Testimonials
KaLinda has been an instrumental force in shaping my growth as a leader, coach, and educator.
Her unwavering resilience and strategic problem-solving skills have modeled for me what it truly means to navigate challenges with grace and determination. As a lead district coach to principal, she has pushed me to think critically, adapt in the face of adversity, and embrace a solutions-oriented mindset. Her ability to remain steadfast while guiding others through difficult situations has strengthened my own resilience and confidence in decision-making.
Beyond problem-solving, KaLinda has challenged me to lead with purpose and passion. She has shown me that true leadership is not just about strategy and execution but about serving with heart and intentionality. Her guidance has encouraged me to stay grounded in my "why"—ensuring that every action I take is aligned with a greater mission of impact. Whether coaching educators or working alongside school leaders, I have learned from her the power of being open-minded, listening actively, and fostering an environment where collaboration thrives.
More importantly, KaLinda has reinforced the importance of building authentic relationships with all stakeholders. She has shown me that strong schools are built on trust and meaningful connections with the communities they serve. Through her example, I have deepened my commitment to engaging families as true partners in education, valuing their voices and perspectives in shaping student success. KaLinda’s mentorship has not only made me a better leader and coach but has also strengthened my belief that education is most powerful when it is a shared journey between educators, students, and families.
— Janita Webb, Vice Principal - AMI Training - Principal
Dr. Barlow was relentless and fastidious in standing up for what Montessori does for children and the world.
The year 2016 was a banner year for Holliday Montessori. We interviewed and hired Dr. Barlow for her tenacious spirit and desire to create a highly functioning and vibrant Montessori program. This she did with incredible energy and enthusiasm.
She undertook the grueling training along with the staff that also wanted to further their understanding of the philosophy. I was so fortunate to be part of this ground floor opportunity to grow and enhance our Children’s House program at Holliday. My gratitude is immense for her vision and believing in her staff.
Dr. Barlow was relentless and fastidious in standing up for what Montessori does for children and the World through building up Holliday. Staff was well trained and supported wholeheartedly in Montessori. She put her eye for beauty to the entire building with new windows, repairs and materials. Children could see environments that were beautifully curated and cared for, respected and well maintained. The community was wowed by all of her Herculean efforts to keep Montessori available for the public schools. Dr. Barlow created a Montessori training center within our under utilized rooms which has paid off for our school immensely in staff and retention.
Another incredible tribute to her dedication and competence was being asked to manage both of the public Montessoris in the district due to her vision and abilities. Staff felt united, supported and able to do their work for children.
It was a profound loss to our school when Dr. Barlow left to pursue a higher calling to help others in the district. Her sense of pride of place, enduring projects of beautifying our school and quality staff training has been deeply felt.
I cannot expound enough on the drive that Dr. Barlow has for the pursuit of excellence in all things she touches in her life from her dedication to Montessori, love of her staff and family, and leaving the world a better place.
— Barbara Kluepfel-Wilson, Art Teacher - AMI Training - Lead Guide
There was a shared vision of honoring the Montessori pedagogy.
Working as the AMI Elementary Trainer in partnership with Dr. KaLinda Bass-Barlow to support Montessori education was both inspiring and a positive experience. There was a shared vision of honoring the Montessori pedagogy, and Dr. Bass-Barlow created a positive atmosphere of collaboration and teamwork. Each conversation was engaging, vision-driven, and productive. We work in this field in hopes that all children's futures will be better, and through partnerships such as this one, our work has a strong foundation to continue moving onward.
— Lisbeth Harrison, AMI Elementary Trainer
(Dr. KaLinda) empowered everyone to play a role in the school's development, ultimately resulting in heightened stakeholder engagement and improved student achievement.
I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. KaLinda Bass-Barlow at Holliday Montessori School, where I worked as the school secretary and she was newly appointed as the principal. I recall her entering the role quietly, with a keen sense of observation. She was deliberate in her efforts to build relationships with existing stakeholders and took the time to assess the program and practices before making any changes. In my view, this approach was crucial to the positive transformations that ensued.
