Fork Union Military Academy congratulates CPT Austin Benda on being named Teacher of the Term for Term 2 of the 2023-2024 academic year. Benda, who taught English 1 during Term 2, joined the FUMA Faculty in the Summer of 2023 as a Social Studies and English instructor. Outside of the classroom, he serves as the Academy’s head Junior Prep soccer coach and will assist with baseball in the Spring.

The Virginia Beach native is a 2011 graduate of Virginia Military Institute (VMI) where he earned his BA in English and played baseball. Following his time at VMI, Benda earned his M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning from Liberty University. He is currently pursuing his PhD in History from Liberty University.

Cadets submit nominations for the Teacher of the Term at the conclusion of each grading term. The cadet nominations are reviewed and evaluated by the Teacher of the Term/Year Committee, which is comprised of non-academic staff members. After considering cadet nominations, the Committee announces the Teacher of the Term.

CPT Benda received nominations that stated:

• "CPT Benda is the best teacher I have had. He always keeps us engaged in learning by doing fun activities and ice breakers. CPT Benda understands us and is in touch with our generation.”

• "CPT Bend is an amazing person. He is always helping us succeed. He gives everyone the same amount of opportunities, which shows he cares about us all equally.”

• “CPT Benda is fun and engaging but is also a great teacher. He gets us locked in when we need to be. He also gets our grades in as fast as possible.”

Congratulations, CPT Benda!