Barb Kallin began her career teaching special education in 1999. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology & English from Mount Holyoke College; her Master’s degree in Intensive Special Needs from Simmons University; and her MFA in Creative Writing (Creative Nonfiction), from Goddard College. In addition to teaching (primarily) high school special education, Barb has served in a wide variety of educational roles, from creating and teaching a 3-credit class through Fitchburg State College, to educators, about writing in and out of the classroom; to supporting teachers, school staff, and administrators with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB) initiatives; to advising the Creative Writing Club and Gender and Sexuality Alliance at her high school.
Barb’s passion for making new friends; her motivation to make education accessible, meaningful, and less scary to all sorts of students and families; and her experience as a Jewish, gay, Navy-brat, giraffe-lover, dog-owner, and spouse inform her approach to fostering relationships and communication between different people.