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Dr. Blackburn's presentation to our staff was engaging and energetic! She was able to truly differentiate
her presentation to accommodate a varied group of teachers from across disciplines, grade levels, and
schools. In addition, the focus of her work with our teachers included both research and best practice
.........allowing her to draw upon a number of examples that blended the two. Our teachers left with a
packet of tools that they could immediately integrate into their classes. We look forward to further
collaborations with Barbara and have already ordered her books as an initial piece to our Middle School
teacher resource centers. Thanks again Dr. Blackburn! Mike McElrath, Director of Middle Level Education,
Jamestown Public Schools (New York)
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I am looking forward to your new book. We hope to provide several copies of A-Z to our schools before
next year .Feedback from your professional development last August was very positive. What I appreciated
most was your practicality and no-nonsense approach. Your love for students and passion for teaching was
evident throughout. Being positive and providing realistic solutions for the classroom teacher was another
strong point. Personally, I enjoyed meeting you and troubleshooting various issues. David Lee Dale County
Schools, Alabama
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Barbara, our teachers at LHS didn't ask for in-service sessions until your visit. You left them begging
for more! Some of our teachers went directly from your session and implemented your strategies in their
classes. One of our math teachers has continued to refer to your book Classroom Instruction from A to Z
in order to use more of the strategies included there. Thank you for providing us with user-friendly,
common-sense approaches and strategies to help our students learn! Patricia Jones, Curriculum Specialist,
Loris High School (South Carolina)
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Barbara was a hit with our teachers! She was inspirational and left us with practical ideas we could take
to the classroom. Frank Buck, Ed.D., Curriculum & Special Education Supervisor, Talladega City Schools (Alabama)
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I am an elementary school principal (grades 4-5) and curriculum director (grades PK-12) for a district of
about 1840 students. I attended four of your presentations. At the beginning of the year staff meeting I
shared the story "What does a teacher make?" from your A to Z book. I also shared with my son who will be
a sophomore at the University of Iowa the chart of Amateur vs. Pro Learners. He recognized that he was an
amateur the beginning of last school and by the end of the school year he had become more of a professional
learner (learned survival skills). Thanks again for sharing. I would probably say your presentations were a
high point for me - especially someone who can "most of the time" see the big picture. I love your book!!
Thanks for your help. Sue Ruch, Principal, Adams Elementary School
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I so enjoyed your approach... away from gimmicks designed to improve test scores and back to stressing that
the best way to improve reading is BY reading. Thanks for reminding me of what I already knew! Marsha Yoder,
National Board Certified EA/Social Studies-History, Lawton Chiles Middle Academy
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Dr. Blackburn has the ability to see the vision and to engage teachers in committing to accomplishing the
vision. Although the process to improving instruction can be messy, Dr. Blackburn effectively collaborates
with teachers to bring visions to life for all of our students. Olga G. Toggas, Learning Specialist Secondary
English Language Arts, Horry County Schools
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Having Dr. Blackburn work with the teachers here at St. Paul Primary has proven beneficial. Dr. Blackburn was very explicit with the teachers during reflective conversation time together. She listened to teachers as they shared their experiences and concerns. Dr. Blackburn didn't "sugar coat" the facts. I even saw how I could improve in areas that I really didn't give much attention to. I realized that as the instructional leader of my school I needed to make certain that what's happening in my school correlates with the school's mission and vision. Patricia R. Middleton, Principal St. Paul Primary School
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For a lady from South Carolina, which is a compliment, what you said does apply to teaching inner-city students such as mine. Thank you! Thank you for offering to share some of our best practices in your upcoming book. Participant, Chicago Public Schools
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I heard you at both the Lexile Conference in Atlanta and the SREB in Orlando this summer and I thought you were great. I came out of each session with my brain just churning and was also re-energized. James, Broome High School, Spartanburg, SC
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I loved the session. Your enthusiasm, passion, and compassion makes me excited for the year. Plus, I loved your practical suggestions. I hope to use many in my classroom to increase an environment for learning. Jeff |
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'I liked your enthusiasm. I sincerely hope that every teacher can be inspired by you. My measure of success as a teacher is that students leave my class feeling respected as an individual and cared for-I think your book is all about that. Lori Nicholson |
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Thank you very much. You are inspiring to listen to and I am looking forward to reading the book! I am so glad to have spent my Saturday listening to your presentation! Courtney
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I loved the session. Your enthusiasm, passion, and compassion makes me excited for the year. Plus, I loved your practical suggestions. I hope to use many in my classroom to increase an environment for learning. Jeff
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Thank you! I am a new LLT and I have started my 1st month. I stepped in and many of my ideas were shot down. I felt disheartened! Today helped to put 'wind back in my sails'. Thank you and I am excited to read your book! Thank you. Lead Literacy Teacher, Chicago Public Schools
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I found today to be uplifting and motivating. It was like a pep talk before a big game. Theresa
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Good morning. I am a curriculum coordinator for a school district in Terre Haute, IN. I recently ordered the CD that ASCD did at the conference last spring and have listened to your presentation. It seems to be the best that I have heard so far.
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'Thank you! This was a very enjoyable and helpful session. I had a not so great year last year. These past couple hours have renewed my hope for a much better year to come.' Heather
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I loved your presentation and enjoyed the pacing. The morning flew by. As a returning-after-many-years teacher, I need the inspiration and the dream as much as the hands-on tips. Kathleen
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I liked your session very well. I love your energy and great ideas. It has been a long frustrating journey for me to get to this point and I will not take it for granted. Helping children learn is my passion and I can tell it is yours also. Aimee
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I am so thankful I heard all of this before my first day of school (August 3rd). Marcy
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I enjoyed everything about your session. I definitely like your bubbly and positive character. Dee
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This is a wonderful workshop. I really learned a lot about how to motivate children, but most importantly, I learned a lot about how to motivate myself! Yolanda
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I enjoyed this session very much. I particularly enjoyed learning about 'Fun' ways of presenting information-for material I thought could not be done. I am very pleased to have your book. Franklin Mitchell
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This is my second time hearing your presentation and I have been motivated both times and I love your enthusiasm. I can't wait for your new book!' Staci
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Your entire presentation was beneficial to me. Your sense of humor only enhanced your presentation. I feel more inspired and empowered by your words. I can't wait to read your book.
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This will be my 1st year as LLT and to be honest I'm overwhelmed and I have felt like this all day, but I do have a success story . . . your positive words. I can't wait to go home and read your book.
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Dr. Blackburn, I wanted to thank you for an inspiring session on 'Effective Staff Development Practices.' As I mentioned, I am now the math curriculum specialist K-12 for Clover School District. I appreciate your sharing of information and resources. You are a dynamic speaker and a great resource. Thank you, Christie, Mathematics Curriculum Specialist
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I really enjoyed your presentation at the Lexile conference in Atlanta. I arrived late to the breakfast, but I thought you had some great ideas on how to use Lexiles. You had the best presentation BY FAR at the conference .you really helped me get a handle on the Lexile idea. Karen
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My understanding of why reading and reading comprehension is vital to every subject matter, even physical education. Now I feel that my understanding of reading and its importance to each subject has come full circle. High School Teacher
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