Barbara Baylor Porter

Barbara Baylor Cole was born on December 6, 1935, in South Bend, Indiana. She grew up with her parents and her sister, Pat, in Barrington, Illinois, once a picturesque farmland and is now a suburb of Chicago. Barbara often talked about plowing the driveway in the winter, feeding the animals, and other chores before school each morning.

After completing her education, Barbara traveled to Europe as a young graduate, exploring life outside of the United States. She later married and began working in what was then called the secretarial pool at IBM in Larchmont, NY. She was an independent and progressive woman who wanted to work outside the home. Her first child was born, bringing her to the next chapter of her life: finding the right school for her daughter.

In 1963, in Larchmont, NY, while looking for a school for her three-year-old daughter Leslie, Barbara discovered the work of Dr. Maria Montessori. With two friends, both neurologists, she co-founded Larchmont Montessori School before moving to Washington, D.C. to undertake her own formal Montessori training. During this time, Barbara’s family had grown with the birth of Pliny.

In Washington, Barbara studied with AMI teacher trainer Margaret Stephenson at the Washington AMI Montessori Center. In 1966, she received her AMI Diploma from Mario Montessori, Dr. Maria Montessori’s son. Soon afterwards, she founded Ivanhoe Montessori School in Arlington, Virginia, where her first students were children of families working in the Pentagon. In 1969, with an interest in specialized training, she moved to Paris to study the benefits of Montessori for children with disabilities.

With the support of the American Ambassador to France, Arthur K. Watson, and the encouragement of Henry Kissinger, whom Barbara met at the American Embassy. In 1972, she opened the Bilingual Montessori School of Paris. The school began in the library of the American Cathedral, with eight children. This was the first-ever bilingual English/French Montessori Children’s House program in France.

The school grew to 40 students that year, affirming the success of Barbara’s work. Over time, the school added a Toddler program and an elementary class, with three campuses located at the American Church, the American Cathedral, and Le Jardin d’Enfants Montessori d’Auteuil, founded by Barbara’s dear friend Geneviève Devinat.

Barbara’s family grew further with the arrival of her children, Laurent and Grégoire, and they all lived together in Paris. Later, she met Jean-Marie, and they married in Stowe, Vermont. Their life in Paris was fulfilling and fun, centered on their family, the schools, and a wide circle of friends. Barbara was known for the warmth with which she welcomed everyone into her home, and for the generous support she gave to many artists and musicians.

Her four children and two grandchildren have been among the over 5000 children who have been welcomed to The Bilingual Montessori School. Barbara was not only passionate about the benefits of Montessori, but also about bilingual education.

She was convinced that Montessori’s vision of education was the most logical and richest approach to helping children reach their fullest potential while respecting their own individuality. She would often say it is the most beautiful gift you can give your child.

“Discovering the joys of learning and developing social and intellectual discipline lays the foundation for a happy, productive life. Children develop an appreciation for the world through their education, while becoming responsible human beings and confident members of their communities.”

Barbara shared her love of skiing, chess, horses, art, and music with the children at school. She created an annual Ski Trip, Pony Trip, Chess classes, Art Atelier, and brought Lisha Lecari Papert’s comprehensive Music and the Brain program to the three schools.

Barbara remained committed to the Montessori philosophy until her death on February 18, 2025. She is greatly missed, but her legacy lives on.

What began with just eight children in a rented room at the American Cathedral grew into something truly extraordinary, having a positive and lasting impact on thousands of children and families for more than 50 years.