Introduction to Our DEIJ Director

First published in summer 2022.

Dear Parents/Guardians, Staff & Students,

It is with great pleasure I announce Rachael Blansett as the ORCSD’s first DEIJ Coordinator. The ORCSD School Board unanimously confirmed my nomination of Rachael Blansett at the board meeting this past Wednesday. Rachael brings a variety of experiences including consulting with K-12 schools and working with faculty and students at the collegiate level.

As with all hiring processes in the ORCSD, Rachael went through a rigorous screening and interview process that included an initial interview committee of 15 people, that included community members, parents, staff, students, and administrators. She was one of two finalists chosen out of a field of six candidates.

Rachael is articulate, thoughtful, a great listener with strong communication skills, and she understands the challenges of the work ahead of us. Her educational background consists of a B.S. in Communications and a Master of Education in Student Affairs. She did an exceptional job answering the committee’s questions and connecting with faculty and students. She shared her experiences as a first-generation minority college student and as young woman of color.

Once chosen as a finalist, she spent a day meeting with district staff, high school students, the DEIJ Committee, and the community. Index cards were provided for participants to provide me feedback. The overall feedback was very positive. She has outstanding references, both written and verbal, which were all carefully considered as part of the hiring process.

I then spent six hours with her over two separate meetings getting to know her better and reviewing our expectations and priorities for the position. I shared the DEIJ work the district has been engaged with these past six years and she discussed her thoughts regarding the position with me as well.

Her primary responsibilities will be to work with our staff, assist in the coordination of our curriculum, and support teacher advisors on the District DEIJ and Student DEIJ Committees.

She will join our team on August 1st. Please assist me in welcoming Rachael to the Oyster River Cooperative School System.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jim Morse
Superintendent