Mrs. Blanchette

My name is Charis Blanchette. I graduated from Stevens High School in 1996. After graduation, I attended the University of Nebraska- Kearney from '96-'99. I transferred to SD and attended the University of South Dakota from '99-'02. In 2001, I graduated from USD with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Then, in 2002, graduated again with a master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction. I have been teaching since 2000. Prior to coming to Pierre, I taught at Beresford High School and the Rapid City Academy. I started teaching in the Pierre School District in 2003, which means this is my 26th year of teaching, and my 24th year Pierre! I spent 9 years at GMMS, and this is my 15th year at Riggs High School! 

In addition to teaching, I have four extracurricular duties. I coach 9th grade girls basketball and varsity boys tennis; advise the student council and yearbook staff.  

My wonderful husband Sean and I have been married for twenty-two years, and we have three amazing sons- Ivan, Steven, and Marty Joe. Sean works for South Dakota Game Fish & Park and is a part-time funeral director at Isburg Funeral Chapel. He is also the varsity Boys Soccer Coach. Ivan, who graduated in 2017, works for the UJS and lives here in Pierre. Steven is studying nursing at USD, and Marty is one of your classmates! Other important students at Riggs are my cousin Wyatt West and my honorary 4th son Jacoby LaRoche. Our family also includes two pets- Nelly (dog), Sparrow (cat). I absolutely love spending time with Sean and our boys; we enjoy camping, grilling, boating, traveling, hanging out with family and friends, gardening, hunting, and watching lots of sports, especially soccer! 

Must See: Schitt's Creek, Friends, Parks N Rec, New Girl, Bridgerton, Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, and many more! 

Must Reads: Too many to name, but here are a few of my favorites: Lessons in Chemistry, A Gentleman in Moscow, The Bell Jar, My Notorious Life, Killers of the Flower Moon, Daisey Jones and the Six, and Where'd You Go Bernadette? Also ANY BOOK by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Ruta Sepetys

Must Listens: P!NK, All American Rejects, Blink 182, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, The Chicks, and ALL 90's-2000's country