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.

Tell us a little about your family.
My husband, Nate, and I both grew up in this area, and although we went to high school together, we did not know each other well back then. We met again during the planning of our high school reunion, and before I knew it, I was head over heels. We now have two boys, Nolan (6) and Avery (4), who look and act just like Nate. Before I met Nate I graduated with a textile degree from University of North Carolina at Greensboro, worked for Ralph Lauren and then as a buyer for a mail order company out of Charleston, S.C. I now work part time at Nate’s information technology company, Cypress Networks. Nate started the company 17 years ago, and I hope one day one of our boys will take over (because I’m already looking forward to retirement).

What brought you to Greensboro Montessori School?
Taking into account our own dispositions as children and how we were raised, we liked the gentle, respectful approach of Montessori. We took the GMS tour and were amazed by the independence we witnessed in the classrooms. We also loved the amount of time the kids spend outside the classroom, not just playing but learning, and in the gardens working. But one of my favorite Montessori tools is practical life. It has been helpful that some of the skills learned at GMS are used at home as well (not so much the putting their toys away after they’re done playing with them, but we’re working on that).

Tell us how you got involved in the GMS Community Association.
Two years ago I was a room parent in the Half-Day Toddler class, and I made play-dough for Marie and Shannon. I’ve been told I’m famous for that. Last year, I was a room parent for Primary 3 and also the Primary Division Coordinator. When I started attending GMSCA meetings, it opened up an entirely new perspective on the school as a whole. I was getting a glimpse of what was to come for our family, and it was really very exciting to hear about what was going on throughout the school, and not just in our division. This is my first year as lead coordinator, and I’m excited to share my play-dough making knowledge with everyone.

Why do you choose to stay at Greensboro Montessori School?
It’s not just a school anymore. We’ve known a lot of these families since our first year at GMS and it’s really special watching all of our kids grow up together. It is a very unique community, and I’m so happy to be a part of it.

Tell us a little about your family.
We are a retired Air Force family with six children (five girls and one boy), two grand boys, and a fur baby. We enjoy spending time with family and traveling to beaches throughout the country.

What brought you to Greensboro Montessori School?
We heard about GMS while speaking to a teacher at a local school. After completing research, we realized the culture of GMS is a direct reflection of our own. After one visit, we knew there was no other place we desired for our youngest daughter, London, to begin her education.

Tell us how you got involved with the GMS Community Association.
My husband, Marlon, and I were pleased to volunteer for the Fall Festival last year. Andi Bogan asked if I would like to be part of the process this year, and I was more than happy to do so. I enjoy being part of the community that provides such great care and guidance to our daughter. When the staff of GMS say they share in a stimulating and nurturing education experience, it shows, and it is emphasized in the GMSCA.

Dear Friends,

A very Happy 2019 to you all! I wanted to send a personal note of thanks to each and every one of you for your contributions to our School. Whether you donate your time, your talent, or your treasure, every gesture is appreciated and celebrated.

As our children are busy doing their important work in their classes, the GMSCA is also doing our important work cultivating and supporting a vibrant and engaged parent community. Looking ahead, we will have many opportunities to get together to support our children, our faculty, and each other. Keep a look out for these upcoming events - we hope you'll find there's something for everyone!

See you in our community, whether we're enjoying a student performance at school or breaking bread together at a local restaurant!

Karen Kelly,
GMSCA Lead Coordinator

To my fellow GMS Families,

Welcome to the 2018-19 school year!

The Greensboro Montessori School Community Association (GMSCA) is excited and honored to welcome families joining our school community for the first time.  We’re also proud to welcome back our returning families for another wonderful year at GMS!

Our hope is that every family will find value in the GMSCA.  Our mission is focused on building and sustaining community. More specifically, "the GMSCA is a dynamic, inclusive organization that strives to enrich the school experience for all. We foster a vibrant school community, and serve to bridge and connect home and school while supporting the mission and goals of Greensboro Montessori School."

