Originally from Barrington, Illinois, Emily Blanke moved from Chicago to California and now calls La Jolla her home. Miss Blanke has been teaching 5th grade at JCSMO since 2023.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she learned about inquiry-based teaching methods. She is also endorsed in English as a Second Language (ESL), which helps her support students from different linguistic backgrounds. With experience teaching first grade in a suburban Chicago school district, she has become skilled in differentiating instruction and focusing on student-centered learning.

Miss Blanke’s teaching philosophy revolves around fostering a growth mindset and creating a positive and joyful classroom environment. She strongly believes that compassion and resilience are key elements of effective teaching, and aims to inspire our scholars to embrace challenges and develop a lifelong love for learning.

Outside of the classroom, she enjoys watching movies with her favorite snack, popcorn. She also finds joy in shopping, staying active through workouts, reading fantasy novels, and spending quality time with my loved ones. Exploring the beautiful California coastline is a particular delight for her, as she finds relaxation and peace on the beach.

Emily is genuinely excited to contribute to the JCS Mountain Oaks community, making a positive impact on our students’ lives by instilling a passion for learning and empowering them to reach their full potential.