Hello, my name is Mr. Benshoff. However, around SAIS I am known as Mr. "B".
My name is Greg Benshoff and I have been employed by the Selinsgrove Area School District since August of 1972. My first teaching assignment was at the Shamokin Dam Elementary School (now Hoss's Steak House) with 36 fourth grade students assigned to my room. What an experience that was! I also taught fifth grade at Monroe Township Elementary School (now PEP Boys), and Selinsgrove Elementary School.
For five years I served as principal of the Selinsgrove Area Middle School and have served as Acting Elementary Principal on two separate occasions for the district. I have been a fifth grade teacher at the Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School since it opened.
I enjoy teaching science and mathematics. I am happy that I have the opportunity to work with my students in these two areas every school day.
Outside of school I enjoy playing the drums. I am a member of three musical organizations, the Fishing Creek Fyfe and Drum Corps, Catawissa Military Band and A Touch of Brass. I also enjoy reading about the American Civil War, especially the Battle of Gettysburg. My great-grandfather participated in the Battle of Gettysburg. Playing in the Fishing Creek Fyfe and Drum Corps gives me the opportunity to combine two of my favorite activities into one.
I am married and have two sons. My wife is an 8th grade language arts teacher in the Central Columbia School District. My oldest son is an Lieutenant in the United States Navy and his first assignment was with the USS Pittsburgh, a fast attack nuclear submarine. He is currently an instructor at the Navy's nuclear training facility in Bolston Spa, New York. My younger son attended Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport where he is studied automotive collision repair.He is currently employed locally in his field.
On December 6, 2008, my wife and I officially became grandparents. Our oldest son, Jared and his wife Christine, had a son whom they named Tyler. We are looking forward to being grandparents!
My wife and I volunteer for Youth For Understanding which is a national organization that hosts exchange students from foreign countries here in the United States. Over the past five years my wife and I have found homes for over 10 students and have housed four students ourselves. We have a Danish son, a Brazilain son, a Finnish daugher and a German son. I can't begin to tell you how this experience has broadened our knowledge of other cultures around the world. I wish more people would realize what a wonderful experience this is. Three years ago we spent two weeks in Denmark with our Danish son, Jens, and his family. What a wonderful experience for our whole family! This summer we plan to visit Finland and see our Finnish daughter Elina! Check YFU's website for more information, call or email me at school.
Now for a brief explanation of the picture at the top of this page. From the time I was little I was always afraid of snakes. Five years ago, my wife who is also a teacher, bought a classroom pet. Her class decided they wanted a snake. Gavin, an albino Burmese Python, took up residence in our home when school was not in session. Needless to say I was not too happy! However, over time I begin to realize that my fear of Gavin was unfounded and that I needed to learn to co-exist with him. I made the mistake of telling my class about him and they wanted him to pay them a visit. Several years ago, when Gavin was on a break from school, he came to visit. The picture was taken infront of my students and I was holding Gavin for the second time in my life!
Now I use this as an example for my students.
Living with a snake in the house gave me the opportunity to study
him and learn more about how they live and interact with the environment.
Although I still have respect for them in the wild, I don't fear
them like I use to. Below are two pictures of Gavin this summer.
He is growing into a rather large snake!
