Curriculum Vitae
Christianna Blanchard-Alworth
44 Elm Avenue, Newport News, VA 23601 C: 757-675-9290 cblan008@odu.edu
Professional Summary ______________________________________________________________________________
Award winning special education professional and doctoral candidate in Special Education at Old Dominion University (ODU). Nationally certified Adapted Physical Educator with 25 years of teaching experience using evidence-based practices to improve students’ physical fitness and wellness, social-emotional growth, and independent functioning. Extensive experience working with students who are considered at-risk with severe intellectual, physical, sensory, communication, and emotional disabilities.
Education ____________________________________________________
2020- Present Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA
Doctor of Philosophy, Education, Special Education Concentration
1998-2001 College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Master of Arts, Education, Collaborative Resource Teaching Concentration
1991-1993
Towson University, Towson, MD
Master of Science, Training and Development
1984-1988
College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Bachelor of Science, Physical Education
Academic Research Experience _________________________________________________________
7/2020 – Present Graduate Assistant, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA
Research duties: Performed intervention implementation, data collection & analysis, interobserver agreement, and coaching of participants as part of Institute of Education Sciences (IES) grant project Model of Professional Development of the Centrality of Teacher-Child Interactions in the Learning, Behavior, and School Readiness of Preschool Children with Disabilities or At-Risk for Disabilities.
Co-Principle Investigator: Pilot study, “Fit Friends: The Relation of an Adapted Fitness Program on Socialization of Adolescents with Autism”.
Teaching Experience ________________________________________________________________
7/2020 – Present Graduate Assistant, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA
Teaching assistant duties: co-taught SPED 469/569 Communication/Language Development & Intervention Strategies. Developed and presented lessons, graded assignments, coached undergraduate and graduate students.
1996 to 2020 Center for Autism, Separate Public School, Newport News Public Schools, VA
Adapted Physical Education Teacher, Family-School Team Leader
¨ Developed lessons focusing on personal wellness, group/individual fitness, and sportsmanship as well as socio-emotional learning objectives.
¨ Collaborated with teachers and speech therapists to infuse content in P.E. lessons.
¨ Created and implemented goals and objectives for Individual Education Plans.
¨ Developed and implemented effective classroom management policies and behavior plans.
¨ Developed lessons following VA Physical Education Standards of Learning for grades K-12.
¨ Presented professional development workshops on Evidence-Based Practices.
Presentations _______________________________________________________________________________________
July 2023
Blanchard-Alworth, C. The Relation Between Physical Activity and Socialization for a Student with Autism. National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities Annual Conference. Emerging Scholars Conference presentation, Crystal City, VA
March 2023
Blanchard-Alworth, C. Using Fitness to Build Friendships Among Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Council for Exceptional Children. Annual Convention and Expo. Conference presentation, Louisville, KY.
November 2022
Blanchard-Alworth, C. Recreation and Physical Activity: Its Uses for Teaching and Improving Socialization. Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence Annual Conference. Virtual conference presenter and attendee.
May 2022
Blanchard-Alworth, C. Physical Activity and Social Engagement for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Virginia Council for Learning Disabilities Annual Symposium. Conference presentation, Virginia Beach, VA.
March 2022
Blanchard-Alworth, C. Fitness to Friendship for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Virginia Council for Exceptional Children Annual Conference. Poster presentation, Williamsburg, VA.
July 2021
Blanchard-Alworth, C. The Relation Between Physical Activity and Social Engagement in Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities Annual Conference. Virtual conference presenter and attendee.
November 2019
Blanchard-Alworth, C. Modifications and Adaptations for ALL our YMCA Members. Southeast Regional YMCA professional development presentation, Hampton, VA
November 2018
Blanchard-Alworth, C. Positive Strategies for Class Management. Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Annual Convention. Conference presentation, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA
July 2018
Blanchard-Alworth, C. How to Manage a Multi-level Special Needs Fitness Class with Measurable Results. National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities Annual Conference. Conference presentation, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
November 2017
Blanchard-Alworth, C. Using Positive Behavior Supports with Children. Professional development, Apple Tree Learning Centers, Chesapeake, VA
Manuscripts in Preparation __________________________________________________________________________
Blanchard-Alworth, C. Fit Friends: The Relation of an Adapted Fitness Program on Socialization of Adolescents with Autism.
Blanchard-Alworth, C. The Impact of eCoaching on Head Start Teachers Use of Evidence-based Practices.
Gumpert, M. & Blanchard-Alworth, C. Using eCoaching to Support Teachers' Use of Evidence-based Practices: A Mentor Model.
Service ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Founding Board Member, Milly In Motion Inc., a non-profit organization that offers financial
support for personalized fitness services to individuals with intellectual or physical disabilities,
2023-present.
Moderator, National Consortium Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities Annual
Conference, 2023.
Proposal Reviewer, Council for Exceptional Children Annual Convention and Expo, 2023.
Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence, Annual Conference, 2022.
Session Chairperson, Virginia Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators, Annual Conference, 2022.
Adapted Physical Education Section Chairperson, Virginia Association for Physical Education, Health, Recreation and Dance (VAPEHRD), 2019-2021.
Awards and Career Highlights ______________________________________________________________________
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
Fellow Adapted Physical Education, Office of Special Education, U.S. Department of Education
Emerging Scholar National Consortium Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities
Fellow Darden College of Education, ODU
Dean’s Graduate Student Travel Award Darden College of Education, ODU
November 2022
Graduate Student Travel Award Student Engagement & Enrollment Services, ODU
January 2021
Higher Education Consortium for Special Education Short Course Doctoral Student (one of fifteen selected among candidates from across the US)
2020- Present
Member, Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society for Educators
2001- 2020
Supervisor/Mentor to undergraduate, graduate, & high school medical career path students
2001-2020
Staff Development Provider to teachers and staff as member of the Teacher Learning Team
2018
Teacher Innovation Grant, New Horizons Regional Education Centers
2017
Innovation Award, Peninsula Metropolitan YMCA
2005
Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year, VAHPERD, State of VA
License and Certifications __________________________________________________________________________
Commonwealth of Virginia Postgraduate Professional License NK-12 Physical Education
Certified Adapted Physical Educator Adapted Physical Education National Standards Organization
American College of Sports Medicine™ Autism Exercise Specialist Certified Practitioner
Autism Fitness™ Certified Practitioner
Yoga Fit™, TRX™, and Pilates Certified Instructor