Our founder - charlene s. trochta - a remembrance
All of us have dates or milestones that we note throughout our lives. The anniversary of a marriage, births of children, national or world events, the loss of a loved one. Celebrations and memorials.
Those of us who have called Casa Montessori home for any length of time might reflect for a moment on the legacy of Charlene Trochta, Casa’s founder, whom we said farewell to on July 24, 2021 just five months shy of her 90th birthday. Without her inspiration, dedication, commitment and tireless effort, we would not have the nurturing environment we call our home away from home. Charlene celebrated many milestones in her lifetime.
Charlene discovered Montessori in the 1960s through a magazine article. She was a traditional elementary teacher at the time with a specialization in Music. Charlene was the wife of an Air Force pilot and the Montessori Method was just re-establishing its footing in the States. Intrigued by the article and some public lectures, she investigated further, writing to Maria’s son, Mario Montessori, to inquire about training and their friendship began. He encouraged her and insisted on her being accepted into a training course that she would be a few weeks late to begin. Her trainer, Miss Lena Wikramaratne, had worked alongside Maria and Mario in India while they were interned during WWII, and was all she could ask for. Miss Lena had a sparkle and delight that Charlene would always comment on - she allowed her child within to be present while engaged with the children. Charlene always encouraged her teachers to tap into their own child within when working with the children at Casa.
When Joe retired in the 1980s, they returned to Austin where they had met while at the University of Texas. They were not ready to retire though, and Charlene decided that she would start a Montessori Children’s House. Their Air Force career had taken them to Japan and Hawaii, with Charlene in the role of Officer’s wife and support in addition to teaching in several Montessori schools. She gained a Masters in Special Education as well. Now the roles would be reversed and Joe would be her support person as she established her Casa. As President of the Board, gardener and maintenance supervisor, Joe was Charlene’s partner in building Casa as well as her traveling companion as she attended Montessori conferences in the States and around the world. If you knew Charlene, you knew Joe.
Leading up to the opening of her children’s house, Charlene met with a group of Clarksville parents who were interested in starting a neighborhood Mother’s Day out. They had the perfect house that could be renovated to meet the specific needs of 3 to 6 year olds. The work of creating a non-profit organization began. Following the guidelines set forth by the Department of Family and Protective Services to gain a license to operate while providing an authentic Montessori environment was a challenge which Charlene successfully overcame. She joined committees and advisory groups which allowed her to explain Montessori and demonstrate that it may be different from traditional day care, but is certainly compatible. Casa opened its doors in 1982 with a group of six children in a little house at 1207 West 9th Street. From the very first day, Charlene wore a pin that helped her remember to “Go Slow” - one from her collection of turtle pins. She had so much to do and so much to share, she needed to be reminded to take and enjoy each moment.
That was the beginning of Casa - that little house on West 9th Street. Within a few years we had a waiting list and needed to find a setting that could accommodate more children. Joe, a member of the American Legion Post #76, learned that the Waldorf School which leased property there on the grounds of the Legion were planning to move. It was perfect timing; renovations to their buildings began (which included adding a bathroom to each building), and in 1986 we moved and enrolled 60 children. Finding the need for more growth, a Capital Improvement Campaign funded the addition of our third classroom environment in 1998 allowing a total of 90 children to attend Casa annually. All along, the parent’s love and support of Charlene and Casa Montessori allowed her to create and grow a nurturing environment for young children.
In addition to growing Casa from 1982, Charlene was involved in Montessori in many, many ways. She co-founded the North American Montessori Teachers Association in the early 1970s, led dozens, if not hundreds of workshops for both teachers and parents, served on the Advisory Committee of the Association Montessori Internationale, and wrote dozens of articles for Montessori publications. Many of her travels were connected to Montessori or education in some way. She always sought out cultural objects to bring back to Casa and built an amazing cultural treasure trove which allows our guides to offer the world to the children. Charlene was so proud to have traveled to all seven continents - Antarctica got checked off her list in 2002!
But Japan captured her soul like no other country. The simple aesthetic of the art and culture touched her deeply. While living there during their Air Force years, she traveled by herself into the countryside to experience how the people in small towns and villages lived. Charlene brought that beauty and simplicity to Casa.
She mentored all of us here at Casa - teachers, assistants and parents - sharing her wisdom and knowledge of the development of the young child. She taught us all kinds of music - children’s songs from around the world, our country's folk songs and songs that have the power to touch a child and connect them to their feelings. She inspired us to share the works of great composers and artists with the children and to offer them “the world” through exploring people and cultures. Beautiful children’s literature was her special love. We do learn all of these things in our Montessori training courses, but not to the extent that we were further enriched by Charlene’s incredible collections and deep belief that the children truly are the hope for the future. They need to be exposed to the beauty that surrounds us, experience the wonder of the world, and begin to know that they have much to contribute to humankind; beginning with understanding and kindness.
Charlene retired from the day to day life of Casa Montessori in 2003, but remained engaged even when she couldn’t make the walk to our little home away from home any longer. She always wanted to know how the teachers were doing, what countries the children were learning about and what kinds of Parent Education classes were being offered. When “her” children became adults, she was delighted when they stopped by to see her or called on the phone to say hello. She was so proud of each and every one. She was thrilled to hear about second generation children who were now Casa children.
Charlene created an oasis in the middle of Austin for the children and adults who are fortunate enough to find themselves on our little campus. Many of us have found our lifelong career working with children because Charlene saw something in us and nurtured and nudged us toward making a commitment to them.
We will be forever grateful. To honor her, we will re-new the small Japanese meditation garden beside the office and dedicate it to Charlene, Casa Montessori’s founder and champion of all children. You are welcome to join us in this effort by contributing to the Charlene S. Trochta Memorial Fund. Your tax deductible donation can be made by check or clicking the link below.
Joseph F. trochta - a remembrance
Joseph Trochta, Charlene’s loving husband of 69 years, passed on March 24, 2023. Our hearts rest easy knowing that Joe and Charlene are now reunited in their Heavenly home.
Joe's dedication to Charlene was displayed most evidently through his support as she founded one of Austin's most beloved schools, Casa Montessori, in 1982. Charlene reflected that Joe was the "quiet presence and stabilizing force behind her energy and vision" and supported all of her work in Montessori over the years. Joe could often be found working in the play yard and tending to the needs of the school's operations. He served on the Board of Directors at Casa Montessori since its founding, sharing in the commitment for the lasting presence of the school in the community.
