LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Gilda D. Brower upon the occasion of her
retirement after more than 30 years of distinguished service to the
Montessori School of the Finger Lakes

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and character
whose endeavors have enhanced the quality of education in this great
State; and
WHEREAS, The result of many individual efforts, the excellence and the
success of the Montessori School of the Finger Lakes is due in large
part to the efforts of Gilda D. Brower; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Gilda D. Brow-
er upon the occasion of her retirement after more than 30 years of
distinguished service to the Montessori School of the Finger Lakes, to
be celebrated with a Retirement Party in her honor on Saturday, June 20,
2015; and
WHEREAS, Gilda D. Brower earned a bachelor's degree in Education from
Montclair State Teachers College, as well as an AMS Early Childhood
credential in Michigan before teaching at two Montessori schools in
Upstate New York and New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, A true inspiration and mentor, Gilda D. Brower founded the
Montessori School of the Finger Lakes more than three decades ago in
1981; she will officially retire from the esteemed position of Head
Teacher and Directress in June of 2015; and
WHEREAS, The Montessori School of the Finger Lakes, formerly known as
the Montessori Children's House, was opened in Auburn, New York as a
preschool/kindergarten and, largely at the request of local parents and
students, expanded to include first through third grades in 1995, and
again in 1996 to include grades fourth through eighth; and
WHEREAS, Gilda D. Brower has been certified by the American Montessori
Society since 1971, and is a member of the American Montessori Society
and the North American Montessori Teacher Association; she continues to
train Montessori teachers from across the United States and Canada, and
her name has become synonymous with the Montessori School of the Finger
Lakes, with generations of children and their parents crediting her as
the source of their child's success in school; and
WHEREAS, Truly devoted to the children of the Montessori School of the
Finger Lakes, Gilda D. Brower has created a homelike environment,
lavishing attention and affection onto each child within her care; and
WHEREAS, In addition, she appears at the pastoral Pine Ridge campus on
the weekends to care for the goats, chickens, bunnies, guinea pigs and
birds that are part of the Montessori zoology program, and has been
known to ignore school day closings to provide a place for families who
have no child care backup; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Gilda D. Brower, the Montes-
sori School of the Finger Lakes has remained true to its mission to
guide children in independent learning; to foster their exploration and
understanding of the environment; and to promote respectful interaction,
enabling each student to become contributing members of the global
community; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her illustrious career in education, Gilda D.
Brower served on the Auburn City Council from 2008 until 2011, as one of
only four women in the City's history to be elected as a government
official; she has also served as Secretary of the Owasco Watershed Lake
Association; and
WHEREAS, A caring, competent and committed woman, Gilda D. Brower's
character and integrity are the hallmarks of her life and work as an

educational leader, a community volunteer and as a person; her quiet
approach and caring attitude creates confidence and loyalty among
colleagues and friends alike; and
WHEREAS, The Auburn Community is indeed fortunate and blessed to have
such a dedicated and respected educational leader for more than three
decades; her wisdom and contributions reached into every classroom, and
she truly made a difference in the lives of those lucky enough to have
worked with her; and
WHEREAS, GiIda D. Brower has continually demonstrated an impressive
dedication, an unparalleled devotion and an unremitting enthusiasm for
the quality of the educational programs and opportunities offered at the
Montessori School of the Finger Lakes for the benefit of its faculty and
students, as well as for the entire community; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband, Robert, and their
two children, Sarah (Douglas) and Patrick (Erin), as well as four grand-
children, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of her life and
rejoice in her achievements; and
WHEREAS, In completing her service as Head Teacher and Directress,
Gilda D. Brower leaves behind more than mere bricks and mortar; she
leaves behind a legacy to the residents of the Auburn community and to
future generations of its students; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Gilda D. Brower upon the occasion of her retirement after more
than 30 years of distinguished service to the Montessori School of the
Finger Lakes, and to wish her continued success in all of her future
endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Gilda D. Brower.