Principal’s Message
Greetings and welcome to Gil Garcetti Learning Academy, home of the “College Bound Cougars”! I am Dr. Benton and I’m excited to serve as the Principal of this fantastic school. Moreover, I am thrilled that you have decided to learn more about our wonderful staff and students as you explore our website! Formally known as 68th Street Elementary, Gil Garcetti Learning Academy (Garcetti) aims to provide a high-quality, college-bound, standards driven instructional programing for all students in a safe and diverse educational environment. Our focus is to ensure our students meet and exceed their grade level content standards expectations. Each school year gives us new opportunities to enhance our instructional program and our school community. We look forwards to the upcoming school year.
I am a proud product of the Los Angeles Unified School District, graduating from Susan Miller “Dorsey” High School. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from University of California, San Diego, a Masters of Administration in Education from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a Doctorate from Concordia University, Irvine. I have 27 years of certificated experience in both Elementary and Secondary with the Los Angeles Unified School District, 21 years of which were school site administrative assignments with direct instructional and operational oversight at the elementary level. I served eight years as a school site Principal, five years as an Assistant Principal and eight years as an Elementary School Director in the South Los Angeles area. In my previous assignment as Principal, I implemented systems of high expectations for staff and students, set goals for student achievement at each grade level, and provided a myriad of opportunities for parents and community to be daily equal partners. As a result, the school received a California Distinguished School Award, a
Title 1 Achieving School Award, and a California Honor Roll School Award for its academic achievements. My philosophy is “all children can achieve under the guidance of a highly-qualified teacher when provided with the right supports and services”.
Title 1 Achieving School Award, and a California Honor Roll School Award for its academic achievements. My philosophy is “all children can achieve under the guidance of a highly-qualified teacher when provided with the right supports and services”.
The Garcetti staff is committed to providing a well-rounded educational experience and innovative daily instruction in order to meet the needs of our 21st-century learner. Our staff works diligently to ensure that each child is working to his or her maximum potential. In addition to the “core instruction”, students are provided with character education, technology instruction, and be exposed to the arts.
We invite you to visit our campus to observe the inspiring activities that occur on campus each day and become a partner with us in this work.
On behalf of the faculty and staff, I wish an exciting and successful year to everyone and look forward to our working together on behalf of our future leaders.
Dr. Benton
