While honored by this show of respect from Tom, whose wife is a member of Feinstein's staff, Davis had a hard time reconciling her memories of him with the grown man standing before her. "When he started coming to school, he was in a stroller, and I still see him in a stroller," she says.

The students who turned out for Davis' retirement party had to make similar adjustments to their recollections. "A lot of them said, 'I didn't know you were that short,' " Davis says.

What Davis' former students and their parents do remember is the preschool teacher's contribution to their early childhood education. Days after the party, thank-you notes and old photos were still coming in to the school.

A note from Daisy and Ray Folk of Saratoga, whose sons Jason and Darren attended Villa Montessori from 1980 to 1983, read in part: "Thank you for instilling in them a sense of responsibility and empathy for others. Thank you for your firm yet loving manner in helping them deal with day-to-day matters, both large and small, that were so important to developing young minds."

And Judi Kavaney, whose children attended the school from 1971 to 1974, wrote, "Much of my children's confidence and organization and love of learning I credit to you."

"It gives you a good feeling that you've contributed something," Davis says. "Teaching is not only my job, it's my hobby."

Davis began teaching at Villa Montessori in 1965, when the Montessori teaching method was first gaining prominence in the United States. The program is focused on the individual abilities of each child. The curriculum at the private, nonprofit preschool allows children work to independently in four basic areas: practical life skills such as tying shoes; sensorial development exercises that help children understand concepts such as dimensions and gradation; academic subjects; and art, movement and coordination, music and games.

Davis says the program instills children with a sense of self-worth. She often hears from first-grade teachers who tell her that Montessori alum are generally good listeners and "very independent workers."

"One student said he didn't have to learn anything [new] until the third grade because he knew everything already," Davis adds.

But there's a line between allowing the students to express their individuality and allowing them to misbehave. "I gave them back full responsibility for their behavior," Davis says. "It teaches them a lot more self-control. You choose the behavior, you choose the consequences."

The 68-year-old Davis has a very basic plan for her retirement: "To keep on breathing. I go to the YMCA to work out three times a week. Our grandchildren are here, and we can see them often."

Davis also works out her vocal cords as the singer in a band that performs 1940s tunes at senior functions. "I've always loved music. I did a lot of music with the children here. We should teach children the old folk songs because it's part of our heritage. I hate to see them not getting music in school anymore."

For all she's taught her students, Davis also learned a few life lessons during her career. "The most important thing I've learned is to have empathy for children and a sense of humor," she says. "It's been a very rewarding life for me."

Villa Montessori board member Alicia Taam is compiling a memory book for Davis in honor of her retirement. Alumni and their parents can send stories and photos to Taam's attention at P.O. Box 15, Cupertino, 95015.