Lucas Chen '27
Sep 27, 2024
With the sad departure of many faculty members last year, the Mercersburg Academy community welcomed a number of new faculty members, each aiming to make the school a better place.
Chelsea Begg, the new English teacher, joined the school from overseas. “Before Mercersburg, I was living in Dublin, Ireland. I was studying and received my MPhil in Modern & Contemporary Literature at Trinity College Dublin.” She also holds two bachelor's degrees, English and Writing & Rhetoric, from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. “I teach tenth grade English and AS Literature and Composition. I am most excited about being part of the Mercersburg community! Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. It's been such a wonderful experience so far!” Interestingly, Begg also ventured to Thailand and Cambodia to help develop school education programs before teaching in the States.
Christopher Bright, a native of Philadelphia and a new science department faculty member, came from Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg, VA, where he also taught science. Bright currently teaches freshman biology and honors chemistry. “What am I most excited about? Learning in a new community. Learning about the people, my colleagues, the surrounding areas, and finding ways to contribute to a great school," said Bright. Bright not only holds a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Brown University but is also an avid triathlete and trail runner who has represented Team USA for the Triathlon World Championships in Denmark in 2001 and New Zealand in 2012.
Tara Collier, the new mathematics fellow, was a full-time swim coach prior to coming to Mercersburg. "I currently teach two sections of statistics, and I am one of the assistant swim coaches," Collier said. In addition, Collier is most excited about seeing students' growth inside and outside the classroom and continuing to live inside a strong community filled with welcoming people.
Andrea Dumont, the Director of Student Activities and a language teacher, has brought her experiences teaching various subjects in the U.S., Guatemala, and Ecuador to the Academy. She received her bachelor's degree in Spanish from Elon University and her master's degree in National and Transitional Studies: Literature, Culture, and Language from the University of Münster in Germany. Dumont currently teaches Spanish II Honors, helps with student activity interns, serves dorm duty in Swank and an advisory group. "I am most excited about being a part of the community and after four years in Florida, I am excited for four different seasons again!"