Author

"In Class …With Class …It Can Be Done"

This is not a how‑to book. It is simply a book of my convictions, beliefs, ideas and my vision about education. The purpose is to educate, motivate, and inspire young people to understand what they can do with their lives by having a “can-do” attitude. If a little orphan girl can succeed with limited opportunities, one should consider the advantages that are at his or her fingertips. Success can be yours if you want it; first, you must learn to believe in yourself and move forward.

Being a high school principal is one of the toughest, if not the toughest positions a person can hold in the educational arena. No matter how you slice the cake, the high school principal is the sergeant on the battlefield. You’re on the frontline at all times. Everybody is not called to serve in this capacity. It is most definitely a calling or a mission. You must be able to “walk-the-walk” and “talk-the-talk.”

In other words, as the late former President, Mr. Harry S. Truman stated, “If you can’t stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen.” You must be tough, strong, dedicated, courageous, and honest most of all. There are many more adjectives that could describe what you must be in order to become an excellent principal. You must have a back like an alligator, strong shoulders as an acrobat, and hands like an octopus. Further, you must have the brainpower, will power and knowledge in order to keep your sanity in order to remain positive at all times. Being a principal is not a “glory” position. Former President, Mr. Abraham Lincoln stated, “Whatever you are, be a good one.”

Preview Chapter One of the book here, PDF or eBook.

Educator

Mrs. Benton’s educational achievements, awards, recognitions, and other accommodations (to include a few) are: BA, M.Ed, Ed.S. CPE, Music, Academic Counseling and Guidance, Supervision and Mid-Management.

Shirley Knox Benton holds:

a Master of Science in Counseling/Guidance and Mid-management, Supervision and Elementary Education from Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX.,
Bachelor of Arts in Music from Huston-Tillotson University, Austin, TX.
She completed her fellowship at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA., with a specialty in counseling cognates.
Doctoral Study, NOVA Southeastern University, Las Vegas, NE.
Certifications ED.S., and CPE. State certification from Indiana University, Northwest Campus, Gary, IN.
Further study in reading and Language Arts, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX., Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
Participated in the School Change Awards Program at Fordham University, New York City.
International Study: PEOPLE TO PEOPLE Ambassador -Oxford Round Table, St. Anthony University, Oxford, England, University of Johannesburg and Cape Town University, South Africa.
A special visit was made to The Oprah Winfrey School in Johannesburg, South Africa.

She is affiliated with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and Phi Delta Kappa.

Shirley is an award-winning principal cited by Reader’s Digest, one of ten in the nation as An American Hero In Education for turning a “troubled school” around, and was selected by her peers as Texas’ High School Principal of the Year which included a trip to The White House with 48 principals from across the nation.

PhD

But Wait! She is not done yet!

In 2022, many years after she retired from the public school system or attended a college class, Shirley was nominated to receive an honorary Doctor of Philosophy, PhD., from the Trinity International University Ambassadors Corp.

It seemed like a divine sign when Shirley encountered a former Dunbar student working at DFW Airport in the Security area for her flight. He recognized his former principal and wanted to know "if it was still being done."
Yes, it is.

The Diploma reads:

T.I.U.A School of Business
hereby confers upon
Shirley Byrdsong Knox Benton
the degree of Doctor of Philosophy,
Honoris Causa
In recognition of Entrepreneurship & Business Administration, With all the rights and privileges thereunto appertaining in Withness thereof, this Diploma duly signed has been issued by affiliation with Trinity International University of Ambassadors Corp, and the seal of the University affixed. Authorized by the Board of Governors and Faculty upon recommendation of the Faculty at Pensacola, Florida, on the fourth day of June, two thousand and twenty-two."

Consultant

Dr. Shirley Knox Benton is A Multi-Faceted Woman and Dynamic Motivation Speaker.

A Strong Advocate for Students of all ages with the belief that ‘All students can learn if given the opportunity’.

