Dr. KaLinda Bass-Barlow
A bold, transformative leader in Montessori education.
Dr. KaLinda Bass-Barlow currently serves as the Interim Executive Director of AMI/USA, where she is dedicated to expanding access to high-quality Montessori experiences for children, educators, and communities. With four degrees, an international AMI Montessori diploma, and a nonprofit certification, she has held a wide range of leadership roles, including teacher, instructional coach, vice principal, principal, executive principal, and assistant superintendent of curriculum.
Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping public Montessori education. She successfully transformed Harold Holliday Montessori School, doubling enrollment, implementing strategic Montessori practices, and securing funding to train over 30 educators. Recognizing the need for more trained Montessori teachers, she was later recruited to lead both of Kansas City Public Schools’ largest Montessori programs. Partnering with the late Tim Nee of the Montessori Training Center Northeast, she established a satellite AMI training center within the district, securing over $1 million in funding to expand access to Montessori teacher training.
Dr. Bass-Barlow’s passion for education is deeply rooted in her personal journey. Born in East Texas to a single mother, she was the youngest of five children, often feeling unseen and unheard. Her older brother, Johnny, spent much of his life in the juvenile correction system, jails, and state penitentiaries, ultimately passing away at age 48 due to complications from COVID-19. Witnessing his struggles ignited a lifelong commitment to advocating for underserved children.
Despite becoming a teen mother and facing significant obstacles, KaLinda refused to let her circumstances define her. While her peers celebrated high school graduation, she was packing her bags, determined to leave behind the town that sought to limit her. Her early hardships fueled her passion for education, leading her to become a kindergarten teacher in 2005 after earning her first degree.
In 2016, she discovered Montessori education—a philosophy that profoundly resonated with her values and transformed her approach to teaching and learning. Since then, she has dedicated her career to championing Montessori education in public school settings, ensuring that children—especially those from marginalized communities—have access to an empowering and equitable learning experience.
Today, Dr. Bass-Barlow continues to inspire and lead through her work, partnering with school leaders, educators, and stakeholders to create sustainable solutions that support the growth and success of high-quality Montessori programs nationwide.
