Christina Benson is a 5th grade teacher at Central School in National City. A product of the school district, this year she will be going into year seventeen. In her spare time, she plays co-ed softball with her husband and runs around with her 3 dogs & 2 cats. Mrs. Benson is a big believer in giving back to her community & continues her career with this principle. For the past 12-years she has taken her students to Paradise Creek wetland, and wants to instill a sense of autonomy & responsibility in helping improve National City in the 21st century. Science, sustainability, mathematics, leadership, and community service can play a huge role in what students pursue as adults. She would like other STEM professionals to help foster this in her students, as well as, help to ignite the things they are passionate about (art, music, dance, or theater). An instructional goal this year for Mrs. Benson is to get her students to THINK.