Unlike many public and private schools, membership in the GMSCA is automatic and free! We don't ask for or require dues. Nor do we ask you or your children to sell anything. Instead, our activities are funded through other ways, with our primary source of income being the School's fall and spring Scholastic Book Fairs. We also raise funds through initiatives like Harris Teeter's Together in Education (link your VIC card to #1849), General Mills' Box Tops for Education, and AmazonSmile.

The most visible way you will see the GMSCA in action is through GMSCA-sponsored events, teacher appreciation initiatives, and community volunteering.

We invite you to connect with us. Whether you join our private Facebook group, volunteer at the Fall Festival (details coming later this month), or contribute in your own way, we appreciate every gesture of kindness and community-building. Most importantly, know you don’t need to attend a meeting, host an event, or take a day off work to volunteer to be an essential member of our school community.

We’re looking forward to an amazing 2018-19 for our School, our families and, most of all, our children.

See you at school!

Cordially,

Karen Kelly

GMSCA Lead Coordinator

To my fellow GMS Families,

Welcome to the 2017-18 school year!

The GMS Community Association (GMSCA) is excited and honored to welcome our many new families joining our Montessori community for the first time.  We’re also proud to say welcome back to all of our returning families, with a special "hats off" to those pioneering families joining our inaugural ninth grade class. Finally, a special welcome to our new Head of School, Kevin Navarro, and his family.  We are excited about the enthusiasm Kevin has already put into building the partnership between our parent community and our administrative and teaching staff. It’s a wonderful time to be at GMS!

Our hope is that every family will find value in the GMSCA.  Our mission is inclusion; inspiring an engaged community of friends who support and encourage each other as parents. We also strive to recognize the diversity of contributions we collectively bring to our school.

Unlike most other schools, membership in the GMSCA is automatic….and free! We ask for no dues and we do not ask you to sell anything. Our activities are funded through a variety of ways, mainly the fall and spring book fairs. We also raise funds through initiatives like the Harris Teeter Together in Education VIC Card Program, so please let’s get those cards linked to our school (link to #1849)!

Perhaps the most visible way you will see the GMSCA in action is through the events we plan and support throughout the school year. Three of the largest are:

 

Beyond events, we also provide opportunities for you to participate in the overall experience for your children. The GMSCA supports room parents who work directly with your teachers and help coordinate other parent volunteers needed to plan and execute many of the fun and educational activities your children love. The GMSCA virtual community page on Facebook is available to all parents to connect from home, the office or after hours.  We also host social opportunities like morning coffees and Parents’ Nights Out.

In closing, thanks so much to the many parents who participate in the GMSCA. We’re always looking for more parent and community involvement and would love to have your talent on our community team.  You don’t need to attend a meeting, host an event, or take a day off work to volunteer to be an essential member of our community.

Here are a few ways you can contribute right now:

We’re looking forward to a wonderful year for our school, our community and, most of all, our children.

See you at school!

Cordially,

Karen Kelly, 2017-18 GMSCA Lead Coordinator

 

Karen Kelly, 2017-18 GMSCA Lead Coordinator, and her daughter Kyla

 

If you stroll through our school gardens on any given Monday afternoon, you are likely to find Marcia Jones volunteering alongside our lead environmental educator, Eliza Hudson. As a retired educator, Marcia looks forward to her weekly gardening class with our Primary students, and with her 31 years of experience as a kindergarten teacher in Guilford County, we look forward to all she has to offer the children and the school. In a recent interview, Marcia shared with us how much she loves teaching young children the value of tending the earth, especially her four grandchildren including Foster, who is enrolled in our Primary program.

