Now in his fourth year at Pennington, Mr. Ben Sulton has already worn many hats. He first joined the English department by covering a maternity leave in 2022 and a paternity leave in 2023, opportunities that eventually led to a full-time teaching position. Today, he is a valued member of the English faculty, teaching American Identities for Grade 10 and Rhetoric in the Modern World for Grade 11.

Teaching has long been a part of Sulton’s path. A native of Ewing, he attended The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), where he completed a five-year bachelor’s and master’s program in English and secondary education. During his time at TCNJ, he also took part in the Urban Teacher Academy, a program that sparked his interest in becoming a teacher. He credits the approach he discovered there—focusing on the whole student, building a culture of care, and prioritizing discussion over lecture—with preparing him for his work at Pennington.

When asked about his personal background, Sulton reveals that he is a triplet. He admits that while it never felt particularly unusual growing up, he has come to appreciate it more as an adult. “We weren’t raised as the same person,” he explains. “We were able to do our own stuff. We weren’t dressed the same and expected to do all of the same things.”

Sulton brings that same belief in individuality into his classroom. After teaching AP Language, he and his colleagues agreed that the skills developed in that course should be woven into all of Pennington’s English offerings. His Rhetoric in the Modern World class reflects that philosophy, guiding students through nonfiction texts such as Friday Night Lights, Evicted, and Atlas of A.I. Each book, Sulton notes, connects to challenges that many American high school students encounter, from relationships and economic insecurity to navigating artificial intelligence.

This past summer, Sulton took his first trip abroad, traveling to the United Kingdom. For an English teacher, the journey was especially meaningful. From Warwick Castle to Oxford, to Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, Sulton immersed himself in the literary and historical richness of the country. Watching Shakespearean scenes performed in the playwright’s own garden was a highlight, as was the chance to explore castles that, in his words, “fed my inner child.” The trip also gave him a new perspective on what international students experience when they leave home, even in a place that shares a common language.

Beyond the classroom, Sulton contributes to many aspects of life at Pennington. He serves as a hall parent and is assistant to the director of both the fall play and winter musical, helping students rehearse lines and lending a hand with ticketing. He treasures seeing students, some of whom are quiet in the classroom, grow more confident on stage, a transformation that occurs as they take ownership of their characters.

For the past three summers, Sulton has also been a fixture at Pennington’s summer camp, where he facilitates board games, especially Dungeons & Dragons™. As Dungeon Master, he leads players through imaginative adventures, drawing on his love of storytelling and improvisation. He enjoys the overlap between these games and his work in the classroom and theater, all of which give students opportunities to think creatively, collaborate, and grow in confidence.

From his classes to his theater work to his imaginative summer game play, Sulton’s presence is felt in many corners of campus. Students benefit not only from his passion for literature and teaching, but also from his enthusiasm for helping them discover and develop their own voices.