Ben Schofield (Mr. S), K-8 Music Teacher
BIO: Ben is a graduate of the College of Staten Island with a BA in Music and is currently pursuing his Masters in Music Education through Liberty University of Virginia. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa and raised in Passaic, New Jersey, Benyomin developed a love for music at age 11, cultivating a special affinity for the Harp. By the time he was 17, Benyomin was giving private lessons and running a musical camp in his own backyard. These early experiences strengthened his love for teaching and for the arts. Benyomin began his path towards higher education as a pre-med student, eventually switching to music; following his true passion for performing, composing and teaching. Benyomin has worked in a variety of educational and youth art/camping organizations including the Staten Island JCC, Camp Moshava Ba’ir (Paramus, NJ), Camp Shalom of New Jersey, Young Israel Day Camp, and Camp Chinuch (Passaic, NJ). He also worked as IlluminArt Production’s Music Director and Teaching Artist where he taught Write-A-Play, and ventured into acting in Peace Up, What Goes Around, Table Service, and Truth in Excess. He is currently Mazel Day School’s music teacher and music club director. His repertoire includes teaching Harp, Guitar, Bass, Piano, Percussion, Music Theory, Music History, Music Appreciation, and Creative Expression. Now a husband and father, Benyomin believes on of his main purposes in life is to “inspire creativity and spread a love of music in others."
I became a teacher because... I love working with kids. I’ve worked with kids since I was 15 years old working as a youth group leader at my local shul. As a musician and composer, I am also passionate about music, and I found that blending my two passions of working with kids and working with music to be has been incredibly rewarding.
My vision for our children is... for them to not only develop a love and appreciation of music, but to learn practical musical skills so that they can creatively express themselves through music as well.
I joined Mazel because... I felt that it’s a school that encourages, supports, and shares my educational vision and philosophy.
My favorite memory from being a student was... being a part of my school’s choir which performed for the school’s annual dinners.
The most difficult part of being a music teacher is... lack of time. There is so much I want to teach and give over and so little time to do it.
My best advice to parents is... for them to encourage their children’s creativity.
If I could teach my students only one thing, it would be... respect. Respect for themselves, and respect of others. Respect of ideas that differ than their own. In a world where having a different point of view, or different mode of expression is not only frowned upon but sometimes outright attacked, I feel that the most important thing for children to learn is Respect.
If I would not have become a teacher, I would have become... either a Pharmacologist (I started my college career as a pre-med student), or a full time Harpist and Composer.
A trick I use in the classroom is... using games and activities to teach the musical concepts and ideas. Students retain a lot more when they learn in a fun and interactive way.
Outside of school I like to... spend time with my wife and two kids, as well as perform and compose music.