Each brings a wealth of experience and talent to academics and student support services
Cheshire Academy welcomed nine new faculty members for the 2026-27 academic year, including classroom teachers and student-facing professionals in College Counseling, Campus Life, and the Roxbury Center for Learning & Leadership.
“Cheshire Academy continues to attract talented and experienced faculty and staff and I’m looking forward to working with each of these new colleagues,” said Head of School Tom Woelper P’26. “We know they will each add creativity and new perspectives to our vibrant campus community.”
Meet the New Faculty
Andrew Aavatsmark— English Teacher
English teacher Andrew Aavatsmark brings extensive teaching experience, including 17 years at Watkinson School, and time at the Foote School, Kingswood Oxford, and at the college level. He holds a Ph.D. from UConn and has advised Model UN and coached both fencing and baseball.
Haimanot Belachew— Mathematics Teacher
Haimanot Belachew, a recent Yale University graduate, joins Cheshire Academy’s Mathematics and Computer Science Department. She brings a passion for STEM education and experience teaching and tutoring, including serving as an undergraduate teaching assistant in both Yale’s Mathematics and Computer Science departments. Originally from Ethiopia, Belachew will also join the Academy’s vibrant residential community.
Jared Chase— Science Teacher
Science teacher Jared Chase most recently taught in Cheshire Public Schools and holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Quinnipiac University. In addition to teaching, he has a strong background in lacrosse and alpine skiing as an accomplished former athlete and coach, including All-State honors and a state championship in alpine skiing.
Bradley Kelly— Mathematics Teacher
Bradley Kelly joins the Mathematics and Computer Science Department from St. Luke’s School and brings experience teaching at Phillips Academy Andover. He was a senior content developer and tutor for The Princeton Review and studied math and history at Columbia University.
Bradley Lyon— History Teacher
The History and Social Sciences Department welcomes Bradley Lyon, an international educator with experience teaching global politics, history, business, and economics in diverse settings, most recently in the Philippines. He holds graduate degrees in special education and international relations and economics and, prior to teaching, spent many years with the World Bank.
Frank Taylor— Spanish Teacher
Spanish teacher Frank Taylor joins Cheshire Academy from Putnam Science Academy, where he taught Spanish for seven years. A Trinity College graduate, he began his teaching career in Costa Rica and has experience across independent, charter, and public schools. He has also been an assistant soccer coach.
Robert MacSwain— Roxbury Instructor
Robert MacSwain joins the Roxbury Center for Learning & Leadership, which integrates the latest research from the field of Mind, Brain, and Education (MBE) to help students learn, grow, and flourish as global citizens. Most recently from The Storm King School, where he taught English, he has taught internationally in Germany, Bulgaria, and Hong Kong. Originally from Canada, he also brings many years of coaching varsity basketball and girls’ softball.
Jason Klem— Associate Director of College Counseling
New Associate Director of College Counseling Jason Klem joins the Academy from Flint Hill School in Virginia, where he was assistant director of college advising and coached boys’ and girls’ track. He has worked in college admission at Trinity College and Franklin Pierce University and holds a BS in applied psychology from Ithaca College. He also joins Cheshire Academy’s residential community.
Meg Melbourne— Associate Dean of Students for Campus Life & Engagement
Meg Melbourne is Cheshire Academy’s associate dean of students for campus life and engagement. She joins CA from Westover School and was previously associate dean of students at Forman School. Melbourne holds an MA in international education from SIT Graduate Institute. She will oversee the residential program and has joined the residential community.
Varsity Coaches
Four new varsity coaches also joined the community for the 2026-27 year. Read the story on our website to learn more about the professional experience they bring to Cheshire Academy’s athletics program.
