"We have been fortunate to work with Barbara to strengthen our district's rigor. The rigor checklist is a game-changer! Dr. Blackburn provided the most engaging, relevant, and focused professional development that our district has ever received. She provided practical examples for our staff that were easy to understand and that provided ideas that they were able to take right back into the classroom. She utilized a gradual release approach where our staff worked through her examples and then transitioned to using the powerful resource on their assignments and assessments. Barbara is flexible, accessible, and easy to work with. We look forward to our continued collaboration".
Chad Lensman, Superintendent,
Graham Local Schools
"What a pleasure it has been to work with you during your rigor sessions! Consider yourself an honorary kindergarten teacher. Your heart is there and that's what matters".
Kindergarten teachers, Henry County Schools, GA.
"Dr. Blackburn is a phenomenal author, presenter, and true expert on everything pertaining to educational rigor and leadership! I had the privilege of attending her three-day online PD for my district last summer. Being transparent, I usually do not enjoy professional development, especially during the summers. However, each day I was wowed by her ability to engage and educate us with practical ideas to increase the rigor for our students. She is so down-to-earth and her presentation style is so interactive, informative, and relevant. My colleagues and I walked away with strategies on how to have students activate higher-order thinking skills and enmesh with content in more meaningful and challenging ways. In addition, she provided so many resources that we were able to walk away with and implement immediately. Dr. Blackburn truly cleared up my misconceptions about rigor. Consequently, I am much more intentional and strategic in my instructional planning and delivery. I look forward to attending future PDs! ".
Shakeerah Brodie, Ed.S.
Gifted Resource Teacher
CCPS Gifted Endorsement Program Manager
Edwin S. Kemp Elementary
"Dr. Blackburn is an excellent resource/consultant. I was most pleased when district and school leaders conducted walkthroughs in our building and noticed the rigor and differentiation in the classrooms. That tells it all!"
Linda Boza, EdD
Associate Principal of Instruction
Clarke Central High School
"No true words can really express these last few days as I took part in the training It's the RIGOR for ME! through Clayton County, Georgia. They really work hard to bring us the best. Therefore, it was PHENOMENAL! It was relevant, energetic but concise yet thorough, filled with rational, the materials were on point and are great additions to my go-to resources toolbox, the information can be used across all content areas including specials (much needed when collaborating), and it is not only useful for the general education teacher but also to all the other professionals that come into our classrooms to provide services to our students (i.e., SPED, ESOL, EIP to mention a few). This truly helps with ensuring that we meet the needs of ALL of our students regardless the level they are at; leaving no one out! A complete training such as this one is hard to find! Thank you for working with the Clayton County Public Schools teachers!"
Ms. Brenda Lee Rivera
5th Grade Science/Social Studies Teacher
Unidos Dual Language School
"Oh my, where do I even begin! This was an intense training that was jam packed with so much beneficial information. You might have thought you knew what "rigor" was, but after this course you will be left with so many answers to so many questions!! I recommend this course to all teachers who wish to push themselves and their students!!!"
Kendra King
5th Grade ELA
Clayton County Schools
"On behalf of my group, I just want to say you’re our favorite PD EVER! That was so powerful and yet so down and dirty quick and useful. OUR FAVORITE! "
The Holy Cross Crew of Teachers,
Holy Cross Academy
"Dr Barbara Blackburn is an incredibly engaging speaker (even virtually) who has supported our staff in increasing the rigor in what we felt were already challenging lessons! With an adjustment regarding our understanding of the components of rigor, we are much better equipped to provide even more meaningful and thought-provoking assignments and tasks for our students!! We are excited and inspired about the work we are doing collaboratively with Barbara and with one another!"
Stephanie Gray-Johnson
Director of Teaching and Learning
Graham Local Schools
St Paris, OH
