My name is Dr. Brooke Blanks, and I am delighted to continue to serve our Highland Park Elementary family as your Principal. At Highland Park Elementary, we work hard to live into our guiding belief, “Every moment matters. Every student counts.” At Highland, we take care of ourselves, we take care of each other, and we take care of this place. Our focus is helping children achieve academic success, find their passion for learning, and live as positive, kind, and caring members of our community. We will work together this year to ensure that all of our children can learn and grow in a safe, secure, (and fun) learning environment!

I am thrilled to be joining Highland Park this year!  I have been part of the Roanoke City family for many years, including 8 wonderful years teaching English and leading the English department at William Fleming High School.  I have also worked at both Morningside and Garden City Elementary Schools as an instructional coach and, most recently, as a supervisor in RCPS Central Office. I have degrees from the University of Missouri (BGS), Wheaton College (MA), and Radford University (MS).

My childhood was spent in the Midwest (St. Louis), but I have been fortunate enough to have lived in the Pacific Northwest, Chicago, Mississippi, and overseas in Scotland.  Some of my most special opportunities have been training community leaders and teachers in other parts of the world, like DR Congo, South Sudan, the Philippines, and Ukraine.  I have three incredible adult children (my baby just graduated from JMU in May), and I joyfully got married in July! 

Please say hello anytime, and know I am here to help provide the very best education for your dear children.