BENJAMIN A. SIMON
Glastonbury,CT
Summary
I am a trauma informed, relationship-driven Dean of Students dedicated to maximizing student learning and outcomes by developing and facilitating positive student culture and implementing structured, supportive learning environments.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
DEAN OF STUDENTS
CREC Academy of International Studies, 6-12
08.2023 - Current
- Responsible for leading our school's restorative practices, team, which helped significantly reduce repeated student behaviors in all of our grades
- Responsible for developing tiered behavioral intervention strategies and plans for students, and also for assisting teachers to develop and diversify instruction to better serve our students of different levels and backgrounds
- Responsible for creating and supporting district and school goals through collaboration with students, teachers, community members and additional stakeholders
- Responsible for coordinating multiple outreach events to bring parents/guardians, family and community members to the school to support students
ELA Teacher
CT DOC: Manson Youth Institution
08.2019 - 08.2023
- Responsible for teaching incarcerated young men a rigorous English/Language Arts curriculum, which encouraged independent thought, creativity, and idea expression, comparable to their home district schools
- Implemented a successful new teacher mentor system, which helped successfully onboard new staff members into the school
- Helped students develop academic, and social and emotional, and selfcare skills to assist their transitions back to their home district schools
ELA Teacher
Achievement First Hartford High School
06.2018 - 08.2019
- Responsible for presenting a rigorous ELA composition/seminar curriculum to high school students in a high-performing Charter school
- Responsible for working closely in an English composition department team for weekly professional development, coaching and collaborative lesson development
- Developed and implemented variety of instructional strategies to meet the diverse needs of the school's students
ASSOCIATE INSTRUCTOR
CREC John J. Allison Polaris Center
11.2013 - 09.2014
- Provided 1:1 academic instruction, mentorship and support to students with a diversity of needs that could not be met in their home districts
- Implemented lesson and behavior support plans for my classroom's students
- Implemented an ELA academic assistance program for students in the school
TEEN MENTOR
Waterbury Youth Services
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Provided support, guidance, mentorship and supervision to CT Department of Probation referred teenagers, at-risk of failing school and incarceration
- Tutored students in English and Language Arts, in preparation for high school assessments, SAT and mandated testing
Senior Non-Commissioned Officer
US Army; Connecticut Army National Guard
07.2000 - 04.2023
- Responsible for instructing and supervising hundreds of subordinates in military tasks and procedures
- Provided mentorship, education planning/assistance, support, and risk prevention assistance to hundreds of subordinate soldiers and servicemembers
- Managed and trained foreign military servicemembers in military tasks and procedures in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Kenya and Niger
PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST
Connecticut Army National Guard
01.2013 - 02.2019
- Experienced and trained in journalism writing, editing, marketing, photography, public affairs/media relations, crisis management, print design and social media management
- Responsible for conducting independent research and interviews on military subjects and interests: healthcare, current events, social activities and military relevant topics for written and photographic installments in online and print publications
- Responsible for preparing and disseminating news release and feature articles to the media, to include photography and film footage
COMMUNICATIONS REPRESENTATIVE
Connecticut Transit
01.2016 - 07.2018
- Responsible for creating and disseminating press releases news announcements and monthly publications to online, print and television media outlets
- Responsible for social media and public marketing material photography
- Responsible for organizing in-house training courses for employees on company communications practices and procedures
COMMUNICATIONS REPRESENTATIVE, PRESS SECRETARY
Connecticut General Assembly
08.2014 - 01.2016
- Experienced in performing formal spokesperson duties as a media liaison and representative for legislators in the Connecticut General Assembly
- Responsible for coordinating and implementing media, communications and public relations strategies for legislators regarding bill passage and public outreach
- Responsible for speechwriting, overseeing the creation and distribution of press releases, constituent emails, opinion editorials, web content and media interviews
Education
Sixth Year Certification - Educational Leadership
Southern CT State University
New Haven, CT05.2023
Alternate Route to Certification - English/Language Arts
ARC
Hartford, CT01.2018
Master of Arts - English Literature
Trinity College
Hartford, CT01.2016
MFA - Professional and Creative Writing
Western Connecticut State University
Danbury, CT01.2011
Bachelors - Human Services
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT01.2008
Associates in Science - undefined
Three Rivers Community College
Norwich, CT01.2005
Public Affairs Specialist Certification / Senior, Advanced Leader/Instructor Training - Communications
Department of Defense
Fort Meade, MD01.2018
Skills
- Servant Leadership
- Trauma Informed Teaching and Leading
- Restorative Practices Implementation
- Academic Intervention
- Policy Development
- Stakeholder and Community Collaboration
Hobbies
Writing
Gardening
Fitness
Timeline
DEAN OF STUDENTS
CREC Academy of International Studies, 6-12
08.2023 - Current
ELA Teacher
CT DOC: Manson Youth Institution
08.2019 - 08.2023
ELA Teacher
Achievement First Hartford High School
06.2018 - 08.2019
COMMUNICATIONS REPRESENTATIVE
Connecticut Transit
01.2016 - 07.2018
COMMUNICATIONS REPRESENTATIVE, PRESS SECRETARY
Connecticut General Assembly
08.2014 - 01.2016
ASSOCIATE INSTRUCTOR
CREC John J. Allison Polaris Center
11.2013 - 09.2014
PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST
Connecticut Army National Guard
01.2013 - 02.2019
TEEN MENTOR
Waterbury Youth Services
01.2012 - 01.2013
Senior Non-Commissioned Officer
US Army; Connecticut Army National Guard
07.2000 - 04.2023
Master of Arts - English Literature
Trinity College
MFA - Professional and Creative Writing
Western Connecticut State University
Bachelors - Human Services
University of Connecticut
Associates in Science - undefined
Three Rivers Community College
Sixth Year Certification - Educational Leadership
Southern CT State University
Alternate Route to Certification - English/Language Arts
ARC
Public Affairs Specialist Certification / Senior, Advanced Leader/Instructor Training - Communications
Department of Defense
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