Harvard Community Unit School District 50 is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Benitez has been named assistant principal at Harvard High School, effective July 1, 2026.
Benitez brings six years of experience in education to the role, all of which have been spent serving students and families in District 50. A Harvard native, she has built her career in the community that shaped her — and now steps into a new level of leadership within it.
"Having grown up in Harvard, this community has played a big role in who I am today, which makes this opportunity even more meaningful," Benitez said. "I'm looking forward to supporting students, staff and families in a new way, and to continuing to build a positive, inclusive environment where every student feels supported, challenged and successful."
Benitez currently serves as Special Education Department Chair at Harvard High School, a role in which she has worked to build a more collaborative team across special education staff, general education teachers and related service providers. She has also focused on strengthening IEP processes across the department and partnering with junior high colleagues to create a more aligned, seamless transition experience for students receiving support services as they move from eighth to ninth grade.
Before stepping into the department chair role, Benitez worked as a special education teacher, providing direct instruction in English and reading, managing student IEPs and collaborating closely with general education staff to support a wide range of learners.
Beyond the classroom, Benitez has been actively involved in student life at Harvard High School, coaching freshman girls basketball and junior varsity girls soccer, and serving as class advisor for the graduating class of 2026.
Benitez holds a bachelor's degree in special education from Northern Illinois University and two master's degrees from the American College of Education — one in special education and one in educational leadership. She holds an Illinois Professional Educator License with an LBS1 endorsement and an Illinois principal endorsement. She is also bilingual in English and Spanish.