The Benson Area Chamber recognized two Benson Middle standouts at their A Night To Celebrate Banquet on February 26, 2026. The Chamber named Benson Middle teacher Franklin Ruiz as the 2025 Benson Area Chamber Teacher of the Year, and Benson Middle School Resource Officer Jaclyn Kliest as the 2025 Benson Area Chamber Police Officer of the Year.
Benson Middle alumnus gives back
A native of the Benson area and a former Benson Middle student himself, Franklin Ruiz became an educator, drawing inspiration from his parents, who are pastors. Ruiz saw the positive impact they had on the congregation, and now, he is making an impact on his students' lives. He is a graduate of South Johnston High and East Carolina University, is married to his “beautiful wife,” and is the proud father of four boys.
Twelve years ago, Ruiz began his career in education as a teacher assistant at McGees Crossroads Middle. Then, he transferred to Cleveland Middle, where the extraordinary teachers influenced and inspired him to pursue a teaching degree. Now, Ruiz is in his fifth year of teaching 8th-grade U.S. History at Benson Middle.
“I recently had a student come up to me and tell me how she always found history uninteresting, but being in my class, she has been fascinated and intrigued by how I make history exactly the opposite,” Ruiz said.
During his tenure as an educator, Ruiz has learned that relationship building is a strong foundation for learning. He has also learned that attitude, body language, and words have a profound and immediate impact on the classroom atmosphere. One technique Ruiz uses in his classroom to help get students to open up and start building that relationship is icebreaker activities.
Ruiz understands that establishing trusting relationships is a key component for propelling students to achievement and academic success, and that his role as an educator is of the utmost importance. “I have the power to foster potential in my students,” he remarked.
Looking to the future at Benson Middle, he plans to continue creating a classroom where students feel respected, safe, and inspired, aiming to make the JCPS mission of Forward not just a motto, but a lived experience. Additionally, Ruiz would like to mentor new teachers, helping them navigate their first years by guiding and encouraging them to reach their desired personal goals.
SRO thrives in new role
Jaclyn Kliest has been named the Benson Area Chamber Police Officer of the Year. Kleist is about to complete her first year as the School Resource Officer (SRO) at Benson Middle and has an extensive background in law enforcement, including as an Army Reserve Military Police Officer, an agent in the Criminal Investigation Division, and a civilian police officer since 2020. She is a mom to a nearly three-year-old daughter, and Kliest’s husband is a soldier at Fort Bragg.
In 2016, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. After graduation, Kliest was in Basic Law Enforcement Training and had the opportunity to assist an SRO. “I loved that opportunity and knew that it would be a great opportunity in my future police endeavors,” Kliest stated. When the opportunity arose for the Benson Middle School SRO position, she took a chance and secured it.
When Kliest was a young student, she played sports and participated in clubs, but she also loved learning and wanted to instill that thirst for knowledge in the students of Benson Middle. “Not only am I their School Resource Officer, but I try to be a role model for the kids here,” said Kliest.
Since becoming an SRO, she has learned that education is about much more than just academics. “This role has shown me that a student’s behavior often tells a deeper story, and sometimes what looks like defiance, anger, or disengagement is really stress, fear, insecurity, or a need for support,” Kliest remarked.
For the 2026–2027 school year, she plans to stay involved with students in every way possible. During the spring sports season, she created a “clip” for each female athlete and presented them at their first game of the season, receiving an overwhelmingly positive response. “I am driven to promote a positive environment for our youth here in Benson as they are truly the future,” Kliest said.
Congratulations to Benson Middle’s Franklin Ruiz and Jaclyn Kliest for being awarded the Benson Area Chamber Teacher of the Year and Benson Area Chamber Police Officer of the Year, respectively.