The Prince William Chapter of the Catholic Business Network recently honored two Catholic educators from Prince William County through its annual Catholic teacher awards. The winners were celebrated during a Jan. 21 award ceremony and dinner at the Benedictine Monastery in Bristow.
The honorees, Kathleen Benjamin and Kimberly Hall, were selected for their demonstrated impact on student learning, creativity in teaching, commitment to serving others and proven leadership skills.
Benjamin, a fifth grade teacher at St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School in Woodbridge, was celebrated for her “servant’s heart” and her profound impact on both academic innovation and spiritual formation. She is known for designing immersive learning experiences through dynamic small-group rotations and flexible seating. Her use of “literature circles” has been known to capture student interest so strongly that discussions often continue well outside the classroom. Benjamin successfully integrates faith into daily instruction and mentors other new teachers in the diocese.
“Mrs. Benjamin is a powerful witness to the joy and excellence of Catholic education; she invests her time, talents and heart into uplifting others for the glory of God and the success of her students,” said Dominican Sister Mary Sabina, principal.
Hall, a 14-year veteran art teacher at Linton Hall School in Bristow, was recognized as a cornerstone of the school’s faculty and community. She was lauded as a versatile educator who inspires students of all ages, teaching beyond the canvas to instill core values of confidence, patience and personal excellence. Principal Emily Reid recalled a lesson on the Sistine Chapel in which Hall guided a room full of four-–year-old students in painting “frescoes” while lying on their backs under tables to mimic Michelangelo’s working conditions.
“The Catholic Business Network is privileged to shine a light on the extraordinary educators within our local Catholic schools,” said Wayne Mattson, chapter president. “Teachers like Mrs. Benjamin and Mrs. Hall do more than instruct — they cultivate the spiritual and intellectual growth of each student. By fostering the light of Christ in each child, they inspire a spirit of discipleship that extends far beyond the walls of the classroom.”
