MEET THE SUPERINTENDENT

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Dr. Kristina Benson, Superintendent

Dr. Kristina Benson has served as the Principal/Superintendent of Shandon High School and Shandon Schools since June of 2018.  She is a proud graduate of Cal Poly (BS in Biological Sciences, and MA in Educational Leadership) and California Lutheran University (Doctorate in Educational Leadership).  She has spent her educational career in San Luis Obispo County serving as a high school science teacher, high school varsity basketball coach,  Assistant Principal, Principal and Principal/Superintendent.  She is the mother of twin daughters who are both college graduates.

Dr. Benson has completed research in the area of Trauma Informed Care for students in the TK  through 12th grades and has provided training for her staff as well as several county agencies, including other LEAs and county law enforcement.  Shandon Joint Unified School District and specifically Shandon High School has completed multiple levels of Trauma Informed Care training over the years; taught by outside agencies, as well as Dr. Benson.

Selected as the Leadership Matters Award Winner in Region 13, Dr. Benson has been active in the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) since becoming an Administrator in 2009.  She has attended many leadership opportunities, and has been a conference speaker for the ACSA Leadership Summit and ACSA MidState Conference.

As a Honorary Chapter FFA Degree Recipient, Dr. Benson has attended both the State and National FFA Conferences and has been invited to be the keynote speaker of the State “Administrators’ Experience”.  She has twice been voted by her students to receive the Star Administrator Award at the State Level. 

Dr. Benson is committed to helping her students to become “Good Humans”.  Through student activities and involvement with academics, Dr. Benson cherishes the opportunities to help students strive for excellence in becoming their all around “best self”.