Dr. Maria Montalvo-Balbed is the clinical assistant professor of teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. She is an education consultant with expertise in culturally responsive education for

linguistically and culturally diverse populations. She is a member of ASCD’s FIT TeachingTM Cadre and, as such, has been involved in numerous long-term professional learning implementations working with principals, central office administrators, other school-based leaders, and teachers. Montalvo-Balbed has more than 40 years of experience in education in U.S. schools and American schools overseas. She has worked in teaching and administrative positions, including classroom teacher, director of world language, equity specialist, ESOL coordinator, and school and central office administrator.

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Along with Montalvo-Balbed’s ASCD Faculty work, she has served as the content expert for the Educating English Learners: Connecting Language, Literacy, and Culture DVD series. She co-authored an online course on the implications of the Common Core State Standards for English language learners and co-facilitated a webinar on the same topic. She also co-facilitated a webinar on literacy in mathematics. In addition, Montalvo-Balbed has presented at conferences nationally and internationally for organizations including the American Educational Research Association, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Learning Forward, TESOL, and ASCD on topics related to educating diverse populations.

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Montalvo-Balbed completed her doctorate in inclusive education at Kennesaw State University, where she focused her research on empowering schooling practices for English language learners. She holds a master’s degree in TESOL from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree from Queens College, NY.