Teacher Bio

Hi, my name is Joy Benjamin and this is my 22nd year teaching. I taught 6th grade for five years at Mary, Seat of Wisdom School, 4th grade for one year here at Washington, and now this is my 16th year teaching 5th grade. I was a coach for girls' swimming and gymnastics at Maine East High School for 9 years, and I have taught age-group gymnastics as well. I even "assistant coached" my oldest daughter's soccer team a few years back. I went to Illinois State University for undergrad, and I have my Master's in Teaching and Leadership from Saint Xavier University. I currently live in Park Ridge so you're bound to see me around town at the library, the soccer fields, the park, or literally running around town. Some of you (or your kids) may know my oldest daughter, Jaelyn, who is in 6th grade at Lincoln and my youngest, Kylie, who is in 3rd grade at Roosevelt. I also have a pretty cute French bulldog named Gryff. He just turned 2 at the end of July. I look forward to a wonderful year with the Washington Class of 2021.