Dedication, Faith, Relationships All Add UpRead Time 11 min

Lidia Benitez teaches a subject that a lot of students have a hard time with (math) to an age group that is going through some changes (middle schoolers).

The fifth-year St. Adalbert teacher approaches that “problem” the same way she would approach a mathematics question.

“If there’s anything you take away from math, it’s that there is always a pattern,” Benitez said. “Math is very predictable. There are no surprises.”

Her formula for reaching students who may be hesitant or unsure of the subject matter she is teaching?

Relationships.

“They’re at that stage where they’re thinking for themselves, now they’re making their own decisions, and if you’re trying to lay down the hammer from the get-go, you’re going to get a lot of pushback,” Benitez said.

Some of the ways she builds those relationships are asking about her students’ weekends, what their interests are outside of school or maybe crafting an inside joke.

“Every day, what gets me in the door is knowing that one day, these are the students that are going to be making a difference in the world,” Benitez said.

Her professionalism, teaching skill and love for the faith shine through when she gets in the door, according to people who nominated her for the Catholic Herald’s first installment of the Teacher of the Year Award. Benitez, along with five other recipients from around the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, will be honored and recognized at the Catholic Schools Dinner on Tuesday, March 11.

“She is a beacon of inspiration and a catalyst for positive change,” said Fr. Ricardo Martin, the pastor of St. Adalbert Parish, located on the south side of Milwaukee. “I believe the success of her teaching is her belief that educating a child goes beyond that particular individual and it includes their families and their environment. It is very obvious to me that being a teacher is not just a profession but a true vocation for Lidia, whose impact begins with her exceptional personal example.”

Outside of the classroom, she is a leader of a youth music ministry called Apóstoles En Acción, which now has more than 50 students involved. She is also a Confirmation catechist and youth leader in the parish.

“Educating these children requires more than just school time, and it takes much more than just an academic review,” Fr. Martin said. “Lidia gives of herself with incomparable talent and skills.”

Not content with the skills and talents she currently has, Benitez has been enrolled in the Remick Program at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, which is a graduate-level course for educators who want to be school leaders.

The current school leader at St. Adalbert, Principal Lisa Manier, said in addition her work at the parish and in the classroom, Benitez is instrumental in ensuring the Catholic faith is seen in everything that is done at St. Adalbert.

“She supports teachers as they set up prayer corners in their rooms, she ensures that the whole school is living out our values and our weekly Scriptures and ensures that Mass is prepared and ready each week,” Manier said. “This summer, as a new principal, I came to a meeting hoping to plan our summer staff faith retreat. Lidia came to the meeting not only with the entire retreat planned but also with next steps, a supply list and a clear vision for how we would meet our retreat goals. I was blown away by her attention to detail, her willingness to take feedback from me and Fr. Ricardo, and her ability to plan activities that would build faith amongst our staff.”

Benitez also has a way of building the faith amongst her students, noting her involvement in parish ministry is about bringing as many young souls as possible to God.

“I am very passionate about our Catholic faith, so everything I do, even some of the math lessons, I connect back to God,” she said. “These students, they’re thirsty for the truth. They don’t want anyone to sugarcoat it for them. They appreciate honesty. They are so hungry for more of God.”

From her time attending St. Adalbert Parish as a child to working there teaching the next generation, Benitez has had many experiences that resonate with her students and the young people she works with at the parish.

“I’m very vocal about my faith journey,” Benitez said. “They relate a lot to that and that gives me some buy-in with them. A lot of them are altar servers right now. That’s how I started as well — I was an altar server. I relate to what they’re going through.”

That’s all part of the pattern toward building relationships.

Benitez at a Glance

School: St. Adalbert

Years at school: Five

Years as a teacher: Five

Favorite saint: He’s not a saint yet, but Bl. Carlo Acutis. I’ve been following him since he was first name blessed, so I’m really excited he is going to be canonized in April.

Hobbies: I love to sing and play violin. I’m a very big bookworm, so whenever I have down time, I’ll be reading, whether it’s cozied up inside during the winter or outside in a hammock.

Favorite food: Pozole, a Mexican soup.

Quote that guides your life: “Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.”