Serving as Executive Director of WELV since August 2006, Margaret V. Blackmon retired in July 2006 after nine years as the Superintendent of the Prince Edward County Public Schools.   In 2005-06, Dr. Blackmon was the president of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents (VASS).  She also served on the advisory council of the state superintendent.  During 2004-06, she was one of Virginia’s two representatives on the governing board of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA).  

An educator with 33 years of experience, she taught in Fort Worth, Texas and Atlanta, Georgia prior to teaching in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where she was also a high school assistant principal, director of instruction, and assistant superintendent.  During 1995-96, Margaret was president of the Virginia Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (VASCD).

Dr. Blackmon earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Agnes Scott College, her master’s in history from Texas Christian University, and her doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Virginia.  She served two terms on the Curry School of Education Foundation Board.

As a member of the Statewide Advisory Council at the University of Virginia’s School of Continuing Education, Dr. Blackmon helped to create the Statewide Communities of Practice for Excellence (SCOPE).   Through this partnership between the university and 12 school districts, SCOPE is a model for the professional development of local school leaders.  SCOPE focuses on the sustained growth of current and prospective school principals as leaders.  In the summer of 2006, she represented SCOPE in Beijing at the China-U.S. International Education Leadership Conference.

 In October 2004, Margaret represented Virginia as the Fulbright Superintendent in Germany.  She and the 18      other U. S. superintendents visited a dozen K-12 schools and four universities throughout Germany.  They also met with members of the German Bundestag and representatives to the European Union.

One of her passions is mentoring other educators to become principals, superintendents, and teacher leaders. She has been active in WELV since its inception and served as president for two years.  At the 2006 conference, Margaret was honored with the Glass Ceiling Award.

Margaret and her husband are the proud parents of two young adults.  They enjoy spending time with their six grandchildren and at Margaret's family home above the Blue Ridge Parkway on Afton Mountain.