Who’s Who in Benicia: Benicia High Teacher Christine Mani

Where are you from? I was born and raised in Fairfield, California.

Where were you educated? I have 3 AA’s from Solano College, a BA from Sacramento State, my teaching credentials from Chapman University and my Masters degree from Southern Oregon University.

How did you end up in Benicia?  I actually wanted to teach English at the junior high level.  I always said high school kids were scary. The year I was starting teaching, the pickings were slim.  I was hired in Fairfield but the fit wasn’t right. Benicia High was looking for someone for English and Drama and I lucked out and they got me.  

What do you currently teach? Drama and . My students perform in a production each semester. 

How long have you been teaching? 12 years, mostly in Benicia.

What do you love about your job?  I love seeing kids get excited about anything and everything.  I love watching them learn and succeed (even if failures are sometimes a part of the process.)  I love seeing the final products and outcomes of what students can do and love seeing them understand what it takes to get to the next level in any art for or aspect of life.

How do you feel about BHS? I have loved working here from the day I stepped onto the campus. The kids aren’t as scary as I thought.  In fact, they are kind of like bugs, they are more scared of you than you are of them. 

What were you like in high school?  I think everyone falls into a slot in high school, or clique if you will, but for me I was really one of those people who branched the gap between cliques and had friends from all over.  

What was your favorite subject? I was a bit artsy.  I loved working in the ceramics class and always loved literature. English classes were usually my favorite as I never took Drama in high school – but I would read things like Hamlet on my free time. 

When did you start to find yourself? It wasn’t until college for me that I started dying my hair pink and dressing in all sorts of odd fashions, but even then I still got straight A’s and loved school and learning.  In college I even wrote an essay once on people being prejudiced against me because of my hair and the way I dressed.  It was a riot!

What advice to you have for students?  High School is not the real world, no matter how much you think it is. Are there cliques and groups and other junk to get through in real life?  Of course. But know who you are deep down inside first and always make sure to think for yourself. Don’t follow friends or allow them to define you – especially in college and career choices. If you are meant to stay in touch in life, you will- and if you are a good person there will always be someone else to pick up the slack if your friends lose touch.  Just be open to new things and new people and don’t be afraid to show them who you are.

What do you do for fun?  Well, theater! I really enjoy my work here, but I also direct, choreograph and perform in local theatres when I get the chance.  I also still take classes any time I can. I hate to be bored and am always happiest when I am busy.