Barbara Buckner

Fellowship Placement: National Science Foundation
Cohort: 2013-2014

Barbie Buckner currently working as an Educator Professional Development Specialist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Her responsibilities include supporting the mission and leadership of the NASA STEM Educator Professional Development Collaborative by delivering professional development programs in their respective service area to K-12 in-service and pre-service teachers as well as to educators in informal settings. In addition, Barbie supports the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Office of STEM Engagement by providing programs and delivering instruction that leverages expertise in NASA STEM content and other NASA educational resources as a means to engage the general public and inspire the next generation of explorers. 

Prior to joining NASA EPDC, Barbie taught mathematics and science at Bradley Central High School in Cleveland, Tennessee.  She earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction in mathematics education with an emphasis in Rural Sociology from the University of Louisville. Barbie served the 2013-2014 year as an Einstein Fellow at the National Science Foundation in the Education and Human Resources Directorate under the supervision of Assistant Director Dr. Joan Ferrini-Mundy. Her main projects included a portfolio analysis of the Education Core Research Program and a review analysis of the education components of the NSF funded Science and Technology Centers. The opportunity to collaborate with colleagues on learning, learning environments, boarding participating and workforce development will serve to further her as she returns to education.

Barbie sees education is her calling and has spent her life sharing her love for learning with everyone around her. Knowing that today’s student will compete in a global economy, Barbie says that “It is imperative that today’s students are prepared with consistent rigorous and relevant standards that produce more STEM majors, particularly women and minorities, to keep this great nation at the forefront in technology, innovation, and advancement.”