Brenda Blackburn joined Montgomery County Public Schools as Superintendent on March 1, 2010. Prior to coming to MCPS, she served as the Associate Superintendent for the Division of Curriculum and Instruction in Brevard County, Florida.  Ms. Blackburn has been a teacher, counselor, assistant principal and principal in secondary schools. For nine years, she served as an area superintendent and was directly responsible for 23 schools and 18,000 students. Early in her career, she was a teacher and a counselor in Virginia and North Carolina.

Ms. Blackburn received a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. She attended the University of South Carolina and completed post graduate work at Stetson University.

Ms. Blackburn enjoys working with students, teachers, and administrators. She takes great pride in supporting high quality learning activities for students and high quality professional development for teachers and staff. She is an advocate for providing students with varied opportunities at all grade levels and has worked with local institutions of higher learning to provide opportunities for students to pursue a high school diploma and associate’s degree simultaneously. Ms. Blackburn is committed to preparing all students to graduate ready to enter and be successful in the workplace, in career education, and in postsecondary degree opportunities. She is an advocate for providing support to families whose children will be first generation college students.

Ms. Blackburn has two adult sons, Mark and Chris. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, reading great mysteries and taking long walks with her dog, Rocko. She has a special interest in children with disabilities and has worked to support the efforts of the March of Dimes. Ms. Blackburn has a heart for children and understands the need to bring families and the community together to create a promising future for our youngsters.