STAFF & FACULTY
BENTON HALL ACADEMY SINCE 1977
JAMES PURCELL
HEAD OF SCHOOL
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
SAM POLATSEK
DEAN OF ACADEMICS
Mr. Polatsek received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from the University of Florida. He has been at Benton Hall Academy since 2016. During his years at Benton Hall, Mr. Polatsek has taught pre-algebra, algebra I and II, bridge math, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus, statistics, chemistry, physics, and music history/appreciation. In his free time, Mr. Polatsek enjoys playing guitar, participating in a local brass ensemble, hiking with his wife and dogs, and reading.
s.polatsek@bentonhallacademy.org
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
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
SHERIDAN KAATZ
TEACHER | 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
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
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