Our Community

Our Parents

We believe parent involvement is not only critical to the success of our school, but also directly linked to the success of our children. That’s why we ask our parents to volunteer at least two hours of their time during the school year, which can be in the form of lending your time, talent, or treasure.

Benedict Day School has exceeded our expectations in every way. BDS has the uncanny ability to be small enough to know everyone by name and the resources to focus on each student’s strengths and weaknesses to maximize their potential. We feel fortunate to have our children here!
Wright & Anna Lauten

BAP - Benedict Association of Parents

“When my husband and I moved to Hattiesburg, we toured all of the schools in the area. We were blown away by the unique culture of creative hands-on learning at Benedict Day School. From the hallway to the conceptual units, the culture was one that promoted critical thinking in a fun and engaging way! Now that I am a parent of BDS students, I love the opportunity to learn alongside my children. Even though my children are in different grades, we are able to talk as a family about the current unit, artist, and composer. Benedict has truly been an extension of home for my children. The staff are extremely accessible and helpful. The culture is full of creativity and excitement. Benedict is instilling a lifelong love of learning and general curiosity in my children, and for those reasons, I am forever grateful.” – Susan Wiggins, BAP President, bap@benedictdayschool.com

The Benedict Association of Parents was created in order to make each new Benedict family feel welcomed and to ease the transition. The association fosters and advocates partnership and unification among parents, faculty, and students by facilitating and empowering families to aid and serve the school and community. To contact BAP, please email BAP@benedictdayschool.com.

Our Faculty and Staff

Since our founding, BDS has attracted teachers who love to teach and students who love to learn. We have a special place in our hearts for our BDS teachers as they continuously go above and beyond to provide the best possible educational experience for each and every student. 

Administrators

Tyler Spruill
Headmaster
Deleta Brewer
Admissions Director
Kristen Frierson
Director of Student Services
Alex Bunkheila
Office Administrator
Shana Bounds
Assistant Director of Athletics and School Nurse

Meet Our Teachers

Jennifer Matherne
Kindergarten Teacher
Maryann Fasnacht
Kindergarten Assistant
Joy Breland
Kindergarten Teacher
Jennifer Morgan
Kindergarten Assistant
Wendi Johnson
1st Grade Teacher
Shelley Jackson
1st Grade Assistant
Leanne Spiers
1st Grade Teacher
Rebecca Albert
1st Grade Assistant
Summer Smith
2nd Grade Teacher
Mia Bell
2nd Grade Assistant
Taylor Pellegrin
2nd Grade Teacher
Sabrina McArthur
2nd Grade Assistant
Mary Kathryn Wilson
3rd Grade Teacher
Shelby Woodyear
3rd Grade Teacher
Misty Bass
4th Grade Teacher
Peyton Myers
4th Grade Teacher
Shelby Deese
5th Grade Language and Writing; Dyslexia Therapist
Anna Caitlyn Johnson
5th Grade Reading; Dyslexia Therapist
Macie Gregory
5th Grade Social Science and Humanities
Maggie Aultman
6th Grade Homeroom; 6th Grade Language, Reading and Writing Teacher
Bethany Warren
6th Grade Homeroom; 6th Grade Math Teacher
Lisa Holliman
7th Grade Homeroom; 6th-8th Grade Humanities
Allison Beasley
7th Grade Homeroom; 7th-8th Grade English Teacher
Kate Nielsen
6th- 8th Grade Science Teacher
Brittany Mallion
8th Homeroom; 6th-8th Grade History
Tyler Spruill
6th-7th Grade Math Teacher
Matt O’Keefe
6th-8th Grade Student and Teacher Interaction Coach
Rebecca Key
Music Teacher
Jennifer Weir
French Teacher
Alex Mallion
8th Grade Homeroom; PE Coach
Amanda King
Art Teacher
Matison Loftin
3rd- 8th Grade Information Technology Teacher

Our Board of Trustees

Title Name
Chair of the Board Kelly Oliver
Vice Chair of the Board Dr. Jay Antinnes
Board Secretary Anna Laura Brett
Board Treasurer David Oliver
Board Member Laura Parish
Board Member Ben Pierce
Board Member Ron Savell
Board Member Ben Snow
Board Member Joseph Thrash

Alumni Spotlight