Reynaldo Benitez is in his tenth year of teaching and in his first year as the Director of Bands of Wood Middle School. Prior to joining Wood Middle School, he was the Assistant Band Director at Nimitz Middle School in the LEE HS Cluster. Mr. Benitez has also taught as the Head Band Director at DeZavala Middle School in Pasadena ISD, the Assistant Band Director at Connell Middle School in San Antonio ISD, and began his career as the Assistant Band Director at Berta Cabaza Middle School in San Benito CISD.

At Wood, Mr. Benitez directs the Honors Band and co-teaches Symphonic Band. He is also in charge of teaching all beginning woodwind and percussion classes. When not in the Wood Band Hall, Mr. Benitez clinics neighboring middle schools.

Mr. Benitez earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Texas State University - San Marcos in 2010. During his time at Texas State, Mr. Benitez studied Clarinet under Dr. David Pino and Paula Corley and was a Bass Clarinetist in the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Symphony Orchestra, as well as a member of the Bobcat Marching Band. He performed at CBDNA and TMEA with the Texas State Wind Ensemble and performed in a collaboration with Michael Martin Murphy with the Texas State Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Benitez Continues to perform with the Heart of Texas Concert Band and subs with the San Antonio Wind Symphony.

His professional affiliations include Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Band Masters Association, and Tau Beta Sigma Fraternity.

Mr. Benitez accredits his successful teaching to his fantastic teachers and mentors. He implements the knowledge and skills he has learned into his everyday teaching. Mr. Benitez's passion for music and band has been a part of him since his 5th grade year of beginning band and wishes to instill the love of music and band to his students the way his band directors had done for him.

In his spare time, Mr. Benitez enjoys traveling, practicing his musical instruments, and spending time with his family, friends, and dogs.