Christina Ibarra with students. Photo by Prestonwood Montessori on Facebook.
As the 2021-2022 school year comes to an end, George Bannerman Dealey Montessori and International Academy is welcoming a new principal for next school year: Cristina Ibarra. The current principal, Beth Wing, will be moving to W.T. White after serving as principal of Dealey Montessori for three years.
Cristina Ibarra, a Dallas ISD graduate herself, was born and raised in Oak Cliff, where she attended L.K. Hall, Greiner Middle School, and Sunset High School. From there, she enrolled in Cedar Valley Community College before transferring to the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). It was there that she started her teaching career as a teacher assistant at Sam Houston Elementary before working at  Dealey Montessori for seven years as a primary and lower elementary teacher while earning her Montessori credentials.
Later, she completed her master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy from the UTA, and served as assistant principal at Rosemont and Prestonwood Montessori. Now, she’s returned to lead the Dealey Dragon family.
“With your support, the legacy of success established by Dealey Montessori will continue and strengthen. Thank you for the opportunity to return to this community as your principal,” said Ibarra in a letter to the Dealey community. “I am excited about the journey we will forge together and look forward to many milestones of success as we build a culture of joy and trust.”
