Z. Lisa Bennett
Education
Northridge,CA
Summary
Dynamic educational leader with a proven track record at St. Elizabeth Of Hungary Catholic School, enhancing student excellence and engagement through innovative curriculum development, extra-curricular programs, and teacher programs that offer support and growth. She excels at building relationships both within and outside the community fostering a school environment of possibility, shared talents, joy, and inclusiveness. Compassionate in approach, her hope is to grow further professionally while significantly contributing to school-wide academic excellence, strong in the foundation of faith and the grace of serving others.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Principal - Curriculum, Grade 8 Teacher
St. Elizabeth Of Hungary Catholic School
Altadena, CA
08.2018 - Current
- Partnered with principal to advise and administer school programs in alignment with vision and goals, policies, and principal's directives, to enhance academic achievement, providing support, enrichment, and the development of the whole child.
- Supported faculty through in-house professional development and staff training sessions to improve teaching practices, curriculum development, assessments, and best grading practices/ expectations.
- Developed and implemented a new teacher mentorship program and provided grade level band support, areas for focus with ease of documentation, and other collaborative opportunities.
- Oversaw curriculum design process in ELA to ensure alignment with state standards. best practices in education, and to improve and encourage student literacy and data-driven results.
- Collaborated with faculty to create interdisciplinary lesson plans, increasing student engagement while emphasizing the school's goal for its students: Goodness, Excellence, and Service.
- Analyzed standardized test results to identify areas of improvement in instructional methods and curriculum content and created short and long term goals for collaborative input and implementation.
- WASC Lead in the area of Academics, Curriculum and Student Programs.
- Coordinated special events such as graduation activities & ceremonies, parent volunteers for drama and dance productions, student council events, and schoolwide service projects to promote a sense of community for all its stakeholders while reinforcing the continuity of the school's mission, culture, and beloved traditions.
- Built strong relationships with local community organizations for outreach efforts supporting both student learning and school reputation while acquiring additional educational resources.
- Monitored and improved digital assessment systems to assess student progress to inform schoolwide instructional decisions and to communicate student progress more effectively to parents.
- Developed, directed, and coordinated after-school arts programs, summer school programs, and various connected activities and events.
- Led relevant retreats for Faculty/Staff and 8th grade students.
- Religion Coordinator - Masses
- In addition to leadership role described above, taught 7th and 8th grade ELA, social studies, and religion full time providing rigor and the depth and breadth required for college preparatory high school success. Electives taught included music appreciation, prayer & meditation, intro to French, and health & wellness.
- Director of performing arts programs (drama and dance), moderator of student council for many years and, most recently, moderator of the St. Elizabeth Student Library Guild.
- Interned for 3 months in 2024 afterschool at Insight Collective Academy to gain more expertise with students on the spectrum and students who need support due to ADHD and executive functioning challenges.
- Coordinated high school application process with parents and students as appropriate.
- Used both time honored techniques as well as more current innovative approaches to provide a variety of quality learning experiences for a wide range of students.
- Utilized a variety of technological and creative approaches to enhance student learning, innovation, and curiosity.
Chaplain
DAR - Martin Severance Chapter
Pasadena, CA
08.2022 - 07.2024
- Was part of leading religious aspects of special services and events connected to the DAR (i.e. honoring of veterans, retirement of flags, and guiding prayer focus as needed).
- Researched and prepared materials used in devotions, readings, and special prayers at meetings and events.
- Served as a trusted resource on religious traditions, customs, practices across various faiths within the community.
- Educated community members on various spiritual practices today and in history, encouraging diversity, inclusiveness, and appreciation.
- Authored brief speeches and other religious materials for community contemplation.
- Interacted with local community, building relationships with other civic organizations and individuals.
- Comforted chapter members, offered attentive listening and emotional support during illness or the passing of a loved one.
