Tomball ISD Teacher Luz Benjamin Honored as ConocoPhillips’ Math Teacher of the Month
Honored for her high-quality teaching and engaging lessons, Tomball Intermediate School teacher Luz Benjamin was honored as the ConocoPhillips Math Teacher of the Month and celebrated with a visit from Orbit from the Houston Astros.
Benjamin teaches 6th grade math at TIS. She is in her 17th year of teaching and has been recognized as a Master Teacher, Most Valuable Teacher, Campus A+ Teacher of the Year, and a Superintendent Shining Star.
“Luz Benjamin uses a variety of engaging instructional methods to ensure students succeed, including using a classroom model economy where students can earn currency by solving problems and purchase items after they calculate the total using tax and tip percentages,” said Tomball ISD Director of Math David Surdovel. “She has served on the district curriculum writing team and also presented training at the state math conference on the order of operations. I am so proud to work in Tomball ISD alongside her!”
ConocoPhillips and the Houston Astros recognize six math teachers during the baseball season, running from April to September. The winning teachers were selected by an external committee made up of representatives from academia, business and the nonprofit sector.
When evaluating Benjamin, the committee considered several areas in which she excelled as an educator in Tomball ISD. She showcased a commitment to excellence in mathematics teaching, found creative ways to make learning math fun, and helped students perform at high levels of achievement. On the Spring 2023 Grade 6 Math STAAR test, the 79 students in her classes scored 100% Approaches, 100% Meets, and 94% Masters Grade Level.
As a winning teacher, Benjamin received a number of awards from ConocoPhillips and the Houston Astros. Along with a campus visit from Orbit, she will receive pre-game recognition and a Minute Maid Park stadium tour, $1,000 donation to teacher’s school/school district, a $100 gift card for the purchase of classroom supplies, ConocoPhillips and Houston Astros gift package, pre-game radio interview and recognition on the ConocoPhillips website.
Benjamin follows a rich tradition of Tomball ISD math teachers being recognized for this award including Christopher Penny (CPJHS 2017), Haley Galyean (OIS 2018), Allison Bearden (OIS 2019), Susanne Whitley (NIS 2020), Jennifer Koster (TMHS 2022), Jessica Hampton (OIS 2022), Sandy Guillory (CPES 2023). Benjamin becomes the eighth Tomball ISD math teacher in the last eight years to be recognized.
Source: Tomball ISD
