Josh Blankenship graduated from Allen County-Scottsville High School in 2013 and Western Kentucky University in 2017. Blankenship enters the education profession inspired by his experiences as a student.
“I went into education first and foremost because of the teachers I had here in the Allen County School District,” Blankenship said. “They were outstanding to me and they turned me on to the act of learning. I figured that I could serve my community best by becoming a teacher and instill the love of learning that I have to my students like my teachers taught me. I figure the role by which I could achieve success would be to help at least one student get the love of learning like I have.”
Blankenship notes that he decided to seek his Elementary Education certification based on a couple of factors.
“Upon observing the elementary level, I learned that there are not many male role models,” Blankenship explained. “Hopefully, I can be a role model that young children will look up to. Also, I just clicked with students at that age because they still are eager to learn.”
Students and parents can expect Blankenship’s sixth grade classroom to be a place that promote learning each and every day.
“I have high expectations for my students,” Blankenship pointed out. “I want them to come in on day one and ready to learn and be excited to learn. I want them to hold me to the same expectations I have for them. I am going to learn just as much from them as they will from me. I want them to have confidence when they come in. I believe they can teach me more than I can teach them.”
Blankenship adds that he is happy to be back in Allen County.
“It’s surreal and a dream come true,” Blankenship noted. “I was part of the first class to go through the Intermediate Center. I thought it would be great to place to start. I see a whole career here because I love this school district. It’s means so much and has done so much to me. I hope to give back to the community. It feels great to be home.”
Away from education, Blankenship enjoys spending time with his friends and family and working in his church.