Jody Marie Blohm , Ed. D.

Dr. Jody Marie Blohm

Mathematics Educator; Artist; Dancer; Author

Jody Marie Blohm, retired educator of mathematics and mathematics education, died June 6, 2022.

Dr. Blohm was a life-long resident of Philadelphia and Delaware County, Pa.  A graduate of Archbishop Prendergast High School, Drexel Hill, Pa, she continued her quest for knowledge with degrees in dual concentrations from Temple University (Ed.D. – Urban Education; Mathematics Education); Saint Joseph’s University (B.S in Mathematics and Secondary Education; B.S. in Business Administration and Accounting; M.A. in Education and Children’s Literature).  The amazing attribute about these accomplishments was the ability to complete the doctorate in less than two years; her Master’s degree in one year, and her first B.S. in three years of evening and summer courses.  All of which were completed while teaching full time and  coaching.

She began her professional career as a certified mathematics teacher with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, During this 20-year span, in addition to teaching mathematics, and coaching, field hockey, swimming, softball, and volleyball, she was instrumental in establishing the Girls Swimming League; and was appointed the first lay female administrator as Vice Principal of Academic Affairs at Cardinal O’Hara High School.

Dr. Blohm’s quest for knowledge never diminished. She attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and during one summer, was awarded a scholarship from Oxford University, England where she took 3 classes and conducted research on England’s mathematics program.

As a college professor, both at Gwynedd Mercy College and Rowan University, Dr. Blohm was instrumental in developing teaching models in mathematics for both elementary and secondary education students, and teachers. She presented at many local, state, and national conferences on a variety of topics which included integrating the mathematics and science curricula on the K-4 grade level.  This was a theory she developed and presented at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

In 2007, Dr. Blohm was awarded the Gerald Howard Read travel education scholarship sponsored by Phi Delta Kappa, which gave her the opportunity to visit Montessori Schools in Italy.  She has given many presentations on this topic and has written a book on her discoveries of this method in relation to current education practices in early childhood.

Jody believed in giving back.  She was a frequent volunteer in both Philadelphia and Delaware County.  Her most memorable moments were as past president of the Delaware County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary when her committee raised a substantial amount of money to pay for the equipment in the new cancer unit.

During the summer, Jody was a volunteer tour guide for Independence National Historical Park. In a response from INHP to begin an education center for teachers, she was instrumental in the establishment of the first phase of  the Independence Institute where she developed the curriculum in alignment with the

National and State History Curriculum Standards and conducted the teacher workshops with the Park rangers.  In recognition, she was awarded the “Volunteer of the Year Award”.

In addition to being a loyal educator, the other side of Jody was unique.  As a young girl, she watched American Bandstand, and taught herself to dance while watching the show and dancing with the door handle as her partner.  During her sophomore year in high school, she actually attended Bandstand and became a regular during that year.  Her most cherished memory is the show when Fabian sang a ballad to her – on national TV.  Many commented that she was born dancing.  Wherever there was a dance, she attended.  She and her friends were the first dancers on the channel 17 dance at the old Philadelphia Aquarium.  Jody also caught the eye of DJ Jerry Blavat and was the “Geator Gold Dance Instructor” for a number of years. She also appeared dancing on an Oldies special on WHYY.  She taught many to learn the Philadelphia Classic Line dance. As a result, she designed instructional CDs of the Classic Philadelphia Line Dances.

In her spare time, Jody was an artist of watercolor and oils, downhill skier, champion swimmer, and avid reader of mysteries.  She played the piano and has sung in a number of choirs.

Dr. Blohm is predeceased by her parents Raymond Blohm Sr. and Josephine Blohm, and is survived by her brothers, Raymond, Jr., Karl (Christy), her sisters, Kathryn, and Peggy (Greg), and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on June 15, 2022, at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Secane, Pa.  A viewing will be held prior to the mass from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.  Burial will be at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield, Pa.

She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.