Jan. 29, 2008 — St. Croix's teacher of the year, Elen Benjamin-Francois, found her calling when she became an educator, says Gary Molloy, insular superintendent of St. Croix schools.
"The structure of her classroom is very good," Molloy said. "She is the model for other teachers to emulate."
Benjamin-Francois says she never had thoughts of teaching while obtaining her degree, but friends told her she would make a good teacher.
"I have loved teaching ever since my first day," Benjamin-Francois said recently. "I was interviewed to teach business and cosmetology. It worked out where I was hired for cosmetology, which I love."
Benjamin-Francois began her teaching career at the Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) when it opened in 1995. Her bachelor's degree from Florida State University is in merchandising with a minor in business. She also has a certificate in cosmetology, nail technology and aesthetics that she earned from the Florida Beauty and Culture School, and numerous other related certificates.
One of the benefits of being a cosmetologist is having the ability to make people feel good about themselves, she said.
"I have always liked styling hair," said Benjamin-Francois, a native Crucian. "As girls growing up in La Reine Village we would get together and do each other's hair. My roommate in college used to bring people to me to style their hair."
Olive Walcott, math teacher at St. Croix Central High School, was a major influence on Benjamin-Francois. "In fact, Walcott was teacher of the year in 1999," she said.
Helping students set and accomplish goals is a high priority for her. Approximately 60 percent of her students have gone on to college and technical schools, 20 percent have been in the military and 20 percent have opened their own cosmetology-related businesses.
"A reward for me is to see the success of my students," Benjamin-Francois said. "Their success means more to me than any honor I could receive."
She aims to help her students build marketable skills in all areas of academics. Students targeted in her education philosophy are those with special needs and ones whose primary language is not English.
Molloy says he likes Benjamin-Francois' innovative teaching practices. She has developed and coordinated various projects aimed at increasing the knowledge base of her students.
Inviting well-known cosmetologists, nail technicians and makeup artists to share their expertise with her students adds to her classroom experience. Local and national business partners and advisory board members help guide her curriculum.
One extra-special thing she has done for the past 13 years is sponsor an annual class trip to Atlanta for the Bronner Brothers International Hair Show.
"We all love the glitz, glamour and fun," Benjamin-Francois says. "We never miss it."
Funds for the trip are raised with sales of food, gift baskets and flowers around Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. The majority of the expenses are covered for 15 to 20 students and chaperones to attend.
Parent involvement in her classroom is very high. She requires that parents and students sign contracts to ensure their involvement.
"The relationship she has with parents is really outstanding," Molloy said.
As a co-owner of Exotic Creations and M&T Nails and Beauty Supplies, she has used those business skills to help develop CTEC Hair Designs Saturday Salon. The students enhance their skills at the salon while giving the public affordable styling services.
One thing she hopes to see in the future for CTEC is the whole technical center attaining accreditation.
Next year Benjamin-Francois plans to complete her master's degree in educational administration at the University of the Virgin Islands.
In her spare time she likes to read, which she has enjoyed doing since childhood. She likes travel, in particular going to Walt Disney World with her daughter, Malika, and her husband, Michael Francois. She is also very active in her church.
"Elen is an individual highly committed to teaching and learning," said Elen Jackson, principal at CTEC.
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