Prior to coming to RCOE, Mrs. Erika Bennett spent 20+ years with Murrieta Valley USD, Murrieta, CA as a high school teacher, school counselor, district coordinator and assistant principal. Erika's career experiences have provided her with a multitude of opportunities to grow and develop teaching, counseling and leadership skills! Although the majority of Mrs. Bennett's time was spent at the high school level, she learned a great deal on areas of focus and best practices from elementary and middle school counselor colleagues.

Erika Bennett joins SCLN as an educator with 26 years of experience as a secondary teacher, counselor and currently the Coordinator of Student Support with Murrieta Valley Unified School District. Erika has a BA in History Social-Science from California State University, San Bernardino, MA in Education with the PPS Credential from Azusa Pacific University and is currently working on completing her CA Administrative Credential.

As a history social-science teacher, Erika’s classroom was filled with opportunities for students to be engaged, challenged and learn history from multiple perspectives. As a colonial history fellow, mentor teacher and California League of High Schools conference presenter, Erika incorporated the professional development knowledge, skills and strategies to her classroom and those of her colleagues within her site and/or district.

As a school counselor, Erika provided her students, families and staff with care, compassion, knowledge, guidance, support, continual communication and guiding students to reach their full potential and be prepared for their post-secondary path. During the 2015-2016 school year, Erika was awarded the Counselor of the Year for Murrieta Valley Unified School District.

As the coordinator of student support, Erika is responsible for the development and monitoring of a comprehensive guidance program for elementary and secondary counselors with a focus on college and career readiness. Providing students with a counseling scope and sequence that includes awareness, exploration and access is paramount for 21st century college and career learners. Leadership and implementation of programs such as: district sponsored PSAT, college field trips, social-emotional support, online career exploration, access to rigorous coursework and increased counselor interaction are just a few of the many philosophies, programs or strategies that have been implemented under Erika’s tenure to ensure student success. She also was the Assistant Principal at Murrieta Mesa High School before joining the
RCOE team.