Three new faculty members joined the upper school faculty this fall.

Mr. Caleb Bloodworth

Although a Georgia native, Mr. Caleb Bloodworth moved across the country from California to join Stratford’s faculty. Bloodworth – who teaches Spanish 1, Spanish 2, and AP Spanish – arrived in Macon after attending graduate school at the University of California at Davis.

Bloodworth, who also taught undergraduates at Davis, has had to adjust to teaching high school.

“The students are a lot harder working than some of the students I’ve had in the past and they’re all really dedicated to their studies,” Bloodworth said. “The administration is very supportive of the teachers and the parents are very involved in making sure the students have everything they need, which is helpful. We as teachers also have access to whatever resources we might need at Stratford, which is really nice.”

Bloodworth, who grew up in Fort Oglethorpe in northwestern Georgia, attended Berry College.

In addition to teaching Spanish, he also is a freshman class adviser.

Ms. Alex Hill

Ms. Alex Hill took economics and geography as a student at Stratford, where she graduated in 2006.  Now she is teaching both classes.

Hill, who has a degree in art history from the University of Georgia, has been tutoring at Stratford the past three years.

Being a tutor and an alumna gives Hill familiarity with Stratford, but also creates unique challenges.  She said she has had trouble “getting everyone to call me ‘Ms. Hill,’ so ‘Ms. Alex’ has become the norm.”

Hill said her favorite part about her job is “the extremely entertaining students,” and said it’s a funny experience having some of her teachers from high school as her colleagues now.

Hill said there have been some changes since her years at Stratford.

“There is a different headmaster and upper school assistant principal, which gives everything a different tone. We also didn’t have uniforms. However, the number of students, how everyone is involved in their work and clubs, and how everyone knows each other well is about the same,” Hill said.

Ms. Cason Wilkin

Ms. Cason Wilkin’s years at Stratford prepared her to attend the University of Georgia, where she majored in microbiology. Now she has returned to teach biology at the Academy

Wilkin, who graduated in 1996, also has two children who are following in her footsteps by attending Stratford.

She previously taught at several other schools, and began tutoring at Stratford last year.

“It is a complete joy for me to teach biology at Stratford. I adore each and every one of my students. I feel so lucky to be able to teach at such a wonderful school with such amazing students,” Wilkin said.