Madame Beck retires after 32 years at Montessori

Both students and gardens at The Montessori School have blossomed with the cultivation and love of Madame Beck!  We wish her well as she retires this June after 32 years of teaching.

“We are going to miss Mme. Beck,” commented Interim Head of School Shari Wolf whose son, Kevin, had Mme. for French at Montessori.  “My son has fond memories of her, and he is continuing French in high school largely because of the foundation [in the language] that he received from her.”  Indeed, many Montessori students have continued their French studies in high school and some have gone on to major or minor in French in college.

Mme. Beck also had the opportunity to exercise another passion at the school—gardening.  She became the school’s landscape designer and grounds manager in 1996, and with the assistance of her husband, Bill, created the sanctuary of gardens that so beautifully enhance the school’s farm-like setting.

“Weeding and gardening for me is like yoga,” Madeleine says.  “I find it very relaxing.”

Madeleine’s retirement plans include doing volunteer work, knitting and maybe playing a little bridge.

Here are some of the beautiful garden areas that Madeleine and her husband Bill have created and maintained, along with the help of students and staff members…