Dr. Barbara R. Blackburn has taught early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school students and has served as an educational consultant for three publishing companies. She received her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Presently, she is an Associate Professor where she coordinates a graduate program for teachers, teaches graduate classes, supervises student teachers, and collaborates with area schools on special projects.   In 2006, Dr. Blackburn received the 2006 award for Outstanding Junior Professor.

Dr. Blackburn is the author of Classroom Motivation from A to Z, Classroom Instruction from A to Z, and Literacy from A to Z. Her books follow a back-to-basics, teacher-centered approach to educational improvement. Blackburn says she was inspired to write her A to Z series from the saying used in medical schools: “If you hear hoof beats, think horses, not zebras.” Instead of exotic diagnoses or trendy quick-fix educational programs, Blackburn prefers to focus on the basics of high expectations, good instruction, literacy for every student and motivating learning environments.  Her fourth book, Rigor is NOT a Four Letter Word, will be released this summer.

Dr. Blackburn’s presentations follow the same practical, engaging format as her books.  She draws from her wealth of experiences in schools to connect with her audience.  Her presentations are filled with humor and inspiring stories that empower teachers and administrators to soar to new levels.  Those who attend always leave with a renewed spirit and the reminder that, “On your worst day, you are someone’s best hope.”

Barbara Blackburn has extensive experience working with K-12 teachers and administrators
providing staff development in the areas of classroom motivation, school reform, instructional
strategies, literacy for all areas of the curriculum, and working with at-risk students. She
regularly presents at state and national conferences, as well as working with individual schools
and districts. Whether presenting to a group of several hundred, or working with a small
leadership team, Dr. Blackburn's workshops are lively, engaging, and filled with practical, relevant information.

Her most popular topics include:

• Rigor is NOT a Four Letter Word
• Rigor is creating an environment in which each student is expected to learn at high levels, each student is supported so he or she can learn at high levels, and each student demonstrates learning at high levels.  This session provides practical, “use the next day” suggestions for increasing rigor in all grade levels and subject areas.
• Instructional Strategies that Motivate Students
• How can you motivate students who aren’t motivated?  By creating an environment in which they are likely to thrive!  Learn practical, easy-to-implement activities for all subject areas that tap into students’ intrinsic motivation.
• Content Literacy Strategies for the Young and the Restless
• For many middle and high school students, reading is a stumbling block to learning content, such as math, science, and social studies.  Learn how to help students turn that stumbling block into a stepping stone to understanding through these engaging, immediately applicable activities for all subject areas.
• Motivating Yourself and Others
• What are the keys to motivation?  This session provides the answer!  Learn how to apply the two keys--value and success—to instruction and assessment to help increase student motivation for all learners.  As a bonus, learn strategies to keep yourself motivated, especially on those tough days!
• It’s All About MEE:  Motivation, Engagement, and Expectations
• How do the elements of student motivation, student engagement, and high expectations come together in an effective classroom?  Learn “I Can Use This TODAY!” strategies for all three areas.
• Developing an Engaging Literacy Classroom
• An inspiring literacy classroom is motivating, engaging, and is a true community with shared ownership for learning.  Designed specifically for elementary and middle school language arts teachers, this session provides down-to-earth, easy-to-implement suggestions for spicing up literacy instruction.

To request information on Dr. Barbara R. Blackburn, e-mail bblackburn@educationspeakersgroup.com