KAREN BLUMBERG

Do-gooder, teacher, technologist, traveler, photographer, and bargain shopper living just enough for the city.

Former President of NYCIST.
Organizer of TEDxNYED, TEDxYouth@TheSchool, Robo Expo, and EdCampNYC.

Presenter at #140edu, NAIS, ISTE, Educon, TSETC, CRSTE, EdCampPhilly, CO11, K12Online, NALS, PNAIS, CO12.

EDUCATION

Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, 1999 – 2000
MA in Instructional Technology and New Media

Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA, 1991 – 1995
BA in Mathematics
Teacher's Certification for Instructional I Mathematics

WORK EXPERIENCE

Technology Integrator, The School at Columbia University, New York, NY
2006 – present
• Collaborate with teachers to develop projects and integrate technology in all subject areas
• Lead professional development workshops and write corresponding procedural handouts
• Create and maintain the middle school’s websites
• Seek and share educational web resources and teach online research skills
• Advise 6th and 8th Grade Homerooms
• Faculty Advisor for Yearbook (2006 - 2009)
• Member of Middle School Principal Hiring Committee
• Organized TEDxYouth@TheSchool, 11/19/11, 11/20/10

Trainer, Reality Based Learning, LLC, Philadelphia, PA
2005 – 2009
• Taught Microsoft Word, Office, and PowerPoint to older foster teens
• Produced resumes, budgeting strategies, and life skills to promote independent living

Computer Teacher, Jewish Community Center Summer Camp, New York, NY
Summer 2006 – Summer 2007
• Taught MicroWorlds and Robotics to campers aged 9-12
• Designed and planned for 2.5 hour classes, four times per week

Technology Coordinator, Convent of the Sacred Heart, New York, NY
2000 – 2006
• Designed and taught courses in programming, robotics, and computer to grades 5-7
• Collaborated with teachers to develop projects and integrate technology in all subject areas
• Led professional development workshops and wrote corresponding procedural handouts
• Created and maintained the middle school’s website
• Sought and shared educational web resources and taught Internet research skills
• Researched, ordered, and installed educational software and computer peripherals
• Coached robotics team for annual FIRST LEGO League competitions

Computer Teacher, Serendipity After school Program, New York, NY
1998 – 2003
• Introduced various software programs to grades K-3 and maintained computer lab

Technology Coordinator, Dalton Summer Camp, New York, NY
Summer 2000
•Set-up and monitored the computer lab and taught computer skills to children grades 1-3

Math Teacher, The Dalton School, New York, NY
1997 – 2000
• Taught advanced pre-Algebra and pre-Geometry with Geometers’ Sketchpad
• Faculty advisor to the student government
• Faculty liaison to PTA
• Interviewed student applicants to the middle school

Math Teacher, School District of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
1996 – 1997
• Taught Algebra, pre-Algebra, and Integrated Mathematics to grades 7 & 8

PRESENTER

I have presented (in physical and virtual spaces) about collaborating with GoogleApps, social networking and literacy, teaching kids/adults about harnessing social media, technology integration, professional development models, and using TED Talks in the classroom at Presenter at #140edu, NAIS, ISTE, Educon, TSETC, CRSTE, EdCampPhilly, CO11, K12Online, NALS, PNAIS, CO12, and other conferences.

VOLUNTEER

TI TAKEAWAYS - An amazing organization founded by Steve Bergen in conjunction with the Wireless Harlem Initiative. Steve gathers and images donated machines. Then, he organizes workshops where families learn how to use the computer productively and take a computer home with them.

Rosie's Theater Kids - Math tutor for HS kids (Geometry, Algebra, Trigonometry).

ORGANIZER

TEDxNYED - independently organized TED event about education

TEDxYouth@TheSchool - independently organized TED event to inspire/empower/motivate youth

EdCampNYC - UNconference for teachers

Robo Expo - A robotics exhibition for students in Manhattan that includes a showcase and light challenges

NYCIST - New York Consortium for Independent School Technologists

TECHNOLOGY SKILLS

• Designed and taught courses on social media, copyright, digital citizenship, robotics, programming, desktop publishing, animation, web design, Internet research techniques, graphic design, digital filmmaking, and multimedia presentations

• Extensive knowledge of many productivity/utility programs: Google Apps (Gmail, Docs, Sites, Groups), iLife (iMovie, iDVD, GarageBand, iWeb), iWork (Keynote, Pages, Numbers), Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Adobe products (GoLive, Photoshop, InDesign, Flash), FileMaker Pro, OuickTime Pro, FirstClass Email, Inspiration, Director, and a variety of K-12 educational software