By investing time in understanding the school's culture and the needs of both students and staff, Dr. Bass-Barlow successfully implemented thoughtful and effective improvements. Her strategy focused on enhancing the school's existing strengths rather than imposing her own vision.
Her dedication to collaboration and respect for the input from teachers and parents fostered a strong sense of community. This inclusive atmosphere empowered everyone to play a role in the school's development, ultimately resulting in heightened stakeholder engagement and improved student achievement. Furthermore, Holliday was recognized as an AMI member school during her tenure. Dr. Bass-Barlow's leadership exemplifies the significance of patience, understanding, and strategic planning, qualities that continue to resonate with all who work with her.
Her ability to listen and prioritize the needs of others showcases her servant leadership, creating a supportive and empathetic environment. Through transformational leadership, she inspires and motivates her team, promoting innovation and personal growth. Her visionary outlook allows her to foresee future challenges and opportunities, guiding her team with clarity and purpose. Dr. Bass- Barlow’s leadership not only fosters success but also nurtures a sense of belonging and shared mission among those she leads.
— Laschon Dunbar-Pounds, Secretary & Administrative Assistant
Through her guidance, I have refined my own leadership practices, striving to uphold the same high standards of inclusion and equity that she champions daily.
Kalinda Barlow is a visionary leader whose unwavering commitment to Montessori practices in public education has transformed the learning experience for countless students. Her passion for equitable access to high-quality instruction, especially for children from marginalized communities, is evident in every decision she makes. She has worked tirelessly to embed culturally relevant teaching practices into her school, ensuring that all students see themselves reflected in their learning environments. Under her leadership, the school has embraced antiracist pedagogy, creating a space where both students and educators are empowered to challenge biases and build a more inclusive future.
As a special education leader, I have been deeply impacted by Kalinda’s dedication to collaboration and her steadfast belief that every child deserves individualized, meaningful support. She has fostered an environment where special education is not a separate entity but an integral part of a holistic, child-centered approach to learning. Through her guidance, I have refined my own leadership practices, striving to uphold the same high standards of inclusion and equity that she champions daily. Kalinda’s ability to merge Montessori principles with a deep commitment to social justice has not only strengthened my work but has also left a lasting imprint on the way I advocate for students with diverse needs.
— Michele Tolson, Mentee & Teacher to Assistant Director
It is her desire to help advance women and to ensure that no matter the obstacles in your life you have the same opportunities as everyone else.
As a newly appointed principal, I deeply appreciate the guidance and confidence that Dr. Bass-Barlow had in me when asking me to join her team. It was after the opportunities that she provided that I had a renewed awakening to what I could offer to education and how much my desire to be an administrator was. Dr. Bass-Barlow brought me on to her team and offered me the day-to-day learning that you do not get in your college classes. The value of learning hands on and with guidance from a leader who appreciates and values who you are is a confidence builder. This was a motivator for me to continue to improve my leadership.
Dr. Bass-Barlow is an out of the box thinker who is truly dedicated to the students and her staff. It is her desire to help advance women and to ensure that no matter the obstacles in your life you have the same opportunities as everyone else. She will readily address any concerns, always available to collaborate, innovative in her approach of meshing Montessori with the traditional education. Dr. Bass-Barlow is a true transformational leader.
— Laura McKenzie, Teacher - Instructional Coach - AMI Core Principles - Principal
Dr. Bass- Barlow know(s) how to challenge my thinking while affirming my growth.
Dr. Bass-Barlow is an exceptional coach. As a novice leader, I have found her guidance to be both deeply insightful and incredibly supportive. She brings a wealth of experience and skill to each session, knowing how to challenge my thinking while affirming my growth. Her coaching is warm, thoughtful, and always rooted in a genuine commitment to my success, not just as a leader, but as a steward of the Montessori program I oversee. Each session leaves me with clear action steps and meaningful pushes to elevate my practice. I’m grateful for her steady presence and the way she holds a vision for my development that is both ambitious and grounded."
—Emily Proffitt, M.Ed. Brookland Principal, Lee Montessori PCS
I have always admired Dr. Bass- Barlow’s innovative approach to education and the fact that she found ways to get the job done.
