About
Dr. Jackie
Reading success isn’t created in third grade, it’s rooted in the earliest years of life. Early literacy is about building brains before teaching letters. Through rich language, meaningful conversations, playful exploration of sounds, storytelling, and vocabulary, young children develop the cognitive foundation for reading success. When we invest in strong, research-based early learning experiences, we don’t just teach children to read, we prepare them to succeed in school and in life.
— Dr. Jacquelyn Bobien-Blanton
Executive Director, Author, & Founder of the We Read – We Rise Movement
OFFICIAL BIO
Dr. Jacquelyn Bobien-Blanton is a distinguished educator with nearly three decades of experience in public education. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Early Learning for the Orange Township Public Schools, where she oversees the foundational educational experiences of the district’s youngest scholars. In this executive capacity, Dr. Blanton directs curriculum and assessment, instruction, professional development, fiscal budgeting, and the strategic alignment of local and state administrative mandates.
An expert in early childhood development, Dr. Blanton holds a Doctoral degree in Early Childhood Education from Walden University, a Master’s degree from Montclair State University, and a Bachelor of Science from Louisiana State University. Her comprehensive professional expertise is backed by a wide range of public-school certifications, spanning from classroom instruction to the superintendency.
A Champion for Educational Excellence
Recognized as an Exemplary Elementary Educator, Dr. Blanton’s leadership extends well beyond the district level. She has contributed significantly to the development of early childhood observation protocols and served on elite committees to review early learning curricula. Notably, she participated in the critical revision of the Teaching and Learning Standards for the New Jersey Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning. Her deep dedication to scholastic achievement has been formally recognized by the New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly.
Dr. Blanton actively channels her commitment to educational advancement and community equity through prominent professional and civic organizations. She is an engaged member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), and proudly serves within the NAACP, the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
The Literacy Movement & Published Works
Dr. Blanton’s foundational work as an author began with the 2024 release of her research-based book, It Takes a Village to Raise a Reader. Born from her extensive doctoral research on reading fade-out, the text examines the critical ecosystem surrounding a child that either hinders or promotes reading proficiency by the third grade, blending sharp historical context with deeply personal and professional commentary.
Expanding on this vital mission, Dr. Blanton is launching two highly anticipated new resources this summer: the fully updated Revised Edition of It Takes a Village to Raise a Reader and a brand-new companion guide, Raising Readers in the Village: A Practical Guide for Everyday Families. Grounded in the Science of Reading, these twin publications serve as the primary resource texts for the We Read – We Rise movement, providing communities, educators, and families with the actionable, real-world tools needed to transform reading outcomes from the very beginning.
Legacy and Philosophy
Rooted in a lifelong culture of discipline and service, Dr. Blanton is also a former All-American Track and Field athlete. She has long translated her athletic dedication into community action, including serving on the founding board that established the Shiloh Rainbow Academy in Newark, NJ.
Beyond her extensive professional achievements, "Jackie" is a devoted wife and mother who deeply values family and believes in the transformative power of education to change the world.
“To Whom Much is Given, Much is Required”
