CHERI BLACKWELL was born to be a teacher— it’s in her genes. Retired teacher Brenda Ayers, Blackwell’s aunt, influenced a family of educators: her daughter, Robin Ayers Adcock; her granddaughter, Haylie Spence Dial; and her niece, Blackwell.
“Watching her made me want to teach, and I’ve always loved kids, so it was just something I always knew I wanted to do,” Blackwell said.
While the decision to teach was easy, the road to the classroom was not, but she was determined to get there. She worked two jobs and paid for her education in full, and one of the jobs further affirmed her call to teach.
Blackwell said, “I was raised by my mom, a single parent who was an extremely hard worker and instilled it in me. One of my jobs was with the Extended School Program, and it reinforced how much my heart was in teaching. So many students made me love the job before I ever got into the classroom—students I’m still in contact with today. It was hard work, but it helped make me the person I am today, and I wouldn’t have changed a thing.”
Blackwell is a fourth grade teacher at Cascade Elementary School, where she has taught her entire career. The close-knit community within a K-12 school system adds to the joy of teaching.
“I love seeing a student get something you’ve taught them. It’s like a light bulb went off, and they are so excited. Also, the unconditional love students truly have for their teachers is amazing. I love being able to watch them grow up. It goes very fast, too. At Cascade, you get to see all of their different phases as they become seniors. That’s one of the best things about Cascade — seeing their continued success and the amazing people they become,” Blackwell said.
Now in her 27th year, she teaches the children of her former students.
“I love seeing what wonderful parents my past students have become. No matter what, they will always have a special place in my heart.”
There’s a special place in the hearts of Cascade students and families for Blackwell, too. Their support has helped Blackwell through the most challenging days of her life after losing her sister, Keri King, in a head-on collision in 2018.
The sisters were everything to each other. A senior when King was born, Blackwell helped her mother care for her newborn sister while their father recovered from a serious car accident. By the time King was 11 years old, both parents had passed away from cancer, and Blackwell became mother and father to King in addition to her role as her sister.
King’s life continues to bless the community through a scholarship program that Blackwell established in her sister’s memory. The community continues to donate to it, funding 40 to 50 scholarships in the past four years.
It’s the perfect way to honor King’s memory and invest in the future of the student body that Blackwell serves with heart and a loving smile. GN
