Society model was the clear choice to meet the needs of progressive and diverse educators. In 2012 we opened an AMS affiliated and MACTE accredited teacher education program.
Duhovka Montessori Institute is backed by experienced methodologists and teachers from our Montessori preschools and schools. They are trained in Montessori pedagogy, and bring their knowledge and connect it to the real environment. Teachers from all over the world that participate in our Montessori training courses can see the real Montessori environment and experience the work of the trainers directly with the children.
We are creating a strong Montessori community whose support and belonging continues after the course ends. We offer our former students the opportunity to re-enroll in selected modules and repeat the course free of charge. Transforming into a Montessori teacher is a long-term process that requires a change in one's mindset and takes time. We are able to offer this flexibility, guidance and maximum support to our students because at the end of the whole process we all want to guide children on a path of becoming independent and developing a natural love of learning!