Roston Montessori Institute for Teacher Training

In 1970, Qudsia Roston started the Roston Montessori Institute for Teacher Training (RMITT), licensed by the California Department of Education to develop the new breed of educators in Orange County. Mrs. Roston opened up the first Montessori school in Orange county and was responsible for introducing Montessori to this community.  In fact,  Roston’s Fullerton campus was so successful she shortly opened up two more sites in Santa Ana and other facilities in the cities of Orange, Fountain Valley, Mission Viejo, San Clemente, Murrieta and Temecula. Heritage’s newest 4.5 million dollar state-of-the-art campus in Lake Forest opened in September 2013. Heritage Montessori schools still use Dr. Montessori’s original training method and notes.  Roston Montessori Institute for Teacher Training was cited in the book Montessori: The Method and the Movement; What You Need to Know.

 

The Harvard of Montessori Centers

Utilizing original lecture notes from Dr. Montessori as well as hand-drawn illustrations, black and white photographs, "albums" and personal letters, Mrs. Roston developed what was referred to as "'the Harvard of Montessori centers' from which will come 'not only the best teachers in Montessori, but also the future leaders of the Montessori movement.'"

 

Thriving Graduates

RMITT graduates can be found not only in Heritage Montessori, but in many Montessori schools near and far.  RMITT teachers are the main reason for the explosion in the Montessori community in Orange County. From the seeds of Qudsia Roston handed down from Dr. Montessori, RMITT continues to produce Montessori teachers who thrive.