Science teacher Rose Blanchard was surprised by faculty and students with an award for Educator of the Year for the Bexley School District May 2.
Blanchard was presented the award while reviewing footage from this year’s Andros Island trip.
Blanchard is the10th recipient of the award, which was created to recognize excellence in teaching, executive director of the Bexley Education Foundation Charlene Morgan said.
“It was very fitting that we were able to surprise her while she was, of course, doing work for Andros,” Morgan said.
Science teacher Craig Kramer, who nominated Blanchard, said although there are many reasons she deserved the award, the most important is her passion for teaching.
“She is really dedicated to students and helping children learn,” Kramer said. “She is constantly molding her lessons to keep students’ attention.”
Sophomore Zoe Christenson, who wrote a letter in support of Blanchard’s nomination, agreed with Kramer.
“She makes work in the classroom fun and interesting,” Christenson said. “Everything is really hands on.”
Morgan said that she is particularly impressed with Blanchard’s work on Andros.
“I think Ms. Blanchard represents the whole picture,” Morgan said. “She goes over and above every expectation. Through the Andros Project, she has touched students at all levels, not just the ones that sit in her classroom every day.”
Blanchard said that she has been involved with Andros since June of 1974.
“I went and camped on the beach for 10 days with a group from Ohio State University,” Blanchard said. “The next year a job opened and I was supposed to stay for four months, but I ended up staying for four years. I guess you could say I liked it there.”
Kramer said that he sees Blanchard’s work for Andros as just another way for her to be involved in teaching.
“Everything is connected for her,” Kramer said. “She works tirelessly for her students during the day and then she goes home and stays up all night long working on the library project, just thinking of a way she can help her students understand her work [with Andros].”
Blanchard said that she started the Andros Library Project after Jenny Nicol, an active community member, died while on a dive at Andros. Blanchard said that Montrose Elementary art teacher Becky Liefeld suggested a memorial on Andros for Nicol.
“It really just took off from there; I got a lot of really good advice on how to set up a library from Mrs. Tully [Montrose’s former Librarian],” Blanchard said. “[For Jenny] working with children and reading were very important,” Blanchard said. “We figured that this was the best way to honor that.”
Christenson said that both Blanchard’s teaching and her involvement in Andros are what makes her so special.
“Her work on Andros is truly outstanding,” Christenson said. “I never knew how involved she was until I went on the [Andros] trip.”
Kramer added that he enjoys spending time with Blanchard and science teacher Scott Logsdon at Andros.
“[On Andros] we always have a lot of fun,” Kramer said. “We are like little kids joking around, we always finish each others sentences.”
Christenson said that interacting with Blanchard on Andros changed how she viewed her a teacher and a person.
“I remember seeing her give her own clothes to people on the island,” Christenson said. “She has got to be one of the nicest people I have ever met and I didn’t even know it until half way through the year.”
Blanchard said that while the Andros project can be tiring, it’s a commitment that is worth the extra effort. “I no longer have a living room, I have a book-processing room,” Blanchard said. “It’s like having a second job, but a job that you love to have.”
Kramer said that Blanchard is a wonderful co-worker.
“She truly is a pleasure to work with,” Kramer said. “She doesn’t stop at the classroom; everything she does is education driven.”
Blanchard added that the Andros Library Project had many unforeseen benefits, including the fact that she has gotten to know many of the people who live Andros.
“It used to be that when I visited the island, I was just that, a visitor,” Blanchard said. “Now when I go, I know almost everyone and they treat me like I am a part of their family.”
Kramer added that he considers Blanchard a dear friend, not just a co-worker.
“As Mr. Logsdon said in his letter of support,” Kramer said. “We are so fortunate to have her here at Bexley.”
Blanchard said that she does not consider this as an award that she earned on her own, but one that she can share with the whole community.
“I just want to say thank you to all the people who help me with the Andros Library Project and also to all my students,” Blanchard said.