North Kingstown teacher assistant wins top honor

    At a dinner held Wednesday, November 14, in honor of education support professionals (ESP), North Kingstown teacher assistant Sandie Blankenship walked away with top honors – the 2007 Rhode Island ESP of the Year Award. The National Education Association Rhode Island (NEARI) selected Blankenship, a special education paraprofessional at North Kingstown High School, for her leadership in the school, community and organization.
    Of Blankenship, her principal Gerald Foley said, “She has truly made North Kingstown High School a better place by her efforts.
    “She is noted for her student-centered approach to education and she has made a difference in the lives of her students in her classes.”
    Amy Messerlian, the teacher with whom Blankenship works, said, “Sandie helps me enormously in my day to day tasks…she is extremely dedicated to her students and to the classroom. She is a great communicator and leader, and is very devoted to her profession and her responsibilities.”
    Blankenship is also mentor to new paraprofessionals in the high school building, providing them with guidance on issues and assistance with adjusting to the school environment. She has served on interview committees for the district, such as the director of special education and the director of human resources.
   As a strong advocate for her colleagues, Blankenship serves as president of her local union, the North Kingstown ESP, and on various committees within the state organization, NEARI. She is a committee member for Ocean State for Independent Living (OSCIL) and Ms. Wheelchair Rhode Island.
   Blankenship, who holds an elementary education degree from Eastern Connecticut State University, is a lead instructor in the Teacher Assistant Certificate Program at CCRI, and has been active at the RI Department of Education in the development of teacher assistant standards.