Former Garden Teacher Axel moved back to France last summer. He shares his experience managing a much larger garden, transitioning from the biggest city in the world to a remote farm.
MST
How long were you at MST?
I was at MST From 2019 to 2023. I started as a Pine Teacher. Then I got the opportunity to be the Garden Teacher.
What made you decide to be a Montessori teacher?
I heard for the first time about Montessori in 2015 when I moved to Japan. A New Zealander Montessori school owner that I met in Japan shared with me his passion about this method. From this moment I started to learn more about it and then I decided to pass some diplomas.
What do you remember most fondly about working here?
The way we help the children to grow, the MST team, the Montessori community in general.
What did you most enjoy about working in the Garden?
I enjoyed sharing my passion about plants with children. Seeing some of them having a difficult time in the indoor classroom but being able to express their capacities better in the garden was a great joy for me. Also, I enjoyed the freedom I had to create an environment that I personally thought was the best for the children.
Farming in France
What are you doing in your current town and why did you go there?
I studied herbs for a year and got my national agriculture diploma. Then I recently moved to my farm in Normandy, right next to Camembert city (where the famous French cheese is originally from). I decided to move to Normandy because it is where I spent most of my summer vacations when I was young. I love the architecture of this region, close to the sea and only 2 hours away from Paris.
What kinds of things are you growing and raising?
I'm going to grow aromatic and medicinal herbs to turn into herbal tea, liquor, vinegar and cooking herbs. At the same time I'll grow a vegetable garden and orchard for my own use.
How does your new home compare to Tokyo?
It's small! I'm living in a tiny village of 203 souls. I like to compare it with the 30,000,000 souls in my previous life in Tokyo. My neighbors are 300 meters away from me.
What do you love most about living there?
It is a quiet peaceful place surrounded by nature. I see deer almost every day passing by. I have two hectares of forest and three of meadow to take care of but I will be helped by goats, sheep and a donkey in the near future.
What’s your biggest passion these days?
I’m fully focused on launching my farm business soon by renovating the houses but I also take time to play tennis often. It helps to free my mind.
Memories
What do you miss the most about living in Japan?
I definitely miss food and onsen the most. I also miss my friends there and MST of course.;) And I miss the kindness of Japanese people.
What was the toughest part of living in Japan?
I would say the culture gap. It makes things sometimes more difficult than they should be.
Was there a student or students who stood out to you during your time here?
My students from my previous Montessori school that I had the chance to also teach at MST have a special place in my heart. Pine students because they were my first students there, but honestly all the kids were amazing. I've realized that even more since I left. I hope I will be able to meet some of them here in France one day.
Free Time
What are you reading these days?
I mostly read books about plants and earth biology for my studies. Otherwise, to relax, I like to read detective novels. Right now I am reading Un Avion Sans Elle by Michel Bussy who is a famous detective novel writer here in France.
What are you watching these days?
Nothing. I unsubscribed from Netflix and I do not have a TV at home.
What do you do on the weekends?
Working on the farm, studying and meeting up with friends when I have the opportunity. But as a farmer, I need to forget the idea of having a real weekend.
What do you want to say to the MST community?
Come visit!! My farm door is always open. I like to remember my previous Japanese life. Wish the best for your life. And I miss you all!