Elva Gabriela Benitez
South Pasadena,CA
Summary
Dynamic educational leader with over 20 years of experience in K-12 public, private, and charter school settings, demonstrating a strong commitment to building capacity and fostering authentic partnerships that enhance student achievement through equitable practices. Proven track record as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, school and district administrator, and board of education intern, showcasing a multifaceted approach to instructional leadership. Passionate about professional growth and dedicated to advocating for marginalized populations while driving initiatives that promote collective empowerment and social justice in education. Focused on creating inclusive environments where all students can thrive and succeed.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Beyond the Bell
South Gate High School, LAUSD
Los Angeles, CA
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Shaped the mathematics curriculum based on the 9th & 10th grade ELL and newcomer capabilities. Created a comprehensive ELD program which focused on all components of English Language Arts. Prepared a curriculum to address and review for the California High School Exam (CAHSEE).
Title I Reading Intervention Teacher
LAUSD
Los Angeles, CA
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Assessed students on comprehension, vocabulary and writing skills using quarterly benchmarks. Provided direct language arts instructional school-wide support based on evaluative data. Created a support curriculum aligned to grade level standards in support of classroom teacher planning. As GATE coordinator identified underrepresented subgroups to participate in program. Assisted teachers on effective differentiation techniques for gifted students as well as those identified as high achieving. As community outreach coordinator, partnered with various organizations to build school culture and promote love of learning including the donation of library books, creation of murals and the establishment of a parent and child garden.
Principal on Special Assignment
Garvey School District
Rosemead
2014 - Current
- Team member of the Learning Support Services Department and Special Education Division. Supporting district wide instructional initiatives and programs. Researched and provided input for universal screening roll out. Administrator-designee for SELPA, Headstart and other school site IEPs. Supported the preparation of Extended School Year and curriculum distribution for district summer programs. Provided coaching support and professional development for special education staff. Managed alternative curriculm. Led the district wide academic events. Interim Principal for Dual Language Magnet Academy (Aug-Jan).
Principal, George I. Sanchez Elementary
Garvey School District
Rosemead, CA
01.2014 - 01.2024
- Community School Grant Recipient. AVID Elementary Certified. Team member of District Distance Learning instructional roll out plan for 8 Elementary and 2 Middle Schools. Oversaw all education programming for TK-6th grade students. Led the transformation of a traditional elementary school to one of high collaborative expectations and instructional refinement. Reduced student attrition rates by high engagement and parent inclusion strategies. Increasing parent input and decision-making engagement to over 85%. Created and executed a comprehensive and equitable strategic school plan. Distributed leadership whereas 70% of teachers held a leadership position with school or district initiatives. Built instructional structures in place to ensure that all instruction was systematically connected to research and evidence based practices and school staff shared commitments. Instructional coaching.
Academic Coach
Garvey School District
Rosemead, CA
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Provided cognitive coaching for 2 schools with over 50 instructional staff using reflective conversations on goals for instruction and learning. Facilitated over 100 adult learning sessions to help teachers translate their understanding into usable lessons for direct instruction or meaningful activities. Partnered with elementary and middle school teachers to encourage becoming assessment literate and to assist in clearly identifying student learning targets and how to progress monitor and provide appropriate feedback. Fostered a collaborative culture among teachers at both sites as well as with our coaching team.
Assistant Principal
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy K-8
Los Angeles, CA
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Founding team administrator for start-up K-8 charter school. Hired and coached Special Education personnel on inclusion strategies and best practices. Responsible for the instructional coaching and evaluation of all middle school teachers. Facilitated professional development sessions as it related to improving instructional practices and student learning using student data and observable teaching trends. Engaged in the development of quarterly learning walks and post discussions on school findings related to instruction. Established discipline policy to reflect “Discipline with Dignity” philosophy. Designed a comprehensive Student Success Team process and facilitated all parent meetings for intervention.
- Partnered with district office and LAUSD as lead administrator in school operations’ safety protocols. Managed middle school electives program, enrollment, grades and disciplinary action processes. Partnered with Family Support Provider and outside partners to track students receiving in or outside counseling. Partnered with Youth Policy Institute field director and site coordinator to grow and manage a seamless after-school program for grades K-7. BTSA Support Provider to five elementary level teachers.
