Residential Coaching Staff
Benchmark Young Adult School Primary and Residential Coaches have earned the designation of Certified Coach through the Next Step For Success® training course, "Coaching Struggling Teens and Young Adults," which is specific to coaching young adults in a program such as Benchmark. They have been credited with 30 hours of Approved Coach Specific Training Hours (ACSTH) as recognized by the International Coach Federation (ICF).
Ronnie Armendarez
Resident Life Coach Supervisor (ACSTH Certified)
Ronnie has taken several classes that deal with self-help skills. He has a certificate in CARE, and coursework in Living Skills, Drug and Alcohol, Anger Management, and Parenting Skills. He brings a rich history of work environments to Benchmark. He has worked in restaurants in the kitchen as a cook's assistant and caterer. He also was once a steel worker and also worked at one time for City of San Bernardino, in facility management. As Ronnie pursued his own recovery from drugs and alcohol, he began working at Cedar House Rehabilitation Center, helping others in recovery. At Benchmark, he is involved with students assisting them in life skills areas, including attendance at AA/NA meetings, wilderness trips, extra-curricular activities, and helping to maintain a healthy peer atmosphere. He is a father of four children. Ronnie enjoys cooking, and brings his culinary skills to our kitchens. He also loves to restore his 1965 Chevy Impala.
Debbie Smith
Resident Life Coach Supervisor (ACSTH Certified)
Prior to joining the Benchmark School staff, Debbie specialized her work in drug rehabilitation centers. She was responsible for the intakes, facilitated groups, and monitored persons in detoxification. Since coming to Benchmark, she responsible for the supervision of the resident counselor staff, as they work to keep a safe and productive environment at our 18-unit apartment student housing facility. She assists the students as they learn the skills necessary for independent living, teaches them about meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning and learning to live in a community of their peers. She is involved in our fitness program and any off-property outings. Debbie has worked her own program of recovery for many years. Debbie is the mother of three grown children and has four grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with her family.
Meghan Frawley, Benchmark Graduate
Resident Life Coach (ACSTH Certified)
Meghan came to Benchmark Young Adult School in September, 2005 as a student. She admits to having no self-esteem, no coping mechanisms, anger issues and an addiction to alcohol and drugs. Meghan spent 18 months as a student at Benchmark. In that time, she rebuilt her self-confidence, re-establisher relationships with family and friends and took control over her life. She served as Benchmark’s Student Government President and was honored as Student of the Year for 2006. She has achieved almost two years living clean and sober. She worked as a Benchmark Resident Advisor when she was in the graduate program and is now a Weekend Resident Counselor. Her duties include assisting the students with their weekend independent living skills such as meal planning, shopping and household chores. She provides emotional and behavioral support and helps students with problem solving issues in addition to participation in activities such as bowling, roller skating, BBQ picnics, sporting games and charity runs. Meghan is studying to become a California State Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor. She has completed her first year of classes in counseling, crisis intervention and also in public speaking. Meghan enjoys spending time with her friends and going to Starbucks.
Terry Hammond
Resident Life Coach (ACSTH Certified)
Terry joined the Benchmark Young Adult School staff in November, 2005 as a night-watchman. Terry has held positions such as Weekend Resident Counselor and Educational Assistant, assisting the students with high school and college registration/enrollment, tutoring and homework time management. He is currently the Night Manager at State Street Apartments, supervising apartment security and any student issues that may arise during the evenings. Terry’s experience includes effective staff communications skills and helping people to overcome their challenges. Terry holds a Certificate in Anger Management, Certificate in Parenting and Certificate in Framework for Recovery and his ICF Certified Life Coach certificate.
Sheri Martin
Night Watch Coach (ACSTH Certified)
Before joining Benchmark, a school for troubled teens & Sheri Martin was working at Cedar House, a drug and alcohol recovery center. Sheri joined the Benchmark staff in January, 2001. In 2003, Sheri was promoted to Weekend Resident Counselor Supervisor. Sheri has experienced many of the same challenges that our students face and she believes that her background suits her to work closely with the students. She brings her organizational skills and the ability to get the job done to her position as supervisor. “I form trusting relationships with the kids and I provide a safe and approachable atmosphere. The kids know they can count on me and that I’ll always be there for them. My nick-name is ‘mom’ and many of these kids look to me as a motherly figure while they are transitioning into their independent living,” stated Sheri. Sheri has a 16 year-old daughter and she enjoys spending time with family, her dogs and reading in her spare time.
