Benjamin M. Colas
Fellowship Placement: Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District
Benjamin M. Colas has a love of learning and believes that education allows students to discover how their own knowledge, skills, and values can help them to lead a life of purpose.
He received a B.S. in finance from Grove City College.
Benjamin entered education in 2013 as a Teach for America Corps member in Cleveland, OH. Throughout the next 5 years, he gained much experience within K-12 education. Benjamin taught kindergarten in Cleveland schools, and with the help of strong family partnerships, he contributed to students doubling their projected academic growth. He also coached teachers on relationship-building, recruited quality school leaders, and provided support to a building’s leadership-centric redesign.
This experience allowed Benjamin to see firsthand the cycle of kids entering kindergarten behind academically and not catching up, which motivated him to launch KinderKits. This initiative served to equip and empower parents in their role as a child’s first teacher and use everyday moments as teaching opportunities. Over 6,000 parents across Ohio and Pennsylvania have received these kits and the work was recognized in local and national outlets.
His most recent work at Class Technologies and Stand Together has focused on K-12 innovation and supporting education entrepreneurs and school leaders to expand access to educational opportunities and redefine when, where, and how education is delivered.
Benjamin looks forward to applying learnings from BRIGHT and helping foster opportunities for learners to unlock their potential. He is preparing to lead a building and foster an environment where both students and staff feel safe, welcomed, and valued.
Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters, reading, grilling, and being active outdoors.