Rachel Arauz hails from Louisville KY where she studied foreign language for four years of high school and then earning a Bachelors and a Masters degree in French and Secondary Level teaching at the University of Louisville. She taught French, computer applications and multimedia classes for several years at an all girls’ high school in Louisville, Kentucky. Rachel also served as Student Services Manager where she assisted the Dean of Students and the counseling department. Mrs. Arauz relocated to Lexington after she married, teaching middle and upper school French for two years until the birth of her daughter.  Rachel recently began teaching an Adult Learning Spanish class at Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary Church. Additionally, she loves to watch sports, especially football, basketball and cycling.

Cynthia Beasley is a MacPherson Academy Administrative Consultant.  Ms. Beasley is President and CEO of ChangeMaster, Inc., a Human Resources Consulting firm located in Lexington, KY, specializing in mergers & acquisitions, compensation analysis, EEO/ Affirmative Action Plan Development, diversity training, strategic recruitment, selection & placement, mediation & labor negotiations, employee relations, Department of Labor, Department of Justice and EEOC issues.  She received her Bachelor of Art degree in Psychology from the University of Kentucky and Master of Arts degree in Human Resource Development from Xavier University.  She received her Doctorate Degree in Organization Development from George Washington University in the spring of 2003.  Best of all, Cynthia is a people person and a former MacPherson Mom.

Frank Boyer, well-known local artist and teacher will once again be teaching the Art I and Art II classes for MacPherson Academy. Mr. Boyer’s post high school training was in the fields of Drafting and Graphic Design, but we know him as a gifted artist and teacher. Mr. Boyer has had many years of teaching experience in such places as Maysville Community College, the University of Kentucky (Donovan Scholars), Montessori schools, Fayette County Public Schools and the Living Arts and Science Center. Frank has been the recipient of many educational grants.

Diane Carnes was born in Louisiana and grew up in Mississippi.  Her mother was a taxidermist, Girl Scout professional and later a professor of biology.  Her father was a botanist, landscaper, railroad worker, author, and in his last years was able to teach biology in the same college as her mother.  She grew up roaming the forests of South Mississippi and Florida and learning about the animals and plants there.  She attended grade school and high school in Mississippi and attended Mississippi Southern College (now the University of Southern Mississippi) for two years before marrying in 1960 and moving to Memphis; Tennessee. When her three children were in high school and middle school, she returned to college and received a BA in English in 1982.  She taught English at the University of Louisville in the 1982-83 school year, while working on a Master's in English. . Last year she was given the opportunity to teach at MacPherson Academy and has enjoyed it very much, where she is also the faculty advisor for the MacPherson Academy chapter of The National Beta Club.

Jeff Hatmaker was a music education major at Eastern Kentucky University for two and a half years before changing tack and going professional in Navy Band New Orleans, where he served for five years.  During that time, he had experience in several different types of music performance; big band & ceremonial band, the one-of-a-kind Navy Steel band (a Caribbean steel drum ensemble), as well as a multiplicity of small ensemble work, such as jazz combos, Oktoberfest band, jazz funeral band and rock band.  He was proficient on euphonium, trombone, tuba, trumpet, bugle, steel drums, drum set, auxiliary percussion and electric guitar.  During high school, he won several superior ratings in solo competition, participated in all county and all state bands, was nominated to be in the McDonalds All-Star band, chosen to participate in American Musical Ambassadors and took an advanced course in music theory.  In college, he participated in marching band, brass choir, concert band & orchestra.  He also worked summers as an instructor at several high school band camps teaching marching drill and working with students on the mastery of music in the setting of small, sectional rehearsals.  In the Navy, he accelerated out of the Military School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia due to his knowledge of music.  While at the school, he also played on the faculty concert band.  He was also drum major for the ceremonial band, the youngest man to ever hold that position in Navy Band New Orleans.  He is also trained as a conductor, and has had the honor of conducting the Berea College Band as part of his training.  He currently enjoys playing guitar, banjo, mandolin,  blues harp, bass and performs taps at military funerals.  He has a broad experience with many different musical styles, and is just as conversant on disparate subjects such as opera and music theory as he is with modern popular music, bluegrass and folk.  He enjoys music ranging from Mozart to Mo-Town to Motograter.  He is also a composer, with orchestral, ensemble and various keyboard and instrumental pieces to his credit.  His Pipe Organ composition, "Lachrymosa," has been chosen to be in a small, Indie movie, called "Pox."  He currently performs the Native American cedar courting flute as part of Intertribal pow-wows, music and cultural festivals.

