Education Staff
Florence Reynolds, B.A.
Dean of Education
Flo holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, with a secondary major in reading. She attended Whitman College, where she did her student teaching in Secondary Reading. She is planning to apply to the graduate program in 2006. Flo has a certificate in CPR and First Aid. Flo is a Certified Scotopic Testing Screener for Irlen Syndrome, which helps resolve issues with academic and work performance, behavior, attention and concentration. Flo brings a history of experience to our school, which includes retail management. Flo began working at Benchmark in 1995 as a resident counselor and has been our Dean of Academics since 1998. She accompanies Benchmark students to Redlands Adult School, where she teaches coursework leading to a high school diploma. She is responsible for assisting students with enrollment in college courses as well as assisting students who are interested in finding classes in certificate and work programs. She is our liaison person with all the local colleges, (Cal State University, San Bernardino Valley College, and Crafton Hills College, to name a few). Flo’s energy and enthusiasm is contagious and helps to inspire students who have experienced unsatisfactory school experiences to new heights. Flo loves animals and she loves to read and travel.
Don J. Harper
Dean of Work Education
Don’s expertise includes years of extensive experience working in a variety of areas, and as a result he exhibits a wide range of skills, abilities and knowledge. Much of his work life included employment in the newspaper business, trucking business, and eventually he ran his own small business. He describes himself as a jack-of-all trades and it is this expertise that he brings to our Benchmark students as he teaches the elements of learning how to work, how to start and finish projects, and how to take pride in accomplishments. He worked with youngsters over the years by coaching Little League and Pony League Baseball. Don has been employed at Benchmark for over 3 years. He helped to shape the work program into what it is today, as well as coordinated the interior construction finish work at our new education center. Don is married to Jayne Longnecker, and between them they have 6 grown children and 10 grandkids. He loves to hunt and fish.
Ramona Trippel, A.A.
Dean of Creative Arts
Mona has been with Benchmark since March 3, 1995. She holds an Associate of Arts degree and is currently working toward completing her Bachelor’s degree in Art. Mona began her career with Benchmark as a resident counselor, assisting students with their independent living curriculum. Over the course of her employment, she has worked as an instructor in many different aspects of Benchmark’s curriculum, managing projects such as: college enrollments, study-groups, drug/alcohol screening, job skills and job assessment testing. Mona also worked as an instructor in the Work Education program, assisting students to learn the skills in wood building, electrical and basic plumbing. Mona was inspired to launch Benchmark’s Creative Arts Department and has been teaching Creative Arts, featuring Stained Glass and Ceramics class, since 2000. Mona established Benchmark’s Student Art Gallery, which is located in the main hallway of the Education Center. She takes great pride in the work that students complete. Mona has been in a long-term relationship and enjoys art, music, reading, gardening and her pets.
Steve Kruse, Ret. USAF
Work Education Instructor
Steve has two years of college, and majored in psychology. He was a medical and psychiatric tech in the USAF, which began his work with special needs populations. He worked at Eglin AFB in a drug and alcohol treatment center. He also worked for Riverside County in the Department of Social Services. He has been at Benchmark for over 5 years. He teaches students the concepts of work by helping them build their required projects. He contributes his many hands-on talents by helping to build whatever is needed at Benchmark. Other contributions include his co-facilitating workshops, groups, and Framework for Recovery. Steve is married, has one daughter, one stepson and four grandchildren.
Tony Armendarez
Crew Chief
Anthony brings a rich history of employment to Benchmark, a school for troubled teens & young adults. He has been involved in the automotive detailing industry for 15 years. He has worked as a cook for 3 years, and worked for the Housing Authority for 2 years. Since he has been with Benchmark Tony has had various duties. Tony began by providing security for night watch and helped students with complying with work assignments. He was then chosen to incorporate the maintenance part of his duties by including our student work program. Students are taught various work skills and these involve making numerous repairs and upkeep with our apartments. Further, he and the student work crew tackle such projects as the installation of new equipment, such as new stoves, sinks, etc. He assists the staff in other ways, such as helping to prepare the apartments for special meetings, or workshops. He describes himself as a jack-of-all-trades. Tony is married, and is the father of 5 children and grandfather to five grandchildren. He loves to restore old cars, as well as enjoys going to swap meets.
