Beloved Kindergarten Teacher Retires After Two Decades

NORTH LYNBROOK, NY — For 20 years, Marjorie Monahan has been a favorite for kindergarten students in the Malverne School District.

Her last day is Oct. 15 as the confluence of events takes her into retirement.

"It was the right combination of age and length of time teaching," Monahan told Patch.

While Monahan has enjoyed her role as a teacher, working with youngsters has been even more rewarding.

"I really felt like I was making a difference," she said. "I loved being their first teacher."

And the feeling is mutual.

"I've seen some of them as they've gotten older," Monahan said. "They will tell me, or their parents will say, 'Oh, you were their favorite teacher.' It makes you feel really good."

Monahan started at Davison Avenue Intermediate School in Lynbrook and is finishing her career at the Maurice W. Downing School in Malverne as a fill-in teacher.

"They are always so full of wonder and everything you say is like the gospel truth," she said.

The popular teacher, who raised four sons, was honored with a farewell dinner last week. Friends, neighbors and close family wished her well and said thank you for her service to the children.

As for her future, there could be a return to education, but "for now I'm trying to do more reading. I'm going to get a little more exercise in." Monahan said traveling is also on the agenda.

"I don't anticipate I'll be bored. I've never been bored in my life," she said.