Thursday, October 1, 2026
Longtime Glen Head resident Bette Blankfein was a special education teacher at Glenwood Landing Elementary School for 30 years. After retirement, she tutored middle and high school students before eventually bringing her teaching skills to the Glen Cove and Gold Coast Public Libraries. In the last few years, Blankfein has worked with adults learning and strengthening their English. She has also trained other tutors in the same program. All of these years of teaching have contributed to Blankfein recently being named a woman of distinction by the Town of Oyster Bay.
Blankfein, 86, earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Syracuse University and later completed her master’s degree at Hofstra University. She explained her motivation for pursuing education.
“I always admired my teachers,” Blankfein said, “and I wanted to continue in that field.” She added that she was inspired by one of her Syracuse professors, William Cruickshank, to go into special education in particular.
In her 30 years at Glenwood Landing, Blankfein worked with students in the school’s resource room, a special education program that involves additional specialized instruction in a one-on-one or small group setting. She also worked closely with staff in Glen Head and Sea Cliff schools to develop and implement an early intervention program for students in kindergarten through third grade.
Blankfein described her work in the North Shore School District as a “nice giving and taking situation.” She also praised the district for its support and implementation of special education services.
“I always felt that I was appreciated,” she said, “and I appreciated what I did.”
Former North Shore special education teacher and Glen Head Elementary School Principal Fredda Klopfer, also a Glen Head resident, worked alongside Blankfein to develop a teacher’s manual and run teacher trainings for the early intervention program. The program took a multi-sensory approach to reading, writing and spelling.
Klopfer described Blankfein as “very dedicated” and praised her for identifying each student’s individual needs and adapting instruction for each student. She added that Blankfein has “a big heart.”
“That’s really the core of Bette,” Klopfer said, “her compassion, caring, and empathy.”
After working with adults to strengthen their English language skills at the Glen Cove Library, Blankfein presented the program to Michael Morea, director of the Gold Coast Public Library. The program has since expanded to include roughly 20 tutors working with students.
Morea explained that many students participate in the program to strengthen their English to help them in certain situations, such as in the workplace.
“(Bette’s) just got a tremendous amount of energy,” Morea said, “and she’s been able to take it from really what was just an idea to everybody kind of working consistently with students.”
Blankfein has recently been training tutors to work with students in the program, called “Learning Together.” She said that while her background is not in teaching the English language, she was able to apply her skills in working with students on speaking, listening, reading and writing.
“It didn’t matter,” Blankfein said. “I could use what I knew and adapt it and create new, and it was very gratifying.” She is handing coordination of the program to volunteer Tricia Allen.
Each year, women living within the Town of Oyster Bay are chosen as “women of distinction.” The title to awarded to those who have “significantly given back” to communities within the town. Blankfein said being named a woman of distinction was a “surprise.”
Klopfer and Morea both said Blankfein is deserving of the honor.
“She’s just able to do so much for our community,” Morea said, “even in her career before this, but even just with this program, but she really has had a tremendous impact on the people in our community.”
