Raina Benton
Hayward,California
Summary
Experienced educational teacher leader with proven track record of driving academic success and fostering positive school culture. Skilled in curriculum development, teacher mentorship, school culture, and strategic planning. Strong focus on collaboration, adaptability to changing needs, and achieving measurable results. Known for excellent communication, problem-solving abilities, and unwavering commitment to student and staff development.
Proven track record of enhancing student performance and leading faculty development. Known for collaborative approach and adapting to evolving educational environments with ease, emphasizing curriculum development and staff mentorship.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
English Teacher & Department Head
Lodestar High School
10.2022 - Current
- Led interesting and diverse group activities to engage students in course material.
- Prepared comprehensive English curriculum for multiple classes.
- Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.
- Planned dynamic lessons to increase student comprehension of books and literary concepts.
- Attended department meetings to develop and update course curricula.
- Created and implemented activities to foster critical thinking skills of students.
- Produced engaging lesson plans and activities to help students master learning objectives.
- Developed and implemented variety of instructional strategies to meet diverse needs of students.
- Participated in department and employee team meetings to discuss student performance and academic achievement.
- Analyzed student performance data to identify trends and areas for curriculum improvement, adapting teaching methods accordingly.
- Facilitated professional development workshops for English department staff, focusing on innovative teaching methodologies.
- Designed and implemented strategies to improve literacy across the school, resulting in a notable increase in reading levels.
- Collaborated with the English department to review and update the curriculum, ensuring relevance and compliance with national standards.
- Delivered interactive lessons using a variety of teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles among pupils.
- Facilitated discussions on classic and contemporary literature, encouraging analytical thinking and debate among secondary school pupils.
- Served as a mentor for new teachers in the English department, sharing insights and strategies for effective teaching.
- Taught students various topics, including poems, classic novels, plays, by helping them to analyze and interpret different texts.
- Adapted teaching materials and strategies to meet the diverse needs of learners, including those with special educational needs.
- Facilitated a positive learning environment by implementing effective classroom management strategies.
- Planned, coordinated and developed lesson plans based on student development, curriculum and exam requirements.
- Engaged in continuous personal and professional development to maintain high teaching standards and subject knowledge expertise.
- Utilized data-driven instruction to identify areas of need and implement targeted strategies for improvement.
ED Specialist
KIPP San Francisco Bay Academy
08.2021 - 10.2022
- Increased participation and concentration while reinforcing classroom discipline by modeling acceptable behavior and respect for others.
- Modified general education curriculum for special-needs students using various instructional techniques and technologies.
- Met with parents and guardians to assist in understanding and supporting educational objectives, learning expectations and behavior standards.
- Conducted conferences with parents and students to review progress, adjust academic plans and renew enrollments.
- Worked with students to support educational success, learning and achievement.
- Assessed individual student needs to create lesson plans addressing academic strengths and interests of students, while fostering development and growth
- Delivered effective and differentiated classroom instruction to range of neurodiverse students.
- Redirected students using Positive Behavior Support (PBS).
- Partnered with standard education teachers from across academic departments.
- Created and managed IEPs to define student learning objectives and educational strategies, in addition to applying instructional knowledge and methods to support goals.
Paraprofessional
KIPP San Francisco Bay Academy
12.2019 - 08.2021
- Prepared instruction materials, including making copies, constructing bulletin boards and setting up work areas.
- Assisted teachers with classroom management and document coordination to maintain positive learning environment.
- Supported student learning objectives through personalized and small group assistance.
- Assessed student assignments to check quality and completeness and assign grades.
- Oversaw students in classroom and common areas to monitor, enforce rules and support lead teacher.
- Assessed student social, emotional and academic needs to plan goals appropriately.
- Documented student behaviors, interventions and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
- Provided support during classes, group lessons and classroom activities.
- Delivered curriculum in both one-on-one lessons and group learning environments.
- Maintained inclusive learning environment to enable students to gain maximum benefit from lessons.
