Brenda Blackburn

Brenda Shigley Blackburn

133 Mockingbird Hill Dr.
Etowah, NC 28729
Work: 828-694-1850
Curriculum Vitae
February 24, 2015
PROFESSIONAL
GOAL

EDUCATION

To take a leadership role in challenging individuals in their pursuit of personal

and professional growth and development in the areas of Child Development,
Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education.
Master of Science, Major: Human Development and Family Studies with a
concentration in Child Development. The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa,
Alabama, December 2007. Grade point average: 4.0.
Bachelor of Science, Major: Early Childhood Education/Elementary Education.
Indiana Wesleyan University (formerly Marion College), Marion, Indiana,
December 1982. Grade point average: 3.901. Graduated Suma Cum Laude.

EXPERIENCE

Worked in a variety of learning environments from infant-adult.

Instructor, Early Childhood Education, 2007-present
Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock, NC
(The Early Childhood and School-Age Programs are NAEYC Accredited
programs). Have taught hybrid, online, and face-to-face courses in the area of
Early Childhood Education and School-age Education
Adjunct Professor, Early Childhood Education, 2010-2011
Southern Wesleyan University, Central, SC
Have taught face-to-face and hybrid courses in the Early Childhood Program
Consultant for SPA Recognition, 2010-2011
For Southern Wesleyan University, Central, SC
Consulted with the Early Childhood faculty at the University by helping to create
Assessments, collect data, and write report for NAEYC SPA recognition.
Children's Minister, 2003-2007
First Wesleyan Church, Tuscaloosa, AL
Responsible for the overall administration of childrens ministries for a church of
800+ in attendance. Training and coordinating a volunteer base of over 130+
persons. Other responsibilities included planning large family and childrens
events, developing and implementing lessons for children and adults, teaching
parenting classes, consultant and Board chairperson for First Wesleyan
Academy. Took the academy through accreditation process and it is now
accredited by ACSI (Association of Christian Schools Internations).
Administrator, 5K Teacher and Founder of Brookview Kiddie Academy,
1994-2003 Brookview Wesleyan Church, Birmingham, AL
Responsible for starting and maintaining the overall administration (which
included vision casting, personnel hiring and training, financial records, public,
parent, and child relations, curriculum writing and selection and much more) of a
highly qualified childcare facility that cared for infants through 5-year old

Brenda Blackburn

kindergarten as well as school-age children during the summer and vacations. For
the last 5 years at the academy I also taught the 5-year old kindergarten class.
Teacher - 8th Grade Math, 1992-93
R.A. Scott Middle School, Madison, MS
Responsible for the overall creative teaching of five 8th grade math classes
and one study hall.
Teacher - 4th Grade, 1991-92
Jackson Academy, Jackson, MS
Responsible for the overall creative teaching of a 4th grade classroom as well
as maintaining positive parent relations by communicating to them on regular
basis.
Teacher - 6th Grade & 1st Grade, 1989-91
Roanoke Elementary School, Roanoke, IN
Responsible for the overall creative teaching of a 1st grade classroom as well as
maintaining positive parent relations by communicating to them on regular basis.
The next year I was responsible for the overall creative teaching of a 6th grade
classroom as well as maintaining positive parent relations by communicating to
them on regular basis. I also developed and directed an ensemble of twenty-two
5th and 6th graders entitled Vine Street Singers.
Teacher - 1st Grade, 1988-89
Indian Hills Elementary School, Topeka, KS
Responsible for the overall creative teaching of a 1st grade classroom
as well as maintaining positive parent relations by communicating to them
on regular basis.
Director of Childrens Ministries, 1986-88
Fairlawn Heights Wesleyan Church/Heidi & Peter Academy, Topeka, KS
Responsible for the overall administration (which included vision casting,
personnel hiring and training, financial records, public, parent, and child
relations, curriculum writing and selection and much more) of a highly qualified
childcare facility that cared for infants through 4-year old kindergarten as well as
school-age children during the summer and vacations.
Administrator and Kindergarten Teacher, 1983-85
Trinity Wesleyan Child Care Center, Indianapolis, IN
Responsible for the overall administration of a highly qualified childcare facility.
This included vision casting, personnel hiring and training, financial records,
public, parent, and child relations, curriculum writing and selection and much
more. Care was given to 2-year olds through 5-year old kindergarten as well as
school-age children during the summer and vacations. Developed and taught the
5-Year Old Kindergarten program.
Branch Manager, Bank Teller, and Bookkeeper, 1978-79/80-81
Citizens National Bank, Marion, IN
PROFESSIONAL
AFFILIATIONS

Member of NAEYC (National Association for Education of Young Children)

Member of NCAEYC (North Carolina affiliate of NAEYC)
Member of Access (Community College Early Childhood Education Faculty)
Member of NCAccess (North Carolina affiliate of Access)
Member of ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International)

