About

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

Karen Blumberg is a Technology Coordinator at The Brearley School working with faculty and students to integrate technology academically, creatively, and responsibly. Among other professional and academic endeavors, Karen organizes TEDx events, Edcamps, and the Robo Expo. She is a former president of the New York Consortium of Independent School Technologists and was recognized as a Teacher of the Future by the National Association of Independent Schools. Karen has presented widely around the world about using design thinking, reimagining professional development, developing technology-enhanced projects, facilitating STEM and STEAM initiatives, and harnessing new media literacies.

 

SPECIAL MENTIONS

Innovation in Global Education panelist at the Global Leadership Summit, April 2017

Tech & Learning Live New York Keynote, October 2015

Global Education Conference Leadership Team, 2015-present

NAIS Teacher of the Future, 2013-2014

Top 20 Education Influencers to Follow on Twitter, 2012

President of the New York Consortium of Independent School Technologists, 2010-2011

Edublog Award for Best Individual Tweeter, 2010

The Teach Tech Award, 2010

 

ORGANIZER

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

EdcampNYC – Unconference for teachers in New York City, USA

Past events: EdcampSingapore, EdcampIS, EdcampBKK, EdcampMumbai, TEDxNYED, TEDxYouth@TheSchool

 

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, using TED Talks in the classroom, and many other topics at #140edu, NAIS, ISTE, Educon, TSETC, CRSTE, EdCampPhilly, EdcampNYC, EdcampMumbai, CO11, K12Online, NALS, PNAIS, CO12, Spring Blog Festival, Teach21, TeachUp Singapore, Librarians Knowledge Sharing Workshop Bangkok, Global Education Conference, and other conferences around the world.

 

TEACHER

Technology/Innovation Coordinator, Math Teacher, The Brearley School
2016 – present

• Coordinate technology integration and professional development for faculty
• Co-plan activities and classes for parent-organized B+STEAM events
• Assist in planning for two makerspaces in two buildings
• Coach teachers and students to integrate technology academically, creatively, and responsibly in all grades and subject areas
• Lead professional development workshops for faculty
• Class VIII Advisor
• Class VII Math Teacher

Educational Technologist, The School at Columbia University
2006 – 2016

• Coach teachers and students to integrate technology academically, creatively, and responsibly in all grades and subject areas
• Lead professional development workshops for faculty
• Found, organize, and curate TEDxYouth@TheSchool
• Launch TechTuesdays monthly parent coffees to build community and a common vocabulary about teaching, using, and learning with technology
• Advise the first student-run digital newspaper, The New Roar Times
• Establish @The_School on Twitter and craft the school’s social media presence
• Research and share project ideas and educational resources with students and faculty
• Create and develop curricular content independently and collaboratively

STEAM Teacher, Marymount STEAM Camp
July 2015

• Created and taught technology-infused courses to grades K-5 including coding, stop-motion moviemaking, 3-D printing, simple machines, paper circuits, and sewable circuits

Coach, Design, Do, Discover
June 2015

• Coached educators during this two-day hands-on workshop about integrating digital fabrication, making and physical computing projects into the daily life of the K-12 school

Instructor, Online School for Girls
June – November 2013

• Developed and led a 4-week online course, Instructional Curriculum Design and Design Thinking

Educational Consultant, Google
Summer 2012

• Helped research, structure activities, and design templates for the inaugural Maker Camp on Google+

Trainer, Reality Based Learning, LLC
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
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
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
• Established and crafted the middle school’s website
• Sought and shared educational web resources and taught internet research skills to faculty and students
• Researched, ordered, and installed educational software and computer peripherals
• Founded and coached one of the first all-girls robotics teams for the annual FIRST LEGO League competitions

Computer Lab Manager, Serendipity After school Program
1998 – 2003

• Introduced various software programs to grades K-3 and maintained the computer lab

Technology Coordinator, Dalton Summer Camp
Summer 2000

• Set-up and monitored the computer lab and taught computer skills to children grades 1-3

Math Teacher, The Dalton School
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
1996 – 1997

• Taught Algebra, pre-Algebra, and Integrated Mathematics to grades 7 & 8

 

LEARNER

Teachers College, Columbia University
• MA in Instructional Technology and New Media
• EdM in Instructional Technology and New Media

Bryn Mawr College
• BA in Mathematics
• Teacher’s Certification for Instructional I Mathematics

 

VOLUNTEER

EdTech Summit Africa – Workshop leader at summits across South Africa, Swaziland, and Ghana (2016)

The High Line Park – Volunteer photographer (2009 – present)

Global Education Conference – Advisory Board and Volunteer Moderator (2015 – present)

The Bryn Mawr Club of New York City – Communications Chair on the Board of Directors (2014)

Rosie’s Theater Kids – Math tutor for HS kids taking Geometry, Algebra, Trigonometry (2011 – 2012)

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. (2009 – 2012)