Seton School in Manassas welcomes three new teachers for the 2023-24 school year.
John McMahon, a 1992 graduate of Christendom College in Front Royal, will teach English 12 and Latin I, II, III and IV. McMahon comes to Seton with 28 years of experience in teaching Latin and 26 years in English from both a public and a small, non-denominational private school. Among the familiar faces at Seton, McMahon knows Athletic Director Dan VanderWoude, Christendom alumnus of 1992; Jill Pogue, head of the foreign language department with whom he took Latin classes in college; and Director Bob Pennefather.
“For years I have been dreaming of teaching at a Catholic school,” said McMahon. “Seton has a reputation for both academic excellence and faithfulness to the Magisterium, so when the opportunity to work here came along, I jumped at the chance.”
Mary Brand, a 1994 alumna and mother of five, returns to teach Language and Logic to juniors and religion to the eighth grade girls. Active as a student at Seton, she continues her role in building up the Seton community both as a teacher and as the head of Seton’s 50th Anniversary Celebration committee organizing festivities for the 2024-25 school year. “We hope (the celebration) will be an opportunity to look back at the first 50 years and give thanks for the blessings God has bestowed on the school and community, as well as to look forward to the next 50 years and beyond,” said Brand.
Brand is continuing her career as a teacher. Formerly a math and religion teacher, she has taught at Oakcrest School in Vienna; Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington; the American School in Switzerland, where she was also math department chair and dorm head; St. Anne’s-Belfield in Charlottesville, Chelsea Academy in Front Royal, and the Summit Academy in Fredericksburg. Brand also taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes and currently is teaching a confirmation class at her parish, Precious Blood in Culpeper.
“I chose Seton so that my children can have the opportunity to attend the school,” said Brand. “My time at Seton made a huge impact on my life, and I am thrilled that my children will have the opportunity to attend as well. I am also excited to give back to the school and reconnect with other alumni and friends through my role in the 50th Anniversary Celebration. I am thankful for the opportunity to work alongside many of my former teachers and mentors, including Anne Carroll, whom I greatly admire.”
Charles Chalkley will teach high school students in advanced and regular biology, and Life Science to the seventh grade class. As a Youth Apostle, Chalkley became more closely connected to Seton through his ministries with Holy Trinity Church in McLean. He helped with multiple cookie ministries at Seton and came to know some students. A first-time teacher, Chalkley was asked why he chose to come to Seton. “Over the last two years, I’ve grown in appreciation of the goals of the school,” he said. “Other than that though, it has seemed more like God has led me to the school, and I’ve just been along for the ride.”
With three new teachers joining the school community, Seton looks forward to the upcoming academic year.
