Mary Beth Ricks, Head of Bowman International School, Leads Multi-Generational Staff Issues Workshop at 2014 American Montessori Society Annual Conference


PALO ALTO, CA--(Marketwired - Mar 27, 2014) -

Who:  
Mary Beth Ricks has been involved in both public and independent education for over 26 years as a teacher, division lead, Director of Curriculum, and Head of School. She has served the last six years as the Head of School at Bowman International School in Palo Alto, Calif. and, in that time, has raised enrollment from 180 to 225 students, garnered accreditations from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the International Montessori Council (IMC), and brought innovative programs focused on experiential learning to the school. She has previously taught at the Program for the Gifted at the Education Research Institute at Purdue University. Ricks received her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education from Purdue University, her Montessori training at St. Mary's College, and completed her Head of School training from The Center for Montessori Education at the College of New Rochelle. Ricks is an active education advocate and serves as president of the Bay Area Montessori Association, an accreditation commissioner for the IMC, and a board member for the Montessori Council of California.

What: 
Ricks will lead a workshop on "Leading and Inspiring a Multi-Generational Staff," at The American Montessori Society Annual Conference in Dallas. With several generations working together in Montessori schools, the demands of leadership today are vast, as each generation has needs, strengths, and areas for growth. Ricks will look at each generation, assess its strengths and needs, and give suggestions to best position school staff for success.

When: 
Saturday, March 29
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Where:  
Hilton Anatole, 2201 N. Stemmons Freeway in Dallas 

About the American Montessori Society:
The American Montessori Society (AMS) is an advocate for quality Montessori education and sets the high professional standards that inform Montessori education as practiced in AMS-accredited schools, and taught in AMS-affiliated teacher education programs. AMS is a not-for-profit organization with nearly 13,000 members and holds an annual conference bringing together Montessorians from around the world.

About Bowman International School:
Bowman International School is an innovative, WASC-accredited Montessori school serving K-8th grade students in Palo Alto, Calif. Founded in 1995, the independent, non-profit school inspires children to love learning in an academically challenging and internationally aware program that promotes respect, responsibility, and independence. Alumni of the school have graduated from top local high schools and colleges including Princeton, Stanford, UCLA and Yale. For more information, visit www.bowmanschool.org.

Contact Information:

Contact:
Erika Powelson
408-781-4981

Mary Beth Ricks, Head of School, Bowman International School in Palo Alto, Calif.