Benjamin Mainka
Superintendent. Transformational Leader. Inspiring Educator.
Introduction
My name is Ben Mainka, and I am an educational leader. As a current superintendent and innovator, I am proud of the work I have been able to lead and be part of in my career serving children and communities. I am passionate about helping children, schools, and districts reach their full potential. As a state and nationally recognized educational leader, I would love to continue the legacy of excellence that has been established in Novi Community School District. I believe that with a strong superintendent-board relationship, I could continue to build upon the success that Novi has rightfully come to expect. I believe that my skillset and experience are an ideal fit for helping to lead Novi Community School District in this exciting next chapter of their story. I hope you will take time to look through my website and learn a little about my background and experiences. Thank you!
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why novi?
Novi Community School District is an amazing learning community and has demonstrated tremendous success in so many areas. As a person who has been a close neighbor to Novi for 20 years, I have stayed connected and watched closely as the district has grown and thrived over time as my career has simultaneously progressed. I believe that now is a unique time for Novi, and that they are at a pivotal point in their story. NCSD has an incredible student population who are active and engaged in their education and their community, leadership and staff who are considered by many to be the "best of the best" in their field, and an incredibly engaged community and parent support system. Now, NCSD is looking for an experienced and respected leader who can unify the district, focus on the success of all students, and help lead them into their next chapter. I believe that I am that leader, and I have the experience, passion, commitment, and tools to be what Novi needs at this critical time.
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Professional Experience
I have served as a teacher, coach, building principal, statewide association leader, and superintendent. Additionally, I have presented at state and national conferences on leadership and educational practices. I have served on statewide education boards and committees, and even represented our state on the national level. More important than all of that is the fact that I love serving people and children. I consider being an educator not just a profession, but a calling. Please see details of my career journey below.
Career Timeline
1999-2002
College
I attended Spring Arbor University as a Biology and Secondary Education Major with a Minor in Chemistry and Kinesiology. While I attended SAU, I met my wife Jen, and I also competed on scholarship as an All-American Track & Field Athlete.
2002-2003
I started my educational career as a student teacher at John Hope College Preparatory Academy in South Chicago. After a wonderful experience teaching high school biology to an extremely diverse community, I came back home to Michigan and did a middle school student teaching post at Scranton Middle School in Brighton, Michigan.
Student Teaching
2003-2008
Classroom Teaching
After my student teaching, I started teaching as a Middle School Science Teacher in Oakland County at Millenium Middle School in South Lyon, MI. While teaching, I was a Varsity Boys Track & Field Coach, a Varsity Boys Basketball Coach, and a Varsity Girls Volleyball Co-Coach. During this time, I also attended classes and earned my Masters in Public Administration from the University of Michigan and the Rackham School of Graduate Studies.
2008-2015
Building Administration
After finishing my training, I was hired as an Assistant Principal at Fowlerville High School. After a couple years, I became the Middle School Principal at Fowlerville Junior High School. After four years in Fowlerville, I was hired as the Principal of Hartland High School where I served for several years. As a principal, I sat on numerous statewide educational committees while becoming known around the state as a leader in advancing educational and leadership best-practices.
2015-2016
State Association Leadership
In 2015, the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals contacted me and asked me to help build capacity across our state with many of the new legislative mandates and requirements affecting school districts. I had the privilege of training thousands of educators, including superintendents, principals, and teachers while working with the State of Michigan Legislative Committees and also the Michigan Department of Education and the State Superintendent.
2016-Present
Superintendency
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After my tenure as a statewide association leader, I recognized that I missed leading in a local district and wanted to bring the best-practices that were being used all over Michigan to a local community. In the winter of 2016, I received the honor of leading Swartz Creek Community Schools, a school district of just under 4000 students, as their Superintendent. I have served in this capacity for the past five school years. I am excited about the possibility of finishing my career by investing in and making a long-term commitment to the Novi Community.
100-DAY PLAN
THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS HAVE BEEN TIMES OF GREAT CHALLENGES, PARTICULARLY IN EDUCATION. I BELIEVE I CAN PROVIDE THE EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT NCSD CHILDREN AND STAFF HAVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO CONTINUE TO EMERGE FROM THESE CHALLENGES. IF I WERE SELECTED TO BE THE NEXT SUPERINTENDENT IN THE NOVI COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, THIS WOULD BE A SNAPSHOT OF MY FIRST 100 DAYS.