Assistant Principal
Academia Avance Charter School 6-12
Los Angeles, CA
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Managed day to day operations for a start-up grass roots charter school: middle school campus site only, including all instructional and supervisory responsibilities. Hired, coached and supported all middle school team members. Ensured that all limited resources were linked to student learning goals. Assisted in development of school curriculum and instructional program. Provided data chat sessions and collaborated on evidence analysis. Responsible for culturally relevant professional development. Implemented and monitored school-wide compliance of Special Education program with respect to IEPs and a comprehensive Resource Specialist Program.
Classroom Teacher
Los Angeles Elementary, LAUSD
Los Angeles, CA
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Promoted intellectual rigor by providing quality learning opportunities and demanding high expectations of all students and their families. Assessed for purposes of guiding instructional practices to meet the needs of all learners. Initiated Saturday reading camp serving over 100 students and families once a month. Organized monthly parent workshops addressing needs related to college readiness from an elementary perspective.
National Urban Fellow
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago, IL
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Evaluated nationwide best practices of the E-Learning High School model. Analyzed patterns of effectiveness in relation to successful and engaging participating high schools. Surveyed teachers and students across the district on assets and areas of need. Conducted research and presented findings addressing the high school drop-out population to CPS Management and Board of Education. Collaborated with the General Attorney’s office to research and present data regarding the decriminalization of youth in Chicago Public Schools. Implemented reading rewards program for former Chief Executive Officer and former U.S. Secretary of Education for over 20,000 middle school students.
Classroom Teacher
Los Angeles Elementary, LAUSD
Los Angeles, CA
01.1999 - 01.2005
- Assisted in development and implementation of curriculum and district initiatives as grade level chairperson. Participated in fund development and resource allocation in Local School Leadership Council. Coordinated workshops and trained colleagues in Data Works research with respect to time on task and bell to bell instruction. One of the founding school site teachers of the MIND Institute’s innovative math software program.
Education
No Degree - Leadership Support Program (LSP), Graduate School of Education
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA01-2016
Master of Arts - Education
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA01-2009
Master of Public Administration - Public Administration
City University of New York, Baruch College
New York, NY01-2006
Bachelor of Arts - Speech Communication
California State University, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA01-1997
Skills
- Partnership Development and Team Capacity Building
- Organization Alignment & System Improvement
- Advocacy for Equitable & Academic Outcomes
- Instructional Coaching Leading to Collective Teacher Efficacy
- Verbal and written communication
- Training and mentoring
- Staff management
- Employee performance evaluations
Affiliations
- CALSA
- ACSA
Certification
- Administrative Services Credential
- Professional Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
- Cross-Cultural, Language and Academic Development Emphasis
- Division of Adult and Career Education Certificate
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Interests
- Backpacking and Hiking
- Adventure Travel
- Volunteer Work
- Animal Welfare Advocacy
AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS & RECOGNITION
National Urban Fellowship, Leadership Development-full scholarship (2006), Principal Leadership Institute, (PLI) Graduate School of Education & Information Studies, UCLA-partial scholarship (2008), Latino Leaders of Los Angeles-Latino Leaders Magazine (2014)
Timeline
Principal, George I. Sanchez Elementary
Garvey School District
01.2014 - 01.2024
Academic Coach
Garvey School District
01.2012 - 01.2014
Assistant Principal
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy K-8
01.2011 - 01.2012
Assistant Principal
Academia Avance Charter School 6-12
01.2009 - 01.2011
Classroom Teacher
Los Angeles Elementary, LAUSD
01.2008 - 01.2009
Beyond the Bell
South Gate High School, LAUSD
01.2007 - 01.2008
Title I Reading Intervention Teacher
LAUSD
01.2007 - 01.2008
National Urban Fellow
Chicago Public Schools
01.2005 - 01.2006
Classroom Teacher
Los Angeles Elementary, LAUSD
01.1999 - 01.2005
Master of Arts - Education
University of California, Los Angeles
Bachelor of Arts - Speech Communication
California State University, Los Angeles
No Degree - Leadership Support Program (LSP), Graduate School of Education
University of California, Berkeley
Master of Public Administration - Public Administration
City University of New York, Baruch College
Principal on Special Assignment
Garvey School District
2014 - Current