7th and 8th Grade Language Arts Teacher
St. John Eudes Catholic School
Chatsworth, CA
08.2017 - 06.2018
- In addition to all that is expected of a teacher in Catholic education, I also taught 7th grade religion and excelled in the following areas:
- Teacher Liason & School Coordinator for Making Movies that Matter in partnership with District 12 L.A. City Council and CalArts & DAR Essay Contest. (Student Award Winners in both categories).
- Master/Mentor Teacher for ELA - middle school
- Full utilization of one-to-one technology in the classroom.
- Utilized various assessment tools, project-based multi-media learning activities, differentiated and individualized support and in the context of a positive classroom environment.
- Enhanced students'' reading comprehension skills by incorporating diverse literary genres and multimedia resources.
- Helped students develop academic, social and emotional skills for long-term success.
- Established a Writing Workshop for young writers as a summer program.
8th Grade ELA, Social Studies and Religion Teacher
St. Elizabeth of Hungary School
Altadena, CA
07.2012 - 07.2017
- Taught ELA and religion to grade 8.
- Taught social studies to grades 6-8.
- Summer School Administrator 2015-2017
- Student Council Moderator 2015-2017
- Director of Dance Production & Arts Education 2015-2017
- Assistant in Drama Production 2012-2017
- In addition to the scope of any teaching position, focus for further growth was in the following areas:
- Provided quality faith formation and service opportunities.
- Provided additional support to students needing extra help with course content.
- Developed culturally responsive teaching materials to support diverse student backgrounds.
- Promoted ethical thinking, incorporating real-world examples into lessons.
Test Preparation Specialist
Student Planning Services
La Canada / Flintridge, CA
06.2014 - 06.2016
- Provided individualized specialized support to enhance test performance on the SAT/ACT & HSPT/ISEE tests working with both international and local students.
7th Grade ELA - Social Studies Teacher
Holy Angels School
Arcadia, CA
08.2005 - 07.2012
- Taught 7th and 8th grade ELA and social studies
- Language Arts Chair / Coordinator
- Director: Theatre and Dance Arts
8th Grade ELA Teacher
St. Patrick School
North Hollywood, CA
08.1996 - 07.2005
- Taught 6th grade self-contained (1996-97)
- Taught 7th-8th grade ELA, religion and social studies(1997-2005)
- Curriculum Director & Language Arts Coordinator
- Director: Arts Programs
- Student Council Moderator & Academic Decathlon - Head Coach
Skills
- Instructional leadership & management
- Student engagement and success
- Curriculum & assessment development
- Relationship building
- Educational planning & implementation
- Diversity awareness
- Verbal and written communication
- Program and event coordination
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English Language And Literature
CSU, Northridge
Northridge, CASecondary Ed. Credential - Single Subject - English - With Additional Work in CLAD Option
CSU, Northridge
NorthridgeCatechetical Certification (2 Year Program) -
L.A. Archdiocese
Los Angeles, CA01-2017
Associate of Arts - Psychology
Los Angeles Valley College
Van Nuys, CATimeline
Chaplain
DAR - Martin Severance Chapter
08.2022 - 07.2024
Assistant Principal - Curriculum, Grade 8 Teacher
St. Elizabeth Of Hungary Catholic School
08.2018 - Current
7th and 8th Grade Language Arts Teacher
St. John Eudes Catholic School
08.2017 - 06.2018
Test Preparation Specialist
Student Planning Services
06.2014 - 06.2016
8th Grade ELA, Social Studies and Religion Teacher
St. Elizabeth of Hungary School
07.2012 - 07.2017
7th Grade ELA - Social Studies Teacher
Holy Angels School
08.2005 - 07.2012
8th Grade ELA Teacher
St. Patrick School
08.1996 - 07.2005
Bachelor of Arts - English Language And Literature
CSU, Northridge
Secondary Ed. Credential - Single Subject - English - With Additional Work in CLAD Option
CSU, Northridge
Catechetical Certification (2 Year Program) -
L.A. Archdiocese
Associate of Arts - Psychology
Los Angeles Valley College