Barbara Purbaugh, M.F.A.
purbaugh@comcast.net
www.barbarapurbaugh.com
EDUCATION

2001
Master of Fine Arts-Creative Writing
Naropa University                                  
Boulder, CO             

Critical Thesis: “What’s your name? Who’s your daddy? Is he rich like me? Identity, class, and the legitimacy of the poor white writer in Bastard
out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison.”
This study of the novel, Bastard out of Carolina, by Dorothy Allison examines Allison’s main character, Bone, a young girl who transcends the
powerlessness of class and illegitimacy to claim her identity. In addition, it focuses on issues of class in America, in particularly, the effects of
being poor and white, white trash stereotypes, and the problems that poor white writers as a marginalized group face when they use their own
themes and language to claim their literary birthright.    

Creative Manuscript: Tracks, a novel
Tracks is the story of twelve-year-old Helen Cooper. When her father, Samson Cooper, is released from prison, Helen struggles to connect with
him as they move closer to understanding and forgiving each other and resolving their family history.  

1998
University of Pittsburgh                                                                 
Johnstown, PA         
Bachelor of Arts Secondary Education-English
Minors: English Literature and Creative Writing
Magna cum laude

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS AND CLEARANCES

Pennsylvania teacher certification
Act 34 and Act 151 Child Abuse and Criminal Record Clearances  

EMPLOYMENT

2010--:                        
English Instructor
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College        
Johnstown, PA

2006-2009:                        
Adjunct English Instructor
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College        
Johnstown, PA

2009-2009:
Adjunct English Instructor
University of Pittsburgh
Johnstown, PA

2003-2009:
Adjunct English Instructor
Allegany College of Maryland                
Cumberland, MD

2007-2008                                      
Vocational and Academic Counselor for the New Choices/New Options Program
Mt. Aloysius College                        
Cresson, PA

2003-2007                                
Adult Education Instructor
Somerset County Technology Center        
Somerset, PA

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

English Composition 0005 Composition 1

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

English 020 Introduction to Composition
English 110 English Composition
English 205 Research Writing
English 215 Creative Writing
English 200 English Composition II: Studies in Literature
English 220 Business Letter and Report Writing
English 225 Technical Writing


Allegany College of Maryland

English 90 Developmental English I
English 93 Developmental English II
English 101 Freshman English
English 112 Business and Technical Communication
Reading 93 Comprehensive Reading II
Speech 101 Speech Communication I

Mt. Aloysius College

Personal and career development classes
Basic computer skills classes

Somerset County Technology Center

Adult Basic Education Classes
GED Preparation Classes


COMPUTER SKILLS

•        Microsoft Word 97-10
•        Microsoft Excel 97-10
•        Microsoft PowerPoint 97-10
•        Microsoft Publisher 97-10
•        Print Shop
•        Web Design Software
•        i<clicker classroom management system

EXPERIENCE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS

Learning Disabled Students
•        Worked with special needs adults on basic reading and mathematics skills
•        Provided additional tutoring and advising for students with learning disabilities

ESL Students
•        Worked with a Hong Kong native in preparation for his citizenship test
•        Cooperated with tutors and other staff members to insure ESL students’ success


ADVISING

2010-:
•        Helped thirty five students with scheduling of classes and completing the registration process
•        Maintained contact with students throughout the semester regarding deadlines, scheduling procedures, and announcement of events.   
•        Participated in advising workshops and events to encourage early registration.  

CURRICULUM

2011-2011:
New Course Development
Developed a new course, Monsters in Literature

Syllabi Updates
English 225 Technical Writing
English 205 Research Writing
English 215 Creative Writing
English 250 Women and Literature


2010-2010:
New Course Development
Developed a new course, Women and Literature

Syllabi Updates
English 225 Technical Writing
English 205 Research Writing
English 215 Creative Writing
English 250 Women and Literature

ASSESSMENT
2010-:
Developed a spreadsheet to help with assessment
Attended assessment meetings and worked with lead faculty member and adjunct faculty regarding assessment.