In addition to helping in our gardens on a weekly basis, Marcia supports several other community gardening projects in and around the Greensboro area. She uses her green thumb to tend the gardens at the Wentworth Museum in Rockingham County, the Guilford College Community Garden and Jones Elementary School. “Gardening helps me relax,” Marcia shared, "and its so nice to be able to see the product of all your effort. I think that’s especially true for young children." Many years ago, she started a gardening program with her kindergarten students at Sedgefield Elementary School. “The children loved it. We grew a wide variety of vegetables from seed, including squash, radishes, potatoes, peas, and pumpkins. The children especially liked the pumpkins because they would grow all summer and could be harvested in the fall,” she shared.

With her family’s roots in this area of North Carolina, Marcia is deeply connected to the land, and her knowledge of farming is much greater than what her humble demeanor might initially suggest. She grew up working on her family's farm in Rockingham County just north of Greensboro and she has many fond memories of driving the tractor out in the fields. “My sister and I were working on the family farm up until two years ago. Over the years, we’ve grown tobacco, corn, wheat, soybeans and apples.” Even with those years of experience in her back pocket, Marcia continues to express her modesty about having a green thumb and loves learning new gardening techniques from those around her. “Lately, I’ve been learning more about which herbs to plant around my vegetable garden to deter deer and other wild animals,” she told us.

Needless to say, Marcia's time and talent, both as an avid gardener and an experienced educator, have been a tremendous gift for our school this year.  We are grateful for all that she has done to enrich our environmental education program and to support our students and faculty with her skills and expertise.  When asked about the best part about working with Marcia this year, Eliza Hudson shared these words of appreciation:
"Working with Marcia has been one of the highlights of the year for me and the Primary children in the Encore program at Greensboro Montessori School. It is rare to meet life-long educators who still have energy to volunteer with youth these days, yet Marcia is truly one such educator. A teacher to her core, I gain significant insight about children, gardening, and teaching from her every time we work together. Thank you Marcia!"

We recently had the pleasure to do a personal interview with our GMSCA outreach coordinator, Rebecca Sheridan. Becca is such a down to earth and approachable person, and we are eager for you to meet her, in case you haven’t already. We also wanted to learn more about how she is enjoying her first year working with the GMSCA cultivating the Outreach Committee!

GMSCA: Hi Becca! Thank you for agreeing to be our GMSCA family feature! We’ve been very excited with all of the outreach and social activities this school year. It's been great to meet and hang out with other families. Tell us about the outreach program.
Becca: The Outreach Committee focuses on the social aspect of being part of a school community. Its focus evolves a bit every year based on the school’s and GMSCA's needs. This year the focus has been to welcome new families and foster further connections with our established families. Our members help coordinate small group gatherings like parents nights, coffee socials and playdates, and connect our new folks with established families based on something that they may have in common, which may be as simple as being in the same classroom. This spring we had a couple of occasions where some moms met at a local restaurant for dinner. It included moms from every level in the school and lots of people met each other for the first time. This month we are encouraging everyone to meet up at the Green & White Bash. We will also have a couple playdates over the summer to get acquainted with new families and welcome them to our community. I really enjoy social events and connecting with new people, so the Outreach Committee seemed like good fit for me.
GMSCA: Tell us about what brought you and your family to GMS.
Becca: Eric and I fell in love with the campus and the people from our first tour! We felt very connected to the teaching philosophy and the respect the students receive. We also really appreciated the opportunity for children to learn at their own pace and the aspects of peer learning that the children engage in as they grow.
GMSCA: What is your favorite thing about GMS?
Becca: Our kids learn so much about being great independent people and being a positive part of a community. The collective talent in our staff is so amazing and they not only teach our kids, but educate us too! For example, I think the independence that the children develop from an early age is beyond eye opening. Seeing what my kids are capable of in the classroom has really caused me to grow as a parent and encourages me to challenge and support them to have greater independence at home too. I guess I love that the school has helped me grow in addition to helping my kids grow!
GMSCA: Tell us a little about your family!
Becca:  We are in our third year and we have two children at GMS - Aidan who is in Primary with Catherine and Stacy and Ana who started this year in the Toddler program with Skye and Marie. Before becoming a mom I was a physical therapist and Eric is a software engineer who runs his own business here in Greensboro. We moved to the area in 2013!
GMSCA: Thanks so much for your time Becca, and for volunteering to take on this important role with the GMSCA. Your work is helping to expand the network of support and friendship that our families feel.

