Administration

My name is KaLinda Bass-Barlow; I am a wife, mother of four intelligent black young men, and a passionate Montessori educator with a proven track record.  I earned my Association of Montessori Internationale (AMI) Montessori Diploma during summer 2019. I have also partnered with AMI training centers around the country to assure Montessori teachers and assistants earn proper Montessori credentials. I am tremendously honored to have the opportunity to serve as the leader of Border Star and Harold Holliday Montessori, schools with a rich tradition of producing so many outstanding students. I am eager and excited to begin what promises to be one of our best years ever. 

I have been dedicated to the field of education for more than sixteen years and have served as the principal of Holliday Montessori for the past five years, and in urban school districts in the Houston, Texas, and Kansas City areas.  In addition to those experiences, I served overseas in Abu Dhabi as an educational leader.  My experience includes serving in leadership roles the past eleven years and I am blessed to have worked under successful school leaders that influenced and molded who I am as a leader.  It is with great excitement that I bring my passion and skills as a transformational Montessori public school leader to Border Star, and to work with you as a partner in education to ensure your child’s success.

It is clear there is a partnership between school and home to provide the best possible academic experience for our scholars. It has also been clear to me that our district is committed to Montessori.  I look forward to fostering these relationships and working with stakeholders to provide meaningful rich authentic Montessori experiences for our scholars.

Along with teachers and staff, I will work hard to continue the legacy of success at Border Star by building strong relationships with caregivers, students, district personnel and community partners.  Our focus will be to build our capacity as a Montessori school, use data to inform our needs, consistent implementation of best Montessori practices to increase student achievement, while providing exciting opportunities for our students.

As your principal, it is important to me that everyone who steps through our doors—teachers, students, and caregivers—are excited to be at Border Star and Holliday Montessori! This attitude will enable us to meet the challenges of academic excellence in a positive, fun and nurturing environment.  My door is always open, and I welcome your input.  Please feel free to call or email me to discuss any concerns, suggestions, or ideas to help make this the best year yet!