West Washington Schools is excited to welcome Mrs. April Blair, our new Life Skills teacher, who is currently in her first semester at WW. Mrs. Blair brings a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to the classroom, and we are thrilled to have her as part of our Senator family.
Professional Background & Achievements: Mrs. Blair has spent nearly two decades training teachers and aides on how to set up classrooms and work with students with Autism. She was the driving force behind the creation of the Life Skills room at Mitchell High School, leading its setup, structure, and staffing. Her career also includes serving as an InSource Advocate and Parent Trainer, working in the ED Room at MJHS, and holding positions with both the Mitchell and Bedford Public Libraries in community engagement and adult services.
Her impact extends beyond the classroom as well. She served on the committee that developed the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Autism and Developmental Disabilities Emergency Training, and she is the proud recipient of the Trailblazer Award for Distinguished Women of Lawrence County for her work in special education.
Why West Washington? When asked what drew her to WW, Mrs. Blair shared:
“I was actually looking for the best school for Big Jon. West Washington was by far the best school and the best fit in the area. I hadn’t been in the classroom for a number of years, and was looking to get back into it. The Life Skills position opened up and it was exactly the opportunity I had been looking for.”
First Impressions: In just her first semester, Mrs. Blair has already felt the strong sense of community that makes West Washington so special:
“West Washington is a special place. It is a community that values compassion, kindness, and strength of character. Both students and staff have made the Blair family feel very welcome.”
Passion for Teaching: What keeps Mrs. Blair motivated after years in education is simple yet powerful:
“I love the opportunity to join a student with special needs on their journey and work to, in some small way, contribute to making their life better.”
Life Outside the Classroom: When she isn’t teaching, Mrs. Blair enjoys camping, hiking, quilting, hand embroidery, reading, and music. She also loves watching sports such as Strongman, Powerlifting, Rugby, and Hurling. She and her husband recently celebrated 31 years of marriage and are proud parents of four children, all on the Autism spectrum. Rounding out the Blair household is Morris, their large yellow cat.
We are so excited to have Mrs. Blair and her family join the Senator community!