In this GMSCA interview, we invite you to meet Sophia Dubrovsky, Alex Trestman and their sons, Luka and Ethan, ages four and two, respectively. This interview was conducted by Amy Blanton, GMSCA Communication Coordinator, and fellow Montessori mom.

We were excited to recently catch up with Sophia and her family to learn more about them! It was such a pleasure to interview Sophia as she is a beacon of kindness, warmth and light. You may recognize Sophia from the GMSCA Events Team. Last year she led the effort to organize our school's International Fair which is an annual event held in late January. 

GMSCA: Hi, Sophia! Thank you for being our first GMSCA feature family for 2016. We are so excited to chat with you! Tell us about a bit about your family!

Sophia: We moved here from Connecticut and remain in Greensboro mostly due to the community we've found at Greensboro Montessori School. Alex works for Honda Jet, and I have my own consulting company called Plant Based Made Easy. Luka started at Greensboro Montessori  when he was 18 months old and is now in his second year of Primary in Isabelle and Gail’s classroom, and Ethan just started his first year in Toddler with Skye and Marie.

GMSCA: How did you end up at Greensboro Montessori School?

Sophia: We toured the School when Luka was just 14 months old. I immediately felt at home, especially in the gardens. I knew instantly that this is where I wanted my kids to spend their days. I love the exposure to the outdoors, and the opportunity they have to develop into their own people. It is a very lovely, cozy environment that I felt would allow Luka (and later Ethan) the freedom to explore. Greensboro Montessori is not a cookie cutter program; it gives children the opportunity to mature into their own interests. That was important to our family!

GMSCA: Tell us about your involvement in the GMSCA.

Sophia: Being part of the GMSCA has been wonderful! All of our family and friends live in Connecticut. It wasn’t until joining the GMSCA that I felt like I had found my tribe. We love how community-focused the School is, and it has given us a reason to grow roots in Greensboro. Volunteering is a great way to meet other families. You can volunteer as much or as little as you want. I’ve loved being a room parent for Luka's and Ethan’s classrooms; it’s a great way to be involved with the life of the school and support the teachers. Last year I was the chair of the International Fair and it was an incredible experience reaching out and learning about all the different cultures represented at our School. If anyone is looking for a way to get involved with the community, show up to our next monthly GMSCA meeting.

GMSCA: We can’t wait to see what is in store for this year’s International Fair in January! Tell us more about your sons, Luka and Ethan.

Sophia: Luka and Ethan are both adventurous and charismatic boys, and Greensboro Montessori has been instrumental in Luka’s growth over the last four years. I love that he has a place to explore without the pressure of workbooks or homework. Ethan just enrolled this fall and the toddler program is a great outlet for his strong desires for gross motor play.

GMSCA: You mentioned you run your own consulting firm. Please give us a window into your work with Plant Based Made Easy.

Sophia: I am passionate about nutrition and sharing with the community about how easy and monumental a plant-based diet is for your whole family! I offer cooking classes, consultations, and I frequently post reviews and recipes on my blog.

GMSCA: Thank you so much for your time and for sharing about your family, your work and your deep connection to our School!

Meet the Walkers! A trio of poets, musicians, educators, bee-keepers and world travelers. Allison, Scott and Ada Walker are GMS’s own renaissance family. We were thrilled to catch up with Allison by phone and she shared some fun details about herself, her husband Scott and their lovely daughter Ada.

 

GMSCA: Hi Allison! Thank you for taking the time to chat with us today. Tell us a little about the Walker Family!

