Kathy L Blackwell

Coordinate and lead stakeholders in Massachusetts in a campaign for affordable and accessible high quality early education and care. Listen to and share with early childhood providers, parents, community and business members, to gather their input, collectively raise awareness and promote a statewide childcare systems reform. Lead and attend coalition meetings, educate and encourage participation by building relationships, track data, work independently and as part of a statewide team.

Forged relationships with schools, assessed over 900 students and many classrooms with 14 different assessment tools, tracked data and kept ongoing confidential records for Saul Zaentz, Early Learning Study at Harvard (ELSAH), VIQI study and ECSO study. Completed trainings and collaborated with team leaders and colleagues, while working independently. Flexibility was key to coordinate the schedules of many administrators, educators and parents, meeting short and long term deadlines.

Taught and created positive relationships with over 600 Pre-K and Kindergarten students, as well as parents, colleagues and administrators. Constructed policies on executive mentoring and curriculum committees, policy and parent advisory councils and served as mentor to ten student teachers. Integrated State and Common Core guidelines for daily lesson plans, individualized learning for all children and maintained continuing education and professional development. Utilized many different assessment tools.

Adapted to a new country, culture and school environment in Aberdeen Scotland. Worked as part of a four teacher team, responsible for planning, assessing and keeping records for 60 children. Attended professional development workshops and learned Scottish theories and philosophy of education. Held parent conferences regarding children's success, kept running records and binders on each student. Took part in cultural programs and traveled extensively. Prepared for the intercultural experience with training in Washington DC, before leaving and a re-entry program upon returning.

Taught several Early Childhood courses at both colleges, in class and remotely. Delivered lectures and created an integrated learning environment for over 500 students, arranged practicum placements, utilized computer programs to produce course materials, discussion boards and grades. Implemented different teaching modalities to meet needs of diverse student population. Assessed student performance with integrity.

Developed and maintained relationships with federal, regional and local levels of Head Start, advisory board, RMC Research team and PBS station partners in this one year contract. Assisted in developing training materials, including parent and teacher videos, activity booklets and parent guides, which were distributed to all Head Start programs, nationwide. Facilitated meetings, synthesized information and wrote reports.

• Worked as Assistant Editor for Habitat's International magazine, Habitat World. Researched and Interviewed families, wrote stories, edited other work in the communications department, helped produce and publish monthly periodical.
• Answered mail in the Correspondence office, including requests for information, donors and personal replies to President Jimmy Carter's mail.

Coordinated MA Department of Education Chapter 188 Community Partnerships grant. Performed town-wide needs assessment and developed and maintained Early Childhood Resource Center/lending library/scholarship fund for parents and educators. Created trainings for family child care providers, private and public school teachers. Assisted with licensing needs of family and center based child care centers.

• Taught pre-k in a Penobscot School. Taught pr-k skills and learned culture of the Penobscot people.