FOUNDERS
	In the spring of 1995, a group of concerned and entrepreneurial parents met around a picnic table and Bowman International School (previously Children's International School) was born. We are indebted to this group for their vision, their spirit, their unwavering dedication and hard work in the formative years of our school. Founding Families Norman Adams and Elizabeth Grover Dana Bangs and Elaine Phoutrides Claudia Davis Greg Fanklin and Sue Lowe Norman and Lynn Franklin John Kessler and Janet Lasher Tom McNair and Jamie Briggs Ted and Margaret Ricks Jim and Laura Strand Fred and Ellie Van den Bosch On June 30, 2008, our Founding Head of School, Margaret Bowman Ricks retired. "At Bowman the focus is on the whole child. The three essential qualities we develop in children are self-confidence, respect and responsibility. These qualities lead to independence and adaptability. All these qualities taken together form the foundation for success in school and in life." Margaret has directed Bowman through our formative years. Her guidance and leadership were instrumental in the process of transforming a startup school of 13 children and 2 teachers into an established institution with 185 children and a program that continues to evolve and gain recognition year by year. As a recognized leader in Montessori elementary education, Margaret has built an impressive reputation for founding or expanding many of the leading programs in the country; including establishing new curriculum programs, and implementing sound fiscal and operational policies. She served in a director capacity at Whitby School in Greenwich, CT., Kingsley Montessori School in Boston, MA., and Diablo Valley Montessori School, the first Montessori school west of the Mississippi. Through her passion for "teaching the teachers" at leading Montessori training academies and her success overseeing countless interns, Margaret is one of the most connected and respected Montessori educators in the country.