Brenda Blackburn

COLLEGE
COURSES TAUGHT Advanced Issues for School-age; Becoming a Professional in Early Childhood
Education; Child Development I and Child Development II; Child, Family, and
Community; Child Guidance; Classroom Management and Instruction; Creative
Activities; Early Childhood Administration I and II; Effective Teacher Training;
Healthy Lifestyles for Youth; Internship for School-Age; Early Childhood
Capstone Practicum; Introduction to Early Childhood Education; Literacy
Experiences; Preschool Children; School-age Development and Programs;
PRESENTATIONS

Blackburn, Brenda (2007). In-Sync: The importance of parent-child

synchrony to child development. Paper and project presented to graduate
committee at The University of Alabama.
Blackburn, Brenda (2007). In-Sync: The importance of parent and infant
synchrony in the development of the child. Paper presented to graduate
students at The University of Alabama.
Blackburn, Brenda (2006). Homeschooling works: A look at families who
choose to homeschool. Paper presented to graduate students at The University
of Alabama.
Blackburn, Brenda (2006). Media madness: A look at the influence of media on
the family. Paper presented to graduate students at The University of Alabama.
Blackburn, Brenda (2006). Moral messengers: The parents role in the
development of morality in children. Paper presented to graduate students and
undergraduate students at The University of Alabama.
Blackburn, Brenda (2005). Take note: The effect of music on cognitive
development and academic achievement. Paper presented to graduate students
at The University of Alabama.
Blackburn, Brenda & Grimmer, Kerrie (2005). Tuscaloosa County High School
music program evaluation. Paper presented to graduate students at The
University of Alabama.

PUBLICATIONS

Blackburn, Brenda & Allen, Kathy (2009). Developed and authored an Internet
course, EDU 285: School-age Practicum, for the North Carolina Community
College Association.
Blackburn, Brenda & McCracken, Rebecca (2002). Reflections: An etiquette
course for middle school girls. Indianapolis, IN: Wesleyan Publishing House.
Blackburn, Brenda & Joiner, Rebecca (2001). Impressions: An etiquette course
for middle school girls. Indianapolis, IN: Wesleyan Publishing House.

SEMINARS
CONDUCTED

Field Experiences for the next generation; NAEYC Accreditation seminars and
workshops; Foundations for infants and toddlers; Music and the young child;
How to develop effective lesson plans; Class organization and structure;
Effective discipline in the classroom; Developmental milestones;
Developmentally appropriate activities; Creative crafts; Exploring through the
senses; Learning through literature; Early writing experiences; Using print
media; Media madness; Moral development; Learning through play; Effective
childrens ministry, Loving your spouse; and Parent relations.

Brenda Blackburn
ORGANIZATION
OTHER
LEADERSHIP

AWARDS AND
HONORS

Developed and organized a conference for over 250 childrens workers.

Developed, organized and started from the grass roots a child development center
and kindergarten program.
NAEYC Accreditation Subject Matter Expert (Mentor); NC-SCRIPT Grant
coordinator; NC Early Childhood Innovation Grant coordinator; Chair of
NAEYC Accreditation Peer-Review Teams; BRCC Professional Development
Committee Member; BRCC Presidents Council Committer Member; BRCC
Vice-Chair for Faculty Council; Cabinet Member for Children's Ministries of the
Wesleyan Church; Seminar Leader for National Youth Conventions; District
Children's Ministries Director; Seminar Leader for National Missions
Convention; Seminar Leader for Womens Convention; Local Church Ladies
Ministries Director; Various other committees in district and local church
ministries; Moms In Touch Leader.
NC-SCRIPT Grant recipient; NC Early Childhood Innovation Grant recipient;
Outstanding Graduate Student in the Human Development and Family Studies
Department of the University of Alabama; Outstanding Student Teacher of the
Year for Indiana Wesleyan University (Marion College); Outstanding Senior of
the Year for Indiana North District of the Wesleyan Church; Academic Honors;
Outstanding Young Women of America; Golden Key International Honour
Society

CERTIFICATION

North Carolina Teaching Certification for K-6th grades.

North Carolina Early Educator Certificate
North Carolina Adult Educator Certificate
Teaching Certification in these states: Alabama, Mississippi, Indiana, Kansas

PERSONAL

Born July 1, 1961. Excellent health. Married to Reverend David Blackburn for
34 years. Have two wonderful adult children, Davey and Jonathan, two amazing
daughter-in-laws, Amanda and Tessa, and one adorable grandson. My interests
include all sports, wogging (walking/jogging), the great outdoors, hiking,
music, and reading.

REFERENCES

Kathy Allen (Dean for Business and Service Careers, Blue Ridge Community
College) 180 West Campus Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731 (828) 694-1773
Dr. Alan Stephenson (Vice President for Instruction, Blue Ridge Community
College) 180 West Campus Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731 (828) 694-1821
Dr. Charles Joiner (Vice-Chairman of the Local Church Board of Brookview
Church) 1412 Buckhead Road, Birmingham, AL 35216 (205) 822-8945
Mrs. Valerie Thorington (Assist. Director of Child Development Resource
Center) The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 (205) 348-2650
Dr. Mary Elizabeth Curtner-Smith (Professor at the University of Alabama)
The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 (205) 348-8151
Dr. Maria Hernandez-Reif (Professor at the University of Alabama)
The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 (205) 348-8151