Benoni Pantoja
Director of Education for the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
Benoni Pantoja is a dedicated educator with a deep commitment to disrupting the cycle of poverty through education. As the Director of Education for the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, he oversees a broad spectrum of programs aimed at nurturing and educating individuals from infancy to young adulthood. Mr. Pantoja's career is marked by a profound engagement with educational leadership, educational technology, curriculum innovation, and the enhancement of college and career readiness. His strategic vision is backed by a rich academic background, including a B.A. in United States History, with dual minors in Ethnic Studies and Spanish Literature from the University of California, San Diego, complemented by a master’s in education from Loyola Marymount University.
Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Pantoja has assumed various pivotal roles, including teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, and Vice-President of Schools across San Diego, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles County. His leadership extends beyond administrative roles into active community engagement, where he serves on the Dream the Impossible Native Youth conference planning committee and the Tribal Child Care Association, among other significant positions. His previous contributions include serving on the San Diego Youth Services Homeless Youth Advisory Board, the San Diego Youth Homelessness Higher Education Committee, and the San Diego Future FIT committee, highlighting his commitment to community upliftment and educational advocacy.
Mr. Pantoja's collaborative efforts with the San Diego Workforce Partnership and San Bernardino Workforce board underscore his dedication to bridging education with career opportunities, ensuring that students and young adults are equipped to navigate the path from education to employment successfully. His work is a testament to his belief in the transformative power of education as a tool for social change, embodying his lifelong commitment to empowering individuals and communities through learning and development.
Benoni Pantoja is a dedicated educator with a deep commitment to disrupting the cycle of poverty through education. As the Director of Education for the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, he oversees a broad spectrum of programs aimed at nurturing and educating individuals from infancy to young adulthood. Mr. Pantoja's career is marked by a profound engagement with educational leadership, educational technology, curriculum innovation, and the enhancement of college and career readiness. His strategic vision is backed by a rich academic background, including a B.A. in United States History, with dual minors in Ethnic Studies and Spanish Literature from the University of California, San Diego, complemented by a master’s in education from Loyola Marymount University.
Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Pantoja has assumed various pivotal roles, including teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, and Vice-President of Schools across San Diego, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles County. His leadership extends beyond administrative roles into active community engagement, where he serves on the Dream the Impossible Native Youth conference planning committee and the Tribal Child Care Association, among other significant positions. His previous contributions include serving on the San Diego Youth Services Homeless Youth Advisory Board, the San Diego Youth Homelessness Higher Education Committee, and the San Diego Future FIT committee, highlighting his commitment to community upliftment and educational advocacy.
Mr. Pantoja's collaborative efforts with the San Diego Workforce Partnership and San Bernardino Workforce board underscore his dedication to bridging education with career opportunities, ensuring that students and young adults are equipped to navigate the path from education to employment successfully. His work is a testament to his belief in the transformative power of education as a tool for social change, embodying his lifelong commitment to empowering individuals and communities through learning and development.