In 2016 I interviewed for a parent liaison position at Holliday Montessori. While there I met the new Principal in town from Texas, who had expressed to me her interest in helping the school grow to the next level servicing families with customer service and forging partnerships with caregivers. The ideals sounded like something that I wanted to be a part of; unfortunately, I was not hired for that position however in the grand scheme of things, Dr. Bass-Barlow did call me and offered me an opportunity as an instructional assistant. It is during this time as an assistant that my love for Montessori education began to develop and the trajectory to Lead Guide began.
Dr. Bass-Barlow saw my potential as an educator and prompted me to consider taking the Montessori training course and finish earning my degree in education. This was not going to be easy tasks and it was almost impossible. It would have been very simple to tell her the many reasons why I could not rise to the challenge and become the educator I had always dreamed of becoming. I have always admired Dr. Bass-Barlow’s innovative approach to education and the fact that she found ways to get the job done. Not only did Dr. Bass-Barlow encouraged me to invest in myself but she found a way to search out a training program that would best suit the life of a working mom on the verge of a divorce, meaning that it had to be nearby. She found the training center in St. Louis MO. that took place during the summer. She rallied support from the district to not only finance my training but also provide housing that would accommodate myself and my children during those summers. Her support and guidance did not stop there, as I became Montessori certified, I also had to finish the teacher certification exams. She helped me find out the exams to take and when those exams did not pair with the degree that I obtained to become a certified teacher, she reached out to some of my colleagues that were in similar situations to share their knowledge and programs used. It was a long journey but in 2020, I became an internationally certified Montessori teacher and I passed the Early childhood teacher certification exam. In 2022 I passed the elementary teacher certification exam. Through every step Dr. Bass-Barlow would check in and present with me opportunities that I should look into to help better support my family and my career. She suggested that I try earning a Masters degree online in Montessori education. I was gaining and losing everything simultaneously. I struggled through a difficult divorce, lost the home I knew at that time, and lost my grandmother who raised me to cancer. The fact of having someone genuinely believe in me caused me to believe in myself, my believing in myself caused those closest to me to rally in support of me. In 2024 I completed my Master’s degree.
Through the leadership and friendship of Dr. Bass-Barlow I have been inspired to be a forward thinker in terms of the education system and my approach as an educator. There are times when a child needs more than just academics. Sometimes we must get behind them and push them forward by providing essential needs first. A student may need food, warm clothing, and reassurance prior to retaining information. That was what Dr. Bass-Barlow has done for me. She saw that I needed an opportunity and stability and she gave me the push that I needed to becoming the best version of myself.
—Shanika Brown, Assistant - AMI Training - Lead Guide
She has a knack for identifying strengths and talents you might not even realize you have, and then she nurtures those qualities with unwavering support.
Working with Dr. KaLinda Bass-Barlow has been a truly transformative experience. She possesses a rare combination of qualities that make her an exceptional leader. What struck me most from the time I met her after relocating to Missouri was her uncanny ability to see my potential that I didn't even see in myself. She has a knack for identifying strengths and talents you might not even realize you have, and then she nurtures those qualities with unwavering support.
Dr. Bass-Barlow has an incredible way of uplifting those around her. Her positive energy is contagious, and she created an environment where I felt empowered to take risks and grow. She is incredibly personable and approachable, making it easy to communicate openly and honestly. But don't mistake her warmth for a lack of drive. Dr. Bass-Barlow has high expectations, and she is not afraid to push you to be a better version of yourself. She challenged me to step outside my comfort zone, providing the guidance and resources I needed to succeed.
Thanks to Dr. Bass-Barlow's mentorship and belief in me, I've not only achieved things I never thought possible, but have grown significantly as a person. She has instilled in me a confidence and drive that I know will serve me well throughout my career. I'm incredibly grateful for her leadership. It is impossible to come around her and not grow, excel, and thrive because she exudes greatness.
— Matania Monreau, Substitute - AMI Training - Lead Guide & Mentee