About Me

Hello!

My name is Ben Steiner and I'm a 3rd grade combo teacher at Osuna Elementary in Albuquerque Public Schools. It's hard to believe, but this will be my 11th year of teaching!

I grew up in Denver, Colorado and enjoyed playing sports and spending time in the mountains. I graduated from Colorado College in 2008 with my then girlfriend (now wife) Aissa and wasn't totally sure what to do with my life. My BA was in English and film, but deep down I really wanted to find a way to make a positive impact on the world.

Aissa and I have always loved to travel, and after college we spent most of the next year adventuring in Argentina and Mexico. At some point during this experience I decided that pursuing a teaching career would be something that would be exciting, challenging, and leave me feeling like I'd done something meaningful with my time on this planet.

I received my license in Colorado, but immediately moved to New Mexico when Aissa got into UNM for medical school. I applied all over and was hired in Rio Rancho Public Schools to teach 3rd grade at Cielo Azul Elementary. I taught 3rd and 4th there for 6 years, then transferred to Maggie Cordova Elementary, also in RRPS.

During these years, I finished my Masters in Educational Psychology and attained a Level III license. I also served for 3 years as the President of the employees union for Rio Rancho schools, RRSEU. I negotiated contracts and raises and learned a lot about the legal and political sides of our important work. I also gained an even deeper appreciation for just how important great public schools are to the fabric of our democracy.

Then we decided to start a family! Since we live in Albuquerque, with the baby coming I wanted to be closer to home. I applied selectively to schools in APS that had a good reputation and were close to home. I was absolutely thrilled to receive a job offer at Osuna and last year was my first year here. Even though it didn't end the way we all hoped, I was always grateful to be part of the Osuna family, and feel that the students and families responded admirably.

To maximize student learning during this online phase, we all need to work together. I will do everything I can to provide meaningful and diverse activities for students. I always try to teach the whole child. Students need lots of movement and opportunities for open-ended, creative projects. They need to work with their hands, building things and representing abstract concepts in concrete ways. When we feel engaged and purposeful in our work, the learning and growth are maximized.

Finally, I'm a strong believer that the way we treat each other and the culture of the classroom are much more important than the content we cover. I will always prioritize students' wellbeing, safety and self-efficacy over anything else. I hope to encourage independent, driven learners who set their own goals and work tirelessly towards them, but I also hope to encourage compassionate and self-aware young humans who are ready to make their mark on the world.

And you are my partner in this! We all want to see these students thrive and be their best selves. Please feel free to Contact Me at any time, and thanks for taking a moment to learn more about me and the way I teach!