Bass Barlow, Ed.D. Faculty in College of Education
Dr. KaLinda Bass Barlow is an accomplished, visionary, and strategic educational leader with a proven record of success in advancing academic excellence, leading cross-functional teams, and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in school communities. Specializing in Montessori education, instructional leadership, policy implementation, and stakeholder collaboration, Dr. Barlow is passionate about creating high-quality Montessori experiences by empowering those she is privileged to serve to reach their fullest potential.
Currently serving as Interim Executive Director at Association Montessori International/USA, Dr. Barlow has held key leadership roles including Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Learning, and Executive Montessori Principal for Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS). Throughout her career, she has led strategic initiatives, fostered professional growth among educators, and cultivated strong relationships with educators, families, and community partners to drive transformational change.
As a result of efforts led by Dr. Bass-Barlow and her team, KCPS’ Montessori schools earned recognition as two of Missouri’s Top Five Magnet Schools, and she pioneered a groundbreaking AMI Montessori teacher training initiative—the first of its kind in the district. A skilled instructional leader and strategic planner, Dr. Bass-Barlow excels in leveraging data to enhance instructional quality and student outcomes.
She is also the founder of KaLinda’s Collaborative Montessori Consulting (KCMC), where she extends her impact by supporting charter and public school leaders in strengthening Montessori practices and leadership development nationwide. Additionally, she serves as an adjunct professor at Loyola University.
Dr. Bass-Barlow holds a Doctor of Education from Arkansas State University, master’s degrees from the University of Hartford and University of Houston-Clear Lake, and a Bachelor of Science from Houston Baptist University. She also completed a Certificate in Financial Success for Nonprofits at Cornell University and holds multiple state certifications. Additionally, she holds an AMI Core Principles Certificate and AMI Primary Diploma from the Montessori Institute of North Texas. Her research has been recognized in the University of Kansas KU Research Journal.
A dedicated advocate for educational equity, Dr. Barlow has served as Board Chair and Chair of the Human Rights and Social Justice Committee for AMI/USA, and she serves as an ex-oficio Board member for Montessori Public Policy Initiative (MPPI).