Roston Montessori Institute for Teacher Training

"When I was a child, my mother went to Maria Montessori to find out how to raise two children — myself and my brother. For four years we lived with them, we had dinner with them every night. Dr. Montessori taught me how to make Hollandaise sauce. I used to wonder how I learned Italian because I wasn’t conscious of it. What she would do is speak it to me in Italian, and her son, Mario, would translate it into English. When she was becoming a teacher and beginning her practice, Dr. Montessori would practice on me. I was the ignorant child, and they needed to teach the trainee." 

 

-Qudsia Roston

 

Born in India in 1935, Qudsia was immersed in Dr. Montessori's research at a very young age when she and her family lived with Dr. Montessori. Qudsia's mother, Maria Peerzada, trained closely with Dr. Montessori during this time and became one of the first AMI certified Montessori teachers and trainers. 

 

At 22 years old, Qudsia came to the United States on a scholarship to Boston College. She earned a Master of Education degree and began working as a Montessori teacher. In 1962, Qudsia and her mother opened the first Montessori school in Orange County. Qudsia thrived as the Director and quickly saw the need to develop a Montessori teacher training center.

 

Utilizing hand written notes from Dr. Montessori's lectures, "albums" and black and white photos, Qudsia established Roston Montessori Institute for Teacher Training in 1970.