2010-:
Evaluated three sections of English 110 English Composition
Evaluated the students’ ability to demonstrate fluency in written communications by writing an effective persuasive/argumentative essay


COLLEGE SERVICE

COMMITTEES

2011-2011: Secretary, Curriculum Committee, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

2011--: Member, Social Welfare Committee, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

2011--: Member, Diversity Committee, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

2011--: Member, ACE Committee (Early College Enrollment), Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

2011-2011: Member, Criminal Justice Faculty Search Committee, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

2010--: Member, Development Education Workgroup, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

2010-2010: Member, Academic Policies Committee, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

2010-2010: Member, Wellness Committee, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

2010-2010: Chairperson, Humanities Faculty Search Committee, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

MISCELLANEOUS

2011-2011: Open House Demonstrated the i<clicker classroom management system

2011-2011: Organized and participated in a murder mystery

2011-2011: Presenter at the ACE (Early College Enrollment) training

2011-2011: Coordinated St. Patrick Day and Women’s History Month celebration including booking two guest speakers and a band

2011-2011: Coordinated and hosted a Poem in your Pocket Poetry Reading

2010-2011: Coordinated and conducted a self-esteem workshop



PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Workshops        

September and October 2011
Advising Workshops
Presenter: Dr. Lisa Matson

August 2011
Webinar on i<clickers (Classroom Response System)

August 2011
Classroom interactions with students who are blind or visually impaired
Presenters: Eric Costello, Voc. Rehab. Counselor and Tom Crowell, Voc. Rehab. Supervisor
Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services

August 2011
Classroom interactions with students who are deaf or hard of hearing
Presenter Lori Hutchison, PEPNet Northeast Outreach Specialist

April 2011 and August 2011
Microsoft Training
Presenter: Amy Schimdt

March 2011
Classroom Response System Training
Presenter: Wes McMichael

January 2011
Webinar on PA Trac System

January 2011
Training on Skills Tutor software

December 2010
World Religion Panel Discussion

October 2010
Diversity Panel Discussion

September 2010 and August 2011
Cognitive Disabilities
Presenter: Deb Endres. MS, CBIS

Spring 2010
“How to Engage and inspire Today’s Generation of Students”
Presenter: Andy Masters

Other Workshops

September 2010
Frostburg Creative Writing Center
Poetry: A Craft Session

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND READINGS

2008 and 2009
Central Cambria High School Writing Festival                            Cresson, PA     
Presentations on Writing  

2006                                           
Bottleworks Ethnic Arts Center                                                Johnstown, PA
Poetry Reading with musician, Rachel Allen    

2003                                                               
Laurel Arts                                                                            Somerset, PA
Poetry Reading with various musicians and writers                

PUBLISHING HISTORY AND AWARDS

2011
Ligonier Valley Writers Flash Fiction Contest
Honorable Mention for the short story, “Missing and Presumed Dead”

2011
Red River Review
Publication of a poem, “Last call for fireflies”

2011
Red Poppy Review
Publication of a poem, “Words Matter”

2011
Menopause Press
Publication of a poem, “Dwelling in the tents of the wicked”


2009
The Battered Suitcase                                        
Publication of a short story, “Green Rain”

2009
Central Cambria High School Writing Festival
Adult Specialty Writing Contest  
First Place Award for the poem, “Morning Mist”

2008
Wild Violet Online Literary Magazine
Short Story Contest                                        
First Place Award for the short story, “X and Q”

2007                                         
Pennwriters Poetry Contest                                
Third Place Award for the poem, “If I wrote love poems…”

2006                                            
Pennwriters Novel Beginning Contest                 
Third Place Award for the novel, Tracks

2006                                        
Our Town Magazine                                        
Publication of a short story, “Bald”

2003
Pittsburgh Quarterly Online                                
Publication of a short story, “Peppermint”

2003                                                        
Assistant writer of the short film, The Tech Know Zone

2001
My novel, Tracks, was optioned for a screenplay by Ziji Films, Hollywood, CA.

2001
I was represented by the Coppage Agency of Hollywood, CA.

1997
Winner of the 1996-1997 Claire S. Garber Memorial Creative Writing Award for the short story, “Dodge”


RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2002-2010:
Leader/Coordinator of Poetry Readings and Annual Writing Contest                   
Works in Progress Writers’ Workshop        
Somerset, PA         

2002-2009:
Book Editor/Writing Consultant
Barbara Purbaugh Consulting Services        
Somerset, PA

PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION  

2011
Pennwriters 2011 Writers Conference

10th Annual Seton Hill Writing Popular Fiction Retreat

2010
Pennwriters 2010 Writers Conference

9th Annual Seton Hill Writing Popular Fiction Retreat

2009
Pennwriters 2009 Writers Conference

8th Annual Seton Hill Writing Popular Fiction Retreat


AFFILIATIONS
2011-present
Member, The Historical & Genealogical Society of Somerset County, Inc.

2007-present
Member, Pennwriters


MISCELLANEOUS
2011
Featured artist in the Somerset Magazine