2002 New Mexico Teacher of the Year
Ms. Benjamin teaches Math and Science to grade six students at Pinon Elementary School, Los Alamos. She brings thirty-three years of teaching experience to the profession.

What are your beliefs about teaching?
"My beliefs about teaching are based on four principles. First, I believe that education is a dynamic, exciting and shared process among teachers, children and parents working together in the best interest of the student. Second, elementary education should be highly interactive with exciting, engaging lessons involving hands-on materials, experiments, role-playing and connections to real-life experiences. Third, nurturing a child's self-concept is essential for learning. Respect and acceptance are vital for the child's development. Fourth, the child's curiosity appetite is best satisfied by good questioning and frequent use of critical and creative thinking skills."

How are your beliefs incorporated in your teaching style?
"I provide a nurturing, productive environment in which students blossom and expand their horizons. I support the varied learning styles, such as tactile and visual. I teach the values of cooperation, respect and honesty, and I reward students for their own unique strengths and successes. I support excellence and reaching for one's personal best."

What is your greatest teaching accomplishment?
"I continue to be excited and engaged in teaching children and teachers after so many years in the profession. I enjoy the challenge and the variety of experiences that each day offers to build the self-esteem of students and to get them excited about learning. I believe my style of teaching as well as my ability to connect with both their hearts and minds are my greatest assets. I am proud of my experience as a national educational leader who services teachers across the nation in hands-on math and science activities via Activities Integrated Math and Science and workshop opportunities at regional and national education conferences."

What's the most critical issue facing educators today and what do you think can be done to resolve this issue?
"Now that information is so easily acquired, the education community must refocus on teaching how to process and evaluate information using analysis and synthesis so students can more effectively use our wonderful technology."

Inspirational thought:
"I base my day-to-day interactions with students on four main ideas: care, connect, create and challenge. 'Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.' (William Butler Yates)."