Mental Health Specialist
Edgewood Community School at Edgewood For Children
08.2015 - 12.2019
- Develop and implement treatment plans and modified when needed
- Lead daily treatment groups and therapeutic activities to teach functional living skills and address behavioral issues
- Develop goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients’ level of functioning
- Develop curriculum for Life Skills, Social Skills and Academic Skills Classes
- Consult with and trained highly skilled mental health staff
- Observe and monitor client behavior and responses to treatment
- Attend IEP meetings & assist with decision making for student success
- Facilitate a smooth discharge by encouraging and reassuring clients throughout their transitions
- Advise students on academic plan and course selection
- Work to improve and enhance patient lives through effective and compassionate care
- Develop rapport with patients to create a safe and trusting environment for care
- Supervise students daily activities and provided assistance when needed
- Maintain a clean, safe and well-organized patient environment
- Completed entries in log books, journals and care plans to document accurately report patient progress
- Led and motivate outstanding healthcare teams for adsoelscents
- Provide patient education
- Work with department heads, staff, and faculty to develop engaging curriculum and advance instruction for school programs
- Organize and lead cooking and support groups in subjects related to physical and emotional health to ensure long-term patient well-being
- College Counseling
- Display sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served
- Teach clients anger management techniques, relaxation skills, impulse control, social skills, emotional coping skills and functional living skills
Residential Counselor
Edgewood Center for Children and Families
08.2013 - 08.2015
- Oversee & ensure consistent care of children in a level 14 setting
- Therapeutically manage children in activities of daily living
- Collaborate in the development of a treatment plan for assigned children
- Responsible for participating, leading, and designing positive program activities
- Provided behavior modification,counseling, and crisis intervention services to clients
- Administered medication as directed by physician
- Developed rapport with patients to create a safe and trusting environment for care
- Ensured safety and well-being of each patient in alignment with care plan
- Maintained a clean, safe and well-organized patient environment
- Supervised daily activities and provided assistance when needed
- Responsible for primary care, case management, and medication management
- Fostered relationships with residents, and worked with new residents to optimize acclimation and ease transition to new living environment
- Responded to crisis situations quickly to maintain calm and immediately determine level of assistance needed
Direct Support Professional
The Mentor Network
10.2011 - 08.2013
- Providing Direct Care to individuals with developmental disabilities
- Advocating for Clients who cannot speak for themselves
- Light housekeeping
- Accompanying clients on doctor's visits and outings
- Finding creative and fun ways to help individuals learn meaningful skills
- Worked to improve and enhance patient lives through effective and compassionate care
- Administered medication as directed by physician
- Maintained a clean, safe and well-organized patient environment
Homecare Worker
IHSS In-Home Support Services
05.2004 - 05.2012
- Care for children who are mentally disabled or who have mentally disabled parents
- Accompany clients to doctor's office and other trips outside the home
- Entertain, converse with, or read aloud to patients to keep them mentally healthy/alert
- Perform a variety of duties requested by client such as obtain household supplies and errands
- Plan, purchase, prepare, and serve meals to patients and other family members
Education
ED - Educational Leadership And Management
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA05-2028
Master of Science - Induction Program
Reach University
Oakland, CA05-2025
Master of Arts - Urban Education And Social Justice
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA05-2023
Bachelor of Arts - Child And Adolescent Development
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA05-2021
AA - Psychology
City College Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA05-2019
Skills
- Student behaviour management
- Problem-solving skills
- Student support
- Classroom management
- Lesson planning
- Student motivation
- Student engagement
- Team collaboration
- Adapting to different learning styles
- Reading comprehension
- Curriculum development
- Child development
- Lecturing
- Study skills
- Teacher Coach
- Active listening
- Clear communication
- Empathy and patience
- Student achievement
- Verbal and written communication
- Parent-teacher relations
- Public speaking
- Instructional coaching
- Multitasking
- Training and mentoring
- Team building
Certification
English Teacher Credential
References
By Request
Timeline
English Teacher & Department Head
Lodestar High School
10.2022 - Current
ED Specialist
KIPP San Francisco Bay Academy
08.2021 - 10.2022
Paraprofessional
KIPP San Francisco Bay Academy
12.2019 - 08.2021
Mental Health Specialist
Edgewood Community School at Edgewood For Children
08.2015 - 12.2019
Residential Counselor
Edgewood Center for Children and Families
08.2013 - 08.2015
Direct Support Professional
The Mentor Network
10.2011 - 08.2013
Homecare Worker
IHSS In-Home Support Services
05.2004 - 05.2012
ED - Educational Leadership And Management
San Jose State University
Master of Science - Induction Program
Reach University
Master of Arts - Urban Education And Social Justice
University of San Francisco
Bachelor of Arts - Child And Adolescent Development
San Francisco State University
AA - Psychology
City College Of San Francisco