Blanca E. Enriquez

Blanca E. Enriquez is associate executive director at the Region 19 Education Service Center in El Paso, Texas. In this capacity, she serves as director of the Region 19 Head Start Program, a nationwide program that provides children from low-income families comprehensive services, including health screenings, school readiness, nutrition services, parental engagement services, and assistance to children with disabilities.

In conjunction with the Head Start Program, Ms. Enriquez has conceptualized and developed an interactive museum that weaves literacy and the written word throughout the exhibits on technology, science, math, history and the arts. Ms. Enriquez has recently been awarded a grant from the U.S Department of Education to create Early Childhood Centers of Excellence, which focus on early literacy. In addition, Region 19 Head Start has designed and is implementing three major program components to strengthen parental involvement in literacy. First, parents participate in self-improvement classes that emphasize reading and writing. Second, they conduct activities with children in the classroom to reinforce their learning and the children's literacy. Finally, parents participate in workshops that focus on how to read to children and the importance of reading, speaking, and listening.

Ms. Enriquez is an inductee of the El Paso Women's Hall of Fame and recently received an award naming her the National Early School Educator of the Year by the Center for Schools of Quality.

Ms. Enriquez is pursuing a doctoral degree in New Mexico State University's educational management and development department. She also received bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Texas at El Paso.

National Institute for Literacy Advisory Board

Last updated: Sunday, 26-Jul-2009 18:49:55 EDT