STAFF & FACULTY

BENTON HALL ACADEMY SINCE 1977

Benton Hall Academy Dead of School, James Purcell

JAMES PURCELL

HEAD OF SCHOOL | ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Mr. Purcell received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resources from Trevecca Nazarene University. He has been at Benton Hall Academy since 1993. He has been a teacher, coach, bus driver, lunch coordinator, athletic director and dean of students during his career at Benton Hall Academy.

j.purcell@bentonhallacademy.org

Benton Hall Academy Dean of Students, Jeff Keith

JEFF KEITH

DEAN OF STUDENTS

Mr. Keith has been at Benton Hall Academy since 2015, although he taught here from 1984-1985. He has earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Belmont College in Physical Education/Health, a Master of Education degree at Tennessee State University in Administration and Supervision and has completed various coursework and subject matter pertaining to discipline, leadership, and “best practices/instructional strategies”. Before coming to Benton Hall Academy, Mr. Keith led West End Middle School to “Reward Schools Status” in first year of new TCAP Assessment format. He has officiated TSSAA High School Baseball as an umpire for 30 years, worked the TSSAA State Baseball Tournament in 1989, umpired baseball collegiately from 1985-1996 and played NAIA Baseball for Belmont College as a starting and relief pitcher.

j.keith@bentonhallacademy.org

Benton Hall Academy teacher, Sam Polatsek

SAM POLATSEK

DEAN OF ACADEMICS

Sam Polatsek teaches Math and Music Enrichment and runs the Music Club at Benton Hall Academy, and is the newest member of the Benton Hall family starting in 2018. Sam was born in Brooklyn, New York, but grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He has been passionate about music his whole life and has been performing since he was 10 years old. Sam attended the University of Florida, where he majored in Music and Education. His hobbies include hiking, cooking, reading, and writing/performing music. Sam also has a green thumb, and enjoys caring for his make-shift garden on the porch of his apartment. The quickest way to his heart is with a friendly hello and an empanada.

s.polatsek@bentonhallacademy.org

Benton Hall Academy Office Manager, Kim Evans

KIM EVANS

OFFICE MANAGER

Kim Evans is a former student at Benton Hall Academy, attending her freshman year (’84-’85). She is the mother of four children, two with Autism, and one currently enrolled at Benton Hall. She has worked in the medical and autism fields for 30 years. She began as an Emergency Medical Technician and Medical Assistant. Then she worked her way to becoming an Office Manager and Clinical Assistant for a Physician, surgeon, and Outpatient Surgery Center. Kim was also a Founding Member, the Office Manager, and an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapist of Tennessee’s First ABA school, Above and Beyond in 1994. She has also worked as a private contractor as an ABA therapist for private clients in their homes, as well as acting as an advocate for families and students during IEP meetings. She has served as Vice President and President for multiple school PTOs. Kim has chaired and been a part of many fundraisers and has also owned an event/wedding planner, decorating, and catering business.


Benton Hall Academy teacher, Jean Ferguson

JEAN FERGUSON

TEACHER

Ms. Ferguson has been at Benton Hall Academy since 1992. She has over 30 years of teaching experience. Ms. Ferguson teaches high school English and Spanish. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

j.ferguson@bentonhallacademy.org

Benton Hall Academy teacher, Denise Johnson

DENISE JOHNSON

TEACHER

Ms. Johnson has over thirty years of classroom experience and has been teaching at Benton Hall Academy since 1997. Ms. Johnson teaches middle school science, social studies, reading, and health for both the lower and middle school. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education from David Lipscomb University, Nashville. She also is a Designated Career Level 3 Master Teacher.

d.johnson@bentonhallacademy.org

Benton Hall Academy Basketball Couch, Sheridan Kaatz

SHERIDAN KAATZ

TEACHER | ATHLETIC DIRECTOR | BUS DRIVER

Mr. Kaatz began teaching at Benton Hall in 2015. He teaches high school US History, World History, Government, Economics, and Middle School P.E. Mr. Kaatz earned a bachelor’s degree and completed a Teacher Certification Training Program at Lipscomb University.

s.kaatz@bentonhallacademy.org

Benton Hall Academy teacher, Alexandra Torres

ALEXANDRA TORRES

TEACHER 

Ms. Alexandra began teaching at Benton Hall in the fall of 2021. She is the main teacher for the Middle School. She grew up in the Nashville area and graduated from Brentwood Academy in 2015. She received her B.A. from the University of Kentucky in 2019 and just finished her MSc at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. She loves to read, write, and run during her free time.

a.torres@bentonhallacademy.org

Benton Hall Academy teacher, Amy Murphy

AMY MURPHY

TEACHER | LUNCH COORDINATOR | AFTERCARE | SUMMER CAMP

Ms. Amy has taught at Benton Hall since 1993. She teaches art in the lower, middle and high school, and teaches lower school math and language arts. In addition, she coordinates lunches and is in charge of Aftercare. She is also the head of the prom committee.

a.murphy@bentonhallacademy.org

Benton Hall Academy teacher, Consuela Reed

CONSUELA REED

TEACHER

Ms. Reed is a native of Nashville. She received her Bachelors and Masters from Lipscomb University in Education. She currently teaches English to students around the world and for Nashville International Center for Empowerment. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering with Khalsa Aid, Hands on Nashville, and Inner City Ministry. Her hobbies include traveling, cooking. learning new languages and cultures, and writing poetry.

c.reed@bentonhallacademy.org