Isabelle Bangham joined our School in 1996 as a Primary teacher. She has her Bachelor’s Degree in educational studies from the University of Nice, France and her Montessori teaching credential is in early childhood (ages 2 ½ to 6). Isabelle is originally from Nice and quickly found GMS when she moved to Greensboro.
Isabelle currently works in the Primary 4 classroom with her co-lead teacher, Jackie Shannon. Primary 3 teacher Carmen Romero is also a good friend of Isabelle and has been at GMS for over 30 years.
GMS: How did you first learn about Greensboro Montessori School?
IB: Through a neighbor after my family and I moved back from France to Greensboro, NC.
GMS: Why do you choose to work at our School?
IB: GMS is a very special school where teachers respect their students, and because I believe in Maria Montessori's principles. I have had my two daughters here and they have learned a lot in a safe and wonderful environment who taught them skills that they would not have learned elsewhere.
GMS: What excites you most about working in the Primary division?
IB: I love the fact that each day is a new day and that we can start all over again to help our students the best we can! I also love creating an environment where my students feel loved and appreciated, where they can enjoy learning and have fun!
GMS: What aspect of the Montessori method inspires you the most?
IB: "Following the child", also being respectful and trusting the child.
GMS: What do you enjoy learning from our students, and what do you enjoy sharing with them?
IB: I enjoy seeing their beautiful smiles, their love of learning, their curiosity, and their spirits. I enjoy learning from them their learning style, the way they see others and life, but above all, I love their enthusiasm for everything that they discover and explore every day! I enjoy sharing my gratitude for life, wisdom, kindness, embracing differences, the ability to accept people who are different, empathy, compassion, appreciation of beautiful things, love of traveling, and the French language.
GMS: Is there anyone in your family or close circle of friends that you'd like to tell us about? If so, who?
IB: Yes, my good friend Carmen Romero is a Primary teacher and works next door! I worked with her at the beginning of my career at GMS and we are very close. She was also my children's Primary teacher. Our oldest daughters are very good friends and now have children who are about the same age, so they do a lot of things together! It makes us very happy to know that they are doing life together as parents and can help each other! I have been part of GMS for almost 30 years (and counting), so I know a lot of staff and teachers here. I am blessed to be part of this wonderful community of teachers and students, and I feel good to be a part of this big family!
GMS: Tell us something about yourself that we wouldn’t learn from your résumé or CV?
IB: Nine years ago I became a grandmother of a sweet little baby girl, and five years ago, another angel came along, so I feel very blessed and my heart is very happy to be able to spend time with them and teach them everything that I know! When times are rough, they are always there to remind my husband and I that we have so much to look forward to and so much love to give every day! They are the apples of my eyes!
GMS: Where did you grow up, and do you mind sharing one favorite memory from childhood?
IB: I grew up in Nice on the French Riviera in the South of France. I have fond memories of the beach and different places where my brother and I went with our parents. One of my favorite childhood memories is going to Spain (Eastern part of Spain) with my family. We used to leave in the afternoon and my brother and I would sleep in the car. We would get there late at night, but everything was open and we loved going to eat at the "Bodegas"! We would stay in nice hotels and it was just great! Both of my parents have Spanish origins! My great grand-father was from the island of Mallorca.
GMS: What hobbies do you enjoy outside of work?
IB: I enjoy practicing yoga in class, swimming in the summer with my grand-daughters, going on walks, gardening and cooking when I have the time! I also love organizing parties! In the winter, I like to have Tea at the O'Henry in Greensboro!
GMS: What is your favorite indulgence?
IB: I love chocolate, crepes, french pastries. I love traveling! I also love flowers!
GMS: What is something you don’t get to do often but it still feeds your soul?
IB: Having a facial, or a massage, but the first one is definitely so relaxing and good for my soul!
GMS: Other than Dr. Maria Montessori, who would you like to meet from history and why?
IB: I have always loved and respected Maya Angelou as a poet, writer, actress, director, producer, and Professor and I had the pleasure to see her at one of our AMS conferences in NYC years ago! I love her words of wisdom and quotes.
GMS: Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
IB: I miss my family in France and wish they were closer! I wish it was not so far away! I also enjoy living here in the U.S.A and wish I could have both worlds! I have many blessings in my life including my husband of almost 43 years, and my daughters, son-in-laws, and my lovely grand-daughters!
Cindy Webb is a familiar face at GMS and is about to become even more hands-on in the world of Montessori education. She has been a room parent for eight years and is now officially stepping into her new role as lead coordinator of the Greensboro Montessori School Community Association (GMSCA).