Merry Hatmaker was born and raised in Louisville, KY. One of 8 children, she attended Catholic elementary school, Eastern High School, and Eastern Kentucky University from 1979-1986.  With a major in Industrial Education and Technology and specialization in Woodworking and Technical Drawing, and also gained experience in graphics, metallurgy, architectural and industrial illustration, statistics and quality control. She met and married Jeff Hatmaker, a retired Navy veteran and musical scholar in 1995, and became the mother and manager of 2 children, Shade and Boone. She has been a teacher for the last 10 years, homeschooling her children, giving riding lessons, and teaching Children's Religious Education at the Madison County Unitarian Universalism Fellowship. This position encompassed all ages and included a position as coordinator of group service projects which benefited Heifer International, Wolf Run Wildlife Refuge, and Bat Conservation International. Merry and her family are also organic homesteaders and hobby farmers.  They have raised horses, ostriches, goats, rabbits, chickens, peafowl, guineas, and bees.  She is a 4H Camp Counselor, Kentucky Horse Park Volunteer, and a Volunteer Rolex Official.

David Mortkowitz will be teaching the Shotokan Karate class.  Mr. Mortkowitz earned a Shodan Black Belt in Shotokan Karate on October 24, 2000.  David has 3 years experience as a teaching assistant for James M. Smith, Chief Instructor or Jim’s Shotokan Karate Club.  Mr. Mortkowitz received the high score in student teaching competition at Transylvania University in 1999 for his work with a Karate class.  In addition to his regular training, Mr. Mortkowitz also taught 2 summer Karate camps and participated three times in the Bluegrass State Games. David pursued his love of English, writing and history at the University of KY. He taught Writing and History last year. In previous years he has taught Humanities, World History, American History and Civics. David has served as the faculty advisor for the Student Council for four years.

Judy Mortkowitz, MacPherson Academy Administrator, graduated Georgetown College with a degree in Elementary Education in 1971.  Mrs. Mortkowitz later completed a Master on Arts in Education and a Master of Arts in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from Morehead State University.  Mrs. Mortkowitz has many years of teaching experience from the Kindergarten level through College level.  She is a certified teacher who has taught in public, private and home schools.  She has worked in a Title III program as a Curriculum Consultant and Resource Specialist, has lectured at in-service day programs for public school systems, conducted teacher training programs, demonstration classes, written and edited home school news letters (Springboard for Family Christian Stores and The Explorer for Joseph-Beth Booksellers and Davis-Kidd Booksellers) and served as a principal in a private school.  Before opening MacPherson Academy, Mrs. Mortkowitz was an Education Consultant for a chain of bookstores and taught at Transylvania University. She is certified in Kentucky, New Jersey, North Carolina and Florida. The new transition into MacPherson Academy is very exciting and Judy is looking forward to the new changes. In addition to being the Administrator for the school, she also teaches classes in Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Critical Reading and Math. This year she will also be teaching “The Novel” for students working on a college reading list.

James Ploskonka serves MacPherson Academy as Education and Administrative Consultant. Dr. Ploskonka is the past Executive Director of Sullivan University. Prior to this position at Sullivan, Dr. Ploskonka served as Dean of Academic Affairs at Sullivan University. He received his undergraduate training at the University of Pennsylvania, Mansfield, his Master’s Degree from Boston Conservatory and his Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation from the University of Kentucky. Additional studies were completed at Boston University. Dr. Ploskonka has served as President of the College Personnel Association, Research Chair for ACCHO-I, Kentucky State President for the American College Personnel Association for Kentucky and serves as adjudicator for the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. His community activities are numerous including; serves as Minister of Music and Education at the First Church of God, a University of Kentucky Fellow, member of the Kentucky Chamber Chorale, Commissioner of Garrard County Athletics, Board member of the Partners for Workforce Development of the Bluegrass involvement with Junior Achievement, Kentucky Education Television and Partners in Education with the Lexington Herald Leader. Dr. Ploskonka has served as a professor of Music at the State University of New York, and taught at graduate school for the University of Kentucky in educational psychology. He is an author of several periodicals with focus on student retention. He is the father of three boys and education is his passion.

