Chelsea Academy

There have been many developments in the last month as we continue to prepare for the opening of Chelsea Academy this fall, and I am excited to share a few of them with you.

First of all, you are invited to meet the faculty and board members at an Open House and Cookout from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 20. Don’t miss this opportunity to tour our recently completed facility and to learn more about our program. Individuals, families, and children of all ages are welcome.

After reviewing scores of resumes from very fine candidates, conducting job interviews, and observing classroom teaching, I have been able assemble a most impressive team of teachers whose intelligence, experience, commitment, and personal qualities give me every hope for the success of our fledgling school. It is my great pleasure and privilege to introduce the Chelsea Academy faculty and staff for the 2008-2009 school year.

Guy Bauer, B.A. Math and History Teacher and Coach. Guy comes to Chelsea with over ten years of teaching and coaching experience at the middle school level, three of them at a private boarding school where he lived with his charges. He also has worked on curriculum development throughout his career. A native of New York, he has most recently taught and coached in the Fauquier County, Virginia, school system. Guy is an avid outdoorsman. He and his wife, Nancy, have two children.

Mary Brand, B.A., M.T.S. Religion Teacher. Mary has over ten years of experience as a teacher. For the past three years, she taught eighth-grade math at St. Anne’s-Belfield School. She has also taught religion at Bishop O’Connell High School as well as math at Oakcrest School and The American School in Switzerland. Mary earned a Masters in Theological Studies and Catechetics during this time and helped to design and teach the confirmation program at her parish in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Bernardine Clark, B.A., M.F.A. English Teacher. Bernardine has distinguished herself as a master teacher at several levels, including college, high school, and middle school. In addition to working at St. Albans School and Portsmouth Abbey, she has written short stories, essays, screenplays, and children’s stories, most notably the award-winning Follow the Drinking Gourd. She and her husband, Mark, have four young children, whom they have homeschooled.

Mark Clark, Ph.D. Choir Director. A classics professor and a trained opera singer, Mark will direct the Chelsea choir, drawing on his passion for music and experience leading choirs at other independent schools, including Portsmouth Abbey.

Elizabeth Hibl, B.A. French and Religion Teacher. Liz spent seven of the last eight years with the Community of St. John, living in both France and the United States, first with the contemplative sisters and later with the apostolic. A perfectly fluent French speaker, she has considerable experience teaching catechetics to children and adults. She has written a children’s book, which she translated into French and Spanish, and has worked with young people in numerous summer camps and retreats. Liz’s strong interest in theatre led her to produce and direct a French play by Thérèse of Lisieux.

Noah Morey, B.A. Latin and History Teacher and Coach. A recent graduate of Christendom College, Noah grew up with seven siblings in the Pacific Northwest. He earned his Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, and as a college student he served as head sacristan, captain of the men’s soccer team, assistant athletic director, resident assistant, and editor of the student newspaper. He also worked with the Missionaries of Charity on a spring break trip in Mexico, assisted with the youth program at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, and received training in Latin instruction.

Mary Mueller, Administrative Assistant. Mary brings great experience to this position, having handled the scheduling, transcripts, student registration, report cards, and attendance at a large high school in Marietta, Georgia, for almost ten years. She and her husband, Mike, have five sons.

Father Frank Papa, S.O.L.T., J.C.D. Chaplain. Father Papa spent more than twenty-five years working with young people before becoming a priest. He has written several books, including Teenage Guide for Confession. He currently serves as resident priest at Human Life International in Front Royal. Father Papa will celebrate Mass and hear confessions for the school every Friday.

Joseph Sladky, B.A., M.A. Science and Math Teacher. After graduating from Thomas Aquinas College, Joe studied biology, chemistry, and physics in a pre-med program before deciding to change course and pursue graduate studies in history. His professional experience has included several years teaching middle school math and science at Northridge Preparatory School as well as working with inner-city youth in Chicago. Most recently, while completing his dissertation as a Ph.D. candidate in history at Catholic University, Joe has been working as an editor of The Digital Library of the Catholic Reformation. He and his wife, Jenny, have six children.

You can see why I feel inspired as our planning proceeds, and why I look forward to our first year with such high expectations.

Please join us at our Open House on July 20.

Sincerely,

Jonathan D. Brand
Headmaster

P.S. Applications for admission and tuition assistance are still being accepted. Apply today!