Since coming to UJA in 2017, he has taught grades 2-4, usually at different times! He loves being with family, playing and watching sports, being around animals, learning about new technology, and helping students become the best version of themselves. He has been married to Liz Oliver for 9+ years. They are joined were joined by William around Thanksgiving in 2021 and Harrison in the spring of 2024!
Benji Oliver
Benji Oliver, Grades 2-3 Teacher
Experience
Benjamin Oliver has been an elementary school teacher since 2015, initially working as a substitute teacher in both long-term and short-term positions in Southern California. In 2017, he and Liz relocated to Ukiah where Benji accepted the second-grade teaching position at UJA.
Education
Highest Degree: Master of Education
Major Field: Elementary Education
College Where Earned: Concordia University, Nebraska
Year Earned: 2021
Happenings In Benji's Backyard
Last Updated: 8/19/2023
Brief Educational Philosophy
Everyone has the ability to learn and grow. My goal is for my students to have a curious mind and discover and question things in academics; become a better version of themselves with a desire to serve and love others; and gain a better understanding of who Jesus is and desire to be like Him.
Curriculum Used
The curriculum/textbooks used in my classroom are used as a guide to help the students and their learning. If I find another resource that is more effective, we will use that! But below is what we will tentatively use in our classroom.
Accelerated Reader (AR)
Each quarter in my classroom, 2nd-grade students are expected to get 10 AR points and 3rd-grade students are expected to get 15 AR points. At the end of each quarter, we will do an AR Party where the students get to choose an activity or treat they get to enjoy IF they have reached their goal!
Students will only be able to take quizzes/earn points on books that are in their reading level.
ABC Bookfinder makes it easy to identify if a book has an AR Quiz that can be taken.
Renlearn is where students can login using their unique credentials to take an AR Quiz.
Online Resources
These are resources that are sometimes used in the classroom that has the potential to be used outside of the classroom as well! More will be added as we move along.
Typing.com: (Use Login with Google) https://www.typing.com/student/login
Google Classroom: https://classroom.google.com/u/0/h
Common Core Sheets: https://www.commoncoresheets.com/
AR Reading: https://global-zone08.renaissance-go.com/welcomeportal/285952