NAME:
Maria Benevento-Collins
SCHOOL:
Los Altos Christian
CLASS:
First Grade
SCHOOL PHONE:
(650) 948-3738 ext. 616
I love teaching and feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to spend my
days with your child. I grew up in the area attending Blue Hills Elementary
School, Miller Jr. High School, and switching from public education to
Presentation High School, a private, Catholic, girl’s school. Although my
goal has always been to make a difference in people’s lives, this goal did
not manifest itself in teaching until recently.
In 1987 I completed my undergraduate degree in the business school at Santa
Clara University. I immediately joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corp for a year
of community service. I worked in Visalia, CA at the Tulare County Food
Bank, helping to provide the most basic need of food to low-income and
homeless people. My desire to work for social justice was ignited through
that year of service. When I came back to the Bay Area, I secured a job at
the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo County managing the
warehouse, working with volunteers, writing grant proposals, and coordinating
special events. I also piloted the Second Helping program, which gathered
food from restaurants and hotels and brought that food to local soup
kitchens. It was an exciting and fulfilling career. The only thing better
was having my children. After Francesca, now 13, and Sophia, now 10, were
born, I had the luxury of becoming a stay at home mom until my girls were
ready for school.
For years I had been teaching Sunday school and volunteering in my girls’
classrooms. Through those experiences, I knew that teaching was my next
calling, so back to Santa Clara University I went to attain my teaching
credential. I was honored at graduation as the Outstanding Multiple Subject
Credential Student in the Department of Education and was hired at Stocklmeir
Elementary School, the school my girls were attending in the Cupertino School
District.
After student teaching in second and fourth grade, I ended up finding my
niche teaching 1st grade and have enjoyed creating a safe, caring community
among my students. Two years ago my youngest daughter transferred to the 3LAD
classroom here at LACS and God made it very clear that I was to follow. I am
thrilled to merge my love of teaching with my love of the Lord. I believe
that all children have amazing God given gifts and my job is to help them
find and develop theirs. It is an honor and privilege to have the
opportunity to challenge your child to dream big and to help lay the
groundwork for the years to come.
When I am not at LACS, I am spending time with my family and friends. We
enjoy doing art projects, cooking together, gardening, working out at the Y,
reading books, singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments (my husband,
Richard, is an amazing musician).
Psalm 23:1-3
The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures:
he leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.