Cindy Sawyer is a member of SAG (Screen Actors Guild).  She has been on numerous TV Commercials national and regional, Coca Cola, Suzuki, Alcoa, John Deer, K-Mart etc.  She has appeared on the TV show, Sheriff Lobo and acted in many educational shows for KET and other productions in Los Angeles.  She has worked with Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra Jr. and Arty Johnson from Laugh- In. Cindy has been on the cover of LA Woman 3 times and has represent many clothing lines in magazines. She has performed in plays off broadway in Chicago and studied with Second City improvisation group while there.  In Los Angeles she studied commercial, film & TV acting with numerous known coaches as well as Darrell Hickman. Cindy has coached her 5 children in theater, commercials, TV, film and print. Fonta, 23, won "Best Dramatic Actress" at IMTA and went on to study in NY and LA.  She has made appearances on the TV show Boston Public and General Hospital.  Andon, 25, won "Best Singer Songwriter" at IMTA and has performed on several TV shows. Hart, 21, won the highest award for all around talent in all divisions at IMTA and has also appeared on Boston Public and has performed on several TV shows. As well as radio commercials.  She currently is a senior at Belmont University in the singer-songwriter program and is being onsidered to be signed by Rider Music in LA. Van, 14, played Harry Potter for a TV commercial and has a great knack for memorizing lines.  He has also won 3rd place in a singing talent competition. Arbella, 12, won an award for acting in Jan. 2008 in Los Angeles at AMTC and was top 15 out of 5000 actors from around the world.  Her acting head shot won top award. She currently has offers for signing with management and agencies in NY and Los Angles.  She is being considered for the film "KY Rhapsody" directed & screen play by Nick Cassavetes.

A.Patrick Schneider II, MD, MPH: Dr. Schneider is a family physician in private practice. He is a native of Lexington and is board certified in Family Practice and Geriatrics. He holds a Master of Public Health degree from Harvard University and is on Active Staff at St. Joseph Hospital. He does volunteer work in Pro-Life and charitable activities and was a co-founder of Faith Pharmacy.  Dr. Schneider hosts a weekly radio broadcast and is an active musician and member at The Cathedral of Christ the King.

John Seabolt received his B.A. with a major in Biology from Berea College, Certificate in Medical Technology from Duke University, M.S. and Ed. D. from University of Kentucky, and Ed.S. from Morehead State University. Additional coursework was taken at E.K.U., Virginia Polytechnic Academy, and Cornell.  He also completed numerous workshops at the Centers for Disease Control. Dr. Seabolt has worked as a medical technologist; taught medical technology at Columbus College (Ga.) and the University of Kentucky; taught medical microbiology at Lexington Community College; taught non-majors biology laboratories; coordinated such and microbiology laboratories; and taught other diverse biology courses such as parasitology, pathogenic microbiology, emerging infectious diseases, and contemporary topics in biology. Over the years he has given numerous professional workshops and is author or co-author on 50 publications. Although a native of southwestern Virginia (Cumberland Gap area), he has lived in Lexington for MANY years. He and his family attend University Heights Church of Christ. John has taught Marine Biology and Genetics for us and next year he will be teaching the World Geography class. The following year he will be teaching microbiology for the students who have completed the AP Biology class.

Barry W. Stamper is a Kentucky certified teacher in Mathematics and Integrated Science. Mr. Stamper earned a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics with a specialty in Mathematical Physics from Morehead State University. He has had 15 years experience teaching high school and middle school mathematics and science in Louisville, Frankfort, Lexington and Washington County. Mr. Stamper has also taught math students at the University of Kentucky and The University of Louisville. Mr. Stamper is a published poet and in addition to teaching, he has had experience as a Research Analyst, Private International Contractor and Computer Programmer at the University of Kentucky. He was the Principal at MacPherson Academy and will continue in that position at MacPherson Academy. He teaches advanced mathematics, including Algebra I, Algebra II, Plane Geometry, Solid Geometry, Trigonometry, Analytic Geometry, Pre-Calculus and Calculus. His science classes include Physical Science, Chemistry, and Physics. His elective classes include World Comparative Government, Spanish and the Poets and Poetry class. Barry is a Viet Nam veteran having served in the U.S. Navy and we are fortunate to have his vast experience to inspire the students and support the structure of MacPherson Academy.

Erika Stevens serves MacPherson Academy as head of the English and Foreign Language departments.  Mrs. Stevens is a doctoral candidate at the University of Kentucky, pursuing a program in Education with an emphasis in Curriculum and Teaching, having completed her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Secondary Education with a specialization in Spanish at Georgetown College.  Mrs. Stevens is a member of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Spanish Honors Society and a former member of the Kentucky Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages.  She has had experience teaching in public, private and home schools.  Her areas of professional teaching are in Spanish, English, Journalism, and World Geography, Speech and Debate.

Joe Wilson was born in Massena, NY, and earned a B.S. in chemistry from M.I.T. in 1956 and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Indiana University in 1961.  As a post-doctoral fellow he did research at the University of Wisconsin from 1961 to 1963, when he joined the faculty at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.  He retired as Professor of Chemistry from U.K. in 1999.  Apparently he hadn’t had enough because he has been teaching both General Chemistry (in an on-line course) and Organic Chemistry on a part-time basis since then.  He and his wife, Marlene, a nurse and currently assistant director of music at the Newman Center, have three children, who live in Phoenix, Boston and Wellington, New Zealand.  In his spare time among other activities he enjoys triathlon and usually wins first place in his age group (because there is nobody else in that group).