Executive Staff
Jayne Selby-Longnecker Harper, M.Ed.
Executive Director/CEO
Jayne holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri and a Master’s degree in Education (Special Education) from the University of Colorado. She has extensive public education classroom experience, having taught regular classes ranging from grade four up through high school. She also has extensive experience in working in special education in classrooms that were devoted to helping at-risk children and adolescents with emotional, behavioral and learning differences. She began her work with emotional growth private schools in 1986 when she went to work for Hilltop Institute, which was owned by CEDU Education. For 7 years, she was Assistant Director, in charge of Admissions, and eventually became the Director of Hilltop. In 1993, Jayne founded Benchmark Young Adult School. Jayne is married to Don Harper since September 2002. Between them they have 6 grown children and 11 grandchildren. She loves all family activities, including water sports, riding motorcycles and snow skiing.
Joelle Walters, B.A.
Dean of Program/ICF Certified Life Coach
Joelle has been with Benchmark Young Adult School for over ten years and has held several positions within the school, including Head Primary Counselor and Staff Supervisor. She began her career with Benchmark as a driver when she was in high school. While attending college, she would assist part-time during school breaks. After graduating from California State University, Northridge with a B.A. in Deaf Studies and Communications Disorders, she began working as a full-time resident counselor. Her strong organizational skills lead her to a position as Primary Counselor, where she restructured and coordinated the Emotional Growth and Independent Living components of the program. Joelle is married to husband Rod and they have two children, Kassidy and Mitchell. Joelle enjoys camping, motorcycle riding, horseback riding, skiing and spending time with her family.
Ed Pinedo
Dean of Operations
Ed brings a variety of work and life experiences to the Benchmark School. As a young man, he was in the United States Navy, became a private pilot, and then opened up his own businesses. The first was an auto supply company and the second was a restaurant. He has also been a counselor in a residential treatment rehabilitation center, and was a counselor at Hilltop Institute until 1993. At that time, he joined Benchmark and was instrumental in helping build Benchmark as the school’s first employee. Ed’s duties at Benchmark have been varied and many. He helped establish the direction of the school, and developed our work education program from infancy as well as our workshops and wilderness trips. He is part of the Board of Directors, as an auxiliary member and is involved is all facets of the school. He currently teaches our Department of Motor Vehicle classes, and does one-on-one work with students who require more direct supervision. He has been married for 40 years, and the father of two grown daughters. He has five grandchildren. He loves family activities, sailing, camping, kayaking, golf and the challenge to create something good.