GMSCA has dialed back in the past few years due to the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, but Cindy’s mission is to make the organization even stronger than it was before. At a school where meaningful relationships and involvement are integral, her goal is to create a deeper connection between children, parents, and teachers. She has a long history with Montessori and is excited to bring her expertise to the table.
“My husband, Daniel, and I began our search for a school when our son Isaac was 2 years old. Some of our friends always spoke so highly of their children’s Montessori learning experiences, which led me to inquire at GMS. Once we toured the Toddler and Primary classrooms, I knew this was the place where I wanted him to grow. I saw how Montessori’s multisensory approach to learning could build a deeper level of knowledge and awareness than is offered at most schools. The beautiful outdoors spaces (such as the gardens, playgrounds, and woods) really resonated with our family as important learning spaces as well.
Our son Isaac entered Primary in 2016 when he was three years old. He has completed three divisions here and is now a seventh grader in Junior High. Observing typical days in Primary and Lower Elementary allowed me to fully appreciate the expertise of the teachers not only in curriculum, but also in childhood development and management skills. Lower Elementary is where I saw the spark develop for our son to follow his intellectual interests. While those interests have changed over the years, immersing himself in learning about a current focus remains strong. It’s a trait that I envision serving him well throughout his life.”
GMS dedicates children to a life of learning and connecting with the world around them. The Webb family felt these values outside of the classroom and easily connected with the GMS community.
“Conversing with fellow parents about learning experiences across the different divisions, particularly about what to expect in the upcoming years, has been meaningful for us as we have reflected back for others and also looked ahead for ourselves. We also have appreciated the many community events that GMS coordinates for families to come together on and off campus like Curriculum Night, the Fall Festival, and Spirit Night at the Grasshoppers game. Visiting with familiar faces and touching base with new families is the spirit of the GMS community.
One common aspect that I see among the GMS faculty and staff is how dedicated they are to each family and to the role they have in nurturing relationships here. There are over 250 students and even more family members that faculty and staff encounter on campus, from the front desk, to carline, to a large event such as the Fall Festival. They somehow recall every name and make personal connections with us all. That level of engagement with families is impressive. Teachers and staff at GMS love their jobs and know the value of their work. Having a teacher that truly knows your child — how they think, how they learn, and how they interact — is quite special.”
Throughout her time at GMS, she looks back on helping teachers as a room parent fondly. Another mission of hers in her new leadership position is to find ways to show more appreciation towards teachers.
“Time spent with teachers in each division helped me to know them as individuals of shared values and concerns and also to appreciate their influence on students. The work that I have done to support our teachers has allowed them to focus more of their time on the critical work they perform in the classroom and after hours.”
In the past, she created the idea of teacher-affirmation boxes that could be filled with notes from parents and students. Cindy states that having these simple gratifications not only represent GMS values, but also allows those in the home and at school to nurture each other.
She only wants to continue and improve this work in GMSCA.
“Working toward creating meaningful connections and increasing involvement among GMS families is a large priority for this year. One idea I am most excited about is building an active parent education community. We all know how challenging parenting can be, especially when we care so much about understanding what is best for our child’s future. I would like to bring together parents that want to learn mindful approaches for home that support the foundations our children gain here at GMS. A few ideas I am working to develop are a parenting book club or discussion group and also follow-up discussions to the virtual ISACS Parenting Series that GMS will offer again this year.”
Lastly, she has some hopes and dreams as a leadership coordinator. Just like every parent here at GMS, she sees a future for her child and for the village that helps him grow.
“The GMSCA hopes to bring together families in a variety of gatherings on and off campus this year. Many of us build connections with fellow parents centered around the friendships of our children. My hope is for the GMSCA to build relationships across GMS that extend further into our shared interests. One way we intend to do this is through establishing several committees of engaged parents to facilitate connections and support across a variety of school activities and initiatives. The GMSCA has the potential to create so many meaningful connections with faculty, staff, and families that could enhance school experiences and also further enrich our lives. I want all parents to participate in a sense of belonging and purpose at GMS. We hope that you all will join us in the opportunities to come.”
Cindy and her husband Daniel, along with their son, Isaac, are beloved members of GMS and the Montessori community as a whole. Her work as a room parent has already shown her commitment to her community and how she embraces every aspect of it. Keep an eye out for any communications from Cindy in the near future as she embarks on her hopes and dreams for the GMSCA.
