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Meri Blackburn has extensive experience in the education sector. Meri currently serves as the COO of Empower College and Career Center at Jackson County School System since 2021. Prior to this, they worked as the Director of Secondary Education at Oconee County Schools from 2019 to 2021. From 2016 to 2019, they held the position of Principal at Malcom Bridge Middle School. Before that, they served as the Assistant Principal of Instruction at North Oconee High School from 2013 to 2016. Their career in education began in 1995 at the Clarke County School District, where they worked as a Master Scheduler, IB, and Gifted Coordinator, as well as a teacher until 2013.

Meri Blackburn obtained a Bachelor of Science in Education with a focus on Spanish Language Teacher Education from The University of Georgia in the years 1989-1994. Meri then went on to complete a Master of Education in Educational Psychology from the same university between 1996-1998. Finally, they earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Workforce Education and Leadership from The University of Georgia in the years 2007-2011. Additionally, they have obtained certifications in T-7 Leadership, Spanish, ESOL, Gifted, and Special Education.