Bening-Hale: a new change with experience for Konocti Unified School Board

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Pamela Bening-Hale in costume at a school event. Courtesy photo.

I just retired from teaching, June 2, 2018, after 42 years!

My teaching experience includes two years: at a private school, substitute teaching, and bilingual education at Kelseyville Middle School. Then 40 years in the Konocti Unified School District. Through those years, I have worked at many of the school sites.

While most of my years were at the elementary level (25 years at one elementary and 13 at a couple of other schools- diversity is interesting too), I also taught middle school, high school, independent study and a class in the Lakeport jail.

The things I’ve learned and experienced over those years were fun, challenging and memorable – I could tell you stories! There have also been many changes over those years, some were extreme – like in 2008.

Running for school board is an opportunity for me to serve the Konocti community and continue to be of service to our students, and children of former students! I have a lot of experience to contribute to this position. I believe Konocti needs new changes that are based on actual experience.

Joan Mingori, also running for a Konocti Unified School Board seat, and I have worked directly with students, parents and staff on daily basis, but she is in the high school. We have much more to contribute compared to other candidates that are not as well rounded and in depth as to the needs of our great school district.

One of my top goals, based on our society and community, that affect students’ daily school experiences, is to promote a non-bullying program district wide. Why? To bring in a higher level of safety for everyone and increase successful experiences, using a research based program, that stops bullying throughout all the schools in the district.

Students must be safe physically and emotionally, to be successful learners! East Lake Elementary School had a bullying program a few years ago that parents were impressed with.

Another goal is to improve discipline. When I had difficult students or classes, I would say, “If I can’t teach, then I need to teach discipline.”

Our district has a large percent of new teachers that have not completed their teacher certification – due to the shortage of qualified teachers. For these reasons, my effort would be to prioritize school and districtwide discipline: consistent and well communicated with students, parents, teachers, staff and principals.

About three years ago, the district purchased the “PBIS” (https://www.pbis.org/school) program. Only some staff members received training and only part of staff were included in the developing and implementation plans. PBIS states that every teacher and every staff are included in the knowledge and implementation of PBIS. This needs to be made a high priority, to be successful for school wide discipline, which is a part of successful learning!

I am a longtime Lower Lake resident. My education as a student in Konocti Unified School District began in second grade. I attended several of the schools that I later taught at! And graduated from Lower Lake High School.

After earning my teaching credential from California State University at Chico, I returned to my roots and family in Lower Lake.

My grandparents moved to Lower Lake in 1933 and had businesses in the town, including Konocti’s first bus drivers! My parents owned the 76 Union Oil gas station on the corner of Lower Lake, Highway 53, and Highway 29 during my school years. As you can see, I have been a part of this community for a long time!

I have been happily married to Ron Hale, a teacher at Lucerne Elementary School, for 30 years.

I am running for Konocti School Board because I have “feet on the ground” experience, and I would like to support the community, the schools, students and staff from a new perspective. It is time for a change, a change with experience!

A vote for Pamela Bening-Hale is a vote for a new change with experience!

Pamela Bening-Hale lives in Lower Lake, Calif. For more information about her candidacy, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..