Allison: We’re Greensboro natives: Scott and I have known each other since high school! We both have advanced degrees in poetry and literature. We’re published poets and teachers – both working at High Point University. Scott also teaches at NW Guilford High School. One interesting footnote about us: we lived in Anchorage, Alaska for 5 years. Ada was born in Alaska but we moved back to North Carolina to be near family and an abundance of babysitters. We settled first in Asheville and then Greensboro. Strangely, Ada is completely unaffected by cold. We think it’s the Alaskan origin.

 

GMSCA: What an adventure, tell us how you arrived at Greensboro Montessori?

Allison: Ada has been at GMS since she was 3 and Montessori was a conscious decision. We come from a family of educators, our parents worked in the public school system and we wanted to explore other options so we did our research. Montessori fit our mindset. We explored the school, moved nearby and it’s been Ada’s home from the start. She’s now in sixth grade.

 

GMSCA: Tell us more about Ada….

Allison: Ada is our happy wood sprite; she loves to be outdoors. She gathers all the neighborhood kids together and teaches them different forms of imaginative play. Our neighbors benefit from the Montessori approach, too! Ada is independent and loves to tackle challenges. She’s also been a musician since she was 4, studying violin and filling our house with music. Animals are a passion of hers as well – she loves cats and volunteers with the Feral Cat Assistance Program. And, we care for bees! Our beekeeping grew out of a Montessori assignment, actually. Our family wouldn't have bees if it weren't for the fabulous Upper Elementary teachers who encourage kids to tackle an interdisciplinary summer project of their choosing and the gardening and environmental education program that makes our kids so mindful of the earth and our impact on it. We pay attention to politics and current events so Ada is very aware of her power to change the world. She also loves Harry Potter.

GMSCA Family Spotlight

GMSCA Family Spotlight

GMSCA: Music, bees and Harry Potter!? Ada is fabulous. So, as a   parent, tell us what surprised about you the transition to Middle School! 

Allison: We love it! The Middle School program is amazing. We love watching her perform and her thrill of learning is infectious. It reminds us why we chose to be teachers. Both Scott and I bring “Montessori” to our own students based on what we learn from Ada’s experience.

 

GMSCA: If you could gaze into a crystal ball… what do you see for your family?

Allison: Ada’s passion, gift and talent is music. The arts are for everyone but Ada really tells a story with her music so we see that in her future. She also loves spending time on the university campus with me. Scott and I would like to do more partnered writing – potentially screenplays. I see us carving out time as family for artistic collaboration; we’re starting to write music as a family with poetry, guitar and violin. Maybe that would turn into something more….

 

GMSCA: With such talent in your home, we’re certain it will. In the nearer future, are there any wonderful adventures coming your way in 2016?

Allison: Last year we toured Europe with Ada’s violin ensemble. That sparked a desire to mix travel with our art and work. So, this July we’re spending time in London and Paris. We’ll visit Oxford and also plan to go to the reconstructed Globe and see Shakespeare. We love Shakespeare.

 

GMSCA: We think Shakespeare would love the Walker family – he’d fit right in with you all. Before we go, is there anything else you’d like to share with our GMS community?

Allison: Just some encouragement…. It’s such a gift for all of us, as parents, to give our children a Montessori education. With each step, we see more and more the value and benefit of the GMS experience. This year, Ada loves Middle School and arriving to a leadership role. We watch this group thrive as collaborators, creative thinkers and problem solvers. Montessori gave them these tools! Everyone talks about the ‘broken education system’ but if I could do one thing to fix it, I’d put every child in Montessori. The students remain curious because they aren’t only worried about grades or external motivation. The foundation is so strong and pays off in unexpected ways. I’m encouraged seeing a group of middle school students who are so comfortable in their own skin! They are open to new ideas and experiences and they celebrate the differences in their friends. Because the program takes such beautiful care of the whole child, our kids are able to thrive during a period of adolescence that is typically very challenging.

 

Thank you so much for sharing your family and GMS experience with us! We look forward to watching Ada perform with the Middle School Music Ensemble at the Green & White Bash on Saturday, April 23.