Photo courtesy of Cara Benjamin
Cara Benjamin
Cara Benjamin is a first-time candidate for D128 School Board. Benjamin is an LHS alumna and has lived in Vernon Hills since 2012. A former high school English teacher, Benjamin worked in both urban and suburban school districts. She now works as an SAT/ACT tutor and has worked with D128 students. Benjamin mentioned that she does not have a current high school student in the district.
“I’m concerned about the experience of all [D128] students, and having a child who’s not in high school yet really separates [what’s best for all students] from my own personal desires of how the high school experience looks for students,” Benjamin said.
Benjamin likes the way the district has been trending. She noted that the district attracts excellent teachers and develops excellent students. Benjamin emphasized the importance of continuing to work to ensure all students have an equitable access to educational experiences.
“But then even within our own schools, our students have varying sets of needs and come from all different types of backgrounds, culturally and otherwise,” Benjamin said. She emphasized that all students should receive a world-class education.
On the issue of school reopening, Benjamin stressed that her goal is for students to return to in-person learning. However, she stressed the importance of ensuring that students are brought back safely, through mitigation efforts and testing. Benjamin supports the current Covid testing regimen, though she expressed a wish that more students would opt in to testing. Benjamin supports requiring students to participate in surveillance testing to attend in-person learning or extracurriculars.
“If you can’t ensure that you are well, that you are not infectious, then you shouldn’t be exposing others in that community,” Benjamin said.
Additionally, Benjamin voiced support for the Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning Standards (CRT) bill being considered by state lawmakers. The CRT would not affect curriculum, instead changing standards for teachers.
Benjamin described culturally responsive teaching as “a principle that says, any and all students who are part of a school community should be embraced for who they are, not just tolerated.” In her own experience at LHS, Benjamin added, culturally responsive teaching may not have been a goal. She feels the attitudes of teachers can trickle down to students and influence their perceptions.
Benjamin has endorsed Don Carmichael, Kara Drumke and Sonal Kulkarni.