Assistant Director

Appointments

Summary: Contracted services include Curriculum Development, Staff Management and Training, Presenting Curriculum, Faculty Handbook Training, Model Teaching, as well as Materials Purchasing and Budget Reconciliation.

May 2016-18 Co-Director of Computer Science UTMB-TRC Galveston, TX

May 2015-18 Co-Director of Mathematics UTMB-TRC Galveston, TX

August 2013-Current UTMB; Southeast Regional T-STEM Center Galveston, TX

June 2013-Current Suttle Freeman/Ubora Mathematics Coaching Houston, TX

June 2012-14 RICE RUSMP & H.I.S.D: I-SMART Houston, TX

June 2012-Current Harmony Schools Mathematics Consulting Houston, TX

June 2012-Current Blackburn STEM Ed. Consulting Webster, TX

June 2009-11 RICE University & Galveston I.S.D: R4 Galveston, TX

June 2007-10 UHCL: KIDS U & Math Ed. Houston, TX

June 2008-14 RICE-REDE (Engineering) Houston, TX

August 2004-13 Austin Middle School, STEM Teacher Galveston, TX

June 2009-18 Texas Regional Collaborative-GCRC-Science Galveston, TX

June 2004-2014 Texas A&M Galveston Galveston, TX

2000-2004 MHMRA-Houston School Liaison Houston, TX

1997-2000 Student Teaching & Rotations South Carolina

Selected Presentations

Blackburn, V. (2009) Cereal Kids (Conjectures) and Journaling. Regional Science Teachers Conference, Galveston, TX.

Blackburn, V. (2010) Math Mysteries. University of Houston-Clear Lake, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2011) PBL: Historical Scale Models. TAGT Conference, Austin, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2011) Teaching Tomorrow’s Workforce. Texas Workforce Conference, Galveston, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2012) Manipulating Learning with Manipulatives. Harmony P.S., Houston, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2012) Leg-Oh PBL: P, A, SA & Volume. TX STEM Conference, Round Rock, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2013) Increasing Engagement through Robotics: Girls STEM. TX STEM Conference.

Blackburn, V. (2013) Flipped Learning: Trig. Functions. Harmony Public Schools, Houston, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2014) Converting Lessons into PBLs. NSTA STEM Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Blackburn, V. (2014) Using 5E and Keagan Strategies. KIPP Houston Schools, Houston, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2014) Mathematics Outside the Classroom: PBLs. GCRC: UTMB, Galveston, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2014) Argumentation: CER. National Early College Conference, Dallas, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2015) Differentiation: Reaching all Learners. Texas STEM Conference, Austin, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2015) The Impact of Robotics on Girls Attitudes, Coding, Programming. TX STEM Conf.

Blackburn, V. (2015) Flipping Gears with Foldables: Geometry Fun. TX STEM Conference, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2015) Making Connections & Encouraging Inquiry: Creating PBLs. Alief ISD, Katy, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2016) Blended Learning in the Mathematics Classroom. Region 4 Tech. Conf., Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2016) Mathematics-Serious Play. CAMT, San Antonio, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2016) Engineering is Elementary. Harmony Public Schools, Dallas, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2017) Foundations of Computer Science. UTMB STEM Center, Galveston, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2017) Language Acquisition in ES Mathematics. TRC Annual Conference, Austin, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2017) Notebooking: Is it Journaling, Interactive or Kinesthetic…Why Not all Three? CAMT, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2017) 100 Charts and Math Magic with Logic and Word Problems. TX STEM Conf., TX.

Blackburn, V. (2018) Get hands-on Algebra Strategies. CAMT, Houston, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2018) Integrating Computational Thinking into K-12 Core Academics. WeTeachCS, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2018) Maker Space on a Budget. UTMB STEM Center, Galveston, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2019) Computer Science without Technology. UTMB STEM Center, Galveston, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2019) Computer Science for Elementary Teachers. Katy ISD, Katy, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2019) STEM Middle School Summer Camp: Math=Fun. LMISD, Texas City, Texas.

Blackburn, V. (2019) Can you Escape the Death Star: Mathematics & Robotics. SEEC: NASA, Houston Texas.

Selected Professional Development Attendance

WeTeachCS Facilitator Academy (2017)

Launch & Code.org CS (2016)

Computer Science TOT (2014)

Engineering is Elementary TOT (2011)

English Language Proficiency Standards Academies – Mathematics/Science (2010)

PLTW: UT Tyler (2009-10)

Rice University of Mathematics Project: Middle School (2009)

Master Technology Teacher Program (2008)

Making Algebra Child’s Play (2008)

Texas Regional Collaborative: 2009-2012

TX STEM/Buck Institute Problem Based Learning (2006)

Education

2013--University of Houston, Houston, TX. Master Mathematics Teacher--Curriculum and Instruction, 3.87 GPA

2011--Rice University, Houston, TX. Master Teacher of Science Program, 4.0 GPA

2008--Rice University, Houston, TX. Rice University Summer Mathematics Program, Certification

2008--Rice University, Houston, TX. Rice University Department of Engineering Program 3.9 GPA

2008--University of Texas-Tyler, Houston, TX. Environmental Engineering-PLTW Certification

2006--University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX. SRT-S.T.E.M, Collaboration and Training in Problem Based

Learning Theory/Lessons and Science Ed. Certification

2004-2009--University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, TX. Masters Mathematics Institute, 3.8 GPA

2000--Lander University, Greenwood, SC. BS Psychology: Child and Families Minor, Counseling Emphasis, 3.5

GPA, Dean’s List, Principal’s List, Alpha Chi-Honor Graduate-Cum Laude, Psi-Chi National Honor Society Member and Undergraduate Research Award Recipient

Board Work

2012-Current Texas STEM Coalition, Education in Action 2006-2012, SRT-STEM UTMB, Galveston City Council-School Liaison, BAWDC-Secretary, Magnet School Planning Committee-Member, ATPE, 6Flags Read to Succeed, Greenwood Child Health and Safety Committee-Planning Committee Secretary, Safe Kids of Greenwood-Secretary, Success by Six-Member

SYNERGISTIC ACTIVITIES

AMS-Mathematics Department Chair (2011-13), Top 50 Teachers in GISD; 2011, AMS National Title 1 Distinguished School; 2011, VEX Robotics National Champions 2011-12, VEX Worlds Competitors 2009-12, Before and After School Tutoring, Before and After School Clubs, Communities in Schools—Parent and Teacher of the Year (2009), Homecoming Committee 04-06, Saturday Tutor, Technology Committee, Journaling, Yearbook & Student Newsletter Advisor 04-08, Instructional Leadership Team, Grant Committee, SPED Case Manager 04-13, Summer School Teacher, Kick Start Karate Assistant Instructor, Development of Curricular Materials 07-Current, NCTM & NSTA Member (2009-Current)

Interests, & Hobbies

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family. I have a loving husband and 4 grown children. We strive to find unique and fun ways to interact and grow together. We enjoy playing board games, taking painting classes, cooking, traveling, and trying new activities. I also use my spare time to read, cross-stitch, work in the garden and enjoy the outdoors. I often take on arts and crafts projects and learn new skills.

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