By ANNA GILGOFF

Special to The Press

When middle school teacher Wendy Madouse arranged for an aerial photograph of a gigantic American flag comprised of students and teachers dressed in red, white and blue at the football stadium, the event brought national attention to the district.

As astounding as this was, the event was just one of many ideas that emanated from the heart and brain of one teacher.

Now, after 29 years of serving Northwestern students, Madouse has retired, leaving her indelible imprint on the culture of the middle school.

Retired English teacher Jane Kunkle remembered when Madouse first interviewed for the middle school position.

“Having taught English at the high school for 16 years, when I made the move to the middle school, I was asked to serve on the interview committee for new staff,” Kunkle recalled. “During her interview, Wendy exuded such warmth and enthusiasm.

“Her commitment to students and team spirit were obvious, and I told Jim Warfel, ‘She’s just the spark we need for our seventh grade team!’”

“As the years passed, I knew I had made the best decision of my professional career by providing that input.”

Dr. Warfel, who served as the middle school’s first principal, took Kunkel’s assessment seriously.

“I had the very good fortune to recommend her for employment,” Warfel said. “She, along with the other early faculty, laid the groundwork for what has endured as an excellent middle school program.

“Wendy’s energy, enthusiasm and spirit have been a consistent spark in bringing another dimension to the middle school experience for the past 30 years for the thousands of students who have passed through those halls. She is a unique treasure.”

A farewell video tribute shown on the last day of school highlighted some of the unique contributions that earmarked Madouse’s career.

The video honored her love of family, her British mom and childhood years in England and her dogs, Dalia and Dutch.

Born in England, Madouse and her family moved to Long Island, N.Y. when she was a youngster.

One of five children, her father served in the Air Force, which might explain her fervor in celebrating Veterans Day each year, by inviting service people to the middle school to speak to the students live and in person.

Before coming to Northwestern, she taught for six years in Wilmington, Del.

The video stressed that “as far as school spirit goes, Madouse is a Tiger at heart,” arranging bowling events an annual pep rally at school, and a holiday gift exchange.

“We would have the kids write letters every year to military people,” said retired teacher Patrice Tritt. “She was 100 percent involved in anything that made Northwestern a special place.

“Her strength was in pushing us forward on projects. She was the energy that made things happen.

“I can’t think of anytime when she was laid back.”

Madouse was known for her big heart.

Tritt said that one of her pet projects was a “Pink Out” for children’s cancer for the Lehigh Valley Children’s Hospital.

“She raised so much money and so much awareness,” Tritt said.

“That was her big thing.”

Kathy Fiedler spearheaded interdisciplinary units focusing on historical periods from the ancient civilization to the Middle Ages.

“Wendy was the energy that spurred the team to present the work at National Middle School conferences,” Tritt explained. “Wendy was the creative drive behind that.

“We presented twice in Denver and twice in Atlanta. We presented at the Pennsylvania State Middle School Association in Hershey multiple times and in Orlando, Baltimore, Indianapolis and many other places as well.”

Kunkle remembers these seventh grade interdisciplinary units with fondness.

“We immersed our students in true team learning, from our Dig It archaeology unit to Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and the Middle Ages,” she said.

Liz Gates, who has worked with Madouse for years, explained what she will miss about her friend.

“What I will miss the most about Wendy will be her enthusiasm and spirit,” Gates said. “She always put kids first. Always. She always put others first.

“She brought sunshine and joy to our entire building - students and staff. She truly is an amazing person.”

Kunkle agreed with Gates.

“As an educator, Wendy has always been totally committed to her students,” she said.

“Former students who have now reached adulthood still remark about Wendy’s positive impact upon their lives.”