Earl Bench
Social Science Teacher
Buena Park High School
Buena Park, CA USA
“I believe that you have to put yourself out there to get what you want in life and that it all starts with you.”
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
Taking a semester off after high school to work full time. It taught me the value of an education.
Enrolling in a community college.
Transferring to CSUF.
Completing my BA in History at CSUF. I felt like I had to rush through college because my dad was dying of cancer.
Completing my student teaching and Single Subject Credential in Social Science at CSUF
Getting hired at Buena Park High School.
Going back to CSUF to complete my MA in History.
Education
High School
Graduate
BA in History, MA in History and a single subject teaching credential
California State University, Fullerton
BA in History, MA in History and a single subject teaching credential
California State University, Fullerton
Career
Social Science Teacher
Mr. Bench teaches high school students US History and AP Psychology.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Government
Helping People
Day to Day
I don't take a lot of work home, other than like lesson plan ideas or a here's a cool TedTalk or here's something I can do or maybe grading something digitally. On a typical day, I'm not doing much work outside of school. It is more responding to emails and things like that. Now I have a lot better work life balance. A typical work day for me is teaching AP Psychology first period and four periods of US History.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
I believe that you have to put yourself out there to get what you want in life and that it all starts with you. You can be the change of your future, but you just have to be willing to do what it takes. Also, just communicating with others can just be so beneficial.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Graduate
BA in History, MA in History and a single subject teaching credential
BA in History, MA in History and a single subject teaching credential
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"Mr. Bench was told by his high school's counselor that the Marines were the right place for him and that it would straighten him out. A friend's mom told him that "College isn't for everybody. Keep working in a warehouse, you'll do fine.""
Challenges I Overcame
First-Generation College Student
Family's Health Issues
Q&A
In the next years, maybe 10 or so, do you still see yourself teaching and enjoying it?
Asked by Angela at CSUFI'll probably be teaching for (this is my 21st year) and I'll probably teach for 17 more years...I don't see myself doing admin [work]. If anything...if I felt like if it was getting mundane, I would be changing up, teaching a new class.
Interviewed By
Angela
at CSUF