A Convocation Speaker for Black History presentations, churches, clubs, organizations with special emphasis on:

Teacher Inservice
Organizational Skills
Classroom Management
Discipline
Instruction
Strategic Planning
Mentoring
Lesson Plans
Best Practices
Action Plans
Safe and Orderly Environment
Principal Mentoring
Book Study and
At Risk Students.
Certified Trainer PALS -Peer Assisted Leadership Services.
YouTube -In Class With Class Video.

Even though I am "retired", there is a sense of stirring in my soul to continue my work in the field of education and beyond.

My experience includes:

50 years of experience in the public school arena.
20.5 years — Classroom teacher
6.5 years — Academic and Guidance Counselor
6 years — Assistant Principal
12 years — Principal
5 years — Texas Education Agency – PSP Professional Service Provider- Monitor/Conservator
4 years — Junior College level as an assistant to the evening administrators.

Inventor

Shirley recently invented a product designed to provide a dignified solution for immobile persons who cannot get up to use a toilet. Her invention, named The P-Puff™ replaces diapers, bedpans or the need for a catheter. It is designed to prevent leaks, odors, and the personal discomfort and embarrassment that occurs with use of wearable incontinence products.

P-Puff™ fills the need for a method to enhance personal care of individuals who need assistance to use the toilet.

Learn more about P-Puff™ at P-Puff.com.

Shirley took her invention to the INPEX (Invention and New Product Exposition) show, held each June in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she received the Award of Merit. She was encouraged to attend and graduate from the Steve Harvey School of Business Acceleration training program for entrepreneur development.

First to…

Shirley Birdsong Knox Benton holds a number of Firsts as part of the Fort Worth Black History Makers.

She is a native of Longview, Texas; A 1954 honor graduate of Longview Colored High School

Mrs. Benton is the

First African-American female Principal of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School; during which, the school received $117,550.00 for raising TAAS Test Scores. This was the largest amount ever to be given to a high school in the State of Texas. In addition to these funds to the school, Mrs. Benton received The Governor’s Award from the late Ann Richards.
First African-American female to hold the title of Texas’ High School Principal of the Year–2001. (The title still stands). There are over 1,000 school districts in the State of Texas.
First African American female to hold the title of Region 11 High School Principal of the Year-2001. (The title still stands). Region 11 includes all of the surrounding areas of Fort Worth. There are 20 Regions in the State of Texas.
First and only educator in the North Texas area to receive the Reader’s Digest American Hero in Education Award in 1996, for “turning a troubled school around.” The awards are presented to educators who make a difference in lives of youths. The school received a gift of $10,000.
City of Fort Worth Commission on the Status of Women: #1 Woman in the Workplace.

About

Here’s my story…
“Once upon a time, there was a little girl who at eight years old, lost both parents, seven months apart. Her life changed drastically overnight and forever.

This little girl was adopted by her mothers’ sister and husband; they were strict, religious, civic-minded and stressed finer manhood and finer womanhood. Both had a great interest and concern for education.

This little girl was taught 'if one does her very best, study hard, dream tangible dreams, surround one’s self with good people, set goals, as a result, no struggles would be too hard'. First, try hard, believe, persevere, never say “can’t”, but say “can”, and always believe that “It can be done.”

Dr. Shirley Knox Benton is the widow of the late Sammie L. Benton, proud mother of one son, one daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, four goddaughters, 17 nieces/nephews, and more than 15,000 former students now serving in a global society.

Mrs. Benton is a 57-year member of the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, Rev. Kraig L. Pullam is pastor, and she serves as church historian.

Shirley loves and models hats, and has quite the collection, including the commemorative "Four O'Clock Hat" featured on the book cover, that she designed and created herself.

Contact:

sknoxbenton@gmail.com

She Believed — So She Did!

Shirley Knox Benton

Author • Educator • Consultant • Inventor

Her Mantra:

“With God, All things are possible…It can be done.”

Her motto:

“In class